Hurley makers have warned that a dire shortage of ash could kill the sport.
Ireland is said to be running out of ash due to a widespread disease affecting supply across Europe.
400,000 hurls are needed every year for the sport, but there is a deepening supply crisis due to a deadly fungal pathogen prevalent across Europe.
Hurley maker Michael Flannery told the Irish Sun: “We’d give the sun, moon and stars now to get ash from anywhere, It’s as scarce as hen’s teeth now and deteriorating at a most alarming rate.”
Ireland imports up to 70 per cent of the planks used to make hurleys from abroad, mainly the UK, Ukraine, Croatia, Slovakia, Denmark and Sweden.
But the ash dieback disease is killing the supply of the wood and the alternatives are far from ideal.
Flannery said: “It’s an awful problem for hurlers. Bamboo was supposed to replace the ash, but I’m not so sure about it. The price is steep, 60 or 70 euro, and the quality wouldn’t be as good you know.
“There’s a lot playing with bamboo, I hope as a hurling man that they work out but I’m not so sure.
“I’ve made hurleys out of willow and even out of oak which were as heavy as lead. They’re fine and substantial things but I’m not so sure if the Limerick boys would be able to use them!"
He explained: “Ash dieback was first detected in the Republic of Ireland in October, 2012 on plants imported from continental Europe.
“The disease is now prevalent throughout most of the island of Ireland and is likely to cause future mortality in the majority of ash trees.
“Up to 70 per cent of ash planks used for hurley making over the last 10 years have been imported and this continues to be the trend. However, supply levels are dwindling.
“Ash dieback has spread across Europe since its discovery in 1992, no country is unaffected so over time, potential supply will be severely affected.”
Earlier this year former Galway start Joe Canning announced that his family's hurley business, Canning Hurleys, had to shut down due to supply issues.
The company said at the time: “It is with deep regret that we wish to inform you that Canning Hurleys have been forced to close our business due to ongoing supply chain difficulties we are encountering."
“We are no longer in a position to produce the quality hurley's we have to date. Due to the ongoing and persistent Ash dieback disease affecting most of our supply routes we have two major issues:
1. We are experiencing serious supply chain issues in securing Quality Ash planks and the delivery of same;
2. Supply Chain breakdown with the Number of Ash planks we are able to secure to make our business viable."
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