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Hurling

Hurling Development Committee Roadshow to take place at Croke Park

Hurling Development Committee Roadshow to take place at Croke Park
Tue, 19 August 2025

A Hurling Development Committee HDC Roadshow will take place at Croke Park on Monday, September 8th. 

The event will take place from 7pm-8.30pm, with addresses from GAA President Jarlath Burns, Chairman of the Hurling Development Committee Terry Reilly and Head of Hurling William Maher.

Terry Reilly will give an overview of the priorities of the National Hurling Development Committee, before GAA President Jarlath Burns will give the keynote address on the GAA’s Vision for the Future of Hurling.

William Maher will then lead a discussion on the state of the game currently, detailing the landscape as it stands and strategic focus areas for 2025-2030.

There will also be discussions on performance metrics and participation trends, a provincial hurling plan and county specific hurling plans.

Click here to sign up or scan the QR code below:

Head of Hurling William Maher has also released the below letter ahead of the Roadshow.

Dear All,

A sincere thank you to everyone who participated in the HDC Hurling Roadshows over recent weeks. The six events provided a unique and honest opportunity to hear directly from those on the ground — coaches, officers, teachers, referees, and Games Development staff — about what’s working, where the challenges lie, and what’s needed to take hurling forward.

Your feedback was consistent, passionate, and constructive. It is already shaping the next phase of national hurling planning and will directly inform our forthcoming National Hurling Action Plan, which we are building together.

Key Themes Emerging Across the Roadshows:

  • A clear need for targeted support across different county contexts — one size does not fit all.

  • Strong emphasis on schools as a growth driver — particularly primary and second-level engagement.

  • The importance of building referee development pathways to support a meaningful games programme.

  • Support for greater alignment across school, club and inter-county activity, especially in how academy players are developed and retained.

  • The need for more joined-up planning between counties, provinces, and national Games Development to ensure sustained impact.

Strategic Structure: A Tiered Approach to Hurling Development

Based on feedback, the Hurling Action Plan will be structured around three strategic county groupings, each with a tailored focus and support model:

1. Traditional Hurling Counties

Objective: Maximise the retention and progression of academy players into high-performing club and inter-county systems.


Key Focus Areas:

  • Player development programmes that retain and challenge talented players through their teenage years

  • Refined academy models with clear links to senior club and inter-county environments

  • Coach education and mentoring that targets elite and sub-elite performance environments

  • Monitoring and support for performance targets across club, schools, and inter-county

2. Middle-Tier Hurling Counties

Objective: Significantly grow participation and improve the transition of players into structured, meaningful club and school-based competition.


Key Focus Areas:

  • Clear participation targets at U7–U15 to widen the base of the pyramid

  • Integrated club–school–county games programmes

  • Targeted support for key second-level schools to grow team numbers and competitive games

  • Coach development initiatives that grow club capacity and enhance player experience

3. Non-Traditional Hurling Counties

Objective: Establish and embed hurling in schools and Go Games programmes, driven locally through Games Development staff.


Key Focus Areas:

  • Primary school initiatives as the foundation for growth

  • County- and club-led Go Games programmes supported by Games Managers and Provincial GDA teams

  • Simple, clear coach support programmes for early-stage clubs

  • Visibility and integration with national campaigns (e.g. Hurling for All, #ClubIsFamily)

Immediate Priorities (Summer–Autumn 2025)

  • Finalise and circulate a Draft National Hurling Action Plan in early September

This is a key moment. The game needs a clear, ambitious, and deliverable plan — and now we have a strong foundation, built from your feedback, to deliver one.

Thank you again for your time, energy, and honesty in this process.