The hurley maker: Meet the man behind the Waterford team's ash

Frank Murphy’s family have been making hurleys from their workshop in Waterford since 1901. To mark Waterford’s appearance in the 2017 All-Ireland Senior Hurling Final, Frank brought us behind-the-scenes to show us how those hurls are made and all the skill that is involved.

This trip to Kilmeaden kicks off Škoda's Made for Ireland mini-documentary series which aims to celebrate the rich heritage and traditions of artisans, artists and makers throughout Ireland.

The Škoda brand is synonymous with simply clever design and with this series, they will travel the length and breadth of the country as they seek out the most interesting, exciting and skilled craftspeople in Ireland today, in celebration of the wealth of talent working in design and manufacturing across the island.

September 3rd saw the ultimate clash of the ash in Croke Park as Waterford battled it out against Galway in the 2017 All-Ireland Senior Hurling Final.

While many of the players are household names across the country, the faces behind the ash itself are less well-known.

Frank Murphy is one such man. Hailing from Kilmeaden, Co Waterford, Frank’s family have been supplying hurleys to some of Ireland’s top hurlers for three generations.

This year was no different, with many of the Waterford team sporting Frank’s hurls for the big day.

With Škoda cars famed for their generous boot space, they are the ideal choice for Irish families who need plenty of space to transport hurleys, kit bags, family and friends, to training, matches and competitions around the country, as they prepare to become the hurling stars of the future.