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Hurling has been described variously
as 'field hockey in the air,' 'brutal field hockey,' 'like
lacross but with solid sticks' etc. None of these descriptions
really do the game justice. To truly get a feel for the spirit
of the sport requires that you see it in action. It exhibits
a unique combination of skill, athleticism, stamina and speed
that few sports can match. It is acknowledged as the fastest
field game on earth. It has the speed and continuous flowing
action of ice hockey but on grass.
It is played with a long curved stick
similar to a field hockey stick but with a broader and flat
end which allows the player to control the ball in the air
as well as on the ground. It
is made of ashwood which has just the right properties that
allow the stick to flex up to a certain point. The end (the
buss) is usually slightly bigger on a goalkeeper's stick.
How
to play
The target is the same as in Gaelic
Football. There are fifteen players to a team on the field.
Up to five substitutions can be made in the game which is
played in two halves of 35 minutes each.
Helmets are optional.
History
Hurling pre-dates recorded history. There is archeological
evidence of the game being played in ancient Ireland 2000
years ago. The sport was formalised when the rules of the
modern game were drawn up in 1884 with the foundation of the
GAA. The greatest and most prestigious prize in Hurling is
the inter-county All-Ireland Championship.
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