GAA Hurling

All-Ireland final 2005, Cork v Galway


This is my sport I look forward to the weekends that it’s on.


A quick run down on hurling for people that never heard or seen the game.
If you ever travel to Ireland be sure to add this to your things to see list.
It is one of the best games you will ever see.


Hurling is one of the fastest and most skilful field games in the world. It is an ancient Gaelic sport, played long before the coming of Christianity. The earliest written record of the game is contained in the Brehon Laws of the fifth century. The first great hurling hero was Setanta whose legendary adventures are known to most Irish children. The game was banned by the Statutes of Kilkenny because of its popularity with the Normans.

The 18th century was known as the 'golden age' of hurling. Landlords promoted the game; inter-barony and inter-county games were played. These matches were very well organised; teams lined out in set positions 21 a-side (it is now down to 15a –side) and the behaviour of each player was controlled by a strict code of honour. Events from 1790 to 1800 caused the gentry to withdraw their support for the game of hurling. This, together with the effects of the Great Famine, severely damaged the development of the game.

A successful revival of hurling commenced in 1884 with the founding of the G.A.A. The Gaelic games are organised on a local level - the parish being the basic unit of organisation. Hence, the national games have become intertwined with community spirit and local pride.


A Quick Look at the rules

A player can run a maximum of four steps with the sliotar (ball) in his/her hand.
A player may take as many steps as he/she wishes while carrying the sliotar on the boss of the hurley.
A player may take the sliotar into his/her hand up to two times while traveling in possession.
The sliotar may not be thrown; the correct hand-pass technique must be used.
The sliotar may not be picked directly from the ground; the roll-lift or the jab-lift must be used.
A player who is in possession may not score with his/her hand.
If the sliotar is in flight, a player may score by striking the ball with his/her hand.
Three defenders may stand on the goal-line when a penalty is being taken.
A free-puck is awarded when a defender strikes the ball over his/her own end line.
Three points are equal to one goal.

Goalkeeper
Prevent scores.
Clear the ball effectively.
Marshal the defence.

Skills required:

Lightning reflexes.
Trained eye, i.e.; ability to catch the ball and judge its flight.
Long puck-out.
Understanding of team play: alert to possible dangers from forwards or quick to spot options when clearing.
Good defending

Defense
Mark opponents.
Prevent scores.
Cover for other backs.
Set up attacking movements.

Skills required:

Ability to tackle and block without conceding frees.
Determination to compete with opponent and defend the goal.
Confidence under dropping ball.
Ability to deliver the ball quickly out of defense, either from the ground or from the hand

Midfielders
Act as a link between backs and forwards.
Control the area around centerfield.
Drop back to defend and move forward to support the forwards.
Skills required:
All the skills used by backs and forwards.
Good anticipation and Stamina.

Forwards
Gain possession and score.
Link with other forwards to create scoring opportunities for them.
Break up the formation of the backs by drawing them out of position: create time and space.
Prevent the defense from clearing.
Skills required:
Speed: scores come more often when play is fast and open.
Accuracy.
Ability to strike under pressure without being blocked down / hooked.
Vary team-play or engage in pre-arranged tactical ploys