A unique field sport
Hurling is likely a sport that many have not heard of! However, it is an outdoor game played with sticks and balls, that is also quite similar to field hockey. Historically, this game was referenced in Irish manuscripts dating back to the 13th century B.C.E.! This means that this sport already existed more than three millennia ago. It is entirely possible that hurling is the oldest field game to ever exist in this world. Originally, hurling was played for competition between “neighboring clans” in Ireland, and in fact, you could have as many people as you wanted on each side, before the modern rules came into place.
Modern Hurling
In 1884, the Gaelic Athletic Association was formed, to “revive and standardize…traditional Irish pastimes.” This would include hurling as well. The stick used to play hurling is shaped like a hockey stick, but the average field is about 137 by 82 meters. To score a goal, players must use the stick to drive the ball (silotar) into the goal’s net (shown in the picture below) for three points, or above the net for one point.
Teamwork and strength
It is quite straightforward to know which team wins a game of hurling; at the end of the game, whichever team has the most points will claim a victory. Hurling can be quite demanding for the players; the silotar can travel “up to 180 kilometres per hour” after being hit! Because of the risk of injury, the players must wear protection around their head and face. Hurling is a game that tests the courage of everyone involved.
How can players move the silotar through the field?
Here are the actions a player can do to move the silotar toward the net:
- They can hit the silotar with the stick, either through the air or along the ground
- They can kick the silotar along the ground
- They can lift the silotar from the ground with their stick and then hit it
- They can run with the silotar, as long as they balance it on their stick
- They can hand pass the silotar to a teammate, but they must pass the silotar by slapping it with an open palm.
As you can see, the game of hurling has elements of field hockey, soccer, and even handball, all combined together! This sport reminds me of Australian rules football, where players can also use a variety of methods to advance toward the goal.
If you would like to discover more about the sport of hurling, be sure to check out this video! As I researched more about this sport, I must say that I find hurling to be extremely fun! Hurling is an important part of the Irish culture, and it is widely viewed by the Irish as Ireland’s national sport.