Press, Awards & Recognition

From a small workshop in Randalstown to television appearances, international exports and recognition within the hurley-making industry, the Martin Hurls story has been documented by media, business organisations and members of the wider hurling community.

This page brings together independent coverage of our craftsmanship, business journey, industry experience and contribution to hurling.

Awards and Qualifications

Ballymena Young Entrepreneur of the Year 2014

Emmet Martin was named Ballymena Young Entrepreneur of the Year in 2014. In the same year, he reached the televised final of Junior Dragons’ Den on RTÉ One after progressing from more than 200 applicants.

Emmet subsequently completed an HND in Business and a Level 3 Diploma in Business at Northern Regional College.

Read the Northern Ireland World profile

Television and Video Features

Junior Dragons’ Den Ireland

At 17 years old, Emmet presented his handmade hurls to five established entrepreneurs on Junior Dragons’ Den. The experience brought national attention to the young business and helped Emmet develop the confidence and connections needed to keep moving Martin Hurls forward.

Watch Emmet on Junior Dragons’ Den

Ballymena Business Centre Case Study

Ballymena Business Centre documented how Emmet began developing Martin Hurls while he was still at school and how local business support helped him progress his early idea.

Watch the Ballymena Business Centre case study

Wide Ball Feature

Wide Ball featured Emmet’s early journey from repairing and making hurls as a teenager to developing a successful business around his passion for the game.

Watch the Wide Ball feature

UTV – History in the Making

Martin Hurls and the traditional craft behind hurley making were featured as part of UTV’s History in the Making series.

Visit the official UTV programme page

Press Coverage

SportsJOE: Ash Supply and the Future of Hurley Making

In 2022, SportsJOE interviewed Emmet about ash dieback, timber availability, rising prices and the pressures facing traditional hurley makers.

The feature documented Emmet’s practical experience sourcing ash and explained how international disruption was affecting hurley production throughout Ireland.

Read the SportsJOE feature

Northern Ireland World: Enterprising Student Revives Traditional Craft

Northern Ireland World documented Emmet’s journey from starting Martin Hurls while attending St Louis Grammar School to completing his business qualifications and exporting hurls internationally.

The article also recorded that Martin Hurls had been stocked in Croke Park and that Emmet was invited by GAA headquarters to demonstrate hurley making at the Croke Park Museum.

Read the Northern Ireland World feature

Business First: From Junior Dragons’ Den to Martin Hurls

Business First featured Emmet’s development from a teenage hurley maker into the founder of a growing manufacturing business.

The article covers his Junior Dragons’ Den experience, early interest in repairing hurls, the challenges of sourcing ash and the support received through the Go For It programme.

Read the Business First feature

Belfast Telegraph and Ulster Business

Martin Hurls was included in a feature examining local businesses supported through the Northern Ireland Small Business Loan Fund.

Read the Belfast Telegraph feature

Business Support and Growth

Northern Ireland Small Business Loan Fund

In 2022, Martin Hurls secured £10,000 in working-capital support from the Northern Ireland Small Business Loan Fund.

The case study describes how the funding helped Martin Hurls purchase stock, respond to demand and explore new business-development opportunities. It also records the company’s exports to destinations including Belgium, Italy, the United States and Australia.

Read the complete NI Small Business Loan Fund case study

Enterprise Northern Ireland and Go For It

Martin Hurls has received business-planning and development support through Enterprise Northern Ireland, LEDCOM and the Go For It programme.

View Emmet’s Enterprise NI story

View the Enterprise NI business-growth feature

Recognition Within Hurley Making

IGHM Meet the Makers

Martin Hurls is listed in IGHM’s Meet the Makers directory alongside hurley makers from across Ireland.

The directory promotes the standards of balance, feel, durability and finish associated with the craft while supporting cooperation, responsible timber sourcing and the future of traditional hurley making.

Find Martin Hurls in the IGHM Meet the Makers directory

Regulators Hurling Workshop Visit

During a visit to the Randalstown workshop, Regulators Hurling described Martin Hurls as a traditional Irish hurley-making business using handcraft methods and traditional tools, including the plane and spokeshave.

The feature highlighted the workshop’s focus on producing consistent shapes while meeting the individual requirements of players.

Read about the Regulators Hurling visit

From Randalstown to the World

Martin Hurls began in 2012 when Emmet started repairing and making hurls while still at school.

The business later expanded into international markets, supplying customers in Ireland, Britain, Europe, North America, Australia and New Zealand. Martin Hurls became a full-time limited company in 2021 and continues to operate as a family-run business from Randalstown, County Antrim.

The same principle remains at the heart of the business today: make every product with care and give players a hurl they can trust.