I went with a friend to Croke Park on Saturday for the All-Ireland semi-final between Clare and Galway.
It was the first game of hurling he ever attended, he had no interest in the sport and he basically came along because it was a Saturday and he had a free ticket.
He now wants to go down to Thurles for the replay next weekend.
‘That was class’
It’s been a difficult couple of weeks for the GAA amid a string of recent PR disasters but the All-Ireland semi-finals were the perfect advertisement for hurling and Gaelic Games.
Two games. Two sets of extra-time. Two absolute classics.
There was Peter Duggan’s point. Nickie McQuaid’s save. Goals from Conor Cooney, Pat Ryan, Cian Lynch, Aron Shanagher, Conor Lehane and Shane Dowling.
Ten-time All-Ireland winner Henry Shefflin may have summarised it best when he said on The Sunday Game ‘I told my children at home to remember this summer for the weather. I tell ye I’ll be going home this evening telling them to remember this summer for the hurling’.
Fans, pundits, comedians, rugby coaches, players, journalists and anyone with a mild interest in sport were falling over themselves to praise the sport in what was a fantastic weekend for the small ball game.
Hurling has been a huge part of my life and I thought I had seen it all until another chapter was written today. What a game! The character, heart, guts and determination displayed by all these amateur players was simply outstanding. #legends
— Michael Duignan (@DuignanMichael) July 28, 2018
Have only just recovered from attending that Galway-Clare epic today. And just in time for Cork-Limerick to finish me off tomorrow. What a spectacular weekend of Hurling. #gaa
— Dara Ó Briain (@daraobriain) July 28, 2018
Maybe it's hurling, not PE, that should be compulsory in schools…
— Kieran Cunningham (@KCsixtyseven) July 29, 2018
Unbelievable #Hurling . What a game. What scores. #peterduggan unbelievable point 👏👏👏. Anyone’s game now Ger 👏👏👏
— Henry Shefflin (@ShefflinHenry) July 28, 2018
Sitting in Croke Park, tears streaming from eyes.
So many narrow definitions of what it is to be Irish.
But Christ almighty, this beautiful thing.
Oh, hurling, though art divine.
A visceral sense of identity, belonging, scream out loud joy.
The soul soars.#GAA #CorkVLimerick— Roy Curtis (@RoyCurtis68) July 29, 2018
GREATEST GAME IN THE WORLD. END OF DISCUSSION. #hurling #warriors #clarevgalway
— Shane Mc (@Shaneytweet) July 28, 2018
Dear hurling,
Cheers!!
Yours,
IRELAND pic.twitter.com/dIdNELWGVl— GAA JOE (@GAA__JOE) July 29, 2018
Nothing will ever come close to Hurling. Greatest game in the world.
— John Duggan (@JohnDugganSport) July 29, 2018
Calibrate beauty any way you will.
But hurling at this perfect pitch…ravishing, dazzling, gorgeous, stunning, a vision without flaw.
Galway and Clare delivering a thunderous feast for the senses.
A gift from the gods.
Awesome.#hurling #CLAvGAL— Roy Curtis (@RoyCurtis68) July 28, 2018
