Ómós, Oilithreacht, Oidhreacht – Hurling, History and Heritage: Launch of the 2024 GAA Hurling All-Ireland Series in the home of Michael Cusack

8 proud hurling counties stood tall at the launch of the 2024 Hurling Series in the unique setting of the Michael Cusack Centre, Carran, Co. Clare on June 11th.

The cultural and historical significance of the venue was not lost on all those present who had gathered in the birthplace of Michael Cusack, founder of the GAA, to mark the next steps on the journey towards the 2024 Liam Mac Carthy Cup.

‘’I feel the hand of history on my shoulder.’’ Jarlath Burns, Uachtarán of the GAA summarised the mood, as history, heritage and hurling merged into a celebration of all that is good about our unique hurling tradition. 140 years ago, Michael Cusack founded the GAA with a vision to preserve our national games, intertwined with our sense of identity as a nation.

Echoes of Cusack’s vision were very much to the fore in the words of all the players present. Tony Kelly of Clare spoke of the pride of the people of the county in Cusack’s legacy and of the privilege of continuing the tradition. Limerick’s Séamus Flanagan emphasised the importance of the sense of community, family, friendship and making memories while Cork’s Ethan Twomey focused on the key role of supporters through thick and thin, as well as the influence of role models such as Patrick Horgan, on Ethan himself growing up in the GAA family.

The bond and friendship that exist on all teams was a recurrent theme throughout the press conference, bearing witness to the GAA motto of

Where we all belong

and indeed, the banter and camaraderie between the players, despite rivalries on the pitch, was very much in evidence.

President Jarlath Burns thanked the staff of the Centre for the warm welcome extended to all. It is a unique setting, well worth a visit by all Gaels, according to Dónal Ó hAiniféin, Chairperson of the Michael Cusack Centre, noting that Cusack would be a proud man to see the role models present. Their commitment to hurling, along with their sense of community, family and identity and their deep understanding that they are the custodians for the next generation came across in every interview.

In paying tribute to the players, president Jarlath Burns said ‘’ You are the people who make the magic. You are living proof of Cusack’s legacy. You have kept faith with the past, handing on the traditions to the future.’’

There is a lot of hurling still to be played this season. We are all looking forward to the great days ahead. Let’s enjoy them!

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Ómós, Oilithreacht, Oidhreacht – agus Iomáint!
Seoladh Sraith Uile-Éireann Iomána CLG 2024 i dteach Mhíchíl Cíosóg.

Bhí 8 gcontae iománaíochta bhródúil i láthair ag seoladh Shraith Iomána 2024 i suíomh uathúil álainn, Ionad Mhichíl Cíosóg, An Carn, Co. an Chláir ar an 11 Meitheamh.

Níor cailleadh suntasacht chultúrtha agus stairiúil an ionaid dóibh siúd go léir a bhailigh le chéile in áit dúchais Mhíchíl Cíosóg , bunaitheoir an CLG, chun na chéad chéimeanna eile ar an turas i dtreo Chorn Liam Mhic Cárthaigh 2024 a chomóradh.

‘‘Mothaím lámh na staire ar mo ghualainn’’ Thug Uachtarán CLG, Iarlaith Ó Broin, léiriú beacht ar an atmaisféar a bhí ann, agus an stair, an oidhreacht agus an iománaíocht ag teacht le chéile chun ceiliúradh a dhéanamh ar gach a bhfuil go maith faoinár dtraidisiún uathúil iománaíochta. 140 bliain ó shin, bhunaigh Mícheál Cíosóg an CLG le fís chun ár gcluichí náisiúnta a chaomhnú, fite fuaite lenár bhféiniúlacht mar náisiún.

Bhí macallaí d’fhís an Chíosógaigh go mór chun tosaigh i bhfocail na n-imreoirí go léir a bhí i láthair. Labhair Tony Kelly ón gClár faoin mbród atá ag muintir an chontae as oidhreacht An Chíosógaigh agus as an mórtas agus an phribhléid a bhaineann le leanúint leis an traidisiún. Leag Séamus Flanagan as Luimneach béim ar an tábhacht a bhaineann le braistint pobail, teaghlaigh, cairdis agus cuimhní a dhéanamh agus dhírigh Ethan Twomey as Corcaigh ar an ról lárnach atá ag an lucht tacaíochta a sheasann leo mín agus garbh, chomh maith le tionchar laochra ar nós Patrick Horgan, laoch Ethan féin agus é ag fás aníos mar bhall de chlann CLG.

Bhí cairdeas agus spiorad na foirne go léir mar théama arís agus arís eile le linn an phreasagallaimh, ag tabhairt fianaise do mhana CLG
Tá áit dúinn uilig ann agus go deimhin bhí an chraic agus an chamrádaíocht idir na himreoirí le feiscint go soiléir, in ainneoin na hiomaíochta ar an bpáirc imeartha.

Ghabh an tUachtarán Iarlaith Ó Broin buíochas le foireann an Ionaid as an bhfáilte chroíúil a cuireadh roimh chách. Áit fíor – speisialta is ea í, ar fiú go mór cuairt a thabhairt uirthi a deir Dónal Ó hAiniféin, Cathaoirleach Ionaid Mhíchíl Cusack, ag tabhairt faoi deara go mbeadh An Cíosógach ina fhear bródúil as na fir óga a bhí i láthair. Tháinig a dtiomantas don iománaíocht, mar aon lena mbraistint pobail, teaghlaigh agus féiniúlachta trasna i ngach agallamh chomh maith lena dtuiscint dhomhain gur caomhnóirí iad don chéad ghlúin eile.

Agus é ag tabhairt ardmholadh do na himreoirí, dúirt an tUachtarán Iarlaith Ó Broin ‘’ Is sibhse na daoine a chruthaíonn an draíocht. Is cruthúnas beo beathach sibh ar oidhreacht an Chíosógaigh. D’fhan sibh dílís do thraidisiúin ár sinsir, á dtabhairt ar aghaidh do na glúnta atá le teacht.’’

Tá neart iomána fós le himirt an séasúr seo. Táimid go léir ag tnúth leis na laethanta móra amach romhainn. Bainimis súp astu!