Hurling is an outdoor team game of ancient Gaelic and Irish origin. The game has prehistoric origins, and has been played for 3,000 years. It shares a number of features with Gaelic football, such as the field and goals, the number of players, and much terminology. It is co-ordinated by the International Governing Body, the Gaelic Athletic Association.
The objective of the game is for players to use a wooden stick called a hurley to hit a small ball called a sliotar between the opponents’ goalposts either over the crossbar for one point, or under the crossbar into a net guarded by a goalkeeper for one goal, which is equivalent to three points.
The sliotar can be caught in the hand and carried for not more than four steps, struck in the air, or struck on the ground with the hurley. It can be kicked, or slapped with an open hand (the hand pass) for short-range passing.
A player who wants to carry the ball for more than four steps has to bounce or balance the sliotar on the end of the stick, and the ball can only be handled twice while in his possession.
Provided that a player has at least one foot on the ground, a player may make a shoulder to shoulder charge on an opponent:
- who is in possession of the ball, or
- who is playing the ball, or
- when both players are moving in the direction of the ball to play it.
No protective padding is worn by players. A plastic protective helmet with a faceguard is mandatory for all age groups.
The final of the All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship was listed in second place by CNN in its “10 sporting events you have to see live”, after the Olympic Games and ahead of both the FIFA World Cup and UEFA European Football Championship.
Our member, the Provincial Council of Britain Gaelic Athletic Association is responsible for the regulation of competitions for hurling at club, county and university level.
In addition to delivering hurling games in the traditional competition formats of league and championship; age specific and skill based games and competitions are also played with a view to developing players confidence and skills as they mature in their journey as a hurling player.
Examples of hurling coaching pathways are set out in the links below:
Youth Participation Games, Super Games Centres, Talent Academies, Go Games
Britain GAA Strategic Plan:
Empowering Participation, Preserving Heritage 2024-2026
All Britain Club Hurling Championship Roll of Honour:
*From 2004 London senior champions no longer eligible to compete in provincial competition – they competed in the All Ireland IHC
*From 2004 Provincial winners went into All Ireland JHC
1964 – Brian Boru, London
1965 – St Finbarrs, Warwickshire
1966 – St Finbarrs, Warwickshire
1967 – Brian Boru, London
1968 – Cuchulainns, London
1969 – St Chads, Warwickshire
1970 – Eire Og, Hertfordshire
1971 – John Mitchels, Warwickshire
1972 – TBC
1973 – Brothers Pearse, London
1974 – St Gabriels, London
1975 – Brian Boru, London
1976 – St Gabriels, London
1977 – St Gabriels, London
1978 – St Gabriels, London
1979 – TBC
1980 – Brian Boru, London
1981 – St Gabriels, London
1982 – TBC
1983 – Desmonds, London
1984 – St Gabriels, London
1985 – Desmonds, London
1986 – St Gabriels, London
1987 – TBC
1988 – Desmonds, London
1989 – Desmonds, London
1990 – St Gabriels, London
1991 – Sean Treacys, London
1992 – Desmonds, London
1993 – Sean Treacys, London
1994 – Sean Treacys, London
1995 – St Gabriels, London
1996 – St Gabriels, London
1997 – St Gabriels, London
1998 – Brothers Pearse, London
1999 – St Gabriels, London
2000 – Fr Murphys, London
2001 – Fr Murphys, London
2002 – Sean Treacys, London
2003 – Fr Murphys, London
2004 – John Mitchels, Warwickshire
2005 – Thomas McCurtains, London
2006 – Erin Go Bragh, Warwickshire
2007 – Brothers Pearse, London
2008 – John Mitchels, Warwickshire
2009 – John Mitchels, Warwickshire
2010 – Fullen Gaels, Lancashire
2011 – Fullen Gaels, Lancashire
2012 – Fullen Gaels, Lancashire
2013 – Fullen Gaels, Lancashire
2014 – Fullen Gaels, Lancashire
2015 – Fullen Gaels, Lancashire
2016 – Fullen Gaels, Lancashire
2017 – Brothers Pearse , Yorkshire
2018 – John Mitchels, Warwickshire
2019 – John Mitchels, Warwickshire
2020 – Covid
2021 – Fullen Gaels, Lancashire
2022 – Kilburn Gaels, London
2023 – Sean Treacys, London
2024 – Father Murphys, London
2025 – Thomas McCurtains, London
