Hurling (in Irish, iománaíocht or iomáint) is an outdoor team sport of ancient Gaelic origin, administered by the Gaelic Athletic Association, and played with sticks and a ball. Irish (ga ''Gaeilge'' is a Goidelic language of the Indo-European language family originating in Ireland and historically spoken by the Irish. Sport is an Activity that is governed by a set of rules or Customs and often engaged in competitively Irish (ga ''Gaeilge'' is a Goidelic language of the Indo-European language family originating in Ireland and historically spoken by the Irish. The Gaelic Athletic Association ( GAA) ( Irish: Cumann Lúthchleas Gael /'kʊmˠən̪ˠ 'l̪ˠuh The game, played primarily in Ireland, has prehistoric origins and is the world's fastest field team sport in terms of game play. Ireland (pronounced /ˈaɾlənd/ Éire) is the third largest island in Europe, and the twentieth-largest island in the world Stone Age Paleolithic See also Paleolithic, Recent African Origin, Early Homo sapiens, Early human migrations "Paleolithic" Sport is an Activity that is governed by a set of rules or Customs and often engaged in competitively ^[1] One of Ireland's native Gaelic games, it shares a number of features with Gaelic football, such as the field and goals, number of players, and much terminology. Gaelic games are the traditional sports played in Ireland. The two main Gaelic games are Gaelic football and Hurling, both of which are organised by the Gaelic football ( Irish: Peil, Peil Ghaelach, or Caid) commonly referred to as " football " is a form of Football There is a similar game for women called camogie. Camogie (in Irish, camógaíocht) is a Celtic team Sport, organised by the Camogie Association of Ireland, the women's variant of

The object of the game is for players to use a wooden axe-shaped stick called a hurley (in Irish a camán, pronounced "kam-awn"), or a hurl, to hit a small ball called a sliotar (pronounced "slitt-er") between the opponents' goalposts either over the crossbar for one point, or under the crossbar into a net guarded by a goalkeeper for one goal, which is equivalent to three points. A hurley, also known as a camán (the Irish word and lesser known as hurl, a hurley stick, shtick (jocular Eye dialect A hurley, also known as a camán (the Irish word and lesser known as hurl, a hurley stick, shtick (jocular Eye dialect The following are the positions in the Gaelic sports of Gaelic football, Hurling and Camogie.

The ball can be caught in the hand and carried for not more than four steps, struck in the air, or struck on the ground with the stick. It can be kicked or slapped with an open hand (the hand pass) for short-range passing. A player who wants to carry the ball for more than three steps has to bounce or balance the ball on the end of the stick, and the ball can only be handled twice while in his possession.

Side to side shouldering is allowed although body-checking or shoulder-charging is illegal. No protective padding is worn by players, and although a plastic protective helmet with faceguard is recommended, this is not mandatory for players over 19.

Statistics

Hurling stick (hurley) and ball (sliotar) (Irish Camán agus sliotar)

• A team comprises 15 players, or "hurlers. Irish (ga ''Gaeilge'' is a Goidelic language of the Indo-European language family originating in Ireland and historically spoken by the Irish. "
• The hurley or hurl (hurl), or camán, is generally 70–100 cm (32–36 inches) in length
• The goalkeeper's hurley usually has a bás (the flattened, curved end) twice the size of other players' hurleys to provide some advantage against the fast moving sliotar. A hurley, also known as a camán (the Irish word and lesser known as hurl, a hurley stick, shtick (jocular Eye dialect
• The ball, known as a sliotar, has a cork center and a leather cover; it is between 23 and 25 cm in circumference, and weighs between 100 and 130 g
• A good strike with a hurley can propel the ball up to 150 km/h (93 mph) in speed and 100 m (305 ft) in distance. A sliotar (or sliothar - may derive from Irish sliabh, meaning "mountain" and
• A ball hit over the bar is worth one point. A ball that is hit under the bar is called a goal and is worth three points.
• The player may wear protection, usually a helmet and/or a special kind of glove called an ashguard.

Rules

Playing field

A standard hurling pitch

Hurling is played on a pitch approximately 137 m long and 82 m wide The goals at each end of the field are formed by two posts, which are usually 6 m high, set 6. 4 m apart, and connected 2. 44 m above the ground by a crossbar. A net extending in back of the goal is attached to the crossbar and lower goal posts. The same pitch is used for Gaelic football; the GAA, which organises both sports, decided this to facilitate dual usage. Gaelic football ( Irish: Peil, Peil Ghaelach, or Caid) commonly referred to as " football " is a form of Football Lines are marked at 13 m, 20 m and 65 m and 45 m in gaelic football from each end-line. Shorter pitches and smaller goals are used by under-13s and younger.

