Play Irish Hurling!
Intro skills classes for children 4-17 years old
Learn to play the ancient sport of Hurling! Described as “the fastest game on grass,” hurling has been played in Ireland for at least 4,000 years. It is now one of the fastest growing sports in America with new clubs sprouting up everywhere, including here in Rochester. Combining the skills learned playing lacrosse, field hockey, soccer, and baseball, hurling is a full body workout. Come learn the basic skills that it takes to begin playing the game. This four session class lays the foundation on which to build your skills in order to play the game of hurling.
*If you are interested in having your kids play, please email me at [email protected] so that I can coordinate this program to get everyone interested involved.
It is very likely I will be turning this program over to the local official Gaelic Athletic Association club. They have free programs and more for children to learn not only Irish Hurling but also Gaelic Football. Here is a link to their website for info about future youth programming. Thanks to everyone that supported this program since 2019!
The first group of kids from the Rochester area to enjoy the Irish Hurling Skills program. Spring 2019.
We grew some in spring 2021!
* no worries helmets are required and we will play no contact
A hurley stick and helmet with a face mask will be required in the event that the program expands and we play games.
A helmet with a facemask is recommended but up to parental discretion.
*I will have a limited amount of randomly sized sticks for use if you don’t have your own.
Here is a great option for purchasing a helmet. Any helmet with a face mask will do, and could be bought used, along with other equipment you might need (cup, shin guards, etc…) locally here.
Here is an option to buy a ball (called a “sliotar”, pronounced “Slit-er”) for practice at home. *Never use a baseball as it will break your stick
Here is a great option for purchasing a stick. Consider a synthetic hurl as they last longer in our climate.
Use this chart to measure for stick size. 
Just for fun, below is an awesome full match of hurling from 2016. It is the All Ireland Senior final with more people watching in Ireland than watch the Superbowl here. Enjoy!
*Warning: A player drops an “F bomb” during an interview after the match