Hurling Will Return To Fenway Park In November For First Time In 60 Years
BOSTON (CBS) -- There won't be any baseball at Fenway Park this fall, but one sport is returning to the famous ball yard after a 60-year absence.
The sport of hurling returns to Fenway Park for the AIG Fenway Hurling Classic and Irish Festival in November, when 2015 All-Ireland Finalist Galway will take-on Dublin in an exhibition comprising some of the top hurling players from the Emerald Isle.
"Boston and Ireland have such a strong connection and it is thrilling to see one of the country's native games will be played on our city's most beloved ball park," Boston Mayor Marty Walsh said in a release. "Hurling is among the most exhilarating games played in the world and our city is proud to host one of Ireland's most traditional sports."
"Hurling is one of the most electrifying sports in the world and we think fans are going to enjoy watching all the fast-paced action as two of the most accomplished and talented teams compete right here on the pitch at Fenway Park," said Fenway Sports Management President Sam Kennedy. "We are always looking for opportunities to bring new and exciting events into Fenway and whether you're a fan of hurling or new to the sport the AIG Fenway Hurling Classic and Irish Festival promises to be a great event."
In hurling, which is believed to be the world's oldest field game, hurlers use a wooden stick called a hurley to hit a small ball called a sliotar (pronounced slitter) between the opponents' goalposts either over the crossbar (1 point) or under the crossbar into a net guarded by a goalkeeper (3 points). The rules will be a little different for the Fenway Hurling Classic, as the two teams will play a modified version of hurling called "Super 11's," which reduces the pitch to 11 players and the only way to score is under the crossbar into the net.
Details about the Irish Festival will be released as the event draw closer, but will include Irish food, music, and dancing and will be highlighted by a performance by The Dropkick Murphys.
Tickets for the Fenway Hurling Classic, which will be held on November 22, 2015, go on sale Thursday, September 17.
