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Essay on About Hurling

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About Hurling

We like to boast that hurling is the oldest field game in Europe. It is also recognised as the fastest field game in the world. Records show evidence that the game was a regular pastime in Ireland for well over 2,000 years. It was a common way to train ancient warriors for battle. Even the Vikings tried their hand at the sport when they visited our land!

· The Basics of the game

Game Basics: A hurling game is played on a grass field with goals at either end. It is contested by two teams of 15 players per team. The tools of the game include a hurling stick, simply known as a 'hurley', and a small ball called a sliotar. The game is comprised of two halves, 30-35 minutes …show more content…

The linesmen, one on either side of the playing field assist the referee, their main function being to watch for when the ball goes out of play on either side. The linesmen also assist when substitutions are being made and help the referee to keep control over the game.

The umpires are placed at the goal areas, two at either end of the field. They signal when a team scores, a white flag for one point and a green flag for one goal (3 points). They also signal when the ball goes out of play over the end line.

· The Teams

Each game is contested by two teams. Each team has a total of 15 players (sometimes reduced in European games) and is allowed a maximum of five substitutions during the game. In the case of extra-time three more substitutions are allowed. Both teams wear their registered distinctive team colours, and if both teams have similar colours they must change to their alternative colours. In the case of the goalkeepers, they must wear a colour different to that of their own team and of the other team.

Unlike sports such as soccer for example, in hurling the teams normally line-out in a stricter format much like this:

Goal keeper

Right Full Back

Center Full Back

Left Full Back

Right Half Back

Center Half Back

Left Half Back

Right Midfield - Left

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