The first episode of the brilliant new hurling documentary The Game aired on RTE on Monday night and saw insights from a wide variety of hurling greats.
The programme looked at everything from Cú Chulainn, the influence of Michael Cusack and Dr. Thomas Croke as well as who some of hurling’s most recognisable names idolised when they were younger.
'People know them by their first names'
'DJ'
'King Henry'
'And now it is "Joe"'Who was your hurling hero?
Watch the Game at 9.35pm tonight on @RTEONE pic.twitter.com/jsYdUlFIj3
— RTÉ GAA (@RTEgaa) July 30, 2018
The programme noted that hurlers had such an influence in their counties that they were known to people simply by their first names with DJ Carey, ‘King’ Henry Shefflin and Joe Canning all cited as examples.
The reaction to the show was well received and capped off a fantastic few days for hurling following the All-Ireland semi-final classics between Cork and Limerick and Clare and Galway.
“Hurling’s a game for the Gods. And Gods play it.” Discovering hurling one of the privileges of living here. Incredible skill. Masterful series. #TheGame @RTEOne now. pic.twitter.com/lBuSPLMfmD
— Jon Williams (@WilliamsJon) July 30, 2018
Many opinions & theories abound about what can be done to improve the emotional health & wellbeing of the Irish nation and its people. I think the great Séan Óg O hAilpín captures it wonderfully tonight on #thegame “The greatest human need..is to be loved and is to be accepted” pic.twitter.com/Kv1HYpaISw
— Conor Cusack (@Conor14Cusack) July 30, 2018
God #TheGame isn’t the thing to watch when you’re still convincing yourself it was the right decision not to play this year
— Sinéad O'Carroll (@SineadOCarroll) July 30, 2018
What a line from Sambo – "the lads you play with in the county team you make friends and get invited to their weddings – but the lads you play with in your club are the lads that will shoulder you to your grave – friends for life " #TheGame
— Mortimer Murphy (@MortimerMurphy1) July 30, 2018
