What is Irish Hurling?
Played outside on a 137m long grass pitch two teams of 15 players compete between two goal posts positioned at each end of the pitch.
Each player uses a wooden stick called a hurl to obtain ownership over a small ball called a sliotar. The ball or sliotar is the same size as a baseball and just as hard. The sliotar can be carried by hand but after four steps of the player it must be either passed or bounced on the end of the hurl. It can be also hit in the air with the stick, on the ground and also kicked or slapped with an open hand. The game itself is very touch sport with the allowance of touch to touch shouldering and with players charging at a small ball with sticks it can become a very injurious sport. Players do not wear protective padding and if over 21 its by choice if you wear a helmet or not, many player decide not to.
There are a number of different leagues within Ireland such as the National and the all Ireland. Teams are up of each county region and of each of the four provinces. Players do not get paid for participating in Hurling games, even the All Ireland showdown. The only thing gained from playing this sport is pride.
The history of Irish Hurling
The game itself is as old as the history of Ireland, well before early Christian times in Ireland with reference being made to the game in old Gaelic laws. The sport was said to be played by some of the ancient Gaelic hero's such as Cúchulainn, the son of gods Lugh and Deichtine and had always remained a popular game to play within Ireland.
Was once banned under the Statutes of Kilkenny, a group of laws laid down by the English for Ireland to be more loyal to their crown. This introduction not only threatened the sport of Hurling but it also had a bad impact in the Irish way of life and culture.
With the persistence of the Irish, Hurling still remained but by the late 1800's its popularity declined along with the Irish population and ancient traditions. Michael Cusack was one of the people worried about the decline and helped establish the Gaelic Games Association in 1884 making hurling as the national pastime for Ireland. Today the games of Hurling, Gaelic football, camogie, handball, and rounder's are still organised by the Gaelic Games Association.
Hurling in Ireland Today
Thankfully the with the setup of the GAA Hurling has still remained not only a very popular sport but also as part of our traditions here in Ireland. Many schools teach hurling at a young age finding kids with interest in the sport but also letting them experience something that has been played since man first arrived in Ireland. Its popularity in various countries has also dramatically increased with many teams setting up all over the world played by ex-pats of Ireland but also anyone who really has an interest.
