Hurling is a traditional Gaelic sport that in some way resembles hockey, however with the football-like pitch. The game dates back to about 2000 BC and is extremely popular with both the Irish and tourists. Annually during the hurling season, there is a big competition held on the whole island with the major event held in Dublin.
Hurling Season at Croke Park (January-March)
Dublin hurling season usually runs from January to March. You can watch professional play in Croke Park, a Gaelic games stadium in Dublin. Named after Archbishop Thomas Croke, the venue is the principal national stadium of Ireland. Croke Park also serves as the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) headquarters, where annual Gaelic football and hurling championships have been held since 1891. Those who want to know more about Gaelic Sports can visit the GAA Museum in the Cusack Stand of Croke Park, offering a comprehensive history of the games, its impact on Irish culture and Ireland's rich athletic heritage. Outside the season, another occasion to watch the game is the All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship summer event, with finals taking place in July.
All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship (July 23, 2024)
The Finals of the All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship, held every summer, is the culmination of the annual hurling competition, which has been held since 1887 by the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA). Top hurling teams in Ireland compete for the Liam MacCarthy Cup on a straight knockout basis, so a team's first loss eliminates them from the championship. Qualification is decided in 3 feeder competitions: the Leinster Senior Hurling Championship, the Munster Senior Hurling Championship, and the lower-tier Joe McDonagh Cup. The Munster and Leinster champions gain automatic admission to the All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship semi-finals, where they are joined by the two teams outside these competitions. The All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship Final is a truly exciting event, listed in second place by CNN in its "10 sporting events you have to see live."