Teams

See also: Gaelic football and Hurling positions

Teams consist of fifteen players and they line out as below:

The panel is made up of 24-30 players and 5 substitutions are allowed per game. The following are the positions in the Gaelic sports of Gaelic football, Hurling and Camogie.

Timekeeping

Senior inter-county matches last 70 minutes (35 minutes a half). All other matches last 60 minutes (30 minutes a half). For age groups of under-13 or lower, games may be shortened to 50 minutes. Timekeeping is at the discretion of the referee who adds on stoppage time at the end of each half. Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a Team sport played between two teams of eleven players and is widely considered

If a knockout game finishes in a draw, a replay is played. If a replay finishes in a draw, 20 minutes (10 minutes a side) extra time is played. If the game is still tied, another replay is played.

In club competitions replays are increasingly not used due to the fixture backlogs caused. Instead, extra time is played after a draw, and if the game is still level after that it will go to a replay.

In inter-County matches there has been a call for a dedicated time keeper, as referees can often be accused of playing enough extra time for the purpose of a draw. As draws are replayed, it constitutes a huge capital gain for the G. A. A.

Technical fouls

The following are considered technical fouls ("fouling the ball"):

• Picking the ball directly off the ground (instead it must be flicked up with the hurl or the foot)
• Throwing the ball (instead it must be "hand-passed": slapped with the open hand)
• Going more than four steps with the ball in the hand(it may be carried indefinitely on the hurley though)
• Catching the ball three times in a row without it touching the ground (touching the hurley does not count)
• Putting the ball from one hand to the other
• Hand-passing a goal or point
• Throwing the hurley
• Square ball: If, at the moment the ball enters "the square", the small rectangle surrounding the goal, there is already an attacking player inside, a free out is awarded.

Scoring

Scoring is achieved by sending the sliotar (ball) between the opposition's goal posts. A sliotar (or sliothar - may derive from Irish sliabh, meaning "mountain" and The posts, which are at each end of the field, are "H" posts as in rugby football but with a net under the crossbar as in football. Rugby football (usually just " rugby " may refer to a number of sports through history descended from a common form of Football developed at Rugby School Football is the word given to a number of similar Team sports all of which involve (to varying degrees kicking a Ball with the foot in an attempt to score a The posts are 6. 4 m apart and the crossbar is 2. 44 mts above the ground.

If the ball goes over the crossbar, a point is scored and a white flag is raised by an umpire. If the ball goes below the crossbar, a goal, worth three points, is scored, and a green flag is raised by an umpire. The goal is guarded by a goalkeeper. Scores are recorded in the format {goal total} - {point total}. For example, the 1997 All-Ireland final finished: Clare 0-20 Tipperary 2-13. The GAA All-Ireland Hurling Senior Championship is the premier "knockout" competition in the game of Hurling played in Ireland. The Clare County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA (Cummann Luthchleas Gael Coiste Contae An Clár or Clare GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the For more details of Tipperary GAA see Tipperary Senior Club Football Championship, Tipperary Senior Club Hurling Championship, Tipperary Senior Club Hurling Thus Clare won by "twenty points to two thirteen" (20 to 19). 2-0 would be referred to as "two goals", never "two zero". 0-0 is said "no score".

Tackling

Players may be tackled but not struck by a one handed slash of the stick; exceptions are two handed jabs and strikes. Jersey-pulling, wrestling, pushing and tripping are all forbidden. There are several forms of acceptable tackling, the most popular being:

• the block, where one player attempts to smother an opposing player's strike by trapping the ball between his hurley and the opponent's swinging hurley;
• the hook, where a player approaches another player from a rear angle and attempts to catch the opponent's hurley with his own at the top of the swing; and
• the side pull, where two players running together for the sliotar will collide at the shoulders and swing together to win the tackle and pull really hard.

