New Head of Hurling Willie Maher wants to expand participation levels beyond traditional boundaries

It's a mammoth task though for the Bennettsbridge resident who acknowledged that in certain cases he will be battling against 100 years of tradition.

MAMMOTH TASK: GAA National Head of Hurling William Maher wants to expand participataion beyong traditnional boundaries. Pic:  Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile

New Head of Hurling Willie Maher says expanding hurling's heat map to show far greater participation rates in the northern half of the country is his 'north star'.

"That's what we are working towards," said the Tipperary man and former Laois senior manager who was appointed to the position in January.