In a piece originally written for the Irish American on 19 February 1859, the exiled Young Irelander Michael Doheny reflects on the vibrant tradition of hurling in Tipperary during his youth in the 1820s and 1830s. Born in 1805 near Fethard, Doheny paints a vivid picture of a sport that was not just a game, but a cornerstone of rural life and community spirit.
Hurling, as Doheny knew it, was played across generations—from small boys to seasoned veterans—and typically took place on Sunday afternoons. The matches were informal, with no fixed goals or rigid rules. Instead, players would gather in a fair field, divide into teams, and attempt to drive the ball as far as possible, sometimes over fences, rivers,and gullies. The game was physically intense and emotionally charged, with players “stripping” down to breeches and waistcoats, ready to throw themselves into the fray.
The hurling field, often called “the Green,” was a social hub. It attracted crowds of up to 5,000 people, including families,sweethearts, and spectators of all ages. Around the edges of the field, other games like leapfrog and “high gate” added to the festive atmosphere. Doheny recalls the thrill of the game, the camaraderie among players, and the sheer joy of rural life in motion.
But this golden age of hurling was fading. Doheny attributes its decline to several internal pressures: the opposition of priests,especially due to dancing and faction fighting at matches; the reluctance of farmers to allow play on grazing land; and a general shift in rural priorities.He notes that within twenty years, what was once a rare restriction became a widespread ban, effectively pushing the sport out of the fields and out of daily life.
For Doheny, the loss of hurling was more than the end of a pastime—it was the erosion of a national spirit. He mourns the weakening of communal bonds and the fading of a tradition that once stirred the hearts and muscles of a people. His account stands as both a celebration of hurling’s past and a lament for its disappearance before the GAA revived its fortunes following its formation in 1884.
Sources:
William Nolan, “Michael Doheny’s description of hurling in the 1820s and 1830s” in Tipperary Historical Journal 2004, pp 232-235.
