Sometimes the translation from minor to senior doesn’t prove to be as smooth as expected.
It can happen that some players reach their peak physical development at an early age, they may be taller, stronger and faster than their opponents.
They may not actually have more skill than them, but they dominate because of their athletic ascendancy.
Other times, it can all prove to be too much for a minor, too much too soon as they say. They are bestowed with huge praise for their achievements in the minor sphere, and it can get to their head, they mightn’t be able to handle the pressure.
The Galway minor hurling team are probably one of the most consistently successful u-18 sides in the country, having won three of the last eight renewals, but seeing as the Tribesmen are still without a Liam MacCarthy for 29 years, it’s clear that some of this minor success hasn’t ran over.
Former Galway star Damien Hayes was speaking on The GAA Hour Hurling Show when he tried to put his hand on the reason behind Galway’s tendency to produce some of the best minors in the country, but to be unable to see them grow and develop into the senior stars that they showed the potential to be.
The Portumna club man referenced the freak nature of their opposition in Kilkenny, a side he labelled as one of the greatest ever, as a reason behind this.
“We were also coming up against a Kilkenny side that were just way better, and way stronger than us. We were competing against one of the greatest hurling sides, ever. That is one of the main reasons behind it.
He interestingly continued to reveal that when some of these lads hit the college scene, their interest in GAA can wean.
“Often, there’s a saying, once lads go to college, their interest in hurling goes out of it. They might develop different interests, and all that sort of stuff.
In fairness to Hayes, it’s a good point. When players are in secondary school, it’s seen as the done thing to play GAA, to do what your friends are doing.
When you reach college, then, many lads explore themselves and their interest can stave away from the game.
“Sometimes, as well, they might be with weaker clubs that don’t see them to the latter stages of the club Championship.
“Saying that, it can be hard to translate underage success to senior. It can be very hard to break these minors and under-21s into the senior team, though.
Galway are competing in both the minor and senior All-Irelands this Sunday, and will be hoping that their minor stars of the present, and of the past perform.
You can listen to Hayes’ revelations on the minors’ difficulties here from 9″50′.
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