Egan's Sliothar Hitters!

Living and working in the midlands of Ireland and bringing up a young family of six may seem like enough to keep any man busy but KP Egan believes in juggling a number of balls in the air - quite literally.

KP is a member of staff at West Offaly Power in Shannonbridge and is the brains behind the hurling aids he designed and known throughout the length and breadth of the land as 'Egan's Sliothar Hitters'! The name was thought up by KP's colleague Rory Curley. And it looks like the whole family are following in his footsteps in one way or another. Two of his daughters have designed crests for their respective schools while his son Colin is on the minor hurling and football panel for Offaly for 2006/2007. KP credits the artistic talent to his mother's side of the family, Patty Egan herself is a very talented lady.

Back as far as 1998, KP appeared as part of a special on Enterprise Ireland on the Late Late Show with two products. He also featured on RTE News last year with the new indoor equipment which he has developed.

The Sliothar Hitters can be used for home, clubs or schools. The main aim of the design is to make training more interesting for kids and to allow coaches to concentrate on children's techniques. The Sliothar Hitters have been used successfully at the Lenister GAA summer camps in Offaly. The Four Swing can be used by one - four people while the Left &Right is excellent practice for working on your own. A 30min. hurling coaching DVD is also available.

KP is planning to carry out demonstrations on a county by county basis this year, covering Egan's Sliothar Hitters! a county per week. A number of other groups such as Cooper helmets and a demonstration by players and coaches will also be included. KP is currently completing a new aid for the Christmas market. The aid will assist in catching and heading the ball and can be used worldwide, not just for football but also for soccer, rugby and American football.

KP is very grateful to all the help he received from the Ferbane/Belmont Club and particularly our own Eddie Nally from ESB Training who is very active in GAA circles there. Eddie assisted in the design of the leaflets while Brian Flynn, another of our colleagues is Lough Ree Power gave invaluable help to KP. He is also high in praise for all the support and help he got from all his ESB colleagues at WOP and LRP. KP can be contacted at Tel. 090 6457464: 087 1234271 See www.fbgaamc.co for full range of Sliothar Hitters.