O’Dwyer proving a point with graphite hurley

RYAN O’DWYER has revealed the secret of his success since joining Dublin — the high scoring full-forward uses a graphite hurley instead of ash.

The Tipperary native has been in devastating form for Anthony Daly’s Dubs and it has emerged that he uses a state-of-the-art hurley produced by an Offaly company.

Cúltec, a Ferbane-based operation which have produced a graphite stick of synthetic materials after several years of research.

And Cúltec manager Gerry Grehan said that believe they have found the product to replace the traditional ash stick after extensive research throughout the world over the past few years.

“Almost every other sport in the world has benefited substantially from the application of synthetic materials — tennis rackets, golf clubs, badminton rackets, fishing rods, baseball bats and snooker.

“Ash is scarce and expensive. The Cúltec hurl is breakable but it is much more durable and rarely breaks.

“What we have produced, using technology, is a stick that has all the positive characteristics of an ash hurley but without any of its limitations.

“It produces a consistent stroke and has a large forgiving sweet spot and that ensures predictable and repeatable results,” he added.

Dubs’ full-forward O’Dwyer — who hit 2-2 against Offaly and 0-6 against Wexford — agrees and credits a lot of his good form to the revolutionary new hurley.

“I can honestly say that I get an extra 15 to 20 yards on a puck with the Cúltec hurl,” said O’Dwyer.

“With the ash hurl, it is always tough when you break a good hurl. The next one you pick up is never the same.

“But the consistency I get now means you are straight back into the action.”

O’Dwyer, who made his debut for the Metropolitans in January’s Walsh Cup, turned to the synthetic stick only a year ago, but claims it has transformed his game.

And for a woodwork teacher to turn from the traditional ash hurl is a big step, but it is a leap that he wouldn’t reverse.

“In an average year I could go through more than 20 ash hurls at around €25 a pop,” said O’Dwyer.

“But I have only broken two Cúltec hurls in 12 months. They don’t shatter or chip so from a safety point of view they are ideal.

“For any parents that have to fork out for hurling equipment it could be a significant saving for them.

“It takes a while to become accustomed to the touch, but once you do it is worth it,” he said.

O’Dwyer is hoping his good form continues when Dublin take on against champions Galway in their next Allianz National Hurling League clash on Sunday.