Young fans have faith in our hurlers

ASURVEY compiled by Féile na nGael sponsors John West has thrown up some interesting findings. A poll was taken on the children of Ireland’s thoughts on the G.A.A., covering items like favourite players, who will win this year’s championships, and who they would most like to transfer on to their team.

Over half (54%) of the young Wexford fans believe that the hurlers will bring the Liam MacCarthy Cup home, with Tipperary (38%) seen as their biggest rivals (they got that one spectacularly wrong!).

As far as the football is concerned, there will be no competition if the children are correct as 100% of respondents reckon that the Dubs are unstoppable.

Lee Chin tops the poll as their favourite hurler on 62%, and next in line is Galway great Joe Canning with 23%.

If a transfer scheme was in operation, Austin Gleeson of Waterford (23%) is the player they would most like to see donning the purple and gold.

Not surprisingly, their favourite coach is Davy Fitzgerald (62%), followed by Kilkenny’s Brian Cody on 23%.

Interestingly, Davy is also tops that poll countrywide with 26%, just edging ahead of Cody and Jim Gavin of Dublin who are both on 25%.

Paul Mannion emerged as the leading footballer with 40%, followed by Mayo’s Andy Moran on 35%.

Canning is a clear winner of the favourite hurler nationwide on 68%, and Kilkenny’s Cillian Buckley is second on 10%.

Cora Staunton of Mayo (44%) was ahead of Dublin’s Noelle Healy (32%) as the leading ladies’ footballer, and the accolade of top camogie player went to Julia White from Cork (37%) who was well clear of runner-up Shelley Farrell from Kilkenny (27%).

Dublin were chosen by 78% of respondents as All-Ireland football champions, and the top three in hurling are Galway (37%), Kilkenny (28%) and Tipperary (22%).