GAA club to stage 1916-style matches

One of the country’s best-known GAA clubs is stepping back in time to commemorate the 1916 centenary.

Blackrock National Hurling Club in Cork plans to stage two exhibition matches in hurling and camogie next week, with players from Blackrock and St Finbarr’s using hurleys and gear of the time, and playing according to 1916 rules.

The event is to commemorate a match played on the Cork Athletic Grounds on Easter Sunday 1916 when The Rockies beat the Barrs 6-5 to 1-3.

A match report from the Cork Examiner recalled how a storm hit the game mid-way through the first half and although the Barrs were ahead by a point at half time, the Rockies went on the offensive in the second half, scoring three goals in quick succession in the final minutes to run out easy winners.

Modern hurleys are being reshaped to resemble 1916-style camán, and the camogie players will have to wear long skirts to ensure they display no more than three inches of leg above the ankle, as was the rule at the time.

Event spokesman Pól Ruiséal said he expects the exhibition games to be wonderful displays of ground hurling: “It was a slower and rougher game at that time, with an emphasis on ground hurling and team work,” he said.

Throw-in for the camogie clash is at 2.30pm on Sunday, March 13, and at 4.30pm for the hurling match.

For regular updates on news and features (as well as twitter action action as it may have happened 100 years ago) to mark the revolutionary period follow @theirishrev HERE

The two matches will be the culmination of a festival of sport and music which will be launched at the club next Thursday night by Frank Murphy, secretary of the Cork County Board.

The club will host an exhibition of artifacts linked to the Blackrock area, and an evening of music on the Saturday night, with musicians, singers and set dancers performing pieces from the period. Attendees will be encouraged to dress in period styles.

“This is a unique opportunity to commemorate a pivotal event of national historical importance in a local, living context. We welcome all members of the community and beyond to join us,” he said.

Enjoyed this? Then check out our dedicated micro-site, developed in collaboration with UCC, to mark the revolutionary period HERE