Is hurling the fastest field sport in the world? (THE TRUTH)

If you have always wondered if hurling is the fastest field sport in the world, then read on for the truth unveiled.

Hurling is a traditional Irish sport that is well-known across the country for its speed, skill and physicality. In fact, many people in Ireland have taken on this fast sport as a serious hobby. Thus, it has become engrained in Irish culture. 

However, over the years, there has been some debate as to whether it is, in fact, the fastest field sport in the world. This is why we are here to unveil the honest answer to the main question. 

So, if you are an avid hurler or are curious about the sport, you might be interested to know if hurling is the fastest field sport in the world or if it is all a myth. Let’s take a look. 

Meanwhile in Ireland’s fun facts about hurling:

• Hurling is an ancient Irish sport, one of the oldest sports in the world, dating back more than 3,000 years.
• Hurling teams are made up of 15 players on each team, divided into forwards, midfielders, and defenders.
• Hurling equipment is made up of a wooden stick (hurl or hurley) per player and a sliotar (small ball). Players all wear protective headgear and sometimes mouthguards. 
• While hurling is a fast-paced, physical sport, there are rules in place to limit dangerous contact. For example, players are not allowed to tackle.
• Much like Gaelic football, hurling is one of the biggest sports in Ireland and the country’s national sport.
• The best place to watch a hurling match is at Dublin’s Croke Park. This is the iconic headquarters of the GAA (Gaelic Athletic Association). 

The history of hurling – a traditional Irish sport

Hurling is an iconic sport which dates back thousands of years – to 1200 BC, to be precise, making it a prominent part of the Irish sports culture. 

Hurling has a rich cultural history within the country, with many people either playing the sport or watching the sport, meaning it is a game that brings the nation together. 

Believe it or not, in early times in Ireland, hurling was played as a way to settle disagreements between tribes, and because of the skill involved, it was also a way to toughen up warriors in time for battle. 

The GAA (Gaelic Athletic Association) was founded in 1884, and it aimed to promote Irish sport and culture, which go hand in hand. 

The sport has made its way around the world thanks to Irish immigrants who took their skills and traditions with them, so it is not uncommon to spot a GAA club in the far corners of the world. 

The first All-Ireland Hurling Championship took place in 1887. Since then, the game has grown increasingly in popularity, now being one of the most popular sports in the country alongside football, camogie and rugby. 

The game is seen as a symbol of Irish culture, heritage and identity, and it is not uncommon to see county flags flying proudly from houses throughout the country. So you could say a strong sense of Irish pride is involved in the sport, too. 

With that in mind, many still wonder, is hurling the fastest field sport in the world?

READ MORE: 10 facts about hurling you never knew

Is hurling the fastest field sport in the world? – the truth

Hurling is indeed one of the fastest sports in the world, but is hurling the fastest field sport in the world? 

This 3,000-year-old game is Ireland’s national sport, and it is played by those with a fantastic set of skills, a need for speed and incredible physicality, making it a remarkable sport to watch and participate in. 

There are many other sports out there which are said to be fast field sports, such as rugby, lacrosse and field hockey, but hurling is considered the fastest field sport in the world. 

While some may argue that these other sports can be played at a faster pace, it cannot be denied that hurling is played incredibly fast. 

Believe it or not, the sliotar (ball used in hurling) can travel up to 120 km (75 mph), making it the fastest-moving ball of any sport and one you don’t want to get in the way of. 

Read: Check out Meanwhile in Ireland’s article on the ten fastest field sports in the world

What makes hurling unique – a combination of components

What makes hurling unique as a field sport is the combination of the components. This includes the players’ skills and agility, compared to other sports.

In addition, this game also features intense physical contact, which adds to its uniqueness in combination with its speed, making it an unparalleled sport. 

Some people consider field hockey the fastest field sport in the world, but while both are extremely fast-paced sports, the overall aspects of hurling as a game make it the fastest. 

Hurling is known for its speed and intensity. The main difference between the two games is that hurling allows the ball to be caught and hit in the air. Meanwhile, in field hockey, the ball must be kept on the ground. 

Due to this, hurling is regarded as the fastest field sport in the world since it allows players to move fluidly around the field, which adds to its already fast-paced nature. And that is the truth!

Notable mentions

Agility: Hurling requires a high level of agility. Players must be skilful, make fast manoeuvres, and make their moves efficiently. Players can run up to 12 km per game, which adds to the fact that this is a swift sport.

Physicality: This fast and intense game is hugely based on physicality. Players are always in a position to gain control of the ball. 

Speed: This is one of the fastest-moving ball sports in the world. The sliotar can reach up to 160 kph (100 mph), which is just incredible in the world of sport. 

Record: The fastest shot ever recorded was hit by TJ Reid of Kilkenny against Limerick in the 2014 GAA All Ireland Senior Hurling Championship semi-final. Here, a crazy speed of 181.1 kph (112.5 mph) was measured.

Your questions answered about this topic 

If you still have questions, we have you covered! In this section, we’ve compiled some of our readers’ most frequently asked questions about this topic.

What is the fastest field game? 

The quickest field game is hurling, while some say field hockey, which can also have speeds of up to 100mph. 

Is hurling the most skilful sport in the world? 

Yes, with the combination of the speed, the skills of the players and the physical contact, hurling could be the most skilful sport in the world.

How fast is a hurling ball? 

A hurling ball, also known as a sliotar, has the potential to travel at speeds up to 160kph (100mph). Plus, players can hit the ball up to 90 m (295 ft). 

Is hurling faster than lacrosse? 

Yes, it is faster than lacrosse, mainly due to the smaller field size and the speed of the sliotar. 

So, there you have the truth about hurling. Is hurling the fastest field sport in the world? Yes, and it is also one of the most skilful and unique sports engrained in Irish culture and heritage. No wonder Ireland is so proud of one of its national Gaelic sports.