A Canadian in Ireland

Hurling is THE sport in Kilkenny.

I added some videos to the main post which should help people to understand the game. Go check them out



Watching the minor match as I'm typing. It's tied - Kilkenny 1-2 Galway 0-5.



Like any sport clean, there are injuries.

Second Half started

Kilkenny 2-05, 0-06 Galway

Final Score for the minors

Kilkenny 3-06(15), 0-13(13) Galway

Galway lead for most of the second half, but we got a point and then a last minute goal. Overall I have to say that Galway seemed to play better, we got lucky with scoring opportunities.

Senior Final is due to start in 15 minutes.

21 minutes in the 1st half

Kilkenny 2-10(16), 0-04(4) Waterford

The seniors can't seem to stop scoring.

Half Time

Kilkenny 2-16(22), 0-05(5) Waterford

Not looking good for The Déise.

48 minutes played

Kilkenny 3-20(29), 0-08(8) Waterford

I think it's all over but the shouting now.

Final Score

Kilkenny 3-30(39), 1-13(16) Waterford

Honestly, that's not how I like to see us win. I feel sorry for Waterford.

Yeah They way they can ballance the ball on the end the hurl while running on full pelt.

Whoops.

So what do you think of the real thing?

Trouble is, it's only played in Ireland.

That should guarantee us a gold.

I don't know Elly, I suppose you could try the RTE website. Seemed like there was loads of videos on YouTube too.

Seems like there are Irish pubs all over the world that will show the big matches, like the All-Ireland, for the ex-pats. That might be a place to try.

We did win! That makes 3 championships in a row and gives us the record for most championships won, 31.

Oh yes, hurlers are incredible athletes. And the lads in the championship will have played since the could hold a hurley.

But the thing I find most amazing is that they are all amateurs, they don't get paid to play.

Hurling can be a dangerous sport. The ball is hard like a baseball and they can really get it moving. I've seen them fire it from one end of the field to another, that's over 300 feet.

It's not the ball so much as the other players. They go around smashing into each other like hockey players, but without all the padding. And when they are chasing the ball, it's easy to get a knock from hurley - accidentally or otherwise.

Ah no, I wouldn't have anywhere near the skills or fitness. It's hard to explain just how obsessed some folks are. You'd have to have been playing since childhood to match most players, because that's what they've done.

But I've been to a few matches and watched loads of games on telly. Plus all my Irish relatives are hurling fanatics, so I've learned plenty from talking to them.

I think the main thing is the lack of protective gear. The players are only required to wear helmets. (Some do wear shin guards.) And even then, at Senior level the helmets are optional. Though recently they have been encouraging the older lads to all wear helmets as an example to the young players.

Doesn't seem to slow Kilkenny down. We won the Under 21 Championship today.

Thanks