Darren Sweetnam Signs Development Contract

[gavindillon]

I was reluctant to comment but just briefly:

I coach gymnastics and have done so at a local and international level. I have had the privilege of representing Ireland as a coach at international level. I have not coached rugby at all, though I think it's the greatest sport in the world.

Gymnastics is way way WAY down the pecking order of sports which young people will take an interest in and stick with. As such I've had an untold number of disappointments with talented individuals dropping out of the sport in favour of hurling/football/soccer/athletics/rugby/dance etc etc.

Based solely on my (entirely biased) viewpoint I would prefer a young athlete to make a go of representing their country/province on a world/european stage, rather than sticking with a local club for whom they might well perform at the highest level, but of whom no-one outside of Ireland will recognise.

Once again this is entirely my own preference but I've seen serious talent lost to local GAA clubs which might have helped put Ireland on the map in various sports and it is deeply frustrating.

As a young athlete I wish Sweetnam all the best for the future, whatever code he chooses.

[MrsMcGahan]

We're not allowed have more than one interest no? He's an outstanding hurler. I'm sure he'll be a great rugby player with Munster, but it's not about viewing Munster as my second team. They are two completely different things, and rarely do they cross paths.

I can only speak for myself here, but I'm gutted because I know how good of a hurler he is, and the potential he has, I don't know how good of a rugby player he will be, so all I see is what hurling has lost, not what Munster have gained.

To see that taken away is a bit of a let down for Cork, if a rugby player moves clubs, retires etc, we can turn around and buy a player from anywhere who's as good if not better to replace him etc. There is about 100 other types of Darren Sweetnam's to pick from I imagine. With hurling, you can't, he's gone, that's it, we just lose an outstanding hurler. They don't grow on trees. We can't simply replace him with another.

It takes a village to create a hurler of top level, so much free time, money and effort is put into developing players to this level, and unless he makes a very quick turnaround with his decision, I imagine that's it. Hurling isn't something you drop now and pick up a few years later at the same level.
So knowing that in all likelyhood that this is it for his hurling, when he had so much more potential is a bit dissapointing, not for him obviously, he gets a chance at a professional rugby career, but for Cork it is and his club. I can't imagine they'll let him continue wih it at club level either.

Will that all change if he turns out to be an outstanding rugby player and makes it with Munster and Ireland, ya. I just can't imagine he's a good a rugby player as he is a hurler.
I do stand to be corrected, I hope he does really well, I'm just disapointed for what could have been a great player for Cork.
Hopefully there's great things in store for him with Munster.

If he turns out an average rugby player it will be a loss. No doubt he's considered all that already. Those in the know think he has that factor X at rugby. He seems to excel at several codes and very often the real talents are like that so I'd say he has a real chance to be a top player.

[The Outlaw]

I was reluctant to comment but just briefly:

I coach gymnastics and have done so at a local and international level. I have had the privilege of representing Ireland as a coach at international level. I have not coached rugby at all, though I think it's the greatest sport in the world.

Gymnastics is way way WAY down the pecking order of sports which young people will take an interest in and stick with. As such I've had an untold number of disappointments with talented individuals dropping out of the sport in favour of hurling/football/soccer/athletics/rugby/dance etc etc.

Based solely on my (entirely biased) viewpoint I would prefer a young athlete to make a go of representing their country/province on a world/european stage, rather than sticking with a local club for whom they might well perform at the highest level, but of whom no-one outside of Ireland will recognise.

Once again this is entirely my own preference but I've seen serious talent lost to local GAA clubs which might have helped put Ireland on the map in various sports and it is deeply frustrating.

As a young athlete I wish Sweetnam all the best for the future, whatever code he chooses.

Surely's its the individuals choice no?

You cant absolutely say a guy would have been a star unless he actually plays the game. I know what you're saying but I wouldn't knock a lad for playing the sport of his choosing. At the end of the day its their choice and what someone else might see as silly they obviously don't.

In this case this was touted a long time ago. He's one of Munster's better underage rugby players and obviously likes playing the game. But its still quite a way from playing for Munster in the HEC yet.

Ciaran Kilkenny in Dublin is good enough to be an international tennis player according to the tennis fraternity in Dublin. He also excels at GAA and soccer, Its something the GAA will have to deal with but very few ever make it in professional sport. Its becoming more cut-throat by the year.

[Balla Boy]

Stringer9,

If you find these other 100 Sweetnam's (6'2", proven athlete with an engine and great hand/eye co-ordination who seems to be able to turn his hand to any sport) feel free to point them towards the Munster academy.

Despite our recent flush of positivity, it's worth remembering that you can count the internationals it's produced on one hand.

[BOK]

It is a huge loss for Cork hurling but the reality is until the GAA start to give more incentives to these young guys to stay playing hurling and football then we will continue to lose them to the likes of Aussie rules and rugby. If any of us were 19 again, just out of school, and lucky enough to be as talented as Sweetnam is meant to be and someone gave you the choice of in 5 years time you could either be a) working a 9-5 job, playing hurling in your spare time and getting a few extra perks for your trouble like the Monday off work after a championship bruiser or a free burger in KC's or b) a paid professional sports person, earning good money to play a sport you love?

