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The Irish Sun
2 days ago
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
‘We were very lucky' – Cork GAA star reveals ‘role model' Patrick Horgan's touching gesture when he was starting hurling
WITH racquets replaced by hurleys, games of modified squash in the Glen Rovers ball alley captured the imagination and sharpened the skills of a young Rob Downey. On the grounds of a club that can boast Christy Ring as one of its heroes of the past, Downey spent countless hours honing his craft as a teenager. Advertisement 2 Robert Downey is one of three Glen players in the Cork team Credit: Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile 2 And he praised Patrick Horgan for making him feel welcome at the club Credit: David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile It has left him with fond memories of being invited to test himself against one of the Glen's senior stars — a man who is now a team-mate for both club and county. And on Sunday at Along with his younger brother Eoin, 22, and legendary forward Patrick Horgan, 37, captain Downey is one of three Glen players in the Cork team that will start against Munster rivals Tipperary. And he said: 'When I was growing up, Hoggie was around with a hurley in his hand 24-7, so he was our role model. Advertisement Read More on GAA 'We'd have always played in the ball alley as well in the Glen. We played squash with our hurleys and sliotars, just one touch. 'I can remember when I was very young, Hoggie would ask us to come in and play with him. 'The alley in the Glen would be bigger than a squash court — it's designed for that game specifically. 'We were lucky we had such close access to Hoggie. I can remember him an awful lot.' Advertisement Most read in GAA Hurling Being taken under the wing of a man destined for greatness helped Downey develop into a player deemed worthy of being entrusted with the honour of captaining his county. The imposing centre-back, who hopes to skipper 'Easiest interview I've ever had' jokes RTE GAA host after pundits go back and forth before Meath vs Donegal Downey, who bagged a sensational goal in the 2024 final loss to Clare, ended last season as an All-Star. The ball-alley battles with the Rebels' elder statesman have paid dividends. Advertisement He reflected: 'I just remember as young fellas he'd be in there with the senior team. We might have been 13 or 14 in the viewing area, watching him for hours and hours and he'd call us in. At that stage, the sliotar was worn out. 'We'd play with him for the last two or three games. But it gave us the bug to want to get to the levels he was at and to practise as hard as he did. 'And it's funny now, even in the off-season I could ring him or he could ring me and there'd be a few of us going to the alley again. We always find ourselves back there.' Advertisement Horgan, hurling's all-time leading scorer, will hope his status as one of the greatest players never to win an All-Ireland medal expires this weekend. Downey added: 'The nights we're not training with Cork, we're always up in the club watching Glen training. He's always there, still down pucking around. 'But even outside of that, he's always trying to get better at different aspects of his game. He's still as competitive as ever. It's great to have had him as a role model and still have him as a role model.' In terms of their ongoing duels for supremacy on the Glen's de facto squash court , has Horgan always been the man to beat? Advertisement Downey laughed: 'I remember beating him when I was quite young actually. In fairness to him, he's probably the best of us but I think I could give him a good run for it!' As for the prospect of adding a coveted Celtic Cross to Horgan's haul of four All-Star awards, the captain said: 'Look, it would be lovely for him obviously. 'But at the end of the day, it's about the group and it's a group effort. 'It's a massive effort from everybody, not just players. But look, it would be lovely.' Advertisement
RTÉ News
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- RTÉ News
Triple Crown-chasing Diarmuid Healy can be Cork's lucky general
You have been down, But you'll be coming back, To wear your crown, So don't you be like that. Plenty Times – The Frank and Walters The Frank and Walters' album 'Beauty Becomes More Than Life' was released in the summer of 1999. It had been nine long years since Cork had won a hurling All-Ireland – an almost unprecedented famine in those days when Cork sat on the throne, top of the roll of honour, the real home of hurling. But oh what a beautiful summer that was for Cork hurling. The phoenix from the flame… after a decade of disappointment. The messianic figure of Jimmy Barry-Murphy rolled the dice and went with the kids… a talented group of unknowns who had won back-to-back Under-21 titles the previous two years. They would sweep all before them that summer, beating Kilkenny in the final in a rainstorm. Later they would win two more and become household names