Irish-American actor John C Reilly has become a convert to the game of hurling after gaining a love of the sport during his visits to Ireland.
The Chicago native, who was recently guest of honour at the St Patrick’s Day Parade in Dublin city centre, compared the drama of hurling to the theatre.
Reilly, who is also an accomplished musician, likened the drama of a hurling match with the stage as it feels ‘really dangerous and thrilling’ to watch.
Reilly appeared on the Late Late Show alongside Kellie Harrington on Patrick’s night and demonstrated his love of Irish music with renditions of Raglan Road and the Wild Rover.
It’s not the only piece of Irish culture Reilly, whose father brought him up with a keen sense of his heritage, that has won the actor’s heart as he has also embraced GAA.
The star of Stan & Ollie and Walk Hard, who was nominated for an Oscar for his supporting role in Chicago, described hurling as a mixture of soccer and baseball.
“I’m really a fan of theatre. And when sports becomes theatrical or dramatic, that’s why I tap in,” Reilly told PA.
“I do love hurling, this game that they play here in Ireland. A lot of people in America haven’t seen it. It’s just a wild sport for us to watch.
“It has the speed of soccer, football, but with a bat. People are running around smacking this baseball around. It seems really dangerous and thrilling and high pace, so I love hurling.”
