The morning call., 1895-01-13
HURLlNG.
An Old Gaelic Game That Will Soon
Be PLAYED in This Citv.

1
| The old Gaelic game of hurting is about to be
| introduced here. Fifty hurleys arrived in this
| city on Wednesday last from Cork, Ireland,
directed to the managers OF tile Gaelic Football
| League, aud from the measures taken by the
| managers of the league toward the introduce
ton of the sport, there is every reason TO hope
| that the game will prove the most attractive OF
any of our outdoor amusements
Hurting is game that has been played by all
Kinds aud conditions OF Gaels since the most
remote periods of its Introduction into Ireland.
Whatever differences OF opinion may obtain
as TO the time OF its introduction or those from
whom 1t was derived none whatever exists as
| TO the fact of its being the nation game OF
1rtshmen before and since the arrival OF the
Danes in the tenth century.
Several localities in Ireland are famous for
the hnrlers they have produced or The great
contes which, according TO tradition, had
been held there. The plain of Clontorf, near
Dublin, was famous place for the gathering
of the Gaelic hurlers In ancient times, and no
doubt many Gael received bis quletuS on the
historic ground.
Cashel in Tipperary, was another great
meeting place, as was Brunee in Limerick,
and Cork ana Kerry, then as now. were not
behind when IL came to furnishing players of
note.
The game. like everything human, has
changed with time. IL the old days as many as
fifty or seventy players were side, and, the
ground being III proportion, the game was usu-
ally decided in favor or the side which was
fortunate enough TO secure the first goal. A
goal III those days consisted in carrying or
playing the ball between TWO prominent land
marks, as trees. ETC., which marks would some
times be TWO or three miles distant from the
point where the play started. They started
early. these old-tmers did; IL O'clock noon
waS the usual time. and the game was cOntin-
ued, as intimated, until one side or the other
scored goal.
The games were usually held when the moon
was full and many instances are on record of
games lasting all through a moonlight night
ana we'll into the forenoon of the following day.
Toward the close OF the sixteenth century a
pyaQ n UAh an In
between the counties of Dublin and Wexford
which lasted Two days or more, and many
players were Killed. About the beginning OF
this century great game was played near
Kllmallocb, in Limerick, between the three
and four year olds. rival organizations between
which ieud OF many years standing existed.
they played until dark and the night being
cloudy no decision could be had as TO who were
really the Vlctors This made matters worse
and the OLD feud was kent up for many wears
disappearing IN the early fortIes.
During the Penal days hurting was prohibited
In many places under pain of death, and. as a
result. games between parishes or townlands
by moonlight became very popular. Many per-
sons now living can remember having heard
their fathers tell about the hurting games they
participated In by moonlight not so long ago.
But alas the advance OF civilization has
changed all this, aud We no longer hear of the
heroic side OF hurting. The game still retains
The essential features OF the game OF old, but all
the barshness is removed.
Some len or twelve years ago Michael Davitt
placed himself at the he ID OF a movement for
The cultivation and preservation OF the Gaelic
sports and pastimes, which bad fallen into
decay. He organized the Garlic Athletic AS
ISOLATION, published rules governing all kinds
OF games and contests of Gaelic origin
and established a permanent Headquarters
of the society in Dublin. where a central coun-
ell composed of one delegate from every
county. legislate for the ASSOCIATION. and cham
pionshtp games OF all kinds are held in Dublin
or vicinity every year In handDall, football.
hurting. running. jumping, ETC., for which The
successful contestants receive gold and silver
medals. aud which are more highly priced by
Brtisher
The arrival of the sticks" from the could
sod marks an era for the Gaels Their coming
has been anticipated, however, and two hurt.
ing teams are ready 10 commence operations ar
once. The game requires some practice, how.
eyer, and the managers have selected Sunday,
FEBRUARY "A, as tie date for the first appear.
ance OF the hurlers. The hurley used resembles
the sticks used In the American game of
sninney, only they are much heavier and
broader Oh the end. The ball used is abour
the same size and shape as that affected nv
baseball players, SO II may be noted thai a good
nuIisr mas need OF quick eye and steady hand,
also ne mus be good runner and be able To-
handle himself in crowd In such a manner AZ
not to endangrr his opponent unnecessarily.
EieVeh players constitute team, placed in
posiiions somewhat similar TO those of PLAYERS
10 Gaeiic football, The goals are the same for
potn games, as is also the time OF NAV one honr
dEiuea INTO nali OF 80 minutes each The rules
and allow much moro freedom of action TO The
individual. Still with all this freedom serim
hi asso are l.euueht and sometimes dangerous
Two cams 10 play the game have been or
gained, and great interest is taken in Ihe ,lmn
lanes they may adopt ~
IA Al IL persons DESTROYS OF becoming expert at
ms me game are directed 10 Apply 10 Manager
Palmer on the grounds at Central Park.
ne football game OF to-day Will be between
I'M, me, Enmels ana San Franclscos. The latter
Team mas been strengthened very much by the
addition OF some of the ex-giants from PORT
Costa, VINO are now residents of this city,
among Wnom may be mentioned: P. Iobin,