Hurling and Shinty: The Celtic Roots of Floorball
- Alessio Casamassima
- Mar 14
- 3 min read
Hurling and shinty are ancient Celtic sports deeply rooted in the histories of Ireland and Scotland. Played for thousands of years, these fast-paced and physical games are considered national treasures. While they have evolved over time, they are widely regarded as the predecessors of modern hockey and, indirectly, floorball.
Among the dry stone walls and the lush green fields of the Emerald Isle, something immediately catches the eye of even the most inattentive traveler: those unusual soccer goals, slightly smaller than usual, with tall posts extending beyond the crossbar. These are the goalposts of Gaelic football, a sport that blends elements of handball and rugby, considered Ireland’s true national game. However, these distinctive goalposts are also used in another sport—one more akin to field hockey—that first emerged over three millennia ago.
The Gaelic Origins of Hurling
Ireland’s most distinctive stick-and-ball sport, hurling, dates back over 3,000 years. Its first known references appear in Irish mythology, particularly in the Táin Bó Cúailnge, a 12th-century epic. The legend of Cúchulainn, the hero of Ulster, describes him playing a game resembling hurling at Emain Macha. Other mythological figures such as Finn MacCool and the Fianna also have ties to this ancient game, demonstrating its cultural significance throughout Irish history.
While these mythical accounts may have been romanticized in the 19th century to reinforce Irish heritage, hurling has undeniably been an integral part of Irish identity for centuries. Today, it is a highly organized team sport played outdoors with a hurley (stick) and a sliotar (ball), sharing similarities with shinty in Scotland, cammag on the Isle of Man, and even Scandinavian bandy.
The Rules and Structure of Hurling
Hurling is played on a rectangular grass field with H-shaped goalposts at each end. Two teams of 15 players compete to score by either sending the sliotar into the net (earning three points) or hitting it over the crossbar (for one point). The game consists of two 35-minute halves and is known for its blistering pace—the sliotar can travel at speeds of up to 180 km/h, making it one of the fastest field sports in the world.
Each year, teams compete in a series of matches leading to the All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship, with the final traditionally held at Croke Park in Dublin in early September. The women’s version of the sport is called Camogie and follows similar rules.
Hurling and Irish Nationalism
During British rule, hurling was banned along with other Gaelic traditions, as it was considered both violent and a stronghold of Irish identity. However, the sport persisted underground and played a significant role in nationalist movements. In the 19th and early 20th centuries, Irish revolutionaries often used the camán (hurling stick) as a weapon during clashes with British forces.
Shinty: Scotland’s Answer to Hurling
Shinty (or camanachd in Gaelic) is a Scottish sport with deep Celtic roots. While similar to hurling, it has distinct differences, such as the use of a curved stick akin to an ice hockey stick. Traditionally played in the Scottish Highlands, shinty was once widespread throughout Scotland and even influenced the development of shinney, a game played by Scottish immigrants in Canada.
The game is played on a field measuring 128–155 meters in length, with teams of 12 players aiming to score by hitting a small ball into a net, known as the hail. Matches are divided into two 45-minute halves, and only the goalkeeper is permitted to handle the ball. Unlike hurling, shinty players can use both sides of their stick, adding to the game’s complexity and skill level.
The Influence on Hockey and Floorball
Both hurling and shinty have significantly influenced the evolution of modern hockey. The use of sticks to control and propel a ball or puck is a shared element that extends from these Gaelic sports to field hockey, ice hockey, and even the more recent sport of floorball. The fast pace and agility required in hurling and shinty closely mirror the dynamic movement of hockey and floorball, making them fundamental ancestors of contemporary stick-and-ball sports.
Today, hurling and shinty continue to thrive, preserving their ancient traditions while inspiring new generations of athletes. Whether on the grass fields of Ireland, the Highlands of Scotland, or the synthetic rinks of floorball, the legacy of these Celtic sports lives on in the evolution of hockey worldwide.
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