HURLERS from Armagh, Derry, and Fermanagh have been selected as members of a new GAA National Hurling Action Plan Workgroup.
The group of nine has been tasked with producing such a plan aiming at helping hurling grow and develop across the island.
Former Armagh hurler Ryan Gaffney will perform the dual role of representing the interests of camogie, being the current Participation and Growth co-ordinator for Ulster Camogie.
Also on board is Kevin Kelly from Ballinascreen in Derry, the current Hurling Development Manager with Ulster GAA and also a former manager of his county’s senior camogie side.
The third Ulsterman involved is Kieran Farmer, a former Fermanagh Hurling Secretary and current Vice-Chair of the Ulster Hurling Committee. Farmer is currently the Fermanagh U20 manager and has been manager/ coach of the Lisnaskea senior hurlers and Fermanagh Celtic Challenge team.
Other counties represented include Kildare, Limerick, Mayo, Offaly, Sligo, and Waterford – former dual star Keith Higgins is the Mayo man.
Chairperson Colm Nolan grew up in Dublin before moving to Maynooth, Kildare, and has been a member of the Maynooth GAA Club for more than three decades, serving in many coaching, team management, and administrative positions.
He was Kildare Hurling Chairman between 2017 and 2021 and was involved in the development and implementation of the ‘Kildare Hurling Action Plan’.
Nolan has been involved with a number of county hurling squads as a coach and selector and is currently head of performance analysis with the Kildare senior hurlers.
GAA President Larry McCarthy commented: “The formation of this group has been in process since late summer and to ensure that the Association can put in place a series of actions to develop the game of hurling it is important that those involved are reflective of all the tiers of hurling.
“As an Association, it is important that any actions coming out of this plan are realistic and I am delighted with the composition of the Workgroup. All are passionate about the development of hurling, and I look forward to their recommendations.
“It is also important that we work alongside the Camogie Association, as we face similar challenges and can support each other in creating new opportunities to grow our games.”
The National Hurling Action Plan Workgroup members have been asked to do the following:
1. Conduct a review of the findings and recommendations of previous plans, reports, action statements on the game over the past 15 years.
2. Conduct a review and analysis of current hurling activity at Club, Primary, Post Primary, Higher Education and Inter-County levels across all tiers of the game - but with a special focus on the game in Joe MacDonagh, Christy Ring, Nickey Rackard, and Lory Meagher counties.
3. Review the current Hurley and Helmet Scheme.
4. Consult with key stakeholders as required.
5. Work with Camogie Association to identify areas/projects of common interest and co-operation for inclusion in the plan.
6. Explore and identify ways in which the Camogie Association, the GAA can maximise the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage status for the games of camogie and hurling in supporting the implementation of the plan.
7. Produce a plan for presentation to Central Council on its findings, recommendations, and a roadmap for implementation.
National Hurling Action Plan Workgroup:
- Colm Nolan- Kildare - Chairperson
- Éibhear O’Dea - Limerick
- Kieran Farmer - Fermanagh
- Keith Higgins - Mayo
- Darragh Cox - Sligo
- Joey Carton - Waterford
- Kevin Kelly - Derry
- Paddy Scales - Offaly
- Ryan Gaffney - Armagh- Camogie representative.