Guinness World Record set for world's biggest hurling match

A village in north Cork has set a record for the world's biggest hurling match as 916 hurling enthusiasts of all ages turned up to puck a sliothar around a field.

Meelin GAA club spokesman Kieran Linehan said: "We are thrilled because 250 was the number to beat the existing record and we had that fairly fast. Seán Óg Ó hAilpín got the day underway and we also had [GAA stars] Ben and Jerry O'Connor from Newtownshandrum."

The action got underway at noon yesterday and continued until shortly before 6pm.

The participants included MEP and former GAA president Seán Kelly, who had taken part in his cyclist namesake’s Tour of Waterford yesterday before travelling to Meelin to throw his weight behind the hurling challenge.

The Guinness Book of Records had set out stringent rules that were adhered to with each player having to play for at least 10 minutes with a maximum of 30 players on the field at any one time.

Local GAA player DJ O’Sullivan, who won an All-Ireland Intermediate hurling medal in 2010, postponed his stag night to attend the record attempt.

“It has been absolute mayhem with people everywhere, left, right and centre,” he said. “I postponed the stag because I knew everyone would be at this and I wanted to play and help steward it. It has been a great year and in September we have the wedding. And the day after the wedding I have a match!”

The event was the part of Meelin’s annual carnival.