From the start, Liam Griffin brought a methodical and modern approach – he was far ahead of his time, writes Éanna Mackey Long before Liam Griffin led his county to glory in 1996, he was just a young boy standing at the window of his family home, staring out across the Irish Sea towards the…

In Wexford hurling folklore, few names command the same reverence as Martin Storey. The Oulart-the-Ballagh man captained the Slaneysiders to their last All-Ireland success in 1996, delivering a glory the county had hungered for since 1968. But for Storey, success was never built on skill alone. Beneath the fierce competitor lay a quiet foundation —…

Jamesie O’Connor, one of Clare GAA’s most storied names and now a veteran teacher at the great Munster hurling nursery, St Flannan’s College in Ennis, isn’t one for romanticising the past. But when he speaks about the challenges of raising children in a modern age of smartphones and social media, you can hear the quiet…

Diarmuid Lyng has always been more than a hurler. The former Wexford captain known for his pace and skill in the yellow and gold, has long traded the pitch for the sacred landscape of Ireland’s hills and heritage. These days, he’s more likely to be found deep in the wilds, guiding young people through Irish…

There are few Gaels who don’t know the name Seán Marty Lockhart. An All-Star winner, an Ulster champion, and a man who wore the Ireland jersey with pride more times than anyone else. Lockhart has spent much of his life in the spotlight. But behind the accolades and county colours is someone whose impact runs…

The Glens of Antrim are renowned for a few things. Its breathtaking volcanic emerald scenery, the world-famous Giant’s Causeway and, above all else, one of the finest hurling strongholds in Ireland. Yet, few are as celebrated or revered as the towering figure of Terence ‘Sambo’ McNaughton. A legendary name of the game that has become…

The values of Lent and the celebrations of Easter – sacrifice, reflection, service – were instilled early in McManus’ life, writes Éanna Mackey.   Easter Sunday will see parishes across the country alive with the joy of the Lord’s resurrection. But in the Glens of Antrim, a different kind of devotion – just as serious…

Seán Óg Ó hAilpín’s life has been anything but ordinary. Born in Rotuma, some 600km off the coast of Fiji, with a native mother and his father hailing from Fermanagh, he moved to Ireland as a child and carved out a legendary hurling career. Neither Fiji or Fermanagh a hurling stronghold as the old saying…

Séamus Hickey has seen hurling from nearly every angle – player, mentor, and now observer. A former Limerick hurler, he was a tenacious defender, winning Young Hurler of the Year in 2007 and representing his county for over a decade before becoming an eventual All-Ireland winner in 2018. But his insights into the game extend…