Support Us Button Widget

Catch the Gaelic game of hurling in Kansas City

We’re breaking down the Irish sport of hurling including its rules and where you can catch a game.

A worn white ball with curved stitching like a baseball lies on a pitch of sunny grass.

The ball is called a sliotar, pronounced “slit-er.”

Photo by Adrian via Pexels

Table of Contents

There are many ways to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day, but have you heard about hurling? No, not that kind of hurling. We’re talking about the Irish sport.

What is hurling?

This ancient Gaelic game is the national sport of Ireland and looks a bit like field hockey played with a baseball.

Players use a wooden stick to pass and score points by shooting through the opponent’s goalpost. Players use the stick (called a hurl or hurley) to hit and balance the ball (called a sliotar).

Want to learn all the official rules? Check out the US Gaelic Athletic Association (USGAA).

Get involved

Whether you want to hurl yourself onto the field or be a spectator, the Kansas City Gaelic Athletic Club has you covered. Scope out the competition, as well as other Gaelic sports, with the USGAA’s interactive map.

More from KCtoday
Step into the Augusts of Kansas City’s past with archived photos from the 1920s to the 1960s.
Bookmark this guide for a curated list of events taking place each month that we’re most looking forward to.
It’s the end of the line for our series tracing the eight new Main Street Extension stops before passenger service kicks off in October.
Chiefs glory, Royals rebuilds, and a brand-new soccer stadium put Kansas City sports in the AI sweet spot.
Want to embrace your wildflower side? Here’s resources and tips to transform your grassy lawn into a native plant wonderland.
Explore local u-pick fields, subscriptions, and workshops to gather new blooms this season.
It’s almost time to celebrate all things KC with an all-day party.
From Blue Springs to Shawnee, we’re giving you all the pertinent details about some of the school districts in and around Kansas City.
To help make your entire process at KCI as smooth as possible, we’ve created a guide that covers everything from gates and parking to its nonstop flights.
It’ll be known as more than just a parking garage by the time this transformation is complete.