Sounds of the Summer: Growing the game in non-hurling strongholds and the impact of the new rules | Willie Maher

Sounds of the Summer: Growing the game in non-hurling strongholds and the impact of the new rules | Willie Maher

Author: OTB Sports August 19, 2026 Duration: 20:56

Welcome to our Sounds of the Summer podcast, a look back, and look forward, to some of the biggest GAA stories which dominated 2026.

Willie Maher, the GAA’s National Head of Hurling, joins Eoin Sheahan in studio for a wide-ranging chat on the state of the game, the new rules, and what hurling needs next.

With the league finals and championship around the corner, Maher breaks down the updated dissent measures – 30 metres for players, a 21-yard free for sideline altercations – and why “tidying up” the game matters for respect and referee recruitment.

They also go deep on the bigger challenge: growing hurling in non-traditional counties, getting hurleys in kids’ hands, building coaching and games programmes, and what the new government funding is really designed to do.

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For anyone whose week revolves around the whistle, OTB GAA is the constant companion. This isn't just a single show, but the home for all Gaelic Games coverage from OTB Sports, gathering the sharpest voices under one roof. You'll find yourself in the middle of the post-match analysis with former players who've been there, from Tommy Walsh's seasoned perspective to the inside line from The Football Pod with Paddy Andrews and James O'Donoghue. For the clash of the ash, The Hurling Pod with James Skehill and Paul Murphy breaks down the key battles and the subtle skills that decide championships. The conversation extends far beyond the weekend's fixtures, though. It's about the stories that build the culture of the games-the yarns from legendary careers, the tales from the county road, and the immediate fallouts from the biggest decisions. This podcast feed bundles the daily chatter from Off The Ball Breakfast and Off The Ball, brings you close to the action with live match coverage, and even captures the unique craic of their famous roadshows. It’s where the passion for football and hurling is dissected, debated, and celebrated every day, offering a depth of insight you simply won't find elsewhere. Tune in for the authentic sound of the GAA, straight from the source.
Author: Language: en-ie Episodes: 50

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