Restarting play

• The match begins with the referee throwing the sliotar in between the four midfielders on the halfway line.
• After an attacker has scored or put the ball wide of the goals, the goalkeeper may take a puckout from the hand at the edge of the small square. All players must be beyond the 20 m line.
• After a defender has put the ball wide of the goals, an attacker may take a "65" from the 65 m line level with where the ball went wide. It must be taken by lifting and striking. However, the ball must not be taken into the hand but struck whilst the ball is lifted.
• After a player has put the ball over the sideline, the other team may take a sideline puck at the point where the ball left the pitch. It must be taken from the ground.
• After a player has committed a foul, the other team may take a free at the point where the foul was committed. It must be taken by lifting and striking in the same style as the "65".
• After a defender has committed a foul inside the Square (large rectangle), the other team may take a penalty from the ground from the centre of the 20 m line. Only the goalkeeper and two defenders may guard the goals. It must be taken by lifting and striking.
• If many players are struggling for the ball and it is not clear who was fouled first, the referee may choose to throw the ball in between two opposing players.

Officials

A hurling match is watched over by 8 officials:

• The referee
• Two linesmen
• Sideline Official/Standby Linesman (inter-county games only)
• Four umpires (two at each end)

The referee is responsible for starting and stopping play, recording the score, awarding frees and booking and sending off players.

Linesmen are responsible for indicating the direction of line balls to the referee and also for conferring with the referee. The fourth official is responsible for overseeing substitutions, and also indicating the amount of stoppage time (signalled to him by the referee) and the players substituted using an electronic board. The umpires are responsible for judging the scoring. They indicate to the referee whether a shot was: wide (spread both arms), a 65 m puck (raise one arm), a point (wave white flag), or a goal (wave green flag).

The linesman is also supposed to indicate to the referee anything he may have missed, although this is a rare occurrence. The referee can over-rule any decision by a linesman or umpire.

History

A standard hurling helmet

Further information: History of Hurling

Hurling is older than the recorded history of Ireland. The History of Hurling is long and often unclear stretching back over three millennia It dates back to at least the 13th century. ^[2] The game is thought to be related to the games of shinty that is played primarily in Scotland, cammag on the Isle of Man and bandy that was played formerly in England and Wales. Shinty (derived from the Scottish Gaelic sinteag although it is referred to as camanachd or iomain in modern Gaelic is a Team sport Scotland ( Gaelic: Alba) is a Country in northwest Europethat occupies the northern third of the island of Great Britain. The game of cammag is a Manx team sport It is similar to the Irish Hurling and its related Scottish Gaelic game of Shinty. The Isle of Man (Ellan Vannin ˈɛlʲən ˈvanɪn or Mann (Mannin) is a self-governing Crown dependency, located in the Irish Sea at the geographical Bandy is a Winter sport, where a ball is hit with a stick It shares a common ancestry with Ice hockey, in that it likely developed from the informal "ball and England is a Country which is part of the United Kingdom. Its inhabitants account for more than 83% of the total UK population whilst its mainland Fragments of law predating the Brehon Laws refer to hurling and may have been written before AD 400. Early Irish law refers to the statutes that governed everyday life and politics in Ireland during the Gaelic period. The tale of the Táin Bó Cuailgne (drawing on earlier legends) describes the hero Cúchulainn playing hurling at Emain Macha. Cúchulainn /kuːˈxʊlɪnʲ/ ( ( Irish for "Hound of Culann " also spelled Cú Chulainn, Cú Chulaind, Cúchulain, or Navan Fort should not be confused with Navan in County Meath. Similar tales are told about Fionn Mac Cumhail and the Fianna, his legendary warrior band. Fionn mac Cumhaill (ˈɸʲiːn̪ˠ mˠak ˈkũw̃aːlʲ in Irish, ˈfɪn mə ˈkuːl in English) (earlier Finn or Find mac Cumail or mac In early Ireland, fianna (singular fian) were small semi-independent warrior bands who lived apart from society in the forests as Recorded references to hurling appear in many places such as the 13th century Statutes of Kilkenny and a 15th century grave slab survives in Inishowen, County Donegal^[3]

The Eighteenth Century is frequently referred to as "The Golden Age of Hurling. Kilkenny, ( is a city and county town of County Kilkenny in Ireland. Inishowen (Inis Eoghain is a historical peninsular region in County Donegal, and also the largest peninsula in Ireland. County Donegal (ˌdʌnəˈgɔːl Irish: Contae Dhún na nGall. " This was when members of the Anglo-Irish landed gentry kept teams of players on their estates and challenged each other's teams to matches for the amusement of their tenants. " Anglo-Irish " was a term used historically to describe a privileged Social class in Ireland, whose members were the descendants and successors of the

The founding of the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) in 1884 turned around a trend of terminal decline by organising the game around a common set of written rules. The Gaelic Athletic Association ( GAA) ( Irish: Cumann Lúthchleas Gael /'kʊmˠən̪ˠ 'l̪ˠuh The 20th century saw greater organisation in Hurling and Gaelic Football. The all-Ireland Hurling championship came into existence along with the provincial championships. Cork, Kilkenny and Tipperary dominated hurling in the 20th century with each of these counties winning more than 20 All-Ireland titles each. Wexford, Waterford, Clare, Limerick, Offaly, Dublin, and Galway were also strong hurling counties during the 20th century.

