Game Time

In order to get us into the really Irish spirit of things, we have been set up to do a multitude of sport activities. We had a choice to do hurling, rugby, gaelic, equestrian, sailing, surfing, and hill walking. As a group we decide to do a crash course in rugby, hurling, and gealic. Rugby was our first sport to try so a group of us hit the field and took on the challenge. When they recommended that we all buy mouth guards, we knew they weren't going to take it easy on us. We learned the basic throwing techniques, did drills, tackling skills, and rules. When all was said and done we played a mini game to become more understand of the game but of course with no blood thirsty tacking involved. It was real great time learning one of Ireland's greatest sports.

That weekend we were exposed to Ireland's top game of choice, Hurling. This game I would say is a cross between lacrosse, soccer, and a bit of baseball. Each player has a hurley, which is a wooden stick that has a flat end. The goal is to get the small ball to the opponents goalpost, where a player can either score above and between the goal posts for one point or below the goal posts into a net that is being guarded by a goal tender for three points. This may sound kind of easy but as this is being done, players are being slapped with sticks as they are trying to balance this small ball on the end of a flat stick. Player's can catch the ball but are only able to walk four steps with it in their hand before they have to throw it up and hit it away. Until recently helmets were not mandatory. It has been said that hurling is the fastest field game in the world.

The game we watched was Waterford verses Limerick. Since the teams are still in preseason alot of the rookie players got to play in order to prepare them for the season which doesn't start till summer around May or June. There are two 35 minute halves with no stops unless someone gets hurt, which there was a lot of. With in the first half of the game an ambulance had to be called to attend to one of the many injured players that day. The vulgar screaming and cheers from the crowd added to the excitement. In the end Waterfrod won 26 to 16 and the town was very happy.