Hurling helped Offaly U-20 goalkeeper sail through the dark days of major health scare

AS most people were celebrating the new year and making plans for the future, Liam Hoare's life changed dramatically on New Year's Eve in 2022 as he went into hospital in Tullamore, later receiving the news that everyone dreads: a cancer diagnosis.

A lump on his neck was the warning sign and he recalled: “It was New Year's Eve when I knew something wasn't right. We went in and everyone in Tullamore was brilliant.”

He hadn't been sick and it was the start of a tough few months, though the affable Carrig-Riverstown net-minder took it largely in his stride. Even during six months of chemotherapy, he rarely felt any side affects.

“Even during treatment, I was very rarely sick. I tried to get into training as much as I could and they were brilliant,” he said, adding: “Ah no, it wasn't terrible. I was probably one of the lucky ones that I wasn't sick.”

He did 12 rounds of chemo over six months but only really went through mental anguish for the first week or so after being told what he was dealing with and facing into.

“The first week was tough and after that I said, it isn't going to get any better, you have to get on with it. Just try and keep a positive attitude and live your normal life as such. Stay going training, stay going to school, stay meeting up with friends and family.”

Even though, he couldn't hurl competitively during his six months of treatment Hoare continued to go to training with Carrig-Riverstown and Offaly U-20 hurlers, and this was a great help in his recovery.

He couldn't play in the goals as Carrig-Riverstown played some super hurling on their way to winning the Offaly Intermediate Hurling Championship but he got back for their Leinster club junior campaign as they went to the final where Tollogher-Rosbercon of Kilkenny proved a bridge too far.

Pucking the ball around and having fun with team-mates was a very welcome diversion as he tried to live life normally. And he was grateful to team mates and colleagues for treating him as normal, not asking him about his health constantly.

“Everyone was super. They weren't talking about it. They just kept me as normal as I used to be. It was a privilege.”

Hoare smiled: “Hurling was everything during that stage. If it wasn't for hurling, I don't know. Any time, I could get a chance I was up in the field, even with the lads pucking.”

Now evidence of his recovery has been seen in in a series of outstanding performances for Offaly U-20 hurlers as they have returned to the All-Ireland final for the second successive year. He has been in sensational form all year, particularly in the Leinster semi-final win over Kilkenny and Leinster final against Dublin.

He made a string of crucial saves against Kilkenny, including a penalty and also kept a penalty out against Dublin last week.

“It has been super, there is a great buzz around all of Offaly. It is super playing with the lads. Their hurling is immaculate.”

What goes through your mind when you are facing a penalty?

“I just try and blank out everything and I look at the penalty taker. I try and figure out what side he is going but you can't guess too much. You have to wait a bit, though you do guess a little bit. It brings you back to after training and the likes of Adam (Screeney), James (Mahon) and all those lads are hitting penalties on you. You hope that the work pays off.”

He showed great anticipation to save Diarmuid O'Dulaing's penalty in the 39^th minute against Dublin, though he played it down a bit.

“It was an okay penalty. You need a bit of luck as well, he probably didn't hit it as well as he could have hit it. He probably bounced it way too early but we won't complain. We got over the line and that is the main thing.”

He has enjoyed every step of the journey, the vast crowds following them, the growing hype and excitement.

“It really does drive you on, seeing all the kids on the sideline. It is like a 16^th man, it does boost everyone on the field.

“The crowd doesn't bother us. We have had a good few occasions with a large crowd and it drives everyone on. It makes you hurl nearly twice as good. It is super.”

Getting back hurling for Carrig-Riverstown in the Leinster club campaign last year was a very important step for him and he got great joy out of their success in Offaly.

“It was a long time coming, 26 years. Everyone in Carrig was on a buzz for that week, it was super. The club is everything here so it was brilliant.”

Carrig-Riverstown is a great, fascinating part of the Offaly GAA story. Located across the border in Tipperary but playing in Offaly since the 1910s, there are plenty of conflicting loyalties in the area – it couldn't be any other way but Hoare has witnessed nothing only support and good wishes.

“Everyone is with you for this weekend and wishing you the best of luck and hoping for the best for you. We are hoping we are going to bring an All-Ireland back to Carrig and they will be thrilled.”

The fact that Offaly are playing Tipperary in the All-Ireland final on Saturday adds a tantalising extra ingredient to the game. You will see Carrig-Riverstown supporters wearing Tipperary tops at some of their games but on Saturday, they will have two players on the Offaly team, Hoare and Cathal King while another, Caelum Larkin has been a sub. Their players and officials have made a tremendous contribution to the Offaly GAA cause over a long number of years but some people are in an invidious position there – their most famous hurler Ger Oakley had to endure the sight of Judas being painted across the road there before the 2000 All-Ireland final loss to Kilkenny.

Thankfully, Hoare has not experienced any of that and wisely steers away from the whole Tipperary element.

“No I wouldn't call that a factor, I blank all that stuff out of my head. Go out and play my own game.”

He wasn't born when Ger Oakley was being abused in such an unsavoury way but is aware of what went on.

“I heard about it alright. Everyone in Carrig is behind us, they are super.”

He watched Tipperary beat Cork in the Munster final on Friday evening, saying:

“They are a spectacular team. It is going to be neck and neck and we are going to have to hurl the best hurling we have ever done to beat them. Hopefully we will get over the line.”

Having lost All-Ireland minor and U-20 finals in 2022 and 2023, Offaly really don't want to lose a third.

Hoare concluded: “No, we just use that as a driving force. Hopefully this is the year we get over the line. We owe the people of Offaly an All-Ireland and that is what we are setting out to do.”

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