There are not many places where you can get a full statistical breakdown of GAA matches.
Whereas we are constantly bombarded with analytical data from professional sports, GAA pundits and supporters alike tend to take a more traditional approach when reviewing a game.
Cork man Matthew Hurley has decided to compile statistics from GAA games in an effort to change the norms that have been in place when people discuss games after they have ended.
Speaking to KCLR’s Scoreline, Hurley expanded on how his GAA Statsman page, that has almost 10,000 followers on Instagram, came to be.
It was a hobby that I enjoyed doing and around 2019 I realised that there were very few places to find out the statistical breakdown of GAA games.
“I never thought it would get as big as it did, but it all started from an interest that I had. I thoroughly enjoy doing it,” said Hurley.
The journalism student at UL described how he views games differently now that he is working on games rather than supporting a team.
“He said: I look at games more analytically than I would have done so before.
“If you look at it from a supporter’s point of view you don’t see the different things that are going on in terms of systems and style of play.
“When I look at it analytically, I take every game on its merits rather than from the viewpoint of a fan.”
The host of the GAA Statsman podcast elaborated on how he gathers the relevant data and explained that it has become easier over time.
“I simply record the stats as the game goes on when I’m watching it. Once you get used to doing it, it becomes fairly simple.
“There is more detail now than when I started and that’s because repetition has allowed me to be far better at it.”
Hurley is also hoping that he can be a trailblazer for people who want to get involved in GAA through online platforms.
“I hope I can pave the way for people to start up accounts like this and that people will now know that it is possible to do these types of things.
“It only takes one to start it up and people can get behind that and tweak it in anyway that they would like.”
You can check out the GAA Statsman Twitter page here where you will also find the link for his Instagram account.
