Bainisteoir – Hurling© has something to say…

For some time now, people have been wondering what I’m like, what I’m about. So, if I were to describe the tip of my iceberg, I would say…

…I’m a controversial umpiring decision,

I’m a two month suspension for abusive language,

I’m a spiteful journalist baying for blood,

I’m Eoin Kelly versus Eoin Kelly in an incredible shoot-out,

I’m an unwelcome Aussie Rules scout at work,

I’m the Artane Boys Band leading the players’ pre-match parade,

I’m an ill-timed floodlight failure,

I’m a surprise in-house drugs test,

I’m a dummy hand-pass,

I’m Pat Daly’s celebrated OTu Coaching model,

I’m a success-hungry panel of Waterford hurlers,

I’m Leighton Glynn’s sprained ankle,

I’m a training ground brawl,

I’m the hard side of the Munster Championship draw,

I’m a healthy training expenses account,

I’m the Archbishop of Cashel throwing in the sliotar to start an exhibition match,

I’m the Hogan Stand website looking for value for my sponsorship cash,

I’m Ollie Moran battling to the very end,

I’m a pre-match plea for passion, courage and determination,

I’m an intricate player performance rating system,

I’m a shoot-on-sight policy,

I’m Eugene Cloonan’s peripheral vision,

I’m a meddling opposition manager,

I’m an old school County Board chairman,

I’m an angry mob of so-called ‘fans’,

I’m Mayo’s Urslan Afzal trying to keep tabs on Sligo’s Fabio Cretaro,

I’m a high-risk puck-out strategy,

I’m a terribly disappointed substitute who is itching to prove my worth,

I’m an honest, hard-working back-room team,

I’m a Feng-Shui expert examining the layout of Wexford Park,

I’m a cross-country run on a cold, wet February day in Athleague,

I’m the McCarthy Cup on the Banks of the Lee in mid September,

I’m Davie Fitz complimenting Clare’s Senior Hurling team manager,

I’m Joe Canning pulling on a Galway Senior Hurling shirt this summer,

I’m Henry Shefflin receiving yet another Man of the Match award,

I’m Sean Og’ O’hAilpin’s story, I’m Sean Og Brady’s story, but above all, I’m your story,

In a nutshell, I’m the ultimate GAA experience.

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