The All-Ireland Hurling Final is probably the show-piece event in the Irish sporting calendar… but just how different from this year’s edition was the first ever final, played between clubs Meelick of Galway and Thurles of Tipperary, in Birr in April 1888?

 

This, and the story of the farcically organised, chaotically governed first ever hurling championship is told in Paul Rouse’s new book “The Hurlers”, and Paul is in studio today to tell us all about it.

 

We also discuss the violence the GAA were keen to downplay even in the 1880s, and whether the mythologising of violence in today’s GAA has its roots in the faction fights that preceded even that first All-Ireland championship. Basically we stretch the troubled, prone-to-violence GAA out, make it comfortable, and pop it up on the psychiatrist’s couch to ask it about its childhood.

Plus there’s Paul’s time in charge of the Offaly footballers this summer, Ken’s GAA fashion tips, and the lazy, indolent men of Kilkenny propping up the town hall.

Click the image at the top of the page to play the show. Monday’s shows are free to all. To listen to our programming throughout the rest of the week, join the Second Captains World Service. It’s independent, commercial-free and member-led with feature interviews, breaking news, Richie Sadlier’s Player’s Chair, The Politics Podcast, and lots of added extras.

 

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