I know which I would choose. As big a loss as it is, the GAA have only themselves to blame for some of their greatest talents jumping ship. It wouldn't have happened years ago cause the money wasn't good enough in Aussie rules, rugby wasn't pro and soccer across the water would have been too hard to get into. The pride in playing hurling or football for your county is as great as it ever was imo, it's just now these youngsters have a choice to make a living out of playing an alternative sport and it is perceived as too good an opportunity to miss. It is a damn shame cause hurling is the greatest game on earth in my eyes and unless the GAA start giving these guys the plaudits and rewards they deserve then this will continue to happen.

(I also heard a rumor that another well known Cork hurler could be about to follow suit. I hope to **** it's BS and reckon it is which is why I'm not going to mention his name.)

[Thomond78]

Thing is, BOK, if it killed football dead, there'd be not a tear shed. It's that it's hurling causes the divided loyalty.

[Dumptruck]

We're not allowed have more than one interest no? He's an outstanding hurler. I'm sure he'll be a great rugby player with Munster, but it's not about viewing Munster as my second team. They are two completely different things, and rarely do they cross paths.

I can only speak for myself here, but I'm gutted because I know how good of a hurler he is, and the potential he has, I don't know how good of a rugby player he will be, so all I see is what hurling has lost, not what Munster have gained.

To see that taken away is a bit of a let down for Cork, if a rugby player moves clubs, retires etc, we can turn around and buy a player from anywhere who's as good if not better to replace him etc. There is about 100 other types of Darren Sweetnam's to pick from I imagine. With hurling, you can't, he's gone, that's it, we just lose an outstanding hurler. They don't grow on trees. We can't simply replace him with another.

It takes a village to create a hurler of top level, so much free time, money and effort is put into developing players to this level, and unless he makes a very quick turnaround with his decision, I imagine that's it. Hurling isn't something you drop now and pick up a few years later at the same level.
So knowing that in all likelyhood that this is it for his hurling, when he had so much more potential is a bit dissapointing, not for him obviously, he gets a chance at a professional rugby career, but for Cork it is and his club. I can't imagine they'll let him continue wih it at club level either.

Will that all change if he turns out to be an outstanding rugby player and makes it with Munster and Ireland, ya. I just can't imagine he's a good a rugby player as he is a hurler.
I do stand to be corrected, I hope he does really well, I'm just disapointed for what could have been a great player for Cork.
Hopefully there's great things in store for him with Munster.

There's a good bit of imagination being used there.

[rua13]

Was told in June that he was almost certain to take up a contract offer with Munster. He is a huge loss for the hurlers just when things were looking up with talks of Aidan Walsh playing next year, from a Munster point of view he will need a couple of years in the gym
to build himself up, even allowing for the fact he is only 19 he is quite slight for rugby.

[BOK]

Thing is, BOK, if it killed football dead, there'd be not a tear shed. It's that it's hurling causes the divided loyalty.

Yeah I know, I'm the same. I'm slightly more annoyed than I am excited by this though. While I don't blame Sweetnam one bit for his decision (as I said I would have done the same thing) Cork hurling really needs to hold onto these young guys. Hurling is the minority of the two GAA sports in the country by a long way as it is. There will always be an abundance of footballers in the country. The same can't be said about hurlers (well outside Kilkenny anyway) The GAA really has to start enticing these young guys to stay playing the game. It's the GAA I'm annoyed with. Don't blame the players one bit.

[Dumptruck]

Surely this is a good thing though for those who want the game of Rugby growing in Cork, it can only be good that a young Cork Lad, who people have very high hopes for , is getting a shot.

[NEON]

Does anyone know what club Sweetnam is attached to?

[rua13]

Bok, hurling might be a minority sport in the country but Hurling will always be number one in cork over any other sport despite
Frank Murphys best efforts to keep us in the dark ages. he is a massive loss at there is no conveyer belt coming through like Kilkenny or even the banner who seem to have a whole raft of talent coming through. Good luck to him hopefully he prospers for Munster

[Hugged Rugger]

Yeah I know, I'm the same. I'm slightly more annoyed than I am excited by this though. While I don't blame Sweetnam one bit for his decision (as I said I would have done the same thing) Cork hurling really needs to hold onto these young guys. Hurling is the minority of the two GAA sports in the country by a long way as it is. There will always be an abundance of footballers in the country. The same can't be said about hurlers (well outside Kilkenny anyway) The GAA really has to start enticing these young guys to stay playing the game. It's the GAA I'm annoyed with. Don't blame the players one bit.

How?

[DONC]

I dont know what all the palava is the most important question has not even been asked. Will he wear his socks up like a proper rugby player or down ala stickball, bogball players and Zebo?

[taz]

Does anyone know what club Sweetnam is attached to?

He was in Bandon Grammer playing rugby last season. His home GAA team is the Dohenys in Dunmanway. I know he did his leaving last year,but am unsure what he is up to at present. I would imagine Munster would assign him to one of the Cork teams?