As hurling entered the new millennium, it has remained Ireland's second most popular sport. An extended qualifier system resulted in a longer All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship, but Cork and Kilkenny have come to dominate the championship and some argue that the All-Ireland has become less competitive. The GAA All-Ireland Hurling Senior Championship is the premier "knockout" competition in the game of Hurling played in Ireland. For more details of Cork GAA see Cork Senior Football Championship or Cork Senior Hurling Championship. The Kilkenny County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association ( Kilkenny GAA) (Cumann Lúthchleas Gael Coiste Cill Channaigh is one of the 32 county boards Pay-for-play remains controversial and the Gaelic Players Association continues to grow in strength. The Gaelic Players Association ( Irish: Cumann na n-Imreoirí Ghaelacha) or GPA is a body that represents inter county The inauguration of the Christy Ring Cup and Nicky Rackard Cup gave new championships and an opportunity to play in Croke Park to the weaker county teams. The Christy Ring Cup is in effect a competition for the "Division 2" Hurling teams the so-called middle-ranking hurling teams in Ireland. The Nicky Rackard Cup (Chorn Nicoláis Mhic Riocaird is in effect a competition for the "Division 3" Hurling teams the counties in Ireland that Croke Park (Páirc an Chrócaigh in Dublin, Ireland is the largest sports Stadium in Ireland (fifth largest in Europe) and the principal stadium

International

Further information: Hurling Across the World

Although many hurling clubs exist worldwide, only Ireland has a national team (although it includes only players from weaker counties in order to ensure matches are competitive). Ireland (pronounced /ˈaɾlənd/ Éire) is the third largest island in Europe, and the twentieth-largest island in the world It and the Scotland shinty team have played for many years with modified match rules (as with International Rules Football). Scotland ( Gaelic: Alba) is a Country in northwest Europethat occupies the northern third of the island of Great Britain. Shinty (derived from the Scottish Gaelic sinteag although it is referred to as camanachd or iomain in modern Gaelic is a Team sport International rules football (Peil na rialacha idirnáisiunta also known as inter rules in Australia and compromise rules in Ireland is a hybrid The match is the only such international competition. However, competition at club level has been going on around the world since the late nineteenth century thanks to emigration from Ireland, and the strength of the game has ebbed and flowed along with emigration trends. Nowadays, growth in hurling is noted in Continental Europe, Australasia, and North America.

Britain

Hurling was brought to Britain by Irish immigrants in the nineteenth century. The game is administered by Britain GAA. The British Council of the Gaelic Athletic Association (Cumann Lúthchleas Gael An Breataine or British GAA is the only provincial council of the Gaelic Athletic Warwickshire GAA compete against Irish teams in the Nicky Rackard Cup. The Warwickshire County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA (or Warwickshire GAA) is one of the county boards outside Ireland and is responsible for The Nicky Rackard Cup (Chorn Nicoláis Mhic Riocaird is in effect a competition for the "Division 3" Hurling teams the counties in Ireland that London GAA are the only non-Irish team to have won the All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship (having captured the title in 1901), and still compete in the Christy Ring Cup. For more details see the London Senior Hurling Championship and the London Senior Football Championship The London County Board of the The GAA All-Ireland Hurling Senior Championship is the premier "knockout" competition in the game of Hurling played in Ireland. The Christy Ring Cup is in effect a competition for the "Division 2" Hurling teams the so-called middle-ranking hurling teams in Ireland.

