~~~ Hurling ~~~

Hurling is Europe's oldest field game. When the Celts came to Ireland as the last ice age was receding, they brought with them a unique culture, their own language, music, script and unique pastimes. One of these was a game now called hurling. It features in Irish folklore to illustrate the deeds of heroic mystical figures and it is chronicled as a distinct Irish pastime for at least 2,000 years. As a uniquely Celtic brand of ball game played with sticks it has survived invasions, wars, internal strife and famine.

Hurling is played with a curved stick called a camán with a wide blade (traditionally made from the wood of young ash trees) and a small, pigskin-covered ball called a sliotar. The ball must weigh between 100g and 300g with a circumference of 23 to 25 cm. The ball may not be thrown or picked up from the ground by the hand but it may be lifted with the camán , struck on or along the ground, in or through the air, kicked, caught in the hand; it may also be juggled or carried on the blade of the camán.

The winners of the All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship (SHC) are presented with the Liam McCarthy Cup. The trophy was first presented for the the 1921 final between Limerick and Dublin, which was not played until March 4, 1923. Dublin were then champions and holders of the Great Southern Cup, the trophy that was then awarded to the All-Ireland senior final winners. They lost the 1921 final to Limerick.

Please take a look at the hurling links listed below to learn more about this fantasitc sport!