Letter to the Sports Editor

Letter to the Sports Editor

Dear Sir,

I read with interest the letter from Denis Donohoe in last week's edition of the Nenagh Guardian newspaper in which he summarised the results of the recent Public Survey on the state of Hurling, which was organised by the Hurling Expert Advisory Group (HEAG).

As you will recall Denis Donohoe pointed out that of the 18 respondent groups 17 highlighted the Hand pass / throw ball as the number 1 issue in the game at present. In terms of a suggested solution 13 of the 18 groups listed the solution which I proposed on behalf of Tipperary GAA at GAA Congress 2025 as their number 1 preference, with 4 groups listing it as their 2nd preference and it was the 3rd choice of one group. As a reminder, the motion that I proposed at GAA Congress 2025 stated that it would be a foul: to handpass the ball from the same hand that is holding the ball or without it being released and struck with a definite striking action of a hand.

Denis Donohoe rightly questions why therefore the HEAG completely ignored the views of everyone who took the time and effort to complete the survey and who instead have chosen to trial playing rules that continue to facilitate ball throwing, in simulation of a handpass, in the upcoming Fitzgibbon Cup competition.

I have therefore forwarded Denis Donohoe's letter by email to the President of the GAA, Jarlath Burns and asked him to query this decision with John Meyler, Chairperson of the HEAG and to revert back with an update.

Should I receive a response to my email from Jarlath Burns, I will also be happy to share it with you.

Yours in Hurling,

Conor O'Donovan

(Nenagh Eire Og GAA, Tipperary All Ireland medal winner 1989 & 1991)