North America

Further information: Canada GAA, New York GAA and North American GAA

References to hurling on the North American continent date from the 1780s in modern-day Canada concerning immigrants from County Waterford and County Kilkenny,^[4] and also, in New York City. The Canadian County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA, or Canada GAA, is one of the county boards of the GAA outside Ireland, and is The New York County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA (Cummann Luthchleas Gael Coiste Contae Nua Eabhrac, or New York GAA, is one of the county boards The North American County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA (Cumann Luthchleas Gael na Meiriceá Thuaidh or North American GAA is one of the boards of the GAA County Waterford (Contae Phort Láirge is a County in the province of Munster on the south coast of Ireland. County Kilkenny ( is a landlocked county in Ireland. The county takes its name from the city of Kilkenny and has a population of 87558 The City of New York After the end of the American Revolution, references to hurling cease in American newspapers until the aftermath of the Potato Famine when Irish people moved to America in huge numbers, bringing the game with them. In this article the inhabitants of the thirteen colonies that supported the American Revolution are primarily referred to as "Americans" with occasional references to "Patriots" ^[5]

Newspaper reports from the 1850s refer to occasional matches played in San Francisco, Hoboken, and New York City. The City and County of San Francisco is the fourth most populous city Hoboken is a city in Hudson County, New Jersey, United States. The first game of hurling played under GAA rules outside of Ireland was played on Boston Common in June 1886. Boston Common is a central Public park in Boston, Massachusetts.

In 1888, there was an American tour by fifty Gaelic athletes from Ireland, known as the 'American Invasion. ' This created enough interest among Irish Americans to lay the groundwork for the North American GAA. The North American County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA (Cumann Luthchleas Gael na Meiriceá Thuaidh or North American GAA is one of the boards of the GAA By the end of 1889, almost a dozen GAA clubs existed in America, many of them in and around New York City, Philadelphia, and Chicago. Philadelphia (ˌfɪləˈdɛlfiə Chicago (ʃɪˈkɑːgoʊ is the largest City by population in the state of Illinois and the American Midwest of the United States. Later, clubs were formed in Boston, Cleveland, and many other centers of Irish America. Cleveland is a City in the US state of Ohio and the County seat of Cuyahoga County, the most populous county in the state

In 1910, twenty-two hurlers, composed of an equal number from Chicago and New York, conducted a tour of Ireland, where they played against the County teams from Kilkenny, Tipperary, Limerick, Dublin, and Wexford. County Kilkenny ( is a landlocked county in Ireland. The county takes its name from the city of Kilkenny and has a population of 87558 County Tipperary (Contae Thiobraid Árann is a County in Ireland situated in the Province of Munster. County Limerick ( Contae Luimnigh in Irish) is a County in the Province of Munster, located in the mid-west of Ireland with County County Dublin (Contae Bhaile Átha Cliath or more correctly today the Dublin Region ( Réigiúin Átha Cliath) is the area that contains the city of Dublin County Wexford (Contae Loch Garman is a maritime county in the southeast of Ireland, in the province of Leinster.

Traditionally, hurling was a game played by Irish immigrants and discarded by their children. Many American hurling teams took to raising money to import players directly from Ireland. In recent years, this has changed considerably with the advent of the Internet. Outside of the traditional North American GAA cities of New York, Boston, Chicago, and San Francisco, clubs are springing up in other places where they consist of predominantly American-born players who bring a new dimension to the game and actively seek to promote it as a mainstream sport, especially Joe Maher, a leading expert at the sport in Boston. The North American County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA (Cumann Luthchleas Gael na Meiriceá Thuaidh or North American GAA is one of the boards of the GAA New York ( is a state in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern regions of the United States and is the nation's third most populous Chicago (ʃɪˈkɑːgoʊ is the largest City by population in the state of Illinois and the American Midwest of the United States. The City and County of San Francisco is the fourth most populous city ^[6] Currently, the Milwaukee Hurling Club is the largest North American Hurling club, which is made of all Americans and very few Irish immigrants. The Milwaukee Hurling Club (MHC has promoted the sport of Hurling through education and game play since 1996

Argentina

Irish immigrants began arriving in Argentina in the 19th century. For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Argentina topics. ^[7]

The earliest reference to hurling in Argentina dates from the late 1880s in Mercedes, Buenos Aires. Mercedes is a city in the province of Buenos Aires, Argentina. However, the game was not actively promoted until 1900 when it came to the attention of author and newspaperman William Bulfin. Under Bulfin's patronage, the Argentine Hurling Club was formed on July 15, 1900, leading to teams being established in different neighborhoods of Buenos Aires and the surrounding farming communities. Events 1099 - First Crusade: Christian soldiers take the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem after the final Year 1900 ( MCM) was an exceptional Common year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar

