Steve Harmison has no doubt who got the better deal in the Toughest Trade.
As the former English cricketer pulled his hamstring trying to get to grips with hurling, Brendan Maher was enjoying the sunshine in Adelaide as part of the Strikers cricket team.
It’s doubtful though that Maher had as much fun in sunny Australia as Harmison appeared to have in rainy Borris-Ileigh in last night’s first episode of the AIB backed show.
Speaking exclusively to SportsJOE.ie, the former international bowler admitted preparation was not ideal for the five gruelling days of action.
“The problem for me, I retired about two years ago, and physical exercise retired about two years ago as well. I had ten days to go from being absolutely massive to just being massive when I got here and not very fit.”
Harmison admits that while he knew of hurling, he was still ignorant of the finer aspects of the game.
“I’ve changed in dressing rooms before from cricket to football, so I thought why not see what hurling was all about and see how that’s run.
“Then I watched it on YouTube and thought Jesus, it was like watching WWE with hockey sticks, and I was thinking ‘this could hurt’.”
A hamstring injury picked up in training almost called a halt to the entire project, but steely Harmison was determined to see it through. He was offered the chance to play in goal but the enthusiasm and commitment of the amateur athletes around him must have rubbed off on Harmy because he was having none of it.
“I would have been devastated to play in goal, because I didn’t sign up to play in goal, I signed up to get in the thick of it.”
And while he failed to score against Drom–Inch, he does consider his two frees to be “assists”.
Harmison also used his massive physique well in the game, and while he may have lacked skill, he wasn’t afraid of the close contact.
“I could never run, so I was an easy target that way, but people just bounced off me, and the catching, thanks to cricket, was simple.
“I thought I wouldn’t be too bad in the contact, but the thing I found hardest was the idea you have to be close for safety, not far away. Someone not used to it would shy away, but that’s when you’re in more danger. That was good because there was a few times on the night when the natural instinct was to step back, but it was safer to get closer.”
The game against the local rivals of Borris-Ileigh, Drom-Inch, was a far cry from Harmison’s biggest sporting moment, opening the bowling for England in the historic 2005 Ashes series win over Australia.
So, what made him more nervous?
“Bowling in the Ashes, I’ve f**ked that up too, so no, I wasn’t nervous going out hurling at all. I never got nervous in my career and never felt pressure.”
Harmison is now managing his hometown football side of Ashington in the Northern League. He admits to being stunned to discovering the commitment and dedication of GAA amateurs. It’s something that he feels would put several professionals to shame.
“The commitment side, the amateur side, the fitness, side of things, the dedication side of it was just eye-opening. It puts a lot of English sports, and a lot of professional sportspeople to shame because of the dedication of these lads, to do it all for nothing.
“There is some average people getting half decent money at non-league level and the attitude they taught me in Borris-Ileigh was amazing. That’s what stood out for me more than anything else. “
Harmison is clear that his highlight was being part of the tight-knit community, and he hopes to maintain his love of hurling.
Brendan Maher has admitted his interest in cricket has spiked since he tried his hand at the sport, and for Harmison, he’s already planning a return trip, although to be just a spectator this time.
“I hope to come back here in September and see Brendan in the All-Ireland final. That would be a good year and good experiment. “
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