High-speed impact characterisation of the GAA smart sliotar: Understanding coefficient of restitution at high speeds

Hurling, a traditional Irish sport, is a field sport played on a pitch measuring up to 145 × 90 meters, using a hurley – a wooden stick traditionally made from ash – and a sliotar. The sliotar, the ball used in the game of hurling, is composed of a polyurethane core wrapped in leather. This paper investigates the high-speed performance characteristics of several new smart sliotars compared with conventional sliotars. These new sliotars are proposed for licensing for use by senior intercounty squads. The objective of this work was to evaluate the mechanical performance of sliotars through high-speed impact testing, with a focus on hurley/sliotar interactions. In particular, the change in coefficient of restitution (COR) with increasing impact speed was evaluated for the sliotar as played in the sport, that is, with leather covering intact. The COR was found to decrease with increasing impact speed, following a consistent second-order trend for compliant sliotars. This new understanding from the data has not only facilitated a comparative analysis with traditional sliotars and test methods but also contributes to a more comprehensive understanding of sliotar behaviour under match-representative conditions than previously available.