By Dermot Keys
Kilkenny hurlers, Michael Fennelly and John Dalton, created quite a stir when they flew into Setanta hurling pitch in Crossroads, Killygordon, by helicopter last week.
The Kilkenny hurlers, who are aiming for three-in-a-row this year, emerged with hurleys in hand and were greeted by Donegal manager, Eamon Campbell. The two young hurlers held a training session with the Donegal hurling team ahead of their narrow defeat to Monaghan in the Nicky Rackard Cup.
The visit was organised as part of the GPA’s Hurling Twinning Programme, which aims to help traditionally weaker hurling counties by offering them assistance from stronger Liam McCarthy Cup sides.
Both hurlers were eager to pass on their accumulated hurling knowledge and offer the Donegal men the benefit of their training techniques and systems.
“It’s great to get the opportunity to come up here and try and teach, the way we’ve been taught from a young age,” Dalton told the Finn Valley Post.
“In Kilkenny the culture and tradition is huge,” said Fennelly. “We’ve grown up with hurls since primary school so we know what’s going on. We’ve been fortunate in that we’ve been taught by the best. What we’ve been taught is the key to success, you could say. If the boys can take something small out of today, we would be delighted.”
Dalton pointed out that the twinning scheme is in its inaugural year and that the GPA are hoping to develop it further.
“This is the first year. Next year, they’re hoping to really build it up and get it started. It’s like hurling up here. You have to start somewhere and build a foundation. We’re hoping that next year will be a big year for it. Over the next few years, it will build up.”