A HOST OF top inter-county hurlers will be in action in America this weekend as part of GAA efforts to showcase the sport to a new audience.
Twenty-eight players flew out to the today ahead of the Celtic Champions Classic, an 11-a-side hurling tournament in the University of Notre Dame on Saturday.
The new short-form game, dubbed “Super Hurling 11s”, features a number of changes. There are no points, only goals, and a yellow sliotar which is thought to aid player reactions.
The Munster side, which includes 2010 Hurler of the Year Lar Corbett and a host of this year’s All-Star nominees, will represent Notre Dame’s “Fighting Irish” in the tournament.
Dublin’s Liam Rushe is named in the Leinster panel as are Kilkenny stars Jackie Tyrrell, JJ Delaney, Tommy Walsh and Richie Hogan.
Pat Murphy / SPORTSFILE
Here are the full squads:
Leinster (Ireland): James Skehill (Galway), Jackie Tyrrell (Kilkenny), JJ Delaney (Kilkenny), Tommy Walsh (Kilkenny), Liam Rushe (Dublin), Lee Chin (Wexford), Aidan Harte (Galway), Cathal Parlon (Offaly), Davy Glennon (Galway), Richie Hogan (Kilkenny), Niall Healy (Galway), Neil McManus (Antrim), Jack Guiney (Wexford), Shane Dooley (Offaly).Managers: Martin Fogarty, Mattie Kenny.
Munster (Fighting Irish): Nickie Quaid (Limerick), Donal O’Grady (Limerick), James Ryan (Limerick), Gavin O’Mahony (Limerick), Graeme Mulcahy (Limerick), Paudie O’Brien (Limerick), Tom Condon (Limerick), Declan Hannon (Limerick), Wayne McNamara (Limerick), Eoin Kelly (Tipperary), Lar Corbett (Tipperary), Patrick Maher (Tipperary), Paul Curran (Tipperary), Shane O’Sullivan (Waterford).Managers: Donal O’Grady, Tom Barry.
And here’s how the new format looks, complete with smaller goals and the yellow ball:
Still confused? Read an explainer on the idea here.