Galway: Gaillimh Abú

My fellow Americans, you have never (and I mean never) witnessed a sport as exciting and confusing as the sport called Abú (a.k.a. Hurling). What is perhaps the oldest field game in the world, Hurling is a game steeped in tradition, going all the way back to the Celts. To and outsider, the game and everything involved with it looks like a combination of field hockey, lacrosse, baseball, rugby and maybe even soccer (thrown in for good measure!). So yeah, it was a bit confusing. However, one cannot show up in Ireland without witnessing a Hurling match. 

Hurley, or camán

This is the hurley, the stick used in Abú. Players can carry it with them and use it to either pick the ball up off of the field, or they can use it to hit he ball, or sliotar, across field or to attempt to score. The scoring is a bit different than one might expect. The goal looks like a soccer goal and a football goal post glued together. In effect, it looks like a rugby goal, but with a net. 

Hurling goal

The game is played on a pitch that is about 145m x 90m. Each team must have fifteen players. The scoring and match officials are similar to those used in Gaelic Soccer, another sport that is regulated by GAA, the Gaelic Athletic Association. The rules of the game are as follows: a player may pick up the ball with his hurley (stick) and carry it for no more than four consecutive steps, after which point he must bounce the ball on the hurley and may restart the four step rule, or, he must strike it away. One can only bounce the ball and catch it twice, after which point the player must get rid of the ball. There are two ways to score points in hurling: striking the ball between the vertical posts and over the horizontal post to get a single point. Or, striking the ball into the net for three points.  

Regulation set-up for a Hurling match

Now, hurling is a sport that is deeply in-bedded in the Irish sporting culture. It is a sport that brings people, whole communities, together. Galway City's team played in the Hurling Championship Finals yesterday, against the reigning champions Kilkenny. The excitement in the city was palpable, everyone was in Eyre Square to support their boys. 

Galway supporters flock to Eyre Square, flying their colors 

It was reminiscent of being on the subway after a Yankee game, we were packed into the square like sardines. A large screen was set up, there were MC's and TV crews, even a drone was looping around the square to take aerial views of the crowd! It was the event of the month! After the first half (each half is 30 minutes of constant play) Galway was leading by slim margins, but leading nonetheless! Unfortunately, Galway was denied the title, one which they hadn't been able to get so close to in about twenty-seven years. But not to worry, the team is still loved and supported wholeheartedly by one and all! 

Half-time in Eyre Square