This article first appeared in the St. Louis Beacon, March 31, 2009 - It was only a matter of time before the hurleys began smacking the sliotars around Tower Grove Park. Yells and the thwack of large wooden bats followed as a group of more than 100 men and women fought over the soccer field. But this was not soccer. This was hurling.
Like soccer, hurling is played on a grass field, and players shoot at a similar size goal. Yet the Irish sport of hurling has differences. The ball, known as a sliotar, is not kicked, but hit with a large wooden bat called a hurley. To pass the sliotar, a teammate hits it using the hurley to a person who can catch it in the air with their hand or pick it up off the ground with their sticks.
A sliotar hit through the goal is worth three points; one hit over the goal through uprights is one point.
The St. Louis Gaelic Athletic Club's hurling teams practice every Wednesday night near the northeast end of Tower Grove Park. The practices start in late winter and last through their 12-week season.
On a recent Wednesday enough players from all six teams showed up to have six scrimmage games. Each team played two five-minute scrimmages with no fatalities and only one smashed finger.
"The first thing we teach is safety," St. Louis hurler Dave Raczkowski said.
The club teaches player how to protect their hands and keep their bodies away from the swing of the bats. All players are required to wear helmets.
"It's like soccer," Raczkowski said. "I like it because it's so fast. It's physical hitting shoulder to shoulder."
The finer points of hurling are taught as players learn the game.
"Everyone starts at the same level," hurley player Beth O'Malley said. "Even the guys who have been with the club for seven years are still learning."
Women players have even another league for playing camogie, the women's version of hurling. O'Malley started playing by joining the camogie team practices on Sunday afternoon.
The camogie team is still recruiting to fill its roster. But the co-ed hurley league has been able to form six teams. New players are always welcome to practice. A new player is required to come to two practices before he or she can play on a team.
To join, a player must buy a helmet (hockey helmets are accepted.) Once they become members, the club will provide them with hurleys and team uniforms - paid for by membership dues.
This season is the seventh year for the St. Louis club. And its 12-week season is underway.
Games are played at St. Vincent CountyPark | 7335 St. Charles Rock Rd.
On Saturday, April 4, three matches will be played:
- Match 1 -- Noon Black Thorn Pub Sons of Liberty vs. J. McGraugh's Celtics
- Match 2 -- 1:30 p.m. Amsterdam Americans vs. Tower Pub Crusaders
- Match 3 -- 3 p.m. McGurk's Pub Black Shamrocks vs. Pat's Saints
- Afterwards -- Amsterdam Tavern | 3175 Morganford
Brett Lohmeyer is a student at St. Louis Community College at Meramec and an intern with the Beacon.