Games of hurling were played every weekend until 1914 and received frequent coverage even from Argentina's Spanish language newspapers like La Nacion. After the outbreak of World War I, however, it became almost impossible to obtain hurleys from Ireland. World War I (abbreviated WWI; also known as the First World War, the Great War, and the War to End All An attempt was made to use native Argentine mountain ash, but it proved too heavy and lacking in pliability. Although the game was revived after the end of the war, the golden age of Argentine hurling had passed. World War II finally brought the era to its close. World War II, or the Second World War, (often abbreviated WWII) was a global military conflict which involved a majority of the world's nations, including

In the aftermath of the Second World War, immigration from Ireland slowed to a trickle. In addition, native born Irish-Argentines assimilated into the local community. The last time that hurling was played in Argentina was in 1980, when the Aer Lingus Hurling Club conducted a three week tour of the country and played matches at several locations. ^[8] Although the Argentine Hurling Club still exists, it has switched to playing field hockey, rugby, and soccer. Field hockey is a Team sport in which players attempt to score goals by hitting the Ball across the pitch with a stick Rugby football (usually just " rugby " may refer to a number of sports through history descended from a common form of Football developed at Rugby School Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a Team sport played between two teams of eleven players and is widely considered

Australia and New Zealand

Further information: Australasia GAA

The earliest reference to hurling in Australia is related in the book "Sketches of Garryowen. The Australasia County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA, or Australasia GAA, or Gaelic Football & Hurling Association of Australasia is one of " On July 12, 1844 a match took place at Batman's Hill in Melbourne as a counterpoint to a march by the Orange Order. Events 1191 - Saladin 's garrison surrenders ending the two-year Siege of Acre. Year 1844 ( MDCCCXLIV) was a Leap year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian Calendar (or a Leap year Melbourne ( is the second most populous city in Australia, with a Metropolitan area population of approximately 3 The Orange Institution, more commonly known as the Orange Order or the Orange Lodge, is a Protestant fraternal organisation based predominantly Reportedly, the hurling match attracted a crowd of five hundred Irish immigrants, while the Orange march shivered out of existence. ^[9]

In 1885, a game between two Sydney based teams took place before a crowd of over ten thousand spectators. Sydney (ˈsɪdniː is the most populous city in Australia, with a Metropolitan area population of approximately 4 Reportedly, the contest was greatly enjoyed despite the fact that one newspaper dubbed the game "Two Degrees Safer Than War. "^[10]

The game in Australasia is administered by Australasia GAA. The Australasia County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA, or Australasia GAA, or Gaelic Football & Hurling Association of Australasia is one of

South Africa

Soldiers who served in the Irish Brigade during the Anglo-Boer War are believed to have played the game on the veldt. See also First Boer War,, South African Wars (1879-1915 The Second Boer War ( Dutch: Tweede Boerenoorlog, Afrikaans: The term Veld, or Veldt, refers primarily (but not exclusively to the wide open rural spaces of South Africa or southern Africa and in particular to certain Immigrants from County Wicklow who had arrived to work in the explosives factory in Umbogintwini, KwaZulu-Natal formed a team c. County Wicklow (Contae Chill Mhantáin is a county on the east coast of Ireland, immediately south of Dublin. KwaZulu-Natal (kwɑːˌzuːluː nəˈtɑːl often referred to as " KZN " is a province of South Africa. 1915-1916. A major burst of immigration in the 1920s led to the foundation of the Transvaal Hurling Association in Johannesburg in 1928. Johannesburg ( Pronounced /jō-hān'ĭs-bûrg'/ is the largest city in South Africa. Games were traditionally played in a pitch on the site of the modern day Johannesburg Central Railway Station every Easter Sunday after Mass. Easter ( Greek: Πάσχα Pascha or Pasxa) is the most important religious feast in the Christian Liturgical year. Mass is a fundamental concept in Physics, roughly corresponding to the Intuitive idea of how much Matter there is in an object

In 1932, a South African hurling team sailed to Ireland to compete in the Tailteann Games, where they carried a banner donated by a convent of Irish nuns in Cape Town. The Tailteann Games were an ancient sporting event held in Ireland in honour of Queen Tailtiu. Cape Town (Kaapstad Xhosa: Ikapa) is the second most populous city in South Africa, forming part of the metropolitan municipality of the On their arrival, they were personally received by Ireland's President, Éamon de Valera. Éamon de Valera (ˈeɪmən dɛvəˈlɛrə (born Edward George de Valera) (14 October 1882 &ndash 29 August 1975 was one of the dominant political figures in 20th century

