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About Eugene weekly. (Eugene, Oregon) 1993-current | View Entire Issue (May 17, 2012)
BY ANDY VALENTINE VOTED # 1 20 BA BES 11 R F T OO D sports Hurleys & Sliotars BY EW READERS B 20 NIG EST 10 HT LAT EA E - TS The Eugene Trappers put the Sick in Hurling BES BEST T H BA AP R F P O Y HO OD UR 200 7 C onsider the brutality of a pad-less, club-wielding fi eld of men beating the living crap out of each other for no good reason. Now consider the brutality of giving that fi eld of bloody, beaten and bruised men jerseys, a ball, a goal and good reason. This actually exists. This is the hybridic predecessor of rugby, lacrosse and fi eld hockey. This is hurling. The game dates back 3,000 or so years to the Celts in Ireland, and it’s still steeped in tradition today — right down to miniscule details like calling the seamed ball a sliotar, and the fl at-headed stick a hurley, as well as preeminent administration by the Gaelic Athletic Association. It’s played just as one would expect, considering the aforementioned combination of sports, but with a large set of rules regarding the ways in which the ball can be maneuvered. Simply, the goal is to get the ball into the goal. How it gets there is up to the players — it can be kicked, slapped, hit or carried, but not thrown. You may not have heard, but some locals decided to try their luck at this sport. First-year player “I mean, just on aesthetics alone it looks like lacrosse and Ryan Falk feeds hockey and whatnot, but as far as playing style goes it’s almost off defense to keep control of like basketball,” says Peter Gallagher, captain and coach of the the sliotar Eugene Trappers . “It’s been fun trying new things, trying new moves; it’s such a weird open sport. It’s so improvisational.” The Trappers began playing regularly in the fall of 2009 when former team member Chris Griffi th brought the idea to some friends. From there Eugene’s hurling scene has blossomed into far more than a simple way to beat the hangover out of each other on a Saturday morning. Becoming involved with the Oregonian hurling circuit (which is not to be confused with the offi cial Oregon Hurling Association) means regular home and away games — savage, teeth-gritting match-ups between two 9 to 13 member teams that almost always end in scrapes and bruises for all. Though the traditional Irish way of hurling dictates that there be 15 to a side, the sport must fi rst generate enough local interest to encompass teams of such magnitude. So if you’re outside this weekend and you happen to see a gaggle of dudes in green taking LARPing to a whole new level, don’t stop them — they’re beating the shit out of each other in the names of tradition, sportsmanship and recreation. And as brutal as it sounds, you’ve got to admit: This puts the fun back into hurling after a night of heavy drinking. ew Sparking Downtown Revival Since 2002 - Lots of Ninkasi - Patio Seating - Down Home Chow - Wall Art - PBR- CHEAP! - Good drinks - Bunch of Pool Tables - Video Games (No Poker) “Go Emerald City Roller Girls!” Scan for our menu 99 W EST B ROADWAY 541-683-3154 Ibex Wool, Rainwear, Lighting… Closing Out Winter! 25% to 50% off a wide selection Open 7 Days! facebook: arrivingbybike ÓÇäxÊ7>iÌÌiÊ-ÌÊUÊx{£°{n{°x{£ä qÀÊ££qÇ]Ê->ÌÊ£äqÈ]Ê-ÕÊ£Óqx COUPON Summer is about here and we are preparing for a great one with lots of activities! We will start with clean up weekend May 19th and 20th by offering free 1211 ALDER 686-9598 COUPONS GOOD UNTIL MAY 31 ST , 2012 11AM-MIDNIGHT SUN-THU 11AM-1AM FRI-SAT 11 AM -10PM DAILY SERVING DELICIOUS NEW YORK PIZZA BY THE SLICE AND BY THE WHOLE PIZZA PIE 2.00 OFF ANY 18” LARGE $ ® FREE LARGE SODA 2 SLICES W/ PURCHASE OF COUPON The Willamettans Family Nudist Resort, where all you need to wear is a smile. 55 SILVER LN. 654-0603 COUPON COUPON NOW 2 LOCATIONS! SY'S NEW YORK PIZZA grounds fees for all who participate and a pig roast pot luck dinner on Saturday at 5:30pm. Then Memorial day weekend we have our Spring Fling Celebration. This is three days of fun with a live band on Saturday night and lots more activities for all. Swimming Pool • Tennis Courts • Horseshoes • Camping or Rentals 541-933-2809 willamettans.com aanr.com • 1-800-TRY-NUDE WWW.EUGENEWEEKLY.COM EUGENE WEEKLY MAY 17, 2012 13
