That’ll be our
Gaelic games you’ve heard of. The
GAA (Gaelic Athletic Association) is Ireland’s largest sporting organisation, and it promotes hurling, Gaelic football, handball and rounders, while also helping sister organisations with Ladies Gaelic football and camogie (hurling played by women). There are a whopping 2,200+ GAA clubs all over the island of Ireland!
Despite their athletic prowess on the pitch, the most surprising thing you’ll find out is that ALL the players are amateur – and they have day jobs! Everything you see on the pitch is pure fighting passion, making watching a match very exhilarating. And supporters equal that passion from the sidelines, where they come dressed head to toe in county colours.
You’re welcome to watch regional games – tickets are sold on the
GAA website, the
LGFA or the
Camogie Association. If you’re really lucky, you might be able to nab yourself a seat at the All-Ireland finals. These are held in
Croke Park in
Dublin and the atmosphere is nothing short of electric.
What you need to know?
Gaelic football and hurling are both played with teams of 15. The aim of the game is to get as many points as possible; one point if you score the ball over the crossbar and three points if the ball is scored under the crossbar and into the goal’s net.
Although these sports have similarities in points, they differ widely: Gaelic football is a distinctly Irish field game played with a round football, which can be caught, kicked and hand passed; while hurling is a stick and sliotar (ball) game, and is often thought to be world’s fastest field game!
Do any of our community members recall a great GAA game they’ve watched?
