Hurley (stick)
A hurley[1](Irish: Camán), also known as a ‘hurl’, is a wooden stick measuring between 70 and 100 cm (26 to 40 inches) long with a flattened, curved end (called the bas), used to hit a sliotar (leather ball) in the Irish sport of hurling. It is also used in camogie, the female equivalent, and there often called a camogie stick.
Hurleys are made from ash wood, and are usually bought from local craftsmen in Ireland, who still use traditional production methods.
No matter how well crafted the hurley is, a hurler may well expect to use several hurleys over the course of the hurling season. The hurleys often break if two collide in the course of a game, or occasionally they break off on the other players (arms, legs, etc.). Two hurleys colliding is colloquially known as "the clash of the ash." Throwing the hurley (e.g. to block a ball going high over one's head) is illegal, but camogie players may drop it to make a handpass.
References
[change | change source]- ↑ also known as a camán (the Irish word), and lesser known as hurl, a hurley stick, shtick, or in parts of the north of Ireland as a Scullion
