Hurling
Hurling is an ancient Gaelic team sport played with wooden sticks called hurleys and a small leather ball called a sliotar. Players score by hitting the ball through goalposts, either over the crossbar for one point or into the net for three.
AT A GLANCE
- ERA
- Traditional
- ORIGIN
- Ireland
- PLAYERS
- 30 on pitch (15/side)
- EQUIPMENT
- Hurley, sliotar
- PLAYING AREA
- 135–145 × 88–90 m
- DURATION
- 70 min (2 × 35 min)
- GOVERNING BODY
- GAA
- OLYMPIC
- No
Scoring at a glance
| Action | Points |
|---|---|
| Over the crossbar (point) | 1 point |
| Into the net (goal) | 3 points |
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| c. 5th century | Earliest written legal references to hurling in Irish Brehon Law. |
| 1884 | Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) founded in Thurles to codify rules. |
| 1887 | Inaugural All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship played. |
| 2018 | Hurling inscribed on UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage list. |
How a game works
Two teams of 15 players use a wooden stick called a hurley to pass, carry, and strike a leather ball called a sliotar. Players can catch the ball or balance it on the hurley while running, but cannot pick it up directly off the ground by hand. A player may take a maximum of four steps while carrying the ball.
Scoring in one line
Striking the sliotar between the opponent's upright posts and over the crossbar awards 1 point, while putting it into the net past the goalkeeper awards 1 goal (worth 3 points).
Where it came from
Hurling has been played in Ireland for over two millennia, featuring prominently in ancient Gaelic heroic tales and early law codes. It shares historic roots with Scottish shinty and was officially standardized in 1884 by the Gaelic Athletic Association to safeguard native Irish sporting traditions.
Hurling today
Governed globally by the GAA, hurling remains a strictly amateur sport, even while filling stadiums like Croke Park with over 80,000 spectators for the All-Ireland Final. It is widely recognized as one of the fastest field sports in the world.
Run a Hurling tournament
Brackets, fixtures and standings in your browser — 2 × 35 min.
FAQ
Is hurling an Olympic sport?
No, hurling is not an Olympic sport, though it featured as an unofficial demonstration sport at the 1904 Summer Olympics in St. Louis.
What is the difference between hurling and camogie?
Camogie is the women's equivalent of hurling. Both sports use the same pitch, hurleys, and sliotars, with minor differences in game duration and hand-passing rules.
How many players are on a hurling team?
Each team fields 15 players on the pitch, consisting of one goalkeeper, six defenders, two midfielders, and six forwards.