Kilkenny legend Eddie Brennan fears hurlers are too fit these days.
The eight-time All-Ireland winner says the sport is increasingly a young man’s game at intercounty level, as teams look for an edge over their rivals.
Brennan retired from the Cats 10 years ago as his personal and work commitments meant he could no longer keep up with the demands of the modern game.
He feels players these days are being asked to work like professionals - but without the recovery time that competitors in other sports enjoy.
“I suppose what made up my mind [on retirement] was the arrival of the first young fella,” Brennan said.
“But it was the time you had to invest in it and recovery, it really is all consuming.
“If you want to get the most out of yourself, it is so elite now, so professional.
“Getting an extra half-an-hour in the morning to stretch or do your recovery, that’s equally as important as the collective sessions.
“To be able to get to the sea for a swim, there is such a hit out of that. But it’s the time that it takes - the fitness and commitment levels have gone through the roof.
“I would say maybe too much if I am to be really honest about it, we are maybe looking for too much out of our players nowadays.
“Players will go to whatever level it is to get that little extra edge.
“GAA players are training probably even higher than pro level, because a lot of them then have to go and do their day’s work as well.
“A pro can go in, train in the morning and have the afternoon off.
“Whereas if you look at a GAA player, if they have a gym session at six in the morning, they are doing that on the way to work.
“So there is obviously that aspect to it and that can have a fatigue factor to it.”
As a member of Kilkenny’s all conquering side from 2000 to 2012, Brennan is aware that rival counties would have been working tirelessly to keep up with the Cats.
“We all network and we are all inquisitive into what the top team is doing,” he said.
“If the All-Ireland champions are back training in November, we’ll go back in October.”
Would he enjoy playing at the highest level right now?
“I don’t know,” Brennan replied. “You’d love to still be hurling.
“I played a junior match there about three or four weeks ago and it took me a week to straighten up afterwards. But it was enjoyable all the same.
“You often get asked that question. With the way it is now, you could do seven, eight or nine kilometres on a pitch and you might only touch the ball three or four times.
“That doesn’t appeal to me. You just want to be on the ball the whole time.
“Equally, you look at those matches and you say, I’d love to be out there.”
He added: “They [the players] seem to be getting younger and younger.
“I’d say the amount of guys on intercounty squads who are married with kids are few and far between.
“Even a few years ago I heard one of the county teams - I think it was Waterford - saying all their players were either students or teachers, where they had time off during the summer to focus on their game.
“I often looked at Michael Rice and one or two of the lads - secondary school teachers - when I was in the squad, thinking that would be brilliant.
“You are basically a pro athlete for June, July and August.
“You can go off and really look after yourself and get the most out of yourself, you can get a nap after dinner before you go into training.
“I think you are definitely seeing a younger game now.
“You’ve got your students who are doing an extra year in college and who are able to maximise their time during the summer.”
Brennan may be done with hurling, but he still likes to keep himself in shape.
“I would have been active anyway at home with farming and playing with the kids,” he said.
“But I really do enjoy being active and training - a combination of gym work and runs and walks, a bit of everything.
“Then there is the obvious feelgood factor. I’ve a dog here as well and if he doesn’t get a 5k or 6k walk in the morning he would tear the house asunder.
“The bit of ‘me’ time is important. I was never one for the early morning training, we never did that when I was involved with Kilkenny.
“But what I find now is that I’m a morning person. Thankfully I don’t need a huge amount of sleep.
“I try to get to bed early and I don’t mind getting up a bit early then and enjoying the peace and quiet.
“I have a bit of equipment here in the garage, so I head out and get a bit of a blow out, and that sets you up for the day.”
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Former Kilkenny hurler Eddie Brennan was speaking at the launch of Guinness 0.0’s GAA campaign ‘Yours for the Taking’.
Now with Guinness 0.0, 100% Guinness, 0% Alcohol, more social occasions off the GAA pitch are yours for the taking.
Guinness, proud partner of Croke Park Stadium and the GAA, is hosting mid-week social events in GAA communities throughout the Championship.
And there will be All-Ireland Final Preview Brunches ahead of both the Hurling and Football Finals in July.
Please visit www.twitter.com/guinnessireland for more information on tickets to these events.
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