Hurling

Yesterday we went to a loud and raucous pub to watch on a big screen the National Irish Hurling Championship game between County Galway and County Kilkenny.  We had never heard of “hurling” before, but here in Ireland it’s as big, if not bigger than soccer (football).

It’s something like lacrosse, but the sticks have flat blades not nets, and the game is just as rugged and physical. We didn’t understand all of the rules, but we got the gist. After much back and forth, in the end the score was tied, and everyone started walking off the field. I asked a guy, “Now what?

 “It’s a replay.”

 “So?”

“They play the game again.”

“The whole game?”

“Yah, next week.”

Everyone was happy to do the thing again, and as we left, there were no sad faces in the pub.