as well as starring figures in the soap opera that was Cork GAA over the next ten years. And then they were gone. There's a famous photograph of Barry-Murphy back in his playing days, at Cork training, wearing his 'Barr's jersey, deep in conversation with one of the Cork selectors – a man by the name of Christy Ring. All that was missing from the photo was the Holy Spirit. Neither man's record – on or off the field – could ever be questioned. But. Christy famously used to exhort Cork teams with the phrase – 'We are Cork!' A rallying cry of superiority – superior history, superior skill, superior pedigree, and superior success. Superior arrogance. Superior pride. What comes before a fall? Cork's fall has been superior too. That team of '99 that went on to win again in '04 and '05 only papered over the cracks. As other counties invested in development and structures 'We are Cork!' became a hollow echo of better days - amounting now to 'not good enough'. No senior title in 20 years. None at U21 in the 20 years from the turn of the century. From 2001, sixteen years without a minor win. Promising young crops arrived, played minor, played U20, and retired from senior without ever reaching the mountain top. Eventually, Cork GAA got around to developing the structures and systems at underage level needed to grow the players capable of competing in the modern, professionalised world of inter-county GAA. It took many years to bear fruit, there were many critics... but the tide turned first at U14 and U16, then minor and U20. This Sunday one young man embodies that change like no other. Completing the set. Don't even whisper it. Even in the most traditional hurling counties it is a big deal. The senior medal might even be the easiest part. You might only get one chance at minor. And maybe one chance at U20. Ask King Henry. The most successful player in history never won minor but didn't allow it hold him back. If you're good enough, and want it bad enough you might get seven, eight or even 17 or 18 years at senior. Ask TJ. Ask Hoggie. Neither of them has a minor medal. Hoggie has no All-Ireland medal at all despite 21 years playing for Cork through all the grades. Horgan first played minor for Cork in 2004. That was the same year that Diarmuid Healy was born into the village of Lisgoold. Where? No – G-O-O-L-D. Just a few miles out the road from Midleton the small junior club, in the heart of hurling country, has always been overshadowed by its larger neighbours. Overshadowed, even, by smaller clubs in the good years. There were shiny new medals rattling around down the road in Killeagh. Landers and Deane. St. Ita's had no medals but they've had Harnedy through all the years that Healy was learning his trade. There weren't many inter-county role models for a young hurler from Lisgoold. There were medals in the family… but a long long way back. Black and white photos aren't great inspiration for a young fella when there's colour TV. No vivid memories in the club either. Willie Moore was, and is, Lisgoold's only All-Ireland winning clubman. That was in the 1950's. In 2021, Healy was 17. Good enough, and lucky enough to play minor as the long process of rebuilding Cork's underage structures was bearing fruit. He was there when Cork claimed just their second minor title in almost 20 years. In 2023, Healy was 19. The U20s who had spent two decades in the wilderness couldn't stop winning for a few years at just the right time. Two years after his minor success he had another medal to go with it. It's 2025, and Healy is 21. It's almost his entire life since Cork last won a senior all-Ireland. Cork hurling history is strewn with the names of the next big thing – the underage superstar, the saviour to rise from these streets. Many were given the mantle. For many it didn't fit. A promising substitute appearance against Tipp in the league. Time to sink or swim. Healy's first start was against Kilkenny – a nice easy one - on an emotional night for Cork hurling. Pat Ryan's brother had died that week. Ray Ryan had hurled for Cork too. Life's short. Make the most of it while you can. Even at his young age Diarmuid Healy knows that all too well. Midway through the first half the ball broke from Pat Horgan…Healy was in the right place to collect and tap over for his second point. Or at least that's what he should have done - the sensible thing for a young fella on for his first start. Two points from play in a half against Kilkenny. That'd be fair enough no matter how the rest of the match went. Healy was having none of it. Already at an angle, moving away from goal with a forest of legs between him and maybe the best keeper in the country, Healy didn't hesitate. He rifled a sweet strike into the far corner. Cork won by three. Healy scored 1-05. From play. Wrapped back up in cotton wool – he didn't start again in the league. He came on as a sub in the final, nicked a couple of points, and Cork won their first league title since last century. The Munster Championship. Pat Ryan started him in the