The All-Ireland Senior Hurling final was broadcast on BBC2 for the first time ever on Sunday, July 21, opening up Ireland's national sport to thousands of fascinated first-time viewers.
The BBC could hardly have picked a better game to broadcast to British audiences, with Clare prevailing over Cork in an all-time thriller on a score of 3-29 to 1-34 after extra time.
Despite not knowing the game nor its rules, dozens of British viewers took to social media to express their delight at discovering the ancient Irish sport on Sunday afternoon.
"BBC 2 is showing hurling and I don’t think I’ve ever been so invested in a game I know nothing about," wrote one Welsh viewer on X, formerly Twitter.
BBC 2 is showing hurling and I don’t think I’ve ever been so invested in a game I know nothing about
— Dan 🏴 (@itcould_beworse) July 21, 2024
"Hurling appears to be a mix of UFC, rugby, hockey, football, baseball, the egg and spoon race all whilst hitting a snooker ball as hard as you can as high into the sky as possible towards goal with what looks like the bones of a tomahawk steak. 10/10. Would recommend," wrote another British viewer.
Hurling appears to be a mix of UFC, rugby, hockey, football, baseball, the egg and spoon race all whilst hitting a snooker ball as hard as you can as high into the sky as possible towards goal with what looks like the bones of a tomahawk steak. 10/10. Would recommend #hurling
— bathew mateman (@bathewmateman) July 21, 2024
A number of viewers were impressed that both Cork and Clare supporters sat together without any segregation.
"I'm watching the Hurling Final on BBC2. It's like Rugby with baseball bats, not a game for the faint-hearted. What is nice, the fans of both teams are all mixed together enjoying it," wrote one British viewer.
I'm watching the Hurling Final on BBC2.
It's like Rugby with baseball bats, not a game for the faint hearted. 🤕What is nice, the fans of both teams are all mixed on together enjoying it 😁
— PAUL (@paulmck41488662) July 21, 2024
One impressed Welsh viewer said on X that hurling is "fantastically manical, I love it."
That was truly remarkable , non stop action from beginning to end, amateurs showing incredible skill in front of 82,000 fans , all sitting together.
— Iwan 🏴🏴🏴 (@MynyddHiraethog) July 21, 2024
Never seen anything like it 👏👏👏👏🙌#CorkvClare #Hurling
How's the golf ? https://t.co/GuviVWeaBZ
Others pleaded with the BBC to broadcast more hurling in the future.
"Watching the All-Ireland hurling final on BBC2. Why isn't this sport on every week? Non-stop, thrilling entertainment," a British viewer wrote on X, receiving over 2,000 likes.
Watching the All-Ireland hurling final on BBC2. Why isn't this sport on every week? Non-stop, thrilling entertainment. #BBCGAA
— David Brown (@Davidb15) July 21, 2024
Dozens of accounts praised both sets of players for their bravery and courage, with several people describing hurlers as "superhuman."
I still have no idea what’s going on but this is an incredible spectacle.
These blokes are super-human, brave and made of absolute steel. Footballers take note!!
#AllIrelandHurlingFinal #GAA #Cork #Clare #hurling #CorkvClare pic.twitter.com/uITdT5CUA1
— TheExPro (@KindExPro) July 21, 2024
Predictably, many viewers wondered about the safety of the sport, especially for goalkeepers.
"I played as a keeper in handball (European, not Irish), and that felt like an insane idea at times," one English viewer wrote.
"Hurling keeper must just like pain and the idea of imminent death."
I played as a keeper in handball (European, not Irish), and that felt like an insane idea at times.
Hurling keeper must just like pain and the idea of imminent death.
— Adam Allcroft 🇬🇧 (@Adam_Allcroft) July 21, 2024
Meanwhile, popular soccer account HLTCO, which boasts over 177,000 followers, tweeted his admiration of hurling, drawing more than 27,000 likes.
"I’ll be honest, I’ve never watched Hurling in my life but the run here, the atmosphere, all of it. Superb. Might have to give it a proper go."
I’ll be honest, I’ve never watched Hurling in my life but the run here, the atmosphere, all of it.
b. Might have to give it a proper go. pic.twitter.com/QvjkZSeAMd
— HLTCO (@HLTCO) July 21, 2024
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