Simon McCrory Q&A: ‘All around Ulster there’s little pockets of hurling’

Simon McCrory is the captain of the Antrim hurling team, favourites to claim a 16th Ulster title in a row tomorrow against Armagh. McCrory works for the county board as a Hurling Development Officer in Belfast.

Q: People say teaching is the ideal job for inter-county hurlers, but being a Hurling Development Officer must be right up there?

A: It’s good alright to be playing and coaching hurling. It’s particularly rewarding working with the young ones, and especially in a place like Belfast. Hurling isn’t that strong in parts of the city so you’re bringing it into the schools and seeing the kids getting the enjoyment I get out of it. Even where I’m from in West Belfast, which isn’t a hurling stronghold by any means, you’re starting to see kids out in the streets with Antrim gear on and a hurl in their hands. It’s growing baby steps but we are definitely getting there. There’s a lot of different things going on between clubs, schools and development squads, so there’s plenty of plates to be spinning at the one time. It keeps you on your toes but I can’t complain. It’s a really, really enjoyable job.