Hurling
Multicultural Games

State the name of your game and why you chose it.

1996:  We chose hurling because it was a foreign sport we never heard of and it sounded interesting.

1997:  We chose hurling because of its interesting name.

List the countries where it is played and its origin.

It was played in the pre-Christian times. It originated in Ireland but has been taken to London, New York, Boston and other cities with strong Irish communities.

Describe how your game is played. State the object of the game. Clearly describe the rules.

• There are 15 players on each team, including a goalie and three substitutes.
• Players will move the ball (sliotar) down the field using their stick (hurley), kicking it or hitting it with their hands.
• To get a point you must pass the ball over the crossbar, or the "H" shaped goal. To get a goal you must hit it under the crossbar. Points are worth 1 point and goals are worth 3.
• You can kick the ball or catch the ball with your hand. You can't hit, trip or use any other harmful contact or a penalty occurs - a foul is called and the other team gets a free shot from the 21 yard line. If the ball is passed over either end line, having hit a defending player last, a 50 yard free is awarded to the attacking team.  There are no offside rules.  There is one referee, 2 linesmen and 4 umpires!
• The object is to get the most points during the 60 minute playing time.

List the equipment needed.

• Hurling is played on a football like field- it has the same dimensions as a football field.
• There is a goal on 2 crossbars on each end of the field
• The stick used to play, called a hurley stick, is formed just like a field hockey stick.
• There is a ball filled with cork called a slitter

Make recommendations for what type of athlete would enjoy playing this game. What skills does it demand?

• Whitney: I recommend this to runners and jumpers because that’s basically what you have to do! Upper body arm strength would be great because long distance throwing and hitting is essential. If you play this you should have someone older around in case you get hurt. The sliotar will be pretty hard as well as the hurley so you might get hit.
• Nick: Athletes who like fast moving games and games where you don't get serious injuries would like hurling.
• Mark: Athletes who like fast, action packed sports with sticks would love this game because it is the fastest know sport.
• Brian: Someone who likes field hockey and football would like hurling because it is a mix between both of them. Mark: Athletes who like fast, action packed sports with sticks would love this game because it is the fastest know sport.

What are your feelings about this game? Did you enjoy playing it? Would you recommend it?

• Whitney: This is a very interesting game! The are not too many rules and you can use your hands, your feet, or the hurley. I am looking forward to playing this.
• Brian: This game is the fastest team sport and I think it is very rough.
• Mark: This looks like a fun game, but I don't like sports other than ice hockey that involves taking a stick of some sort and hitting a ball across the field and into a goal.
• Sam: I think I would like the sport even though I only play soccer and lacrosse.
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Multicultural Games Unit   | Games Index |  Middle School  |  GAnet

Germantown Academy
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Ft. Washington, PA 19034
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