Americans Watch Hurling For The First Time

"It's like field hockey, except they beat the crap out of each other"...

Facts on social networks :

Behind the video :
We found some American tourists and decided to test their knowledge on one of Ireland's national sports, hurling.
Their reactions were comical!

Credits :
Produced by Creative Nation
Music licensed from AudioMicro

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[cianmeaney]

Everyone is saying that hurling is a mix of different sports when hurling was made first

[yesezra]

For anyone not Irish here, they do not get paid at all to play, its based on pride and passion for the sport. No salary, no wage, just passion

[OGIEEGGNOG]

Hurling is different compared to football and American football for a number of reasons.
1: These players aren't on big salaries, it's an amateur sport. Most of them are like bankers or guards.
2. Every Irish man or woman is born to play either hurling or gaelic football, it's definitely the number 1 sport in Ireland.
3. Each player plays for their own county and town. No transfers.
We play the game out of pride, not for anything else. It's the best game.

[rikspilz]

This video could quite legitimately be called 'Anyone who isn't Irish watch hurling for the first time'

[IrishModelRail]

"How would you break that?" Jaysus, we break shticks every match!

[AnGhaeilge]

Every Irish guy has played hurling at some point of their lives. Be it in school, or competitively. For those who have not - the ball (sliotar) is hard as fuck. It's hit at seriously high speeds, and if it hits you - it stings like fuck. The stick (hurley) is made from ash wood, and you're guaranteed to be hit in the shins, knees, arms, face and elbows by them. Repetitively. 

My memories of playing hurling as a kid involve getting my shins battered in on a December morning, on a sludgey field with the air so cold you can see your breath. 

It's worth noting - it's an amateur sport. 80, 000 people fill a stadium for the all-Ireland finals. One of the most successful amateur sports on the planet. 

[joshdoyle]

This is so cringe worthy if you are from Ireland

[wanderingwade]

"Hurling is halfway between field hockey and murder." -Jason Statham's character in one of his movies.

[AaronLoLlololol]

Imagine how they would react to before they had to wear helmets 😂

[gouch]

Gaelic football and hurling deserves way more recognition worldwide than it already has! Gaelic football and hurling are up there with the best sports in the world, if not, they are the best sports this planet has to offer.

You have to remember, this is an amateur sport! These lads are going out and getting battered a bruised, not to get paid, but to play for the love of the sport and to represent their club and county teams and to feel the pride and joy it brings with it! After their game these men have to get up the next morning to go to work all week to earn there weeks wages on top of training during the week!

Each weekend a Gaelic football or hurling game is played, it brings out thousands of supporters to cheer on their county! And then the All-Ireland Gaelic football and hurling semi-finals and finals bring out 80, 000+ of the most passionate fans in the world to the fourth biggest stadium in Europe to cheer on their county! 80, 000+ fans for an amateur sport! It just goes to show, there's a lot to be said for this wonderful spot!

It makes me proud to be Irish!

[mattm]

These are non-sports fan Americans. Those of us who watch sports, especially football or hockey, would not cringe at contact between players.

[MrVirobot]

I was flipping channels one day and caught this on Sportsnet and watched the whole game. I try to watch it whenever I can. it's a very exciting sport to watch.

Thank you Ireland! From: Canada.

[hollieaudsley]

As an Irish person this is cringey and difficult to watch 😬😂Irish ppl where yo at 😂

[feidhelmofoghladha]

The best game in the world, I am humbled and proud to play

[marcellaveto]

I'd watch this over baseball every time.

[mindseyeopened]

It's like watching drunk people play lacrosse

[effbracken]

I don't think they realised the importance of that match, due to the fact it was kilkenny v Tipperary! They all seemed scandalised by the violence, obviously cause they're used to their players wearing tons of protective gear!

[SCREEVER]

Everyone is saying that “as an Irish person this is so cringe.”

Well, as an American this makes me cringe also. Americans... 🤫😬

[stoneman]

"A cross between Hockey and murder"
-Jason Stathen

[RavensSarora]

You want to discreetly kill someone? Challenge them to a game of Hurling.