City Rivalry: Crossmaglen Battles St. Brigid's

THE CAMOGIE COMPETITION was fierce among cross town rivals Crossmaglen (in black and yelllow) and St. Brigid's on the pitch near Saint Patrick's cathedral (Roman Catholic).



Camogie is the women's version of men's hurling, an ancient Gaelic sport where men whack each other relentlessly in pursuit of the ball. The women seem just as vicious as they try to smack the ball past their opponent's goalie.

The sticks, known as hurleys, look like oversized field hockey sticks. Players beat each other as they do in lacrosse. The field is the same as a soccer field but players are allowed to pick up the ball in their hand. Then they bat the camogie ball like a baseball.



The pitch is conveniently located behind our hostel, and the sounds of screaming players, fans and coaches can be heard regularly.