'The Game Is Selling The Game': William O'Donoghue Says GAA Don't Do Enough To Promote Hurling

Limerick hurler William O’Donoghue thinks the GAA can do more to grow the game of hurling.

The Na Piarsaigh club-man says fan-zones and music are potential ways of improving the match-day experience of spectators at championship games.

He also feels more games should be televised, which certainly rings true this weekend with Limerick’s Munster championship opener against Tipperary not being broadcast at all.

O’Donoghue feels the GAA need to exploit the growth in the All-Ireland hurling championship of recent years and tap into the interest that surrounds it, with Munster an obvious example where the hype continues to grow.

“When you look at the attendances in the Munster senior hurling championship. If you are saying as a sport and an attraction, of course it has (grown),” O’Donoghue says.

“Look at what is going to happen again in Munster.

“I think the GAA really need to harness that, and grow the game on the back of that.

"I think it is very much the game is growing the game, and I don’t think they are doing enough to improve the supporters day out and improve it for people going.

“The game is selling the game. I think hurling is definitely on the crest of a wave. If you look at the league final last week, you had Offaly Waterford, Tipp, Cork selling out Páirc Uí Chaoimh.”

“When you go down to Páirc UÍ Chaoimh and it is sold out, I just mean could they bring in music or fan zones. That is not for me, I am just on about how much the game has grown and how they can tap into that,” he adds.

The 31-year-old says the GAA hasn’t changed much in terms of potentially attracting new followers to hurling, whether it be focusing on areas where it isn’t strong or bringing a new element to match-days for hardened followers.

“Looking at that day in general, just because something was always done this way doesn’t mean it has to be this way,” he says.

“What more could you want? The skill has definitely improved, the pace has improved. I think hurling is in a much stronger position than it was six or seven years ago as an attraction.

“You look at soccer after a World Cup and tennis after Wimbledon. There can be more done to develop counties who aren’t strong enough.

“There can be more done to develop clubs that get hurling into areas that hurling isn’t in.

“I think also if there is more being made about the game being televised, that is going to feed down as well.”

As a player, O’Donoghue says he has to be very detached from the occasion surrounding such big games.

“I am very detached. I don’t need them to improve my day, that looks after itself. As a player, Munster championship was as big as any day. I remember Limerick v Cork with Dan Shannan and Diarmuid O’Sullivan in 04 and 05, the Munster hurling championship was nearly as big.

“The All-Ireland series just took off as there. It is a massive day. You have to be cold. It is important to stay grounded, but it easier said then done.”

Limerick are out to regain their All-Ireland title this year but O’Donoghue says his sole motivation is contributing to the group, rather than winning titles.

“To be completely honest, just to contribute to the group. You can say what does that mean., I guess its means to contribute as a person to my teammates as a friend.

“At training, to get the most out of myself as a person and my teammates. It is very special to be part of the group, and when you take a step back, it is not just about winning accolades and games and the hurling side of it, it is a lot broader.

“I am very privileged to be involved in this group. So I think the motivator is I want to be part of this group. I want to represent the group, and I want to enjoy it as much as I can. This is the motivator for me and a lot of the lads.”