Next Monday, Jan 3rd, 2011 could prove a memorable day for the sport of hurling and the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) as the US National Guard soldiers of the Barley House Wolves hurling club from Concord, New Hampshire, appear on TV screens across America, around the world and via the Internet talking about their new-found passion for hurling.
The ‘Wolves story is truly unique in that they first discovered the ancient sport in 2005 while returning through Shannon Airport after a years deployment in Iraq. GaelicSportsCast reported the story last January on how the unit viewed hurling on an airport TV; liked what they saw and thought the game would be good for their unit. Since that time, while playing in the growing Junior C grade in the New Hampshire region, the ‘Wolves have become passionate about hurling and have competed at the US National Championships.
The Barley House Wolves recently peaked the interest of their colleagues in the military and were approached by the US TV channel, The Pentagon Channel (tPC) for an exclusive half hour special on the unit and their love for hurling.
The result of this is that next Monday will see the premier of the special ‘ Two Fields, One Team’ featured on the tPC’s programme, ‘RECON’. TV Time slot for US EST 07.30 am and will later be available on the Internet at www.pentagonchannel.mil featured in the videos for January, archived in RECON .
The Pentagon Channel is broadcast to US military units across the US, around the world, and can be also picked up by US cable subscribers with an estimated total audience of 30 million.
The opportunity for the sport of hurling to reach such a large audience on a scale never realised before is a very exciting prospect for the game and its governing body, the GAA.
GaelicSportsCast recently spoke to the Barley House Wolves Lieutenant Colonel, Ray Valas and First Sergeant, Lore Ford, about the upcoming TV premier, and also about their early December coaching session in Concord, NH with Cork 2010 hurling captain, Kieran Murphy.
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Great interview with the lads, fair play to expose themselves to something that they really have little experience to. RG.
Thanks Ranelagh Gaels.
Apologies on line to the states being a little choppy at times.
Denis-
Great show once again! keep up the good work, we all enjoy the podcast here in New Hampshire.
RV
[…] Two Fields, One Team will tell their story, and could potentially be watched by up to 30 million people – meaning that tonight’s documentary could potentially be the largest ever television audience for a gaelic games programme. […]
Dennis,
Once again we love the podcast. You always do a top notch job. We look forward to more podcasts in the future, hopefully I can hook up with you once we start practicing here in Kuwait!
EC
Great to see, We would be delighted to give them a game, it would be a great session, contact us. Facebook page Commercials Hurling Cumann Iomaniochta
Just watched “Two fields,One team” here in Ireland and was totally blown away by the commitment shown by these guys to their commander, Hurling is the fastest most physical ball game in the world and to see these guys mastering it was a total joy.
Keep it up fellas, hopefully we’ll see ye soon playing in Croke Park!!
Thanks Ray, much appreciated! Glad to tell the Barley House Wolves great story – Thank you!
Thank you very much Eddie. With a bit of luck, we can hook-up.
Fantastic! Wow! What a great story and we are so proud of the troops here in USA. I don’t think we realize how much they go through to keep us safe and protect our freedoms in USA…Go Barley House Wolves!
Go SF Giants Baseball World Series 2010 team!.. Think they would enjoy this story as game a wee bit similar…obviously the hurling is more physical and more play. Will forward to them.
Just seen the program well done lads the comittment to the training and drills was a credit to ye keep up the good work 🙂