Hurling: The Warrior Game

From Na Fianna to the Fenians, Ireland's ancient sport of hurling was used to practice and refine the art of war. But are great hurlers born naturals? All agree Ring and Mackey had it. Many agree DJ Carey had it. But what is 'it'? What are the key elements of hurling greatness? In these pages hurling is defined by its modern heroes, current and former players, managers and coaches. Donal og Cusack, Pat Hartigan, Sean McMahon, Martin Storey, Ray Cummins, Nicky English, Liam Griffin, Henry Shefflin, and many others, discuss the finer points and skills that make the perfect player.

Acknowledgements A Brief Introduction to Hurling 1 Goalkeeper - The Gamekeeper - Noel Skehan (Kilkenny); Seamus Durack (Clare); Donal Og Cusack (Cork); Christy O'Connor (Clare); 2 Right-Corner-Back - The Terrier - Phil 'Fan' Larkin (Kilkenny); Brian Murphy (Cork); Michael Kavanagh (Kilkenny); 3 Full-Back - The Gatekeeper - Pat Hartigan (Limerick); Brian Lohan (Clare); Diarmuid O'Sullivan (Cork); Stephen Lucey (Limerick); 4 Left-Corner-Back - The Lurcher - John Horgan (Cork); Martin Hanamy (Offaly); Ollie Canning (Galway); 5 Right-Half-Back - The Sweeper - Pete Finnerty (Galway); Brian Whelahan (Offaly); Liam Doyle (Clare); 6 Centre-Back - The Pivot - Pat Henderson (Kilkenny); Pat McGrath (Waterford); Liam Dunne (Wexford); Seanie McMahon (Clare); 7 Left-Half-Back - The Artiste - Len Gaynor (Tipperary); Denis Coughlan (Cork); Anthony Daly (Clare) 8 & 9 Midfield - The Athletes - Ned Wheeler (Wexford); Richie Bennis (Limerick); Gerald McCarthy (Cork); Patjoe Whelahan (Offaly); Pat Critchley (Laois); John Fenton (Cork); Johnny Pilkington (Offaly) 10 Right-Half-Forward - The Sniper - Jimmy Doyle (Tipperary); Liam Griffin (Wexford and Clare); Johnny Dooley (Offaly); Tommy Dunne (Tipperary); Dan Shanahan (Waterford) 11 Centre-Forward - The Gamebreaker - Joe Cooney (Galway); John Power (Kilkenny); Gary Kirby (Limerick); Martin Storey (Wexford); Henry Shefflin (Kilkenny) 12 Left-Half-Forward - The Wing-man - Frankie Walsh (Waterford); Mick Ryan (Dublin and Cork); Eddie Keher (Kilkenny); Gerard McGrattan (Down); 13 Right-Corner-Forward - The Cornerboys - Mick Bermingham (Dublin); Charlie McCarthy (Cork); Eoin Kelly (Tipperary) 14 Full-Forward - The Rock-Breaker - Ray Cummins (Cork); Joe McKenna (Offaly and Limerick); Liam Fennelly (Kilkenny); Olcan McFetridge (Antrim); D. J. Carey (Kilkenny) 15 Left-Corner-Forward - The Fall-Guy - Eamonn Cregan (Limerick); Nicky English (Tipperary); Ben O'Connor (Cork) Free-Taking; The Hurley; Picking a Team; Qualities Needed - Web Survey; Index