GAELIC SPORTS WORLD Issue 38 – November 16, 2015 | Page 39

THE LEFT HANDED HURL

BY FRANCIS SCULLION

REVIEWED BY DICK EDMONDS,
HURLING COACH/PLAYER WITH HARTFORD GAA, CONNECTICUT, USA

This book is about the lives of two hurlers in the summer of
1989 during the “Troubles” in Northern Ireland.
The story has two main characters, Tony Maguire, an expat
of 22 years and Paul Claridge, a nineteen year old Co. Antrim
hurler. Tony was a former County Tipperary senior hurler who
emigrated to California after missing an opportunity, due to injury, to be the captain and play in an All-Ireland Hurling Final
loss to Galway.
Tony, has taken advantage of an opportunity and returned to
Ireland to manage the County Antrim Senior Hurling team.
His wife, Clare, also an expat, has recently taken what she described as a “well deserved break” from her job as a dental assistant. Tony sees this as the perfect opportunity for Clare and
their children to move back to Ireland with him while he follows
his passion of winning an All-Ireland, albeit as a manager and
not a player. Tony’s decision, and its impact on his family, asks
the question, how much should a person chase their dreams at
the expense of their family?
Paul, a gifted left handed hurler is selected by Tony to play on
the County team. Tony’s assistant describes Paul as “a feckin’
match winner”. Paul has a new girlfriend, Jackie. They both come
from the same small town in County Antrim. Paul comes from
a large Catholic family while Jackie is the Protestant Minister’s
daughter. Although both families support their relationship the
same cannot be said for others in town. Both families are subject to continuous harassment and intimidation that eventually
forces Jackie’s family to take drastic measures to keep them safe.
I found it impossible to put this book down after reading the
first chapter. Author Francis Scullion keeps you interested in
seeing how Tony’s decision plays out in his marriage. He also

provides a very realistic picture of the impact of the Troubles
in the everyday life of a town. The author truly understands
and portrays the passion that hurlers have for the sport.
Hurling fans will undoubtedly enjoy that aspect of the story,
but others do not need to have played hurling to thoroughly
enjoy this fast moving and easy read.
Francis Scullion is a practising veterinarian. He grew up in
N. Ireland. He specialises in zoo and wildlife medicine and
is a Past President of the World Association of Wildlife Veterinarians. The Left Handed Hurl is his first novel although
he has published widely as a veterinary expert in magazines
for the animal owning public and in scientific journals and
books for the profession.
Details on how to obtain this book can be found at http://
www.thelefthandedhurl.com

39