Former Galway hurlers to unite for a novel initiative

Talking Sport with Stephen Glennon

Anew fraternity, which will be made up of every hurler who has ever been part of a Galway championship panel at minor, U-21, junior, intermediate or senior level, or who may have played National League, has been set up and will be launched in the coming weeks.

Báireoirí Na Gaillimhe – ‘báireoir’ being the old Connemara Irish word for a hurler – is the brainchild of a number of former Galway hurlers who brought so much joy, pride and honour to the county when they claimed All-Ireland senior titles in 1980, ’87 and ’88.

Chairman of Báireoirí Na Gaillimhe is the great Noel Lane, who outlines the launch of the new group will take place in Galway Bay Golf Club on Friday, May 29. The day will begin with golf at 2pm followed by a meal at 8pm and the formalities at 10pm. Those who do not take part in the golf are encouraged to be at the clubhouse in Renville for 8pm.

“We were never good as past Galway teams at reuniting, meeting up or doing anything,” says Lane, as he alludes to the origins of Báireoirí Na Gaillimhe. “The 1980 team alright would come together for a couple of rounds of golf as would the teams of ’87 and ’88 from time to time. So, last year we sat down and we said we would merge the two of them.

“Then we started talking and we said ‘why would we restrict it to the ‘87 and ‘88 teams – and the ‘80 team? ‘Why don’t we spread it out to all senior teams?’ We talked a bit more and we said ‘why should we limit it to senior teams? Why don’t we extend it to everybody who played for Galway?’ So, that is how it came about.”

When it came to selecting a name, Joe Connolly suggested Báireoirí Na Gaillimhe and a committee was formed to include Lane as Chairman, Peter Murphy as Secretary and Sean Silke as Treasurer. Connolly and Tony Kilkenny are also heavily involved while Damien Joyce is PRO and represents the younger generation.

Lane stresses, though, this is only a provisional committee. “We want younger blood to get involved because then fresh ideas will emerge. Okay, we are starting with golf but we could have a gathering at the Galway Races or at Punchestown. We could have a gathering at Croke Park to support Galway in an All-Ireland semi-final or final. Or we could climb Mount Everest or go to Australia. What is important this is a medium to network and connect into the future.

“Whatever new people come in with new ideas, anything is possible and anything can happen. Those are the things you might do with young blood. With Damien Joyce on board he could be joined by the likes Greg Kennedy or Fergal Healy, younger lads with new ideas.

“They could say next year we are going to a rugby international. For the older lads like myself, it would be lovely to get a letter to say the Báireoirí are meeting in a week’s time at Athenry Train Station and heading to wherever, without losing the run of ourselves. Anything is possible.”

For more, read this week’s Galway City Tribune.