Hurling session in Switzerland on Saturday
Tipperary forward Seamus Callanan in action during the 2016 All Ireland SHC Final.
By Cian O'Connell
On Saturday IOC staff members from several different countries will gather to participate in an introductory hurling session which will be provided by Colm O'Mealoid.
The former Meath hurler, who earned much acclaim for his freestyle skills with a stick and sliotar, is currently living in Lausanne, Switzerland.
"I have a few friends in Zurich who attended a hurling initiation day run by the Zurich Inneoin club in order to encourage more people in the area to take up hurling," O'Mealoid explains.
"I heard the day was a great success so I got in touch with Sinead Dowling, a member of the club that helped organize it, so that we could do something similar in Lausanne.
Colm O Mealoid after Meath lost the 2012 Allianz Hurling League Division 2B Final against Kildare.
"The IOC runs many sporting introductory sessions during the year, to allow the IOC employees to try many different sports, so I thought it would be a good opportunity to introduce hurling to my colleagues. I suspect this is the first time that they will try a sport that most of them have never heard of," O'Mealoid said.
He is being assisted by others, with the gear being sponsored by GAA/DFA Global Games Development Scheme, while other Irish people are travelling from Zurich and St Gallen to help out. "Everyone taking part is an employee of the IOC. We will have people from the following countries in attendance: Canada, Australia, Portugal, Italy, Spain, Brazil, Tanzania, Wales, France, Norway, and Switzerland.
What does O'Mealoid hope is achieved by those attempting the sport for the first time? "As you know, hurling is a technical game and is not easily mastered, but I’m hoping they gain some experience of what it is like to play such a unique sport."
Since moving to Switzerland O'Mealoid, who played for Meath footballers in the O'Byrne Cup, has been unable to sample competitive GAA action.
Colm O Mealoid during a 2008 O Byrne Cup match against UCD.
"I played a little bit with Meath, it was great to see the boys take home the Christy Ring Cup this year," O'Mealoid remarked. "Unfortunately there is no hurling or Gaelic Football team here is Lausanne. I’ve been kept busy with some rugby, basketball and soccer, but I miss the small ball a lot."
O'Mealoid's freestyle hurling videos were well received. Are any further crafty skills sessions planned? "I had thought about doing another video as being in Switzerland it is quite easy to travel, but bringing the hurl everywhere with me is not the easiest of tasks so I haven’t been able to do so."
