Hurling's new roadmap points the way forward

Hurling, Ireland’s oldest and most brilliant sport is entering a new era defined by clarity, unity, and purpose. This is not just growth; it is a national movement shaped by leadership, structure, and belief.

At the centre of that movement stands William Maher, Head of Hurling, who has laid out a clear, confident roadmap for every county. His philosophy is simple but powerful: when every county, club, and community has clarity and support, Hurling becomes unstoppable.

“Hurling isn’t just sport. It’s identity, culture, and connection, a reflection of who we are, passed down through generations,” says Maher. “Our job is to make sure it remains vibrant, safe, and strong for the next generation.”

Over the past six months, Maher and the Hurling Development Committee (HDC) have travelled the country, meeting more than 1,400 stakeholders across eight National Hurling Roadshows — from players and coaches to volunteers and county boards.

Everywhere they went, one message came through clearly: opportunity is everywhere, but each county faces its own set of challenges. Traditional strongholds spoke about retaining and progressing their best young players; middle-tier counties focused on improving the link between clubs and schools; and developing counties spoke passionately about embedding Hurling into their local communities.

What emerged was not just a list of challenges, but a shared sense of direction. Through this consultation, Maher and his team have built a movement rooted in structure, trust, and inclusivity one that gives every county a place within the national plan.

The recent Government commitment of €750,000 in recurring annual funding marks a historic milestone for the sport. Crucially, this investment is ring-fenced for Hurling development in non-traditional areas, ensuring that counties with growing populations and emerging interest receive the resources needed to build real, lasting capacity.

It is more than a financial commitment; it is a vote of confidence in the vision being delivered by William Maher and the HDC. This recurring investment gives Maher and Hurling development the stability to plan long-term, to build a national structure for new initiatives and to ensure that current programmes, coaching, and participation all grow in tandem.

The funding will support a tiered and tailored national strategy one that meets each county where it is, and helps it take the next step forward. Traditional Hurling counties will focus on retaining and progressing academy players into high-performing club, school, and county systems. Middle-tier counties will work to grow participation and strengthen competition structures, deepening the quality of coaching and player transition. Non-traditional counties will focus on embedding Hurling into schools and Go Games programmes, increasing participation measurably and creating sustainable community access.

At the heart of Maher’s vision lies a simple but vital objective: to make Hurling accessible, sustainable, and safe.

That ambition is driven by four clear priorities. First, to provide more game opportunities by increasing youth participation by 20 per cent, using age-appropriate games, school–club pathways, and inclusive competitions.

Second, to encourage club support and development by establishing 30 new Hurling units each year in priority growth areas, backed by mentoring, funding, and flexible models that reflect modern community needs.

Third, to build self-sufficiency and sustainability by certifying 1,000 new coaches and developing a national network of coach developers creating a stronger, more skilled foundation in every county.

And, finally, to cultivate Hurling’s culture and heritage by delivering the game to 90 per cent of primary schools, embedding it in the PE curriculum, and celebrating its UNESCO-recognised heritage.

Together, these priorities ensure that Government investment is not just spent, but strategically deployed with every euro building capacity, strengthening systems, and expanding the reach of Hurling across Ireland.

The Hurling Development Committee, chaired by Terry Reilly, has brought a new level of alignment to national planning. Every investment, every coach education programme, and every new club initiative now connects to one structured framework ensuring that progress is both measurable and sustainable.

“We’re creating a strong, positive foundation for Hurling across every county. With clarity and ambition, we’re unlocking growth like never before,” says Reilly.

This structured approach gives counties confidence to plan long-term, to develop their people, and to build systems that last. It ensures that progress is not dependent on short-term cycles but supported by enduring structures and leadership.

For developing and non-traditional counties, this new national model is transformative. Down manager Ronan Sheehan describes it as a once-in-a-generation opportunity.

“Counties like Down, Carlow, or Kerry can become engines of growth,” says Sheehan. “With Willie’s structured plan and the Government’s recurring investment, we can deepen the base and strengthen the middle that’s how we build the pyramid properly.”

Maher’s approach is both data-driven and human-centred. It recognises that every county’s needs are different, but that every county deserves a pathway to growth. A model that ensures progress is not only possible, but sustainable.

Hurling’s UNESCO recognition reminds us that this is more than a sport it is a living part of Ireland’s cultural DNA. Yet heritage alone is not enough. Under Maher’s guidance, Hurling’s heritage now meets its horizon where tradition and innovation combine to create opportunity.

“Hurling is the rhythm of Irish life passed from parent to child, from parish to parish. It belongs to everyone,” says Maher. “Our job is to make sure it remains accessible, vibrant, and safe for generations to come.”

The HDC’s roadmap for the coming years is ambitious, structured, and measurable. Hurling is set to reach over 2,000 primary schools nationwide. Thirty new Hurling units will be established each year, and 1,000 coaches will be trained and certified through a new national coaching network. In 2025 alone, 45 new Hurling units have launched with 75 clubs receiving direct developmental support in partnership with Provincial games staff.

“We’re building momentum with purpose,” says Maher. “The Government’s faith gives us the platform; our people give us the energy. Together, we’re shaping a future where Hurling is not just played, but lived with confidence, clarity, and care.”