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Hurlers see off Cats in first clash of season

THE APPETITE for hurling in this county is as strong as ever if a quick glance around the well-attended Bellefield venue last Sunday is anything to go by. Supporters were out in large numbers for this latest clash between the age-old rivals, with Kilkenny fans also well represented for the first south-east derby at the popular Enniscorthy venue since 2002.

Many will argue that the game has never been in a healthier state, pointing to the thrills and spills in last year’s new-look championship to back up their claims.

And there can be no denying that the action in 2018 was compelling from start to finish, with the crowning of Limerick as All-Ireland champions after a 45-year gap adding further lustre to the campaign as a whole.

It has left followers of the leading contenders counting down the days until everything is put on the line once again, and there’s a strong likelihood that this season will be every bit as exciting.

Whether Wexford can break their quarter-final hoodoo at the bare minimum remains to be seen, although it was interesting to read in various newspapers over the festive period that they’re not figuring on the radar of any national pundits as likely challengers.

Looking at the game in general, it’s clear that the quality of fare produced by the top eight teams on a consistent basis is turning the spotlight away from some serious problems elsewhere.

As far as I can see, the division between the leading lights and those below them is growing wider than ever, but the question that must be asked is: does anyone in officialdom really care so long as the Munster, Leinster and All-Ireland series continue to produce cracking games?

Let me give you a few examples of how hurling is treated in counties where a small cohort are struggling to keep the game alive.

Four teams competed in the Cavan championship on a round-robin basis which started in the autumn, but the final was delayed because one of the participants, Mullahoran, also made it to the Ulster Club Intermediate football final.

It was due to be played eventually on December 9, but their hurling opponents grew tired of waiting and conceded a walkover.

At least there was a competition to begin with, unlike in neighbouring Fermanagh where Lisbellaw are the only club left standing. The last championship game in the county was the final of 2013 when they beat Lisnaskea Emmets who no longer field a team.

In Sligo, the hurling semi-finals were played under lights in their centre of excellence on a Wednesday night, with the decider following just four days later in order to meet a deadline for Connacht.

On the plus side, it’s not all doom and gloom in the less-developed counties when one considers that Castleblayney from Monaghan will meet Carrick of Leitrim in the All-Ireland Junior Club semi-final next weekend.

The victor will likely be slaughtered by either Dunnamaggin of Kilkenny or Cloughduv from Cork in the decider, but at least one group of players will get the opportunity to play in Croke Park.

Another issue that annoys me when it comes to the promotion of hurling is the fact that the Ring, Rackard and Meagher Cups are all done and dusted by early June.

It’s as if they are conveniently parked out of the way to leave the entire summer free for football to continue to thrive in counties where the other code is treated with disdain.

We may find it hard to believe in this part of the world, but hurling is in danger of dying out completely in several more areas above an imaginary line drawn from Dublin across to Galway.

When the Senior championship is in full flow, and some thrilling contest has just been witnessed, one can rest assured that those aforementioned pundits will be falling over themselves to declare that we have the best game in the world, and there’s nothing like it.

But instead of sending counties to foreign fields to participate in meaningless challenges - some played under bizarre rules bearing no relation to the game we know as witnessed in Boston - how about making a genuine effort to develop hurling fully in our own country first and foremost? It should happen, but sadly I know it never will.