Hurling is the fastest and most skilful field games in the world. It is an ancient Gaelic sport, played long before the coming of Christianity. The first great hurling hero was Setanta whose legendary adventures are taught to most Irish children in schools. Ironically, the game was banned by the Statutes of Kilkenny because of its popularity with the Normans; Kilkenny now being the masters of hurling in Ireland having won 32 All Ireland titles.

In 1884 the first All-Ireland was played and comprised teams of 21 players on each side. In those days the scoring area had 3 sections, a point could be scored either side of the main goal post once it was inside the outer goal posts, or over the crossbar of the main goal. A goal was scored in the very same fashion as it is today. However various congresses since then have arrived at the situation we have today with a point only scored over the main goals.

Hurling continues to be modernised and developed; the Playing Fields, The Gear, and the Game itself. The Sliothars and the Hurley’s have evolved over time in order to keep up with the pace of the evolution of the great Irish Game of Hurling.

A successful revival of hurling commenced in 1884 with the founding of the G.A.A. The Gaelic games are organised on a local level - the parish being the basic unit of organisation. Hence, the national games have become interwined with community spirit and local pride.