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. The stick, or "hurley" (called "caman" in Irish) is curved outwards at the end, to provide the striking surface. The ball or "sliothar" is similar in size to a hockey ball but has raised ridges.

Hurling is played on a pitch approximately 137m long and 82m wide. The goalposts are the same shape as on a rugby pitch, with the crossbar lower than a rugby one and slightly higher than a soccer one.

You may strike the ball on the ground, or in the air. Unlike hockey, you may pick up the ball with your hurley and carry it for not more than four steps in the hand.

After those steps you may bounce the ball on the hurley and back to the hand, but you are forbidden to catch the ball more than twice.

To get around this, one of the skills is running with the ball balanced on the hurley. To score, you put the ball over the crossbar with the hurley or under the crossbar and into the net by the hurley for a goal, the latter being the equivalent of three points. Physical contact is allowed, shoulder to shoulder.

 

 

 

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