Seen more games than he can remember
One of the great attractions of hurling matches, wherever they're played, is the variety of followers, individuals, characters.
Hurling people are a breed.
From previous Allstars, men who've mesmerised the nation with their artistry and energy, to those who've never put boot to a foot, all are experts, professional witnesses to the adroit and the awkward, rights and wrongs, and in particular, their own perception of any given moment.
During a game, a score to the net can be anything from 'a soft goal, any eejit could've pulled', to ' a stroke of genius, brilliant reading of the play'.
Depending on whose side did the scoring.
Between and after matches though, the accomplishments of all players are highly regarded, and followers given credit by merit of association.
Apart from the spectacle of the game, there is a community of spirit from every club, parish and county that unites a people in a strong sense of national identity.
Hurling people are a breed.
From previous Allstars, men who've mesmerised the nation with their artistry and energy, to those who've never put boot to a foot, all are experts, professional witnesses to the adroit and the awkward, rights and wrongs, and in particular, their own perception of any given moment.
During a game, a score to the net can be anything from 'a soft goal, any eejit could've pulled', to ' a stroke of genius, brilliant reading of the play'.
Depending on whose side did the scoring.
Between and after matches though, the accomplishments of all players are highly regarded, and followers given credit by merit of association.
Apart from the spectacle of the game, there is a community of spirit from every club, parish and county that unites a people in a strong sense of national identity.
As a boy in his teens, in the 50's and early 60's in Wexford, David Hegarty wielded a pencil in the practice of sketching.
Life, however, then took over , and it wasn't till a few years ago that, in his early 70's, he took to the practice again, this time adding colour to his efforts.
What drew him back to the craft was the action, vitality and passions he'd seen on the hurling fields of the country over the decades.
This sense of action can be seen clearly in his work. It was this that struck a chord with people of all ages and encouraged him to do some local exhibitions , which found him selling to private homes and to offices.
Orders followed as customers asked for works done in club or county colours.
This site shows the speed, power, and above all the sense of commitment, by amateur athletes, for county, club or parish, that no cash, wealth, or extravagant bonuses could ever excite in the human heart.
With the growing need for sponsors' money to keep the game in existence, one has to wonder if the amateur days of the game might be coming to an end, if we're coming to the end of an era.
These sketches, drawings, paintings, may someday be part of a tradition that is forever gone.
However, it will never, ever, be forgotten in the hearts and minds of those privileged to have seen it, where it will remain a strong and potent memory.
One of the greatest skills of this skilful game is the SIDELINE CUT...a team is given a free shot using a placed ball on the side of the pitch.
Masters of this action can almost pinpoint the ball to a particular team mate, or even score a point from the touchline...games have been won and lost by practitioners of this art, and the signs are that the players are only getting better.
As the game gets faster, more skilful, and more physical, the levels of intensity and rivalry bring out the very best of these superb athletes. There are times when the when the play is nothing short of artistry. Liam Griffin, the former Wexford manager, once described it as "The Riverdance of Sport."
An apt description.
The planning, mindfulness, thought, that goes into the performance of a team is beyond anything that is done in many undertakings.
Business operators could learn from the training, the coaching, the emotional energy that goes into the creation of a winning team in sport.
The principles are the same.
They are the elements of human endeavour gathered and directed to the point of achieving a particular goal.
And the fundamental element and common denominator is the Human Factor.
Masters of this action can almost pinpoint the ball to a particular team mate, or even score a point from the touchline...games have been won and lost by practitioners of this art, and the signs are that the players are only getting better.
As the game gets faster, more skilful, and more physical, the levels of intensity and rivalry bring out the very best of these superb athletes. There are times when the when the play is nothing short of artistry. Liam Griffin, the former Wexford manager, once described it as "The Riverdance of Sport."
An apt description.
The planning, mindfulness, thought, that goes into the performance of a team is beyond anything that is done in many undertakings.
Business operators could learn from the training, the coaching, the emotional energy that goes into the creation of a winning team in sport.
The principles are the same.
They are the elements of human endeavour gathered and directed to the point of achieving a particular goal.
And the fundamental element and common denominator is the Human Factor.