final – another easy one - against Limerick. We know what happened in the cauldron of the Gaelic Grounds when the 'Drive for Seven' was derailed. Three points from play and still on the field long into extra-time. A first Munster title for Cork since the year Healy played Féile. Another start in the semi-final against Dublin. A couple of cameos… a sweet pass in the build-up to the first Hayes goal, a lovely point in the second half. But when a team scores 47 points and a starting forward scores just one of them it can't be deemed a great day out. So here we are. Diarmuid Healy might not start on Sunday. That decision is Pat Ryan's to make. Whether he does or not, or even plays or not, the good timing and good luck that has travelled with him through all his hurling life will be wanted more than ever by Cork this Sunday. Napoleon famously wanted lucky generals more than he wanted good ones. Cork hurling could do with young Dudsie being both this weekend. Otherwise the long wait goes on for the Cork hurlers and the tens of thousands of fans that will travel with them this Sunday. We both had enough Just waiting
Irish Examiner
4 days ago
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
Meet the former Rebel who makes the hurleys for Cork legend Patrick Horgan
Former Cork senior hurler Aidan Walsh knows more than most about hurling. The Kanturk man, who now makes hurleys in his spare time, also knows that in the hands of a wizard like Cork hurling ace Patrick Horgan, a hurley is not just a piece of wood — it's a tool he can use to write another chapter in the storied history of the GAA. For over a decade, Aidan has been crafting the sticks that have helped the Glen Rovers sharp-shooter, renowned for his trademark accuracy from play and placed balls, become the highest scorer in championship history — three goals and 50 points this season alone to bring his championship total to a staggering 32 goals and 679 points. Cork's Patrick Horgan shoots over a point against Clare. Picture: Eddie O'Hare He has ensured that every curve, every ounce of weight, every grip on every hurley he has crafted for the lethal forward meets his specific requirements — each hurley built for moments when inches matter and split-second reactions decide games. He'll be watching closer than most on Sunday as the Rebels bid to end the 20-year drought, and Hoggie bids to win that elusive All-Ireland medal. 'He'll be playing on Sunday with the hurley I made him before the league final,' Aidan says. 'I make about three or four whenever he needs them, but he doesn't break many of them.' Aidan, who makes hurleys in his spare time in a small workshop in Kanturk, prefers to get his ash from England, Scotland or Wales, because the ash grown further east is of a lesser quality. 'It's a little lighter, so at the moment English ash is about the best,' he says. 'When I get a delivery in, I can see which planks look best, which have the best grain to suit Hoggie and I will pick those out and set them aside for him for when he needs a hurley.' Wood chippings fly as Aidan works on a new hurley in his workshop. Picture: Howard Crowdy And he makes a batch while Hoggie stands watching. It means that tweaks can be made at every stage of the production process to ensure the bespoke handcrafted product is just what Hoggie needs. 'The days of throwing a bag of hurleys on the ground and telling players to pick one are long gone,' he says. 'Most players at this elite intercounty level, especially if they are passionate about the sport, know exactly what style of hurley and what weight of hurley they want. Aidan cutting out the shape of the hurley. Picture: Howard Crowdy 'They will have a number one hurley that they will always try to use and number two, three and four as well. 'And to be honest, of all the hurleys I make, this one takes the longest time. 'I am fairly familiar with what he wants in a hurley, but we're able to make the small changes as we go to make sure that he's 100% happy with it.' A former intercounty footballer and hurler with Cork, Aidan won an U21 All-Ireland football medal in 2009 and went on to play senior under Conor Counihan. He played both codes during the 2014 season, winning a Munster Championship medal that year but focused on inter-county hurling only for 2015. He rejoined the Cork senior football team in the summer of 2016, and committed to the football team for the 2017 and 2018 seasons, before committing to the senior hurling squad from 2019 onwards. Aidan seen checking on a hurley during the sanding process in his workshop in Kanturk. Picture: Howard Crowdy However, later that year, he was told he would not be part of the management team's plans, and that spelled the end of his intercounty career. But he's played at that level, he knows the players, and what they need. So what is it about a Hoggie hurley that's so special? 'It's heavier than a normal hurley, it's almost the weight of a goalkeeper's hurley and it has a very big or thick bás,' Aidan says. 