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Hurling

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Registration open for 2023 Táin Óg and CúChulainn hurling leagues

In attendance at the 2022 Táin Óg/ CúChulainn Cup competitions launch were, from left, Adrian Tully of Roscommon Gaels, Stephen McKenna of Carrickmacross Emmets Hurling Club, AJ Tully of Roscommon Gaels, Uachtarán Chumann Lúthchleas Gael Larry McCarthy, Oisin Maguire of Carrickmacross Emmets Hurling Club, and Ronan O’Gorman of St Fechins GAA Louth, at the National Games Development Centre in Abbotstown, Dublin.

In attendance at the 2022 Táin Óg/ CúChulainn Cup competitions launch were, from left, Adrian Tully of Roscommon Gaels, Stephen McKenna of Carrickmacross Emmets Hurling Club, AJ Tully of Roscommon Gaels, Uachtarán Chumann Lúthchleas Gael Larry McCarthy, Oisin Maguire of Carrickmacross Emmets Hurling Club, and Ronan O’Gorman of St Fechins GAA Louth, at the National Games Development Centre in Abbotstown, Dublin.

By John Harrington

GAA clubs are being encouraged to sign up for the 2023 Táin Óg and CúChulainn hurling leagues and can do so HERE.

The developmental hurling competitions that operate across Ulster, Connacht (excluding Galway), Longford, and Louth provide much needed games for clubs at U-13, U-15, U-17, and adult level and are quickly having a transformative impact on the game in developing counties.

The cross county/provincial nature of the competition provides clubs and players with the opportunity to play clubs outside of their usual fixtures programme.

And because it’s a developmental competition it allows teams to field at 11, 13, or 15-a-side where necessary to ensure that clubs with smaller playing numbers can also compete.

The Táin Óg League started in 2018 and has gone from strength to strength ever since.

Last year 192 teams entered the competition which was a 57% increase on those that took part in 2021. Equipment packs totaling 750 helmets, 500 hurleys, and 6,200 sliotars were sent to the 85 clubs from 15 counties involved.

Last year’s CúChulainn League was the inaugural year of the competition with 54 teams from 31 clubs taking part, all of whom also received equipment packs for their participation.

It’s a testament to the gains that clubs can make from competing that the two teams that contested the Division 1 Final, Tooreen and Easkey, went on from there to also contest All-Ireland Intermediate and Junior Club All-Irelands respectively.

The expectation is the number of clubs competing in both competitions will rise significantly again this year, because they’re now regarded as the engine that can drive the development of the game outside of its more traditional hinterland.

Mayo GAA clubs pictured with the equipment packs they recieved as a reward for their commitment and participation in the Táin Óg Cup. 

Mayo GAA clubs pictured with the equipment packs they recieved as a reward for their commitment and participation in the Táin Óg Cup. 

"The growth of the Táin Óg and CúChulainn competitions have been integral to the development of hurling within the Táin region,” says the GAA’s National Development Competitions Coordinator, Ciaran Kearney.

“With almost 550 games played across both competitions, they offer a vital games programme for hurling clubs outside of their own county programmes.

“This is further evidenced by the fact that two clubs, Easkey and Tooreen who faced off in the CúChulainn Division 1 Final in July found themselves going all the way to All-Ireland Club Finals last week.

“Our competitions offer a mix of competitive and developmental opportunities that is vital to clubs across the country and having more teams competing will further strengthen the competitions.”

For those working at the coal-face of hurling in developing counties like Tooreen U-13 manager, Richie Crinnigan, the advent of the Táin Óg League has been a huge boost.

“More competitive matches make an awful difference and were what we were crying out for for years," says Crinnigan.

“Compared to big counties like Galway and KIlkenny we just didn't have enough meaningful matches to improve the standard.

“We get an awful lot out of the Táin Óg Cup and we have done for the last number of years. It's been a massive addition competition wise.

“We have a few more clubs in Mayo now than we did a few years ago but we're still coming from a small base and it's great to be able to play championship games against teams from Sligo, Roscommon, Longford, and other counties.

“Meaningful matches are what all clubs needs, especially meaningful matches at your own level which is what you get in the Táin Óg League because it's graded. It's been brilliant.”

Monaghan GAA club, Inniskeen Grattans, were one of those who took part in the inaugural CúChulainn Cup last year and were quickly sold on the benefits of the competition.

"We were very enthusiastic about the competition from the get-go,” says Inniskeen Grattans Hurling Officer, Patrick Boyle.

“It's a great idea, a great concept, and we really, really enjoyed every aspect of it. Playing new teams, the level playing field element of it, it was a breath of fresh air from the normal routine of club hurling in Monaghan.

“There are currently seven clubs in Monaghan but there's a big gulf between the top and the bottom. So that's why having another meaningful competition where you play teams of a similar level is great.

“This competition ticked all the boxes for us and we're delighted obviously with the way the competition finished for us. It's a great concept and we really feel like it pushed us on a level.”

* Interested clubs can sign up for the 2023 Táin Óg and CúChulainn Hurling Leagues HERE.