Louth clubs among those boosted by National Hurling Refresher Pack Initiative

Two Louth GAA clubs have received a timely boost this week with confirmation that Mattock Rangers and Naomh Fionnbarra are among the 70 clubs nationwide allocated Hurling Refresher Packs by the GAA’s Hurling Development Committee.

The packs, which include 15 hurleys, 15 helmets in mixed sizes, and 60 sliotars (a blend of First Touch and Smart Touch balls suited to Go Games), are designed to strengthen nursery activity and underage coaching standards.

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The move is part of a wider effort to both protect hurling’s fragile base in developing counties and consolidate underage structures in more established areas.

For Louth, where the game still fights for visibility against football, the allocation represents a recognition of ongoing efforts at grassroots level.

Both Collon-based Mattock Rangers and Togher’s Naomh Fionnbarra have worked hard in recent years to promote hurling among younger players, with schools and community outreach playing a key role.

The Refresher Packs are not just about equipment, but also about ensuring sustainability. By aligning with provincial and county Games Managers under Service Level Agreements (SLAs), the GAA hopes to guarantee continuity of coaching and greater integration between schools and clubs.

It’s hoped the Hurling Refresher Packs will help achieve the following Hurling development objectives. Protect and strengthen Hurling’s fragile base in developing counties by ensuring visibility, continuity, and coaching support where player numbers remain limited.

Broaden Hurling’s footprint in developing counties with an emphasis on school/club alignment and entry-level participation.

Reinforce nursery and coaching structures in counties where Hurling remains fragile but strategically important by ensuring sustainability through SLA delivery.

Target urban inclusion in non-traditional Hurling areas while consolidating strong nursery programmes in clubs with sustainable underage.

Speaking about the nationwide rollout, National Head of Hurling William Maher said the initiative balances support between new and existing clubs:

“We had 45 Hurling Starter Packs for new clubs in June, and now we have Hurling Refresher Packs for 70 existing clubs right across the country.

“Some of the feedback we got from our recent Hurling Development Roadshows was that while new clubs were being helped, existing ones also needed backing. We’ve listened to people and aligned that to our strategy.”

Louth sits among 25 Leinster clubs across 12 counties to benefit. Breakdown of Leinster clubs allocated Hurling Refresher packs: Kilkenny: Slieverue, Cloneen (2), Carlow: Kildavin/Clonegal, Carlow Town HC (2), Wicklow: Arklow Rock Parnells, St Patrick’s Wicklow Town (2), Laois: Clonad, Mountmellick (2), Louth: Mattock Rangers, Naomh Fionnbarra (2), Longford: Kenagh (+1 pending confirmation) (1), Meath: Killyon, Gaeil Colmcille (2), Wexford: Tara Rocks, St Mary’s Rosslare (2), Offaly: Gracefield, Clara (2), Kildare: Ros Glas, Moorefield (2), Dublin: St Mark’s (Tallaght), Setanta (Ballymun), O’Dwyers (Balbriggan), Wild Geese (Oldtown) (4), and Westmeath: Brownstown, Ringtown (2).

The Refresher Packs, alongside the Starter Packs distributed earlier this year, are part of a broader national drive to broaden hurling’s footprint in counties where the game is less traditional.

Objectives include targeting urban inclusion, strengthening nursery programmes, and ensuring continuity in places where player numbers remain small.