History

Hurling was first mentioned in a description of the 13th century Battle of Moytura where the mythical Tuatha Dé Danann defeated the Fir Bolg in a match and, later, in a battle. Hurling has also been mentioned in several other old Irish sources since and the game has enjoyed popularity through the ages.

The strongest hurling teams have come from the counties of Cork, Kilkenny, Tipperary and Wexford but teams such as Clare, Galway, Limerick, Offaly and Waterford have become prominent or re-ermerged since the 1980s. County Antrim in northeast Ireland is considered an isolated "hurling county" but has never won the Liam McCarthy Cup.

Significant hurling matches are those between the counties of Ireland in each of the four national provinces. Up to the end of the 1990s, the provincial champions played-off in the semi-finals for the right to compete in the All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship final that takes place annually in September at Croke Park in Dublin. In recent times the championship has opened up to include a group stage and quarter-finals.

Since 1884, hurling has been governed by the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA). The most important match is the GAA All-Ireland Intercounty Championship which takes place annually in a modified knock-out format. The final matches are played at Croke Park and regularly attract attendances of up to 80,000 people.