'The grip is more rounded than square and the champfer on the bás all the way down to the heel is deeper on one side than the other; it's the side that faces the ground when he's lifting the ball for a free. 'That makes it easier for him to get the bás closer to the ground and easier to pick the ball. 'It's the small details like that that are so important to get right.' He feels a certain amount of pressure but more so a sense of responsibility to make sure that Hoggie has the right hurley to do the job on the pitch. 'But I certainly have the easier job of the two of us. I just have to make the right hurley. He has to go out and perform on the pitch,' he says. 'Of course, I always want him to do well — they say if Hoggie's doing well, Cork is doing well. Aidan with his nearly completed hurley. Picture: Howard Crowdy 'There was panic stations the week before last year's All Ireland final when he broke his number one hurley and I had to drop everything to make a replacement. 'So I'll be a bit nervous alright this week hoping that he doesn't crack his number one hurley. 'He could go a whole year without breaking a hurley but anything can happen in a training session — one flick, one block here, or one clash there. Ash is very unforgiving that way. 'But rest assured, if he does break a hurley over the coming days, I will drop everything to make sure we will get it sorted.' Fanzone Meanwhile, as the scramble for All-Ireland tickets continues, free tickets to the Rebels' Fanzone event in SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh on Sunday are set to be released for booking on Thursday morning. The free, family-friendly, alcohol-free event will be fully ticketed, and u16s must be accompanied by an adult. Tickets will be made available from 7.30am on Thursday via Cork GAA's website Cork City Council's website and from Tickets will be limited to a maximum of five per person, and capacity is limited. Organisers have appealed to fans to only apply for tickets if they are certain they will use them A ticket transfer and cancellation window, including the ability to cancel or transfer some of your tickets, will be open until midnight on Saturday.
Irish Examiner
14-05-2025
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
Kerry rule preventing Aidan Walsh from playing hurling with Kanturk
Former Cork dual player Aidan Walsh is unable to play hurling with his native Kanturk due to a "rule in Kerry". The 2010 Sam Maguire winner plays football with An Ghaeltacht, having transferred to the west Kerry club earlier this year. "You can play hurling within Kerry, but you can't play outside of Kerry. I can't play for Kanturk," Walsh told the BBC's The GAA Social podcast. "I could play hurling in Kerry but the closest club (Tralee Parnells) is nearly an hour and a half away. "It's an old rule, which I tried to get around it, but unfortunately couldn't. I love playing hurling. My father is manager of the hurling team in Kanturk. My brother and my cousins all play. There's a fierce connection there." Walsh said he should have transferred two years ago but he had a strong desire to help Kanturk's rise through the grades. "Thankfully, we got up to senior, senior," he said. "It kind of made it a bit easier but it's still very difficult. It was very hard to leave it. Family is more important now. Just having my son be able to watch me play for however many years I've left is more important than anything." Walsh admitted that he has struggled in adapting to life in an Irish speaking area. "I am trying to try to grasp it and learn it; even playing with the Gaeltacht, it's a new experience because it's all Irish, all the team talks and everything is in Irish," he said. "I just try to leave my football do the talking. I like to think that I have a bit of knowledge about the game, but when I give my bit of tactics, what I feel we should be doing or what we could do better, I have to give it in English. "I've been trying to learn it. It's getting a bit frustrating now for sure. My three-year-old son is talking Irish and I'm struggling to know what he's on about." Since moving to Kerry, and also due to ash dieback making materials hard to source, Walsh has quit the hurley making business. However, he still has one customer: Patrick Horgan. He most recently made one for the Cork forward before April's league final "I always kept a few planks aside for him," said Walsh. "I still have my workshop at home in my parents' place. His hurley is different to every other hurley. I don't know how he plays with it. His wrists are just huge, that he's able to use a heavy hurley. "The unfortunate thing about that is everyone wants a Hoggie hurley then. I'd be like to them, 'I can make you a Hoggie hurley, but I don't think you'll be able to swing it because the bas is so big'. It's a fair lump of hurley. It's unique. I have one of his old ones in the workshop. "When kids call, I'd always show it to them because they'd always be fascinated. Some of them can't even lift it. I don't know anyone else that plays with that kind of hurley."
