Hurling: World's Fastest Game Trivia Quiz

Answer: Goalkeeper

There are 15 players on a hurling team, the goalkeeper, three in the full back line, three in the half back line, two in midfield, three in the half forward line, and three in the full forward line. The positions are generally very fixed, but in recent times more modern techniques have introduced positions such as the sweeper, who is a forward who falls back to midfield to gather the ball.

Answer: Ash

Hurleys are quite difficult to make, and they are only made from ash wood as it is the most supple wood available. The wood used to make the hurleys has to be very supple, as if it were too inflexible, the hurley would be quite brittle and would break easily.

As it is, hurleys do break quite a lot, and they are in constant demand. Hurley making is quite a master craft, and a really good hurley is hard to find and treasured once it is found.

Answer: Sideline Cut

This maneuver requires a great deal of skill, with some players able to make it almost as valuable as a free puck. In 2005, the G.A.A. pioneered a new rule which meant that a ball going over the bar from a sideline cut would be worth two points; however, it did not integrate well, and was dropped the same season.

Answer: Hooking

Hooking is a very useful technique which can be very effective when used properly. However, one must be careful of the opponent's backswing, which can quite often follow through and hit you on the arm or in the midriff. Blocking is another defensive technique which requires you to be in front of the attacker, whereby you bring your hurley down on his, preventing him from swinging.

Answer: Soloing

Soloing is one of the harder elements of hurling. It requires one to have an excellent sense of balance and very good hand/eye co-ordination. However, once developed it is a very useful skill and can be used to get out of many tricky situations. It is an excellent move for turning defensive play into attacking play.

Answer: Gaelic Athletic Association

The Gaelic Athletic Association was founded in 1884 as part of the Gaelic cultural revival. It not only promoted the sports, but also Irish music, dance and language. It is a hugely successful organization, with branches in nearly every village in Ireland, both north and south.

Answer: Gaelic Players Association

The Gaelic Players Association was founded to look after the interests of players, as many felt hard done by by the county boards and by the central board of the G.A.A. who have received grants from the government for the players. However, the players never saw any of the money and as a result. The G.P.A. was set up to ensure the players were not exploited further.

Answer: Tipperary by a goal and a point

The All Ireland competition is over one hundred years old, and has seen many strange and wonderful matches. However, one of the strangest was the 1890 final (played on 16th November 1890), between Cork and Wexford. The Cork team and managers walked off the pitch, complaining that the Wexford team was too rough. On consideration, the officials agreed with them and awarded the match to Cork, leaving the game unfinished (Cork were actually winning by a point at the time of the stoppage!).

It would never be allowed these days!

Answer: Taoiseach

Lynch was an amazing hurling player, winning five All-Ireland medals, and six medals at a provincial level. He was named on a 'team of the century' in 1984, and just after his death in 1999 he was named on the 'team of the millennium'. After going into politics, he became leader of Fianna Fáil, and when they secured a majority in the Dáil, he became Taoiseach (equivalent to Prime Minister).

As for the other answers, Tánaiste is equivalent to Deputy Prime Minister, rí means king and bréagóir means liar.

Answer: A.D. 400

Hurling is thought to be related to a game in Scotland and to a game called cammag on the Isle of Man. Hurling is mentioned in many Irish myths and legends, including the Legend of Cúchulainn and the Táin Bó Cuailgne.