Sliotar facts for kids
A sliotar (sometimes called a puck or hurling ball) is a special ball used in Irish sports like hurling, camogie, and rounders. It's a bit bigger than a tennis ball and feels very hard.
Sliotars are made with a core of cork, which is a light material from trees. This cork core is then covered with two pieces of leather that are stitched together. The stitching on a sliotar is quite noticeable, a bit like a baseball.
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What is a Sliotar Used For?
Sliotars are central to several exciting Irish sports.
Hurling and Camogie
In hurling (played by men) and camogie (played by women), players use a wooden stick called a hurley to hit the sliotar. The goal is to hit the ball through the opponent's goalposts or into their net. These games are very fast-paced and need a lot of skill!
Rounders
The sliotar is also used in rounders, which is a bit like baseball. Players hit the sliotar with a bat and then run around bases.
How Sliotars Have Changed Over Time
The way sliotars are made has changed a lot through history.
Early Sliotars
Long ago, sliotars weren't always made with cork and leather. People used different materials depending on what they had available. Some very old sliotars were made from:
- Hollow bronze
- Wood and leather
- Wood, rope, and even animal hair
These older versions show how people adapted to create the equipment needed for their games.
