Hurling

Hurling is an ancient Irish team sport. A team is made up of 15 players, one of whom is the goalkeeper. It is a stick and ball sport, the sticks are called hurls, hurleys, or camáns, depending on where in Ireland you come from. The ball has a leather cover over cork, and has very pronounced stitching. It is called a sliothar, occasionally it may be referred to as a puck.

Senior games last 70 minutes, divided into two halves of 35 minutes. Lower levels play for 60 minutes. Stoppage time may be added at the end of each half, this is up to the referee.

A point is scored by sending the sliotar between the opposition's goal posts, but over the bar. A goal, worth 3 points, is scored when the ball goes beneath the crossbar. A white flag is raised by the umpire to signal a point, a green flag signals a goal.

The major hurling competition is the Senior All-Ireland Championship, which is held every year in Ireland. The finals are take place in Croke Park, Dublin. The current champions are Kilkenny.

There are also competition at minor and U-21 level, as well as a league. Women play a version of hurling known as camogie, although some of the rules are different.