Jack McKay: No good with a hurley, handy with a pen

There’s one quote in particular that’s always stuck with me – from the legendary Formula 1 commentator Murray Walker:

“So you know what they say, those that can, do, those that can't, talk about it - and that's what I did.” It’s a spin on the old saying of ‘those that can, do; those that can’t, teach’ but it’s a brilliant quote, and it couldn’t be more accurate in my case.

I was never any good at hurling or football growing up. And that’s putting it kindly. I was woeful. Playing senior? Never on the cards.

Still, I’m not the first sportswriter with a background of underwhelming playing days. I won’t be the last.

Where I was handy, though, was English class in school. I had a natural pull towards words, and an even greater one towards sport. Bingo.

Why not try to make something of it? A lofty ambition, sure – but one worth chasing.

That was six years ago. Two years of secondary school and four years of college later, here I am. Even still, there’s a long way to go. But that’s the beauty of writing.

You’re always learning, always evolving. No two reports are ever the same, each one becomes a snapshot of your progression.

Any time that I feel my progression as a writer has stagnated, all I’ve got to do is pick out an old piece from the year before. More often than not, I’m horrified by it. Horrified that I was once proud of it. But that’s the point. That’s progress.

MILESTONES 

Last weekend marked a couple of firsts for me. For one, I covered my first Munster Senior Hurling Championship game: Clare v Tipperary at Zimmer Biomet Páirc Chíosóg.

That in itself was a thoroughly enjoyable experience. It was a cracking contest – no surprise there. The Munster championship rarely lets you down, and this was no exception.

Tipperary, supposedly underdogs, played like anything but.

Each of their four goals was met with a louder cheer than the last from their travelling supporters. They ran riot in the early stages.

Helped by Mark Rodgers’ wonder goal at the end of the first half, Clare came storming back in the second. It was a thrilling game to watch, and a challenging one to report on – but incredibly rewarding, too.

And then we have the second milestone: my first time working at a Munster championship game without Cork involvement.

Being there as a neutral was a different kind of joy.

It’s the little moments that stand out.

Shane O’Donnell’s return, and the ovation he received. The Tipp fans erupting for each of their four goals. Eoghan Connolly’s sensational point from play. David Reidy’s incredible assist to Rodgers’ goal. Tony Kelly – quiet by his standards – still managing those flashes of brilliance that have become so synonymous with his name.

Those are the moments that make hurling special. They exist far beyond the intercounty scene. You get them in club games, too. Even in the league.

Just the week before, I was there to watch Conor Lehane and Luke O’Farrell roll back the clock for Midleton with incredible performances against Éire Óg. I was treated to a cracker between St Finbarr’s and Carrigtwohill in Division 1. Matthew Collins’ performance for Ballinhassig between the posts was a joy to watch, too.

A PRIVILEGE 

Sure, I could have attended those four games regardless of my job. But to get paid to be there, to write about it? It still feels surreal.

That’s not to say it’s easy. It’s intense. But it’s an incredibly rewarding way to stay involved in the sports I love.

And I’m under no illusions – this is a privileged position. One I’m endlessly grateful for.

Murray Walker could never do what Ayrton Senna or Michael Schumacher could do.

But he could talk about it.

I can’t do what Tony Kelly and John McGrath can do.

But I can write about it.