[taz]

http://www.independent.ie/sport/rugb...t-3247284.html

In an interview earlier this year, Munster U-20 rugby manager Graham Burns was effusive in his praise for Sweetnam.
"Darren is a broken-field runner extraordinaire," Burns said. "He does bring that X-factor. You put a ball into space and he counters at you, he gains ground, he crashes the gain-line, he breaks tackles, he's incredibly fit,he has all the attributes."

Sweetnam has also represented Ireland at hockey.

[Thomond78]

Surely this is a good thing though for those who want the game of Rugby growing in Cork, it can only be good that a young Cork Lad, who people have very high hopes for , is getting a shot.

Again: we're all in favour of that if it's football loses out. Hurling in the summer, rugby in the winter. But if hurling suffers and pukeball thrives, the bigger lumps more useful for rugby being misdirected at the expense of the better games.

[Fachtna Cewa]

Cork... losing hurlers to Rugby.
Kerry... losing footballers to Aussie Rules.
Waterford... losing to everyone.

[Dumptruck]

Again: we're all in favour of that if it's football loses out. Hurling in the summer, rugby in the winter. But if hurling suffers and pukeball thrives, the bigger lumps more useful for rugby being misdirected at the expense of the better games.

Can't have everything unfortunately.

[John Cooper Clarke]

Nothing wrong with the chap picking a sport to follow exclusively, particularly as it's a professional game, and he can make a career out of it if he proves good enough. There's no career potential in Gaelic Games.

Wasn't long ago that some of the "louder" posters here were saying Cork is the great untapped market and full of potential new supporters. Imagine if Darren does well and a few hundred new fans sign up on account of that.

Time to remove the blinkers, or spend more time moaning (hopefully on a Hurling website).

[Thomond78]

Can't have everything unfortunately.

No reason not to try.

This could go one of two ways: the CCB dig their idiot heels in and start trying to shaft rugby instead of looking after hurling; or they start nurturing hurling properly, let football largely look after itself and all the sports work together on the basis that the more you have coming in, the fewer you'll miss if they go to another sport: the Corca Dhuibhne/Tralee/Skibb/Clonakilty model for football and rugby, and the Bruff/Clonmel/Cashel model where hurling and rugby co-exist just dandy and both sports benefit as a result.

Alas, I can take an educated guess which it's going to be.

[BOK]

How?

With Dunnes Stores vouchers

[lactose intolerant]

Few things I like seeing more than arrogance in motion....thanks Cork hurling people!! It's been fun

[Hugged Rugger]

No reason not to try.

This could go one of two ways: the CCB dig their idiot heels in and start trying to shaft rugby instead of looking after hurling; or they start nurturing hurling properly, let football largely look after itself and all the sports work together on the basis that the more you have coming in, the fewer you'll miss if they go to another sport: the Corca Dhuibhne/Tralee/Skibb/Clonakilty model for football and rugby, and the Bruff/Clonmel/Cashel model where hurling and rugby co-exist just dandy and both sports benefit as a result.

Alas, I can take an educated guess which it's going to be.

(edit, misunderstood part of your post on first reading)

he wants to be a pro sportsman, the gaa cant facilitate that, he moves on, i still dont see what the big deal is. it was suggested that the GAA have to hold onto these lads and i still havent seen how they are supposed to do this

[Thomond78]

Few things I like seeing more than arrogance in motion....thanks Cork hurling people!! It's been fun

Get to the last four, then talk.

[Dumptruck]

No reason not to try.

This could go one of two ways: the CCB dig their idiot heels in and start trying to shaft rugby instead of looking after hurling; or they start nurturing hurling properly, let football largely look after itself and all the sports work together on the basis that the more you have coming in, the fewer you'll miss if they go to another sport: the Corca Dhuibhne/Tralee/Skibb/Clonakilty model for football and rugby, and the Bruff/Clonmel/Cashel model where hurling and rugby co-exist just dandy and both sports benefit as a result.

Alas, I can take an educated guess which it's going to be.

I bet it will be the first option.

[John Cooper Clarke]

It's a very simple choice.

Chose a full time rugby contract that precludes hurling, or chose hurling that precludes a full time rugby contract.

Black or white, with no grey possible.

[Thomond78]

(edit, misunderstood part of your post on first reading)

he wants to be a pro sportsman, the gaa cant facilitate that, he moves on, i still dont see what the big deal is. it was suggested that the GAA have to hold onto these lads and i still havent seen how they are supposed to do this

Sooner or later, the GAA is going to have to bite the bullet that it can't expect professional training from amateurs. If it means cracking down on the fitness-and-weights-over-skill puke style, all to the good. It's just a pity to lose another lovely hurler.

Mind you, I notice no-one's exactly beating down the door of hurlers from any of the other counties in the province. The price of talent, I suppose...

[greenback]

i hope everything works out for him..he is going to have extra pressure with all the hype etc...

[shanners]

At least now, he can play a sport to make living and not for the craic.