Pucking walls plan a boost for young hurlers

A plan to build three hurling walls locally, could help to supply more city-based intercounty hurlers to the county’s flagship teams.

Funding was set aside in the City Council budget for 2017 to go towards the cost of building a hurling wall in Westside.

Labour Party City Councillor Billy Cameron secured the €5,000 in funding for the provision of a hurling wall at Westside Sports Campus. It is to be used by the general public with Rahoon/Newcastle hurling club getting first dibs on it for training.

Cllr Cameron has sought advice from the Connacht Council to see whether the GAA can provide some matching funding for the project.

Since the budget was approved, the Government has announced another round of Sports Capital Grants, and Cllr Cameron believes the City Council should apply for funding for the Westside wall, and two others.

He said local authority should also apply for national funding to build hurling walls in Salthill or Knocknacarra, to cater for the local hurling club in those areas, and on the east side of the city to cater for Liam Mellows.

Hurling walls are similar to handball alleys, and provide a safe and accessible space for hurlers to develop and improve their skills and striking technique.

Cllr Cameron has called on the Chief Executive of the City Council, Brendan McGrath to apply for funding from the capital grant for the Westside hurling wall, and two others.

“When was the last time you saw a young lad with a hurl on the city’s streets? You go to Kilkenny or Cork and they’re all carrying hurls. We are lagging behind in Galway in terms of the promotion of hurling,” said Cllr Cameron.

“I know Liam Mellows and Rahoon/Newcastle have supplied a few young lads to the county teams over the last few years but for a city the size of Galway, and with the population base, there should be more city lads playing for Galway.

“The hurling walls would encourage young players to take up the sport, and be active. They will improve their skills and hopefully down the line there will be more city players playing for Galway,” added Cllr Cameron.