The traditional Silver Ball Hurling match took place in St Columb Major on Shrove Tuesday.

Hundreds of people gathered to watch and take part in the first of two games of hurling played in the year in the streets and in the surrounding countryside between the Townsmen and Countrymen of the parish.

The aim of the 400-year-old game is to place the silver ball in respective goals that are set about two miles apart or take it across the parish boundary. 

The objective is to control possession by running with the ball, passing, throwing, snatching and tackling.

The game starts with the throw-up in Market Square chosen by the previous 'winner of the ball' climbs a stepladder and throws the ball to the crowd, usually followed by a large scrum.

Craig Allen was a first time winner for the Town Team at the Shrove Tuesday Hurl and Sid Bennet took part in his first hurling event as the Town Crier.

Video by Robert Taylor.