The object of the game is for players to use a wooden axe-shaped stick called a hurley ( in Irish a `` camÃ n '' , pronounced kam-awn ) , or a hurl , to hit a small ball called a sliotar ( pronounced slith-er ) between the opponents ' goalposts either over the crossbar for one point , or under the crossbar into a net guarded by a goalkeeper for one goal , which is equivalent to three points . The object of the game is for players to use a wooden stick called a hurley ( in Irish a camÃ n , pronounced in English ) to hit a small ball called a sliotar between the opponents ' goalposts either over the crossbar for one point , or under the crossbar into a net guarded by a goalkeeper for one goal , which is equivalent to three points .