National initiative delivers Hurling Refresher Packs to Laois GAA clubs

Two Laois GAA clubs have been chosen to receive Hurling Refresher Packs as part of a national initiative by the GAA’s Hurling Development Committee.

Clonad and Mountmellick are among 70 existing clubs across the country selected for the allocation, which aims to boost nursery activity, coaching standards, and Go Games delivery.

Each pack includes 15 hurleys, 15 helmets in mixed sizes, and 60 sliotars (mix of First Touch and Smart Touch aligned to Go Games progression) to support underage coaching and participation. The initiative is designed not only to strengthen traditional hurling areas but also to protect and grow the game in counties where participation remains fragile.

It’s hoped the Hurling Refresher Packs will help achieve the following Hurling development objectives.

• Protect and strengthen Hurling’s fragile base in developing counties by ensuring visibility, continuity, and coaching support where player numbers remain limited.
• Broaden Hurling’s footprint in developing counties with an emphasis on school/club alignment and entry-level participation.
• Reinforce nursery and coaching structures in counties where Hurling remains fragile but strategically important by ensuring sustainability through SLA delivery.
• Target urban inclusion in non-traditional Hurling areas while consolidating strong nursery programmes in clubs with sustainable underage.

Earlier this year, 45 new hurling units also successfully applied for a Hurling Starter Pack consisting of hurleys, helmets, sliotars, and additional training equipment.

“It's further evidence of the work that the Hurling Development Committee and I are doing,” says National Head of Hurling, William Maher.

“We had 45 Hurling Starter Packs for new clubs in June, and now we have Hurling Refresher Packs for 70 existing clubs right across the country.

“Some of the feedback that we got back from the recent Hurling Development Roadshows was that the work we were doing with new clubs was great, but that it was also important not to forget about existing clubs because they also need a lot of support. We've listened to the people about what they need and aligned it to our strategy of building new clubs and helping existing ones.”

Breakdown of clubs allocated Hurling Refresher packs:

Munster (12 clubs / 6 counties)
• Clare: Kilkee Bealaha, Ennistymon (2)
• Cork: Laochra Óg, Blackrock/Mahon (2)
• Kerry: Firies, Rathmore (2)
• Limerick: Old Christians, St Patrick’s (2)
• Tipperary: Carrick Davins, Roscrea (2)
• Waterford: St Saviours, Erins Own (2)

Leinster (25 clubs / 12 counties)
• Kilkenny: Slieverue, Cloneen (2)
• Carlow: Kildavin/Clonegal, Carlow Town HC (2)
• Wicklow: Arklow Rock Parnells, St Patrick’s Wicklow Town (2)                                                                                            • Laois: Clonad, Mountmellick (2)
• Louth: Mattock Rangers, Naomh Fionnbarra (2)
• Longford: Kenagh (+1 pending confirmation) (1)
• Meath: Killyon, Gaeil Colmcille (2)
• Wexford: Tara Rocks, St Mary’s Rosslare (2)
• Offaly: Gracefield, Clara (2)
• Kildare: Ros Glas, Moorefield (2)
• Dublin: St Mark’s (Tallaght), Setanta (Ballymun), O’Dwyers (Balbriggan), Wild Geese (Oldtown) (4)
• Westmeath: Brownstown, Ringtown (2)

Connacht (12 clubs / 5 counties)
• Roscommon: Padraig Pearses, Oran Hurling (2)
• Mayo: Gaeltacht Iorrais, Caiseal Gaels (2)
• Sligo: St Molaise, Tourlestrane (2)
• Leitrim: Carrick Hurling, Cluainin Iomaint (2)
• Galway: Liam Mellows, Castlegar, Rahoon Newcastle, Bearna (4)

Ulster (21 clubs / 9 counties)
• Antrim: St Teresa’s, Loch Mór Gaels, Naoimh Uile/Cloney Gaels (3)                                                                                    • Armagh: Sean Treacys, St Malachy’s (2)
• Cavan: Mullahoran, Cootehill Celtic (2)
• Derry: Ballerin, St Finbarr’s (2)
• Donegal: Dungloe, Letterkenny Gaels (2)
• Down: Clann Mhurn, Saul, East Belfast (3)
• Fermanagh: Belnaleck Art McMurroughs, Enniskillen Gaels Lisbellaw, St Patrick's (3)
• Monaghan: Latton, Clontibret (2)
• Tyrone: Tulach Óg, Cúchulainn an Ghleanna (2)

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