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Prince Charles spoke to Galway boss Anthony Cunningham. PA Wire/Press Association Images
Up the Royals

Hurling fan Prince Charles is surprised there aren't more injuries

“Is maith liom iománaíocht,” arsa Charlie.

THIS YEAR’S HURLING championship may have burst into life with Limerick’s thrilling victory over Clare in Thurles, but it will have a royal watcher this year after Prince Charles expressed an interest in it.

But the prince also expressed amazement that more players were not injured in the exchanges.

Prince Charles met his first hurling manager when he visited Ireland last week and told Galway boss Anthony Cunningham that he was impressed by the game. He is the second royal to show an interest in Gaelic games after the Queen last year told then-GAA president Liam O’Neill that she had watched it on Sky.

Prince Charles met a number of sports personalities when he went to NUI Galway on Tuesday on the first day of his Irish visit. Galway football manager Kevin Walsh, Connacht Rugby CEO Willie Ruane and the Tribesmen hurling manager Cunningham were among those to meet him.

“I would say he chatted to everyone for a minute or two, it was well done,” said Cunningham. “He said hurling was a bit like the Scottish game, shinty, and I told him it was, but that there were a few differences.

“I told him how we lift the ball and catch it in the air and try to strike it faster but he was surprised that there were not a lot more injuries. But I said to him that when you are brought up with it you are able to control it.”

Last year GAA president Liam O’Neill said he was shocked when the Queen told him she had watched hurling and was impressed by it. O’Neill dined at the Queen’s table when she visited City Hall in Belfast.

“She saw it on television on Sky, saying it was very fast and it was a wonderful game,” said O’Neill.

Do you agree with The42′s hurling team of the weekend?

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