Hurling

Hurling, traditional Irish field sport in which a ball, called a sliotar, is caught on a hurley, or stick, and carried, or hurled into the opponent's goal. Irish mythology has tales of the warrior Cú Chulainn and other legendary heroes who were expert hurlers. The rules of play were standardized in 1884 when the Gaelic Athletic Association was founded. Today the game is almost entirely restricted to Ireland, where the All-Ireland championship competition has been held since 1887.

Hurling is played by two 15-member teams on a field measuring 84 to 100 yd (76.81 to 91.44 m) in width and 140 to 160 yd (128 to 146.30 m) in length. The hurley is a narrow-shafted stick about 3.5 ft (1 m) long, ending in a curved blade about 3 in (8 cm) wide. The sliotar has a cork center and a leather cover; it is between 9 and 10 in (23 and 25 cm) in circumference, and weighs between 3.5 and 4.5 oz (100 and 130 g). The goals at each end of the field are formed by two posts, which are usually 6.6 yd (6 m) high, set 7 yd (6.4 m) apart, and connected 8 ft (2 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 object of hurling is to catch the sliotar on the blade of the hurley, carry it, and then hurl it into the goal. The sliotar may be picked off the ground only with the hurley. The player may pick the sliotar off the hurley with his or her hand, but may not throw it or run with it. Three points are scored when the sliotar is hurled into the net and one point when the sliotar is hurled over the crossbar between the goal posts. Although hurling, among the fastest of team sports, is a rough game, serious injuries are rare.