A night of ideas, identity and ambition as Hurling Roadshow rolls into Kilkenny
Former Bennettsbridge manager Willie Maher was the main speaker in Hotel Kilkenny
The heart of hurling beat strongly in Kilkenny as the National Hurling Development Committee’s (HDC) Roadshow made its fourth stop in the Marble City.
Representatives from Kilkenny, Laois, Carlow, Offaly, and Wexford gathered to engage in honest and passionate discussions about the future of the game in the South-East.
From the opening remarks to the final reflections, the atmosphere was one of shared heritage, candid dialogue, and collective ambition.
Willie Maher, recently appointed National Head of Hurling, set the tone by sharing his background as both player and coach. His vision for a ‘bottom-up’ development model was warmly received by attendees, resonating with a crowd eager for sustainable and community-rooted progress.
Leinster Council Chairman Derek Kent delivered a stark assessment of the hurling landscape in the province. He noted the imbalance in seasonal representation - while 91.9% of Leinster counties field football teams in June, only four counties are playing hurling.
“The championship needs time to breathe,” he said. “If youngsters can’t see their heroes, how can they aim to be them?”
His remarks drew widespread agreement from the floor.
In Kilkenny there was a clear eye on the future. Club delegates called for deeper ties between schools and clubs, more support for volunteer coaches, and a proactive view on urbanisation, framing it as an opportunity rather than a hurdle.
Concerns were also raised about the welfare of young players, particularly the strain caused by scheduling the All-Ireland under-20 Championship during exam periods. The broader calendar, many agreed, needs urgent review.
From neighbouring Laois and Carlow came calls for better infrastructure, enhanced coaching resources, and more robust school-club links. Offaly’s contribution was one of cautious optimism. With renewed energy at underage level, speakers expressed the spark must be nurtured with clear pathways, sustainable programmes, and the right structures to ensure lasting success.
Wexford focused on the importance of consistency, expressing that a golden generation could rise and fall without the long-term support needed to keep a conveyor belt of talent flowing.
Across all five counties, a common theme emerged: hurling development must go beyond top-down directives. Instead, success lies in building strategies tailored to the needs and realities of each community - a grassroots approach with strong local ownership.
The event drew a strong turnout of key GAA figures, including Ard Stiúrthóir Tom Ryan, Leinster GAA’s James Devane and HDC members Brian Cody, Colm Nolan and Ciarán Bolger. The Kilkenny GAA delegation was led by County Board Chairman PJ Kenny.