America's hurling messiah Dave Olson and the Milwaukee hurling club

Today's Sunday Independent features a fascinating article - written by Sean Ryan -on Dave Olson and the Milwaukee Hurling Club............... " Born in Minnesota 45 years ago, he is of Swedish stock, and was raised in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. His only regret is: "I wish I had this game when I was a kid."

Here are some brief excerpts "...................... A convert from baseball -- in which he was good enough to get professional trials -- he has all the ardour of the converted in his desire to spread the good news about the game he loves...........In fact, it was only 12 years ago that Dave was introduced to hurling.......Olson became one of the founders of the Milwaukee Hurling Club -- one of 24 in the beginning -- but he was the one who stuck at it and brought the club forward to such an extent that he was presented with a President's Award by Sean Kelly two years ago for his contribution to hurling. The club has 264 players and only three of them are Irish-born.

".......Dave Olson helped make possible what many thought was impossible, when he brought hurling to Milwaukee, but the game is thriving there, and now his sights are set on extending the game's influence right across the North American continent. If anyone can do it, Olson can."

Read the full article here: America's Hurling Messiah
The web address of the club is : Milwaukee Hurling Club
The web site features What is hurling videos taken from youtube. Hurling is the fastest and most skilful field game in the world and has potential with proper exposure to develop on a world wide scale. Lets hope Dave Olson's mission to spread the game throughout the US succeeds. "The Continental Youth Championships (Hurling) in Chicago last year were contested by 114 teams, again mainly American-born."

GAA:Justin McCarthy steps down as Waterford Senior Hurling manager

Today sadly Justin McCarthy resigned as Waterford Senior Hurling Manager on the basis that he had lost the support of some of the players. Tonight the County Board accepted his resignation. Selectors Seamie Hannon, Michael Ryan and Nicky Cashin have resigned also. The Board has now set in train the process to find a new manager.

Justin's seven years as Manager have been quite successful. In this period Waterford has won three Munster Senior Hurling titles and one National League title. As a hurling purist McCarthy greatly improved the players' skill levels. Waterford confronted and defeated teams such as Cork and Tipperary in some of the greatest hurling games that I have ever seen. McCarthy instilled a will and determination to win. This had been missing heretofore. Waterford players no longer suffered from an inferiority complex.

It was no secret that all was not well in the camp for some time and that some players were unhappy with the manager. The have finally got their way. Can they now deliver the exclusive All Ireland? One thing is certain. This is an appalling mess in the middle of the hurling season.

There is speculation as to the likely replacement. Names such as Eddie O'Connor, Donal O'Grady, Tom Ryan and Nicky Cashin have been mentioned. It is probably best if a manager is chosen from outside the county. Such a manager can take hard decisions and keep inter club rivalry at bay.

Statement by Justin McCarthy:

"Today I informed the Chairman of Waterford County Board that I intend to step down as manager of the Waterford Senior Hurling team. I made the decision as I feel I no longer have the full support of all the players on the team. I would like to thank the County Board for their co-operation, and for the support they have always given me, and I wish the players and the new management team every success in the future. I also want to thank the selectors and backroom team, and the great loyal supporters who have followed Waterford through thick and thin. Over the last seven years Waterford has enjoyed unprecedented success on the hurling field and I am privileged to have been involved with such a great team. I regret that my decision to step down has come in the middle of the championship season, however I feel it is the best course of action for everybody involved. I will be making no further comment at this time."

End of Statement