Seattle Gaels Showcase Irish Sports for New Players and Spectators
By TED BULLOCK
Public Relations Officer
Seattle Gaels
SEATTLE, WA - The Seattle Gaels Gaelic Football and Hurling Club began their season at Magnolia Playfields on March 26 with a field day of practices, scrimmages, and demonstrations of the Irish sports.
Sometimes described as a cross between hockey, lacrosse, and baseball, hurling is Europe’s oldest and fastest field sport. Although steeped in tradition going back to battles thousands of years ago, hurling has evolved into a modern sport with players wearing soccer-type gear and lightweight plastic helmets. The object is to hit the ball with a wooden, axe-shaped stick into a net for three points or over the H-shaped crossbars for one point. Positions and the field are similar to soccer.
Though not as old as hurling, Gaelic football has been around for over 300 years and is played much like its younger cousin, Australian Rules football. The game is played with similar positions as hurling and involves a round ball which may be kicked, struck with the hand, and carried. Points are scored in the same manner as hurling.
The Seattle Gaels welcome men, women, and youth of all skill levels to play in either the recreational league or the competitive travelling team. It provides a social and sporting resource to promote Irish sports in the Pacific Northwest. The Seattle Gaels is an active member the North American County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association in Ireland.
For information visit: www.seattlegaels.com, e-mail: ebullock@seattlegaels.com, or call (206) 334-7595.
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