Waterbury evening Democrat., 1895-01-12
LETTERS FROM THEPEOPLe
The FIrstAHurling :datch at HOboken,
 N. N., In 1850.

The FIrstAHurling :Mstoh at Hoboken,
 N. N., In 1856.
 Editor of the DEMOCRAT:
 Dear Sir-In a recent issue of the DEM ocRAT an article appeared, which says the game of hurling first found favor in Ameri- ca in Chicago. This is not SO. The first Irish hurling club was organized at Richard Oulahan's, corner of Madison and Jackson streets, Hoboken, in 1856, and on Christmas day. under the superintendence of Captain Maurice Walsh. played the first hurling match on St Johns cricket field. The players having been selected five goals were played, in splendid style, after which several matches of foot ball chms of. Having enjoyed a rare days sport, the spectators, were much delighted with their initiating match. The club played their second game on St Patrick's day, '57. St Patrick's day, 1858, was celebrated in the same true old national style-the game having been played by forty-two hurlers as fleet, as athletic and as active as I ever saw pitted against each other on the old sod. The match was between the married and single men. The bachelors wore white shirts, while their opponents were dressed in red. At 12 o'clock the ball was tossed up and the hurl bats came at once into knotty requIsition The play ing was energetic, scientific and desperate ly contested throughout the whole ot the first goal. Neither side Jagged for second during the entire game. Tue pluck, endurance and athletic prowess displayed seemed to astonish the large crowd who had assembled to witness the sport. Both parties appeared to be equally matched. At one time the reds would drive the ball up the goal though every inch of ground was gallantly con- tested. Then came the conquering struggle. All the activity and energy of the hurlers were brought into full play. As a beleaguered garrison would cluster to the breach on the approach of a storming party, so would the whites rally around their man who, like a sentinel at hls post, stood at the goal with poised hurl bat to intercept the ball. then after an exciting struggle away flew the ball and the reds had to look out for the protection of their own goal. For an hour and three quarters, during which this exciting con- test lasted, victory would now incline to one side and again to to the other. when finally the unmarried players succeeded in driv- ing the ball through the goal of their op- ponents. Then rose that defiant Irish cheer which so often rang along the hurl- ing grounds of the old land. and high in the air flew the hurl bats of the conquer ors.
 After a pause of about twenty minutes the second game commenced, and was played with the same spirit and indomit- able energy for about two hours and a half when 1t was withdrawn as neither party, so equally were they matched, could obtain the victory. The goals were so constructed and the players so skillfull and plucky, that 1t was almost a mere chance to get the ball through.
 This national game of ours is one fit for heroes-it is a species of mimic welfare. in which men alone can join. We must not despair of the future of & nation that can breed such hardy and stalwart sons. Let them enjoy and cultivate their national amusements in this free land. They will keep their muscles strong, their lungs sound. and their arms vigorous to strike a blow some day. perhaps. with something sharper than 8 hurl, for the green island of their berth. but above all let these games be played with the same chivalry and good feeling which marked the contest on St Patrick's Day on the Hoboken ground in 1858. w.