South African hurling continued to prosper until the outbreak of World War II, which caused immigration from Ireland to cease and made it impossible to import equipment. The Republic of South Africa (also known by other official names) is a country located at the southern tip of the continent of Africa World War II, or the Second World War, (often abbreviated WWII) was a global military conflict which involved a majority of the world's nations, including Games of hurling and Gaelic football were occasionally sponsored by the Christian Brothers schools in Boksburg and Pretoria well into the 1950s. Gaelic football ( Irish: Peil, Peil Ghaelach, or Caid) commonly referred to as " football " is a form of Football Boksburg is a city on the East Rand of Gauteng, South Africa. Pretoria is a city located in the northern part of Gauteng Province, South Africa. Both games have all but ceased to be played. ^[11]

Quotes

"Yesterday, Tuesday, a hurling match took place in the Phoenix Park, which was honored with the presence of Her Excellency, the Countess of Westmoreland, and several of the nobility and gentry, besides a vast concourse of spectators. The Phoenix Park (Páirc an Fhionn-Uisce is the largest enclosed urban public Park in Europe located 3 km to the north west of Dublin city centre in Ireland Sarah Fane Countess of Westmorland ( née Sarah Anne Child August 28 1764 &ndash November 9, 1793) was the only child of Robert Much agility and athletic contention was afforded, until the spectators forced into the playing ground. Colonel Lennox, Mr. Daly, and several other gentlemen, most obligingly used their endeavours to prevent any interruption to the players, but to no effect. This active contest ended without either side claiming triumph and remains to be yet decided. "^[12] A report from the Dublin newspaper Hibernian Journal, 17 October 1792. Dublin (ˈdʌblɨn/ /ˈdʊblɨn or /ˈdʊbəlɪn/, bˠalʲə aːha klʲiəh or cliə(ɸ is both the largest city and capital of Ireland. Events 539 BC - King Cyrus The Great of Persia marches into the city of Babylon, releasing the Jews from almost Year 1792 ( MDCCXCII) was a Leap year starting on Sunday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Leap year

"On Christmas Day and during the Christmas season we used to have hurley matches, and the whole village used to be mixed up in the game. Two men would be chosen, one from each side, for captains. Each of them used to call up man by man in turns until all who were on the strand were distributed in the two sides. We had hurleys and a ball. The game was played on the white strand without shoes or stockings, and we went in up to our necks whenever the ball went into the sea. Throughout the Twelve Days of Christmas time there wasn't a man able to drive his cow to the hill for the stiffness of his back and his bones; a pair or so would have a bruised foot, and another would be limping on one leg for a month. The Twelve Days of Christmas, and the associated evenings of those twelve days (Twelve-tide are the festive days beginning the evening of Christmas Day ( December 25 "^[13] --Tomás Ó Criomhthain reminiscing about his youth on Great Blasket Island in the years before the regularisation of hurling rules. Tomás Ó Criomhthain O'Crohan (1856 &ndash 1937 was a native of the Irish -speaking Great Blasket Island Great Blasket ( An Blascaod Mór in Irish) is the principal island of the Blaskets, County Kerry Translated by Robin Flower. Robin Ernest William Flower (1881 - 1946 was an English poet and scholar a Celticist and translator from the Irish language.

"There was a grand Hurling Match in the neighborhood of Gort in the county for a considerable sum of Money between the Counties of Galway and Clare; the Hurlers of the latter made a very handsome appearance. History Gort takes its name Gort Inse Guaire, from Guaire Aidhneach, the sixth century King of Connacht and patron of St They marched from Gort to the Turlough, two miles (3 km) distant, preceded by the Band of Musick, a French horn, a Running Footman and a fellow in Antic or Harlequin Dress. Harlequin ( Arlecchino in Italian, Arlequin in French) is the most popular of the Zanni or comic servant characters from None of the Hurlers was hurt, the greatest harmony having subsisted. The County of Clare Hurlers were elegantly entertained at Crushenehaire the Night following and a Hundred guineas was proposed to be Hurled for, but the time and place not yet agreed. County Clare ( Irish: Contae an Chláir) commonly referred to as simply Clare, is a county on Ireland and part of the wider The above procession closed with many Carriages and Horsemen, the numerous company at the Turlough made a fine appearance. "^[14] The newspaper Pue's Occurrences, October 16, 1759. Events 456 - Magister militum Ricimer defeats the Emperor Avitus at Piacenza and becomes master of the western Year 1759 ( MDCCLIX) was a Common year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common year

