The Guardian has an editorial titled 'In praise of... hurling' today which extols Saturday's All-Ireland hurling final replay between Clare and Cork.
It starts out well, giving a pretty accurate description of the game and setting the scene for the final.
Sporting combatants playing for love not money, with only helmets for protection, clash with ash sticks while trying to catch a ball consisting of cork wrapped in thick leather flying through the air at a terrifying velocity. Welcome to the ancient Irish game of hurling, arguably the fastest contact sport played on grass. Last weekend, 82,000 people wearing the red and white of Cork or the yellow and blue of Clare watched their heroes play out what many regard as the greatest All-Ireland hurling final.
It follows that up with a suggestion with which no one would disagree.
Hopefully the Gaelic Athletic Association will do all sports fans everywhere a massive favour and produce DVD copies of this memorable game, where Clare emerged victorious.
For some reason though it has to end with an unnecessary line about the Premier League and its "prima donna antics".
As Premier League soccer is again soiled with prima donna antics – see the scratch-and-send-off controversy of Torres at Spurs at the weekend – the hand-eye co-ordination and the courage and commitment of Cork and Clare were a shining example of sportsmanship.
Hurling is undoubtedly an amazing game but there are few things more tiresome than having it constantly contrasted to soccer and its many flaws.
