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 O 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 'Terrific' Kieran Shannon, Irish Examiner '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' RTE 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
'Brilliant' Kenny Archer, Irish News
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