Belfast ‘overlooked’

ALL the talk this year and for the last few years has been about the rise of Dublin hurling. But what about the other capital city on this island, Belfast?

The seat of government for Northern Ireland is home to almost 300,000 people, yet it has just one senior hurling club operating in the current top flight of Antrim hurling, St. John’s.

Why, then, is the GAA not focusing as much attention on Belfast as it is on Dublin, in the promotion of hurling? That’s a question that vexes former Antrim county board chairman John McSparron, the man who was hugely instrumental in bringing the Saffrons into the Leinster championship.