Today the All Ireland Hurling Final takes place in Croke Park, Dublin. Hurling is a field game unique to Ireland and has led to rivalry between towns and villages around Ireland for generations. Last year I wrote about hurling and a brief history of the game. For any of you who may have never seen a game of hurling it is well worth a look, you don't have to understand the rules to appreciate the speed and skill needed to play the game. Being a hurler also requires a fearless nature, considering your opponent could be running at you with a large wooden stick and great speed! Once you see a game of hurling and you'll wonder how there aren't more injuries especially considering headgear only became compulsory in recent years!
Here's the post I wrote about hurling last year. This year the two teams in the final are Galway and Kilkenny.
Custom Jewelry Silver Hurley and Sliotar Tie Pin
This weekend the hurling all Ireland final will be played in Croke Park in Dublin. As you might know hurling is a traditional Irish field game which play using a hurley stick and a small ball called a sliotar (pronounced slit-or).
If you've ever seen a game of hurling you won't be surprised to hear that it's the fastest field game in the world!
The game is also thought to be one of the oldest sports in the world, going back almost 3,000 years. Hurling has also been described in Irish legends, the famous warrior Cuchulainn got his name after he killed a fierce dog by driving a "sliotor" (Hurling ball) down his throat.
The game was played in the Middle Ages when neighboring villages would play each other often with teams of up to 30 men taking part. In 1884 the GAA was formed and so began the practice of counties competing against each other under set rules. The first all Ireland final took place in 1887 in Birr, Co. Offaly with Co. Tipperary defeating Co.Galway.
This weekend Tipperary takes on Kilkenny, with the winners taking home the Liam McCarthy cup.
If you would like a piece of jewelry made to symbolize your favorite sport you can contact me through our Custom Jewelry page.