Croke Park (pronounced crow) is the largest stadium in Ireland and hosts the Irish sports of Gaelic football and hurling. On Sunday, June 26, I volunteered with the Croke Park ground crew for two Gaelic football matches.

(l-r) myself, Kyle Daves and Sam Kingston

Sam Kingston, a regular volunteer, is responsible for bringing in other volunteers who help with simple prep before the match begins and then repair pitch marks on the field during the match. This day only three were able to work (the Ireland national soccer team was playing in the Euros -- which meant you would find most of the Irish in the pubs).

Sam Kingston repairing pitch marks, Kyle there in the background

The tool of choice is a pitch fork, and the object is simple; repair any indecent indentations therefore the players are not at risk for injury, as in twisting ankles for example. The fans may not be able to see the unsightly divots, but that is not the point - it's for the players' safety.

Gaelic football players are all amateurs. Therefore, no pay... only "pride of the parish" as they say. I could describe this sport by combining the use of a soccer ball plus rugby in a sense. Scoring is accomplished hitting into a soccer net ("goal"- 3 points) or kicking over the field goal post (1 point).

You can see the scoring net behind me - to the left of the Dubliners on the famous Hill 16.

Gaelic football is interesting to watch, especially so as these athletes are not getting paid for their brutal contact sport. Hey, I wasn't getting paid either to repair their pitch marks, but I did get the front row seats right on the field of play (photo below)!

One week later I revisited Croke Park for another volunteer opportunity, this time for hurling. This was not just any hurling match but for the Leinster Province Finals - the best of the best. Kilkenny vs. Galway.

Hurling is a very skillful game plus the Irish brutality factor makes it fun to watch. It is the second fastest land sport game after hockey;  mix of hockey, lacrosse and Gaelic football.

The hurl (left) is the "bat" used to control and hit the sliotar, which is very similar to a baseball.

Hurling has similar scoring as Gaelic football; a goal into the net for 3 points and hitting the sliotar through the uprights for 1 point. What impressed me was how accurate, powerful, and easily they could score through the field goal posts. A fifty yard point looked as simple as a layup.

These players are amateurs as well. No play, but pride for the province they're from. Kilkenny has been the powerhouse for the last couple years which the win verse Galway made this their third Finals win in a row.

My only job wasn't just watching the hurling match; again, I fixed the divots. This time thankfully there were more volunteers. Stuart Wilson, the superintendent at Croke Park, was there too and explained to me the following week breakdown of repairing and preparing the field for the next games. This week he has a more difficult task on hand as he is preparing the stadium for a Beyonce concert.

Stuart Wilson and me.