Seven out of 45 new hurling units established across the country are in Donegal 

GAA National Head of Hurling, William Maher, says the establishment of 45 new hurling units in 2024 and 2025, including seven in Donegal,  is “a major win” for the Association.

18 of the new units have been established in Leinster, 17 in Ulster, and five apiece in Munster and Connacht.

The majority are made up of hurling units in already existing clubs which until now only catered for Gaelic football.

The Donegal clubs availing of the initiative include: Ardara, Kilcar, Glenswilly, Na Rossa, St Michael's, Naomh Muire, lower Rosses and Downings. 

The 45 clubs have all successfully applied for a hurling starter pack consisting of hurleys, helmets, sliotars, and additional training equipment.

Wicklow, with eight new hurling units, and Donegal with seven, are the two counties that have most enthusiastically embraced the opportunity.

“45 new clubs have started, that’s a major win,” said Maher yesterday.

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“Finance is often an issue as regards a barrier to entry to hurling with hurleys, balls, cones, helmets and everything else and after going through the application process these 45 clubs were informed this morning that they were getting their funding.

“We’ve got commitment to roll out a similar initiative later on in the year for clubs that are already established but are just struggling around the equipment piece as well.”

The 45 new hurling clubs who have availed of Hurling Starter Packs are: 

LEINSTER

Rathvilly - Carlow

Kilcullen - Kildare

St. Pauls (Emo) - Laois

St. Francis Dromard - Longford

Rathcline - Longford

Na Piarsaigh, Blackrock - Louth

Wolfe Tones - Louth

Walsh Island - Offaly

St. Brigids - Westmeath

Castledaly GAA - Westmeath

Knockananna/Ballymanus - Wicklow

Vallymount - Wicklow

Hollywood - Wicklow

Dunlavin - Wicklow

Kilbride - Wicklow

Blessington - Wicklow

Enniskerry - Wicklow

Fergal Óg - Wicklow

ULSTER

Clann na hÉireann, Carraigín - Antrim

Colin Gaels - Antrim

Greencastle Wolfe Tones - Antrim

Mountnugent - Cavan

Faughanvale - Derry

St. Malachy's, Castledawson - Derry

St. Aidan's Magilligan - Derry

CLG Ard an Ratha - Donegal

CLG Chill Chartha - Donegal

CLG Chleann tSúilí - Donegal

Na Rossa - Donegal

Naomh Micheál - Donegal

Naomh Mhuire Iochtar na Rosann - Donegal

Na Dunaibh - Donegal

Bryansford GAC - Down

Ardglass GAC - Down

Silverbridge Harps - Armagh

MUNSTER

Ballydesmond - Cork

Uíbh Ráthach - Kerry

Cluin Boine - Clare

Killarney Legion - Kerry

Dingle - Kerry

CONNACHT

Ballinamore - Leitrim

Gortlettragh - Leitrim

Boyle - Roscommon

Creggs - Roscommon

Easter Harps - Sligo