Clash of the ... fibre reinforced composite?!!
Following their launch in Croke Park this week of their new fibre reinforced composite hurley – The Mycro Evolution - Cork based sports equipment company Mycro Sportsgear have announced that the hurley will go on sale for the first time on Tuesday next 18th September at the National Ploughing Championships at Screggan, Tullamore, Co Offaly.
Mycro, already well known for their range of hurling helmets and gloves, have spent the past five years refining the design of this new technologically advanced hurley. Over that time they have engaged the finest engineers and designers to not only replicate what the ash hurley does but to improve on its performance.
In terms of design the Evolution has a number of unique features. Because of the carbon fibre rod which runs the length of Evolution, it is stronger and therefore more durable then the ash hurley.
However, despite its strength, it is still flexible and has excellent shock absorption qualities which significantly reduces sting transfer to the player’s arms.
The boss has been designed with grooves that facilitate water run-off but it is also sparked to give superior grip – all of which means that the Evolution surpasses the traditional ash hurley when playing in wet conditions.
In test after test the Evolution has matched or surpassed the ash. Sideline cuts, free taking, hooking and blocking, overhead striking – all of the traditional skills used in hurling are effortlessly performed by the Mycro Evolution. The Evolution offers consistent accuracy because of its design and has excellent weight and balance ratios.
Tom Devine of Waterford, who has been using the Evolution throughout the 2018 season, says: “This is probably the most exciting innovation in the game of hurling for decades.”
It’s made entirely in Bandon, Co Cork which means that its carbon footprint is negligible. This is particularly important when one considers that imported ash must travel many hundreds of miles before it can be fashioned into a traditional hurley. By contrast, the Evolution is a sustainable and recyclable product with a potentially greater life span than the ash hurley.
Of course, the Evolution can be broken but it is much harder to break and does not splinter in the way of a traditional hurley.
Throughout the sporting world traditional wooden sports equipment has been replaced over the decades for a very simple reason – the new equipment is invariably an improvement on what already existed.
Ronan Curran, Company Manager at Mycrosport said: “We think we’ve achieved something very special here. I’ve played hurling all my life and all the tradition that goes with it is important to me. However, I believe that we have actually improved on the natural hurley with this technological breakthrough.”
The Mycro Evolution goes on sale for the first time at the Ploughing Championships in Tullamore, Co. Offaly on 18th September and will be available at all good sports outlets shortly thereafter. You can also purchase the Evolution through Mycrosport’s website, https://mycrosport.com/evolution/