"27 June 1827, Feast of Saint Peter and Paul. Events 1358 - Republic of Dubrovnik is founded 1709 - Peter the Great defeats Charles XII of Sweden Year 1827 ( MDCCCXXVII) was a Common year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian Calendar (or a Common Paul the apostle (שאול התרסי Šaʾul HaTarsi, meaning " Saul of Tarsus " Σαούλ Saul and Σαῦλος Saulos and A holiday. . . Hurling on the Fair Green. It was a good game. The sticks were being brandished like swords. Hurling is a war-like game. The west side won the first match and the east the second. You could hear the sticks striking the ball from one end of the Green to the other. I was watching from the top end myself with Doctor Céatinn and two priests. A priest or priestess is a person having the authority or power to administer religious rites in particular rites of sacrifice to and propitiation of a deity or deities The well-to-do young men and women were strolling up and down the Green and on the level causeway in the center. "^[15] From the Irish language diaries of Amhlaoibh Ó Súilleabháin, a 19th century schoolmaster and politician from Callan, County Kilkenny. Irish (ga ''Gaeilge'' is a Goidelic language of the Indo-European language family originating in Ireland and historically spoken by the Irish. For other uses of the term 'diary' see Diary (disambiguation. Amhlaoibh Ó Súilleabháin (May 1780 Killarney, County Kerry -1838 Callan County Kilkenny) was an Irish language author linen draper politician Callan ( Callainn in Irish) is one of the largest towns in County Kilkenny in Ireland. Translated by Tomás de Bhaldraithe. Tomás de Bhaldraithe ( December 14, 1916 &ndash April 24, 1996) was an Irish language scholar and Lexicographer born Thomas MacDonagh

Major hurling competitions

The counties of Ireland, coloured by dominant sport. Since the late 16th century the Island of Ireland has been divided into 32 counties ( Irish language contae or condae The blue counties are hurling's heartland, hurling and Gaelic football are equally popular in the green counties, while hurling is a minor sport in the yellow counties. Gaelic football ( Irish: Peil, Peil Ghaelach, or Caid) commonly referred to as " football " is a form of Football Dual county is a term used in Gaelic games to describe a GAA county that competes at a similar level in both Hurling and Gaelic football

Further information: GAA Competitions

• All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship
  • Munster Senior Hurling Championship
  • Leinster Senior Hurling Championship
  • Ulster Senior Hurling Championship
  • Connacht Senior Hurling Championship
• National Hurling League
• Christy Ring Cup
• Nicky Rackard Cup
• All-Ireland Senior Club Hurling Championship
  • Leinster Senior Club Hurling Championship
• All-Ireland Under-21 Hurling Championship
  • Leinster Under-21 Hurling Championship
• All-Ireland Minor Hurling Championship
• Poc Fada
• Féile na nGael
• Composite Rules Shinty/Hurling (usually internationals between Scotland and Ireland)

Notable former players

• DJ Carey of Kilkenny
• John Doyle of Tipperary
• Nicky English of Tipperary
• John Keane of Waterford
• Eddie Keher of Kilkenny
• Mick Mackey of Limerick
• Nicky Rackard of Wexford
• Christy Ring of Cork
• Brian Whelehan of Offaly
• Jack Lynch of Cork
• Tony Reddin of Tipperary
• Ken Hogan of Tipperary

Notable current players

• Eugene Cloonan of Galway
• Brendan Cummins of Tipperary
• Damien Fitzhenry of Wexford
• Eoin Kelly of Tipperary
• Ken McGrath of Waterford
• Seán Óg Ó hAilpín of Cork
• Dan Shanahan of Waterford
• Henry Shefflin of Kilkenny
• Joe Canning of Galway
• Andrew O'Shaughnessy of Limerick

See also

• Shinty

References

Further reading

• Seamus J. King, A History of Hurling, 2005.
• Seamus J. King, The Clash of the Ash in Foreign Fields; Hurling Abroad, 1998.

External links

• Rules
• Official website of the Gaelic Athletic Association
• 'An Fear Rua - The GAA Unplugged!'
• Video introductions to hurling: Part One, Part Two, Part Three.
• The Continental Youth Championships
• A Brief History of the Argentine Hurling Club
• Hurling in Australia and New Zealand
• Gaelic Football, Hurling are Irish Passions, National Geographic News
• The First Hurling Match in the United States
• Hurling, Men's Fitness Magazine
• Selection of hurling photos from Sportsfile Sports Photo Agency
• Seamus J. King, author website
• What is Hurling, youtube
• "The Hurling Stick" A short film about another use for a hurling stick