Some county boards view hurling as a 'nuisance'
Former hurler Neil McManus argues that some Irish county boards treat hurling as a nuisance, calling for structural changes to improve participation and competitiveness. He suggests that underperforming counties should face financial penalties to encourage growth.
Why it matters
The debate touches on the health and future of Ireland's national sport, highlighting concerns about regional inequality in athletic support.
Former Antrim hurler Neil McManus believes that some county boards regard hurling as a "nuisance" and that counties that ignore the game should be penalised in terms of grants from Croke Park.
At the elite level, the 2026 hurling championship was widely viewed as an unsatisfying affair, with an unusually high number of lop-sided games in the Munster championship, culminating in a drab All-Ireland final.
While there had been humdrum hurling championships in the past, in 2026 an unflattering light was cast by a newly invigorated football championship, where both the playing rules and the competition format had contributed to one of the most exciting seasons in living memory.
Some observers have contended that the commentariat are over-reacting to a single underwhelming campaign but McManus feels the sport has deeper structural issues that need addressing.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in