A goalkeeper’s hurley stick is incredibly specific to the individual shape and weight of what they want, according to Kilkenny goalkeeper Eoin Murphy’s brother. 

James Murphy from Tom Murphy Hurleys in Glenmore, Co Kilkenny, told Newstalk reporter Aoife Kearns a goalkeeper’s hurley stick is quite different from other hurley sticks. 

“There’s obviously a bigger bas [palm of stick],” he said. “Not every plank will make a goalie hurl.” 

With Kilkenny goalkeeper Eoin Murphy for a brother, Mr Murphy said a goalie’s hurl is a big part of his job. 

“I try my best – they're a particular breed of a hurl because everyone wants different weights, some like a thicker handle,” he said. 

Hurley sticks of various sizes. Image: aphperspective / Alamy Stock Photo

Mr Murphy explained a large but light plank with the right ‘turns’ in terms of depth and grain it will make a stick good enough for defending a goal. 

“Even when making them, you could be halfway through a goalie hurl and it could be too heavy, so you have to turn it into a normal hurl.” 

He said the weight and shape of the hurl is very specific to what the goalkeeper wants. 

“Obviously, if it's too heavy, can't move around as quick but then again people ask me to make 820g [hurls] which would be a very heavy goalie hurl, but it depends on what people are used to. 

“Some people like them really light but then if you make them really light you might not get the strike on the ball.” 

Standardising hurls

Mr Murphy said from the weight of a hurl to its balance and grip, making the sticks are a custom-made process. 

“A grip can add 25 grams to the hurl, which can make a massive difference,” he said. 

The style of hurls can also vary across counties, according to Mr Murphy. 

“The Wexford style and Kilkenny style are very similar [but] then you go down to Clare, Limerick, Galway – their shape is completely different,” he said. 

Kilkenny hurling player Eoin Murphy. Image: Wikimedia Commons.

Trying to standardise hurley stick shapes “would be very hard” because of the variety and preferences that already exist. 

“I reckon we would find it hard to get used to [the shape of other hurls],” he said. “The hurl is probably balanced different [and] they probably feel the same about our hurls. 

“Everyone has their own shape and once you’re used to the shape, it’s very hard to get away from it.” 

Main image: A collection of hurley sticks made at Tom Murphy Hurleys.