The Hurlers: The First All-Ireland Championship and the Making of Modern Hurling

by Paul Rouse

In 1882, a letter was published in the Irish Times , lamenting the decline of hurling. The game was now played only in a few isolated rural pockets, and according to no fixed set of rules. It would have been absurd to imagine that, within five years, an all-Ireland hurling championship would be underway, under the auspices of a powerful national organization. The Hurlers is a superbly readable account of that dramatic turn of events, of the colourful men who made it happen, and of the political intrigues and violent rows that marked the early years of the GAA. From the very start, republican and ecclesiastical interests jockeyed for control, along with a small core of enthusiasts who were just in it for the sport. In this authoritative and seriously entertaning book, Paul Rouse shows how sport, culture and politics swirled together in a heady, often chaotic mix. 'Fascinating ... a brilliantly researched book on hurling in the early years of the GAA' Martin Breheny, Irish Independent

'I heartily recommend it. Great picture of the emergence of modern Ireland amidst sport, nationalism, priests and assorted crazy hotheads ... Brilliant stuff' Dara Ó Briain 'A story of pioneerism, passion, intrigue, skulduggery and commitment ... a must read for the many sports, and particularly hurling, supporters and admirers in today's version of Ireland' Irish Times

' Brilliantly entertaining ... not just the gripping account of that first championship, but also of how the game of hurling itself was saved in the 1880s from what seemed certain extinction' Sunday Independent 'Can't recommend this enough. Amazing detail, brilliant story telling, full sweep of Irish life in the 1880's and all the seeds and fault lines of GAA life today brought to life' Ger Gilroy 'A brilliant piece of work' Matt Cooper 'Both a sports and a history book, full of wonderful stories from a different time, with tales of passion, skullduggery and controversy, played out against the backdrop of what could be described as a civil war within the GAA and a land war that threatened to rip the country apart' RTÉ Culture

'Fascinating' Frank McNally, Irish Times

' A page turner that continues to deliver chapter after chapter ... The Hurlers is a must read' Limerick Leader 'A superbly readable account ... an authoritative and seriously entertaining book' Ireland's Own 'The perfect read for a brilliant hurling year' Caitriona Lally, Irish Independent Top Books of 2018 'A vital look into the early years of the GAA and a perfect gift for both sport and history lovers' Mark Gallagher, Mail on Sunday Books of 2018 'Marries forensic historical research of the cultural and political contexts for the emergence of modern hurling with a polished style and storytelling ability that is rare among historians' Diarmaid Ferriter, Irish Times Books of 2018 'Marvellous ... the definitive account of this remarkable period when hurling came to life' Clonmel Nationalist

Genres: Nonfiction, History, Sports

320 pages, Paperback

Published August 1, 2019

Reviews

[Rob Sut · Rating 4 out of 5]

An entertaining and easily read historical documentation of the revival of hurling in the mid-to-late 1800s. Plenty of levity in the form of farce after farce that the founding fathers faced as they attempted to tame this wild beast of a game and put a structure around it. The story of the first county championship in Limerick is a particular highlight. Aside from the hurling, it also offers a rare and insightful optic into the day-to-day life in Ireland at the time. On reflection, the essence of the story revolves around the game's revival as a symbol for the resistance of native Irish culture that becomes emblematic of the rebirth of an Irish nation in the decades before it won its independence.

[Dan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great booked, loved the detail

[Keith · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is well worth a read. Rouse gives a great insight into the chaos, mythology and revolution surrounding the reemergence of hurling and the establishment of the GAA in the latter parts of the 19th century.

[Brian McNally · Rating 2 out of 5]

Good to see the GAA hasn’t changed much

[Mairin Delaney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely fascinating book about the very first Hurling All Ireland championship, which took place amidst a very different Ireland that we see today. This is a book for hurling fans, and I’ve no doubt anyone who loves hurling will find this utterly absorbing. I’ve an even greater admiration for this wonderful game after reading this book. Highly recommend it - to hurling fans!

[Terry Casey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed this book, some of the writing is exemplary and truly evokes the era. A fascinating account of the difficulties experienced in getting a national competition underway and completed and a useful footnote to the contemporary Irish politics which influenced it

[Michael Brophy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read for hurling diehards

So many sources of information seamlessly weaved into a terrific read. With so much detail in this book, Paul makes the events of 130 years ago seem like they are happening around us right now.

[Paddy Reddy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thoroughly enjoyed this account of the early days of hurling, even prior to the foundation of the GAA in 1884, from the early 1880s, through to the first All Ireland Championship in 1887. Very detailed, and interesting!

[Paul McCormack · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wonderfully researched but for the truly dedicated

[Sean Lundergan · Rating 4 out of 5]

great personal, social and political history of the gaa’s founding and early years

[Mise Enda · Rating 4 out of 5]

very interesting and quite funny too.

[Ian Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

An enjoyable history of the creation of the GAA and run up to the first All Ireland Hurling championship.

[Dannie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting to learn the history around the resurgence of hurling. Some hilarious characters involved!

[Maurice Ryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A deep dive into the 1880s and the revival of hurling. Not much hurling but lots of meetings and skullduggery. Great read.

[John O · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent Account of the Birth of the GAA and the politics involved in its governance and success! Tremendous insight into the lives of Cusack and Davitt also!

[Derek · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliantly readable history of the background to the first All Ireland championship. Full of great anecdotes and characters such as Michael Cusack. Shines a light on the realities of setting up a new sporting organisation at a time when many sports were becoming more organised. Also ties in well with republican and culture revivals in vogue in Ireland at the time.