From clash of the ash to battle of the bamboo

Reardon walking on his property of ash trees in Caherline, Ireland. Most of the trees are diseased from ash dieback.

THE horde of helmeted players raced up the field like warriors headed into battle, with the slap of a ball against the wooden sticks they wielded, known as hurleys, ringing out as they sped toward the goal posts.

With powerful grace, the players deftly switched between passing, carrying and smacking the small leather ball, which sometimes whizzed through the air half the length of the enormous pitch to the delight of the crowd.