Professional Irish Hurlers Host Workshop at CM

Professional Irish Hurlers Joe and Barry Connolly hosted a hurling workshop for Catholic Memorial School students in Ms. Concannon and Mr. Carey's classes in the John A. Walsh '61 Fieldhouse last Wednesday afternoon.
West Roxbury, Mass—Mr. Hal Carey ’95 swung around plenty of lumber during his time on the Harvard University and Catholic Memorial School baseball teams. Nothing he swung, however, resembled the 16-inch hurling stick he wielded when professional Irish hurlers Joe and Barry Connolly hosted their workshop for CM’s Irish Studies Program in the John A. Walsh ‘61 Fieldhouse last Wednesday afternoon.

Joe and Barry, a father-son professional hurling duo from Galway, challenged Mr. Carey ‘95, CM’s baseball coach, to a routine at-bat after they showcased their proper hurling techniques to students from Mr. Carey’s middle school class and Ms. Mary Concannon’s high school classes. Ms. Concannon arranged the special seminar through the Gaeltacht Authority, an Irish agency responsible for the economic, social, and cultural development of Ireland’s exterior Irish-speaking regions.

“This ‘hands on’, real life experience is important to students because of their keen interest in hurling,” said Ms. Concannon.

“Meeting, interacting and working with well- known hurlers from Ireland increases their motivation to continue learning more about the sport, its players, and its history.”

Ms. Concannon offers the only high school Irish Studies program outside of the European Union. All the students she brought to the workshop belonged to her Irish Studies I and II classes.

During their annual trip to Ireland last summer, Ms. Concannon and Mr. Tom Beatty ’68 introduced their group of CM students to the Gaeltacht Authority. Mr. Beatty’s cousin, Mary Margaret Beatty, works there. She presented the students with their own hurling sticks -- known as “camaans”—during their visit and explained how to play the sport.

Her connection to the agency proved helpful in preparing for the workshop. Remembering the keen interest CM students took to hurling while in Ireland, the agency followed up with Ms. Concannon a few weeks ago.

They informed Ms. Concannon that professional hurlers Joe and Barry Connolly planned to visit Boston for the tenth annual Golden Bridges Conference and Awards in November. The ceremony, which celebrates the relationship built between Northwestern Ireland and Boston, showcases the community, business, and economic initiatives made between both regions.

The timing couldn’t have been any better. Joe and Barry’s visit coincided with the 2018 Fenway Hurling Classic that following weekend. Mary saw her chance and invited both hurlers to campus.

“CM’s Irish program is one of the most unique programs that CM offers its students,” said Mr. Beatty, CM’s principal.

“The class had the distinct honor of listening to one of the icons in the annals of hurling in Ireland.”

Joe Connolly, best known for captaining Galway’s professional hurling team, retired from the sport in 1982. His son, Barry, played for the Irish club Cuala. Both hurlers began the workshop with demonstrations of the basic rules and techniques necessary for a match.

With a little practice, students tried their luck with some shooting drills. They took turns striking balls across the indoor field toward a nearby soccer goalpost. By the time the event ended, Mr. Carey stepped forward for a challenge.
He turned in his baseball bat for a hurling stick and stepped into the imaginary batter’s box. Loosening his grip, Mr. Carey took a few swings at balls thrown by Joe and Barry. He made contact and then reversed the challenge.

Joe and Barry grabbed his baseball bat and took turns trying to hit a baseball. After a few cracks of contact and some laughs, the men exchanged gifts. Mr. Carey presented both men with their own CM baseball shirts and hats. For Mr. Carey? His own hurling match ball.

Ms. Concannon plans to strengthen the relationship between the Gaeltacht Authority and CM. In the next few years, she wants the Gaelic Athletic Association to provide opportunities that allow CM students to play hurling on campus.
For now, CM students sit and listen to a few tips from the pros.
 
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Catholic Memorial, the Christian Brothers School of Boston, prepares boys for college, manhood and a world full of unknown challenges, ambiguity and complex problems and the importance of relationships.