Hurling

HOLY COW GUYS. Hurling is a big deal. And I do not mean losing your lunch after too much Guinness. I mean the sport. Never heard of it? Me either. That is until this week.



Zach, Cassandra, and I  before the match.

Every mannequin in town has been covered in only Galway-colored clothing since I arrived...





The mall in the city looks great in white and maroon!


Every street corner had a vendor full of Galway apparel.



I have learned since I got here that hurling is the national sport of Ireland. Basically, it's like football, soccer, and lacrosse but with hockey sticks and no protective padding. And on Sunday, September 6th, Galway was in the championship for the first time in 27 years. Against Kilkenny, a team that hasn't lost for like 65 years or something ridiculous like that.

The WHOLE city was in the park where a projection of the game was being played in the center of town. Every bar was barely even standing room, and all eyes were on the screens.

O'Connell's Pub for the second half of the match.

It was wild! I mean, the Irish take this sport SERIOUSLY.
 

Unfortunately, we didn't win. Which quickly turned the town from excited and happy drunk into angry and disappointed drunk. But, it was a crazy cool experience, everyone was there together supporting Galway. I think it may have been the highlight of my time here (for these first 2 weeks).

I did this post with Galway colors, just to show my enthusiasm ;)