About this Episode

This time the guys sit down with Sean, Kevin, Alex, and John from the local Hurling, Gaelic football, and Camogie club, The Tacoma Hounds, which are supported by Tacoma Gaelic Athletic Co-op, TGAC. TGAC is a 501c3 (Pending) organization dedicated to supporting GAA (Gaelic Athletics Association) competition through the development of and support provided to amateur athletes residing in the Tacoma Metropolitan, Pierce County, and Greater South Sound areas. For those new to Hurling, the game has prehistoric origins that has been played for 4,000 years. One of Ireland's native Gaelic games, it shares a number of features with Gaelic football, such as the field and goals, the number of players, and much terminology. The objective of the game is for players to use a wooden (ash) stick called a hurl to hit a small ball called a sliotar between the opponents' goalposts either over the crossbar for one point, or under the crossbar into a net guarded by a goalkeeper for one goal, which is equivalent to three points. The sliotar can be caught in the hand and carried for not more than four steps, struck in the air, or struck on the ground with the hurl. It can be kicked, or slapped with an open hand (the hand pass) for short-range passing. A player who wants to carry the ball for more than four steps has to bounce or balance the sliotar on the end of the stick, and the ball can only be handled twice while in his possession. Those interested in joining or watching the games can get more information at tacomahounds.com.

1:23 – Each of the guys introduce themselves, explain what position they hold, and Justin talks about their happenchance meeting at the McKinley Hill Street Fair. The team explains that Hurling is an Irish sport that predates written history, changes that have happened in the sport over the last 30 years, and expand on the process of the game. Justin asks about the sport being full contact, Sean talks on the ‘set in stone’ rules of the game, and Kevin explains how the game is always in play.

15:09 – Justin talks about other sports teams that will be on the podcast, he asks about other rules of the game, and Kevin talks about what it’s like to have things hurled at him while he’s goal keeping. He discusses what he likes about being a goalie, what special things he wears during the game, and Shawn talks about his position as the full forward. He talks about his priorities, Kevin and Shawn both share how long they have been playing, and Justin asks about how they communicate on the field.

29:45 – Alex talks about how he became the teams coach, the necessity for a coach to herd cats, and how he changes the system based on the people that are on the team. He explains the length of the game, Justin inquires on if people interested in the sport can watch practices, and what ‘sevens’ means in the game. They talk about subs in the game, how the sport is a combination of a lot of different games making it easy for people to understand how it works, and how it’s a level playing field which makes it a space for everyone wanting to play. Scott gives props to the Shroom Brothers and they talk about the upcoming fall indoor league happening at the Tacoma Soccer Center.

43:35 – Justin kicks off ‘Coaster Questions’, each of the guys talk about why they play, and Alex answers the question on his favorite fantasy animal. Justin asks how each of the guys get into the opponents head, they talk about being co-ed, and the best way for people that have questions to get a hold of them. Justin talks on how those with show ideas can get a hold of them and how people can support the podcast through Patreon.

Thanks Sean, Kevin, Alex and John for a very interesting conversation on hurling and your club, The Tacoma Hounds!

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