Hurling, the ancient Irish sport that dates back to 1272 BC, has been played for over 3,000 years by the Irish. The goal of the game is to score in a net at either end of the field. This net is guarded by a goalie, who tries to block any shots towards the main goal that would be worth 3 points. If a player wants to play it safe, they can instead shoot towards the upper goal, where, if scored, they would only receive 1 point for their efforts.
Back in ancient times, hurling is said to have been played between neighboring villages as a form of entertainment. Most of these games lasted only a couple of hours, but some are believed to have gone on for days. The 18th century in hurling, more commonly referred to as “The Golden Age of Hurling,” ended when Ireland became an official part of England through the Act of Union. England quickly banned hurling because they were afraid of large numbers of men gathering in one place to watch the game. As a result, by 1846, hurling’s popularity had greatly decreased.
To play the game well, players have to master the use of the hurley and sliotar (in other words, a stick and ball used to pass, score, and overall play the game). If you don’t have the skills to use a hurley, you can always pick up the ball with your hands, but be warned: you can only take 4 steps.
History:
Eighty years later, a man named Michael Cusack revived the sport in 1883 by creating Cusack’s Academy Hurling Club. “Cusack was a passionate advocate for the Irish language and heritage” (The GAA: How Gaelic Games Shaped Irish Nationalism). After gaining popularity, Cusack went on to help found the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) to introduce the game of hurling to more people around the world and to create a set of rules for everyone to follow.
In the 19th century, a new form of hurling was introduced, mainly for the upper class as a modern replacement for the old game. This new game bore little resemblance to the original version of hurling. The first Hurley Union was founded at Trinity College. All in all, the history of hurling is long and extensive.
What Is It Now:
Hurling is the official sport of Ireland, and with the addition of new rules, more strategies have been developed that don’t necessarily
represent the original sport very well. There are many debates on whether or not these are effective tactics in an actual game, and on whether the new trend of using bamboo sticks instead of traditional native ash sticks is both fair and effective.
Today, hurling incorporates many aspects of current sports, such as lacrosse, football, baseball, ice hockey, soccer, and more. This physical sport requires dexterity and hand-eye coordination, which makes it that much more exciting to watch. In fact, “The All-Ireland Hurling Final has been rated #2 by CNN as the must-see live sporting event in the world, behind the Olympics and ahead of the World Cup of Soccer” (History of Hurling).
To conclude, Hurling is very significant, both in Irish culture and in its worldwide viewership. With its amazing history, hurling has become one of the favorite sports to watch. Next time you have the chance, I highly recommend you watch a game of hurling—it might change your life in a way you never thought possible.
Work cited:
https://www.gaa.ie/my-gaa/getting-involved/hurling-history-and-evolution