Hurling

Hurling is an outdoor field sport of the Gaelic Games family, native to Ireland. It is played by two teams of 15 on a large rectangular pitch. Players use a wooden stick called a hurley and a small ball called a sliotar. The objective is to score by hitting the sliotar over the crossbar for one point or into the goal beneath the crossbar for three points.

Equipment and field: The hurley is typically made from ash wood, and the sliotar is a hard leather ball with a raised seam. Players wear helmets with faceguards. At each end of the pitch are H-shaped goalposts with a crossbar. The pitch measures roughly 130–145 meters long and 80–90 meters wide.

Rules and play: The sliotar can be struck with the hurley or passed by hand in a legal hand-pass. Players may carry the ball on the hurley for up to four steps, after which they must bounce or solo (balancing the ball on the hurley). The ball can be struck in the air or on the ground, and play is typically fast and continuous. Fouls result in frees or penalties, and defensive actions such as striking or blocking are common within the rules.

Competition and governance: Hurling is governed by the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA). The premier inter-county competition is the All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship, culminating in the All-Ireland Final at Croke Park in Dublin. There are also national leagues and club championships, with players drawing from local clubs to represent their counties.

History and culture: Hurling has ancient origins in Ireland and evolved into the modern code during the 19th century. It remains a symbol of Irish identity and culture, notable for its amateur ethos, regional rivalries, and widespread participation at club and county levels.