All Star tourIt won't qualify as the most competitive match, but today's All Star exhibition is the GAA's first official hurling match played in Asia - and also certain to be tough work. With temperatures well into the 30s and heavy humidity to go with it, the players will have earned their rest and relaxation in the days to come.
The teams, the 2004 and 2005 All Star selections, went through a light training session yesterday at Singapore's plush Polo Grounds, the venue for today's game, and admitted afterwards it felt like a hairdryer was blowing in their faces. Even those observing from the sideline had worked up a thick sweat. Hard going, these All Star tours.
For a brief moment it seemed like the Cork hurlers had made the right decision in deciding to stay at home, thus denying the tour the presence of the reigning All-Ireland champions, with the exception of manager John Allen, who has taken charge of the 2005 selection. But with Singapore already proving impeccable hosts, Allen sounded genuinely apologetic when explaining why none of his team had travelled.
"Well, first of all there was absolutely no agenda whatsoever," said Allen. "The whole team was just back from their own holiday (in South Africa). And if you take this year's team there's three Cork players getting ready for an All-Ireland club semi-final in three weeks. I know Diarmuid O'Sullivan has another baby and can't get away again.
"Seán Óg Ó hAilpín was in Australia for several weeks, and John Gardiner was in America before Christmas. It just wasn't possible for any of them to travel. The tour just fell at the wrong time for them this year.
"But it's still a wonderful tour for the players, and for the managers as well. I was delighted to be asked, just to get the chance to meet the other players and maybe get to know them a little bit."
Allen has also teamed up again with his old counterpart Donal O'Grady, who managed Cork to All-Ireland success in 2004, and thus takes charge of that year's All Star selection. Together they're responsible for making the game as memorable as possible for the 2,000 or so expected to attend the Polo Grounds.
"Well, it's nice to be working with Donal again, especially in less stressful circumstances as well. And it is important that we do put on a good exhibition, and I think it's important for the All Star tour as well that the game is fairly competitive, and is taken seriously. But it's great for any player aspiring to become an All Star that a tour like this is out there, and it's proper that they're given something back."
The game will be played as 12-minute quarters, and will also be 12-aside, partly because of the conditions, but also because certain members of the teams won't be participating. Séamus Prendergast (Waterford) and Philip Maher (Tipperary) are injured, for example.
It's still promises to be a fine display of hurling. Clare goalkeeper Davy Fitzgerald is among several familiar faces on the tour, which includes his team-mates Brian Lohan, Seán McMahon, Niall Gilligan and Tony Carmody.
"I usually find it hard to sleep before a big match," said Fitzgerald, "but I'll say I'll manage it tonight alright. But I'm definitely looking forward to it. It's a different type of game that you'd normally play, and that's exciting. You won't be as pumped up as usual, but at the same time you want to go out there and perform. It just mightn't be as intense as it would down in Páirc Uí Chaoimh or Thurles."
He was then reminded he might need to add a chapter to his recent book depending on how the match, or more importantly how Clare's season, will go.
"No, I think once was enough. But that was for a good cause, because I honestly believe that your health is your wealth. And that's why it's great to be out in a place like this in the month of January, thinking about the cold back at home.
"We've been back with Clare for a few weeks now, so I'm thinking of them and wishing them all the best. I'll be back with them next Friday. But look, I've managed to avoid it for a small bit of time and no harm in that."
Throw-in in Singapore is 5pm (9am Irish time).
2004 ALL STARS: D Fitzhenry (Wexford); E Corcoran (Tipperary), B Lohan (Clare), T Walsh (Kilkenny); JJ Delaney (Kilkenny), S McMahon (Clare), O Moran (Limerick); D Bennett (Waterford), A Fenlon (Wexford); D Shanahan (Waterford), T Carmody (Clare), N Moran (Limerick); E Kelly (Waterford), N Gilligan (Clare), P Flynn (Waterford); also K McGrath (Waterford).
2005 ALL STARS: D Fitzgerald (Clare); P Maher (Tipperary), D Ryan (Wexford), D Joyce (Galway); D Hardiman (Galway), D O'Connor (Wexford), T Regan (Galway); F Healy (Galway), P Kelly (Tipperary); J Mullane (Waterford), S Prendergast (Waterford), E Larkin (Kilkenny); G Farragher (Galway), E Kelly (Tipperary), D Forde (Galway).
