Why the ash will no longer fly

While hurling is, without doubt, one of the most skilful field games, there is always a fear that participants will pick up a serious injury. Hurleys often break when players clash and it is a regular occurrence that a broken hurley will fly several feet through the air.

In many cases players are hit by a flying hurley, which can result in serious injury. An East Clare man has now developed a shatter-safe hurley, which is set to be a big hit with all who play the game.
Flan Marsh from Broadford has been working on the project for a number of years and during that time he carried out a lot of research.
“I have seen many friends being struck by flying hurleys and I received a serious groin injury myself some years ago when I was hit by one. It put me out of action for a while. The hurley I have developed will not detach when it breaks and it won’t fly through the air,” Flan told The Clare Champion this week.
Flan played all levels of hurling with his native Broadford and also with O’Callaghan’s Mills. He operated a very successful roofing business for many years.
“Work in the building trade dried up and I have gone into hurley making. I have always been thinking about ways of making the game safer and this is what led to this development. The safety aspect is all important,” stressed Flan, who is presently awaiting confirmation of the patent for his invention.
Well-known hurling mentor Danny Chaplin has welcomed the news.
“I know what it’s like to be hit by a flying hurley. I had to have 27 stitches in a head wound after being hit by one many years ago. This is welcome news and is, I believe, particularly important for juvenile players,” according to the Clare senior selector.
Danny went onto say that “the hurley is no different. It is still made from ash and it still feels the same. It’s just a lot safer.”
“A flying hurley could hit anyone, player, spectator, linesman, referee. There is a hoop which prevents the bas from shattering but up to now there was never anything to prevent the hurley flying when it broke in the middle.
“When one of these shatter-safe hurleys breaks, it will not detach. These hurlers also have a longer life span,” according to Flan.
“Health and safety is very important in any area and hurling is no different. This definitely makes things safer and I believe that it will really take off, particularly at juvenile level,” he concluded.