Silver GAA Hurley Silver Pendant - Hurling

Hurling Iománaíocht in Irish) is the official national sport of Ireland. It is the fastest played outdoor team game in the world. Hurling has been played for at least 3,000 years.

Hurling is played between 2 teams of 15 players each, the aim is to use a wooden stick called a hurley (camán in Irish) to hit a small ball, called a sliotar between the opposite goalposts, either over the crossbar which scores a point, or under the cross bar which scores a goal (worth 3 points)

The sliotar can be caught in the hand and carried for not more than four steps, struck in the air, or struck on the ground with the hurley. It can be kicked or slapped with an open hand (the hand pass) for short-range passing.

Hurling is played throughout the world whereever there is Irish Disapora.

At grassroots level hurling is played by clubs from parishes and villages throughout the country. The best players play for their county team and each summer the county team battle it out in the All-Ireland Hurling Championships for the Liam McCarthy cup, the highlight of which is the All-Ireland final played on the 1st Sunday in each September.

Traditionally the stronger counties include Kilkenny, Tipperary and Cork who have won the most All-Ireland's. Other hurling counties of note are Waterford, Clare, Limerick, Wexford, Offaly, Dublin, Galway and Antrim. There is a concerted effort being made to raise the standard of hurling in the weaker counties to make them  more competitive.