Long ‘sickened’ to miss hurling reunion

Ireland striker Shane Long won’t get home for Christmas — but his friends and former hurling colleagues are flying in for the mother of all GAA reunions.

Long’s Tipperary club, Gortnahoe-Glengoole are at the centre of a remarkable outreach to emigrants who have come ‘Home to Hurl’ on St Stephen’s Day at the Gortnahoe GAA Field.

Nineteen former players have flown in from the four corners of the globe to face a team of their former colleagues who chose to remain at home in recent years.

“I think it will be brilliant and the standard of hurling should be good,” Long said yesterday.

“They still have the touch but there could be some sick heads on the day,” he told Newstalk Breakfast.

“It’s amazing all the effort that has gone in, they have really slaved over it for a long time now. It’s not easy getting 20-odd lads back at the one time for a charity game.

“I still keep in touch with them all and I would have played with them all at some stage when I was younger. I’m sickened I’m going to miss it.”

One of the returning emigrants, Kevin Maher, was greeted by family and GAA president Liam O’Neill at Dublin Airport yesterday. “It’s great to be back home for Christmas and to get a chance to hurl on home soil,” Maher said. “It’s been far too long and I’ve really missed it.”

Long added: “Times are tough in Ireland and some of my friends found it hard to get work and decided to move, mostly to Australia,” he added. “You notice it a lot, me personally, when I go back to Ireland that there is no one there anymore, all my friends are all gone. It’s a bit strange. It’s a very proud parish, they really take pride in their hurling. The club has suffered a little bit with players moving away. We were once a very strong intermediate team, pushing for senior, it has taken its toll on the club.”

O’Neill said the Association is encouraging its members to register with ConnectIreland — and pass on information about companies which might set up business in Ireland.

“As we enjoy our games at home and look forward to celebrating Christmas in our clubs and in our communities, we spare a thought for the many players we have living abroad at the moment.

“They watch our games in far-flung places. We would love to have them back at home with us again but in order to do that, we need to create jobs.”

* Those wishing to donate to the ‘Home to Hurl’ fundraiser in aid of North Tipperary Hospice and Scoil Aonghusa Special National School, can log on to:

http://www.idonate.ie/event/925_home-2-hurl.html