Sporting games indigenous to Ireland are Hurling and Gaelic Football. There are records from ancient times showing that hurling was regulated as far back as the 8th Century. After the Norman invasion in the 12th Century, hurling was forbidden to be played (along with everything else) by the English Crown.
However, there is not too much that will keep the Irish down. By the 17th Century Hurling and Gaelic Football occupied much of the social fiber of the communities.
The Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) was founded in Thurles, Tipperary in November 1884 by a group of influential and insightful men. Many Irish were in dire poverty, or had immigrated. The GAA group recognized the necessity of reviving, and fostering pride in the national, and traditional sports. They wanted an alternative to the English sports of cricket, rugby, and soccer. They strove to reduce the 'foreign' or English influence and instill national pride back into the people, especially for future generations. They set about organizing, and establishing the rules for play, and overseeing competition. Within several months many GAA Clubs were formed around the country.
Hurling is a field sport played by two teams of 15 players. They use a stick, 30 to 37 inches long with a broad end called a 'bas'. The ball has a cork centre and leather cover, it is called a 'slitter'. The object is to catch the slitter on the blade of the hurley, carry it, and hurl it into the goal. The field is 150 yards long and 90 yards wide. Championship and league matches are 60 minutes in duration. Each team has a goalkeeper, six defenders, two mid-fielders, and six forwards. A 'point' is earned when the ball goes over the crossbar, and a goal is earned when the ball goes over the goal line between the posts, and under the crossbar. Inter Counties and Inter Clubs compete to reach the All Ireland Finals. Hurling is one of the fastest field games in the world. Camogie is the female version of Hurling.
Ancient records indicate that Gaelic Football was played during those times as well. It appears whole parishes competed in daylong matches. The game consists of two teams of 15 players each, competing in two 30-minute periods. The player is allowed to advance the ball only by dribbling it with hand or foot, punching or punting it forward toward the opponent's goal. Points are scored by putting the ball between the goalposts, and over the crossbar for one 'point', or putting it between the posts, and under the crossbar into the net for three 'points'.
In the early years of organized hurling and football, only Gaelic speakers were permitted to play. It wasn't until April 1888 that the first All Ireland Finals, in both sports commenced.
The Gaelic Athletic Association has lived a very colorful and influential, sometimes very sad history. From Michael Cusack, one of the founders, with his supporters and patrons to the first Bloody Sunday on 21 November 1920 when the Black and Tans raided Croke Park, and murdered several people, up through current times when Rule 21 was lifted in 2001. Lifting this rule permits members of the British Crown Forces to play Gaelic sports. Removing this rule was a very important step the GAA took in the Northern Ireland Peace Process.
Heroes have evolved and great stores written because of characteristics developed by the men competing in these traditional Irish games. Counties have become powerhouses in sport and the competition is stiff. There is nothing like watching a match on a Sunday afternoon either live at a stadium, on the television at home, or in a Pub by satellite TV somewhere in the world.
Today there are over 2,500 clubs in the 32 Counties of Ireland. The competitions are between:
- Various clubs within a county, both at a junior and senior skill level
- Men who excel within their various clubs are chosen to play for the county team (similar to an all-star team in American baseball)
- County teams compete with other counties
- Winners within the counties compete at the Province level. If a team at the Province level loses their competition, they still have a chance to compete in the All Ireland Championship, as long as they do not lose again (new rule in 2002).
- Province winners compete in the All Ireland Championships. There are eight teams, then reduced to four teams, then reduced to two teams for the Final Championship.
- A Winner!
When the Irish immigrated to the four-corners of the world, along with their hopes and dreams, they took with them their sports. You will find Gaelic Sports played throughout the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Britain, and Europe, and where ever there is a large Irish community.
Along with the stiff competition in traditional sports, there is Football also known as Soccer. Football history begins in Ulster in the 1860's when Ireland was under British rule. Since the Gaelic order of life had ceased to exit, the foreign influence of the English permeated all aspects of society. Many of the people were descendants of the 'Planters' from England and Scotland. Their competitions were then of English origins, whereby football or soccer was the sport of the people.
At this time, The Irish Football Association (IFA) was the governing body based in Belfast. It took almost twenty years for football to spread to other parts of Ireland. Being a Protestant based organization, it was difficult for those in power to promote the sport in the south, which was Catholic based. However, as the sport became more popular in the south, the Lenister Football Association emerged in 1892. It took another 29 years before the Football Association of the Irish Free State (FAIFS) was formed with eight teams.
Throughout its long history in football, Ireland has only recently, within the past 16 years, met with better success. This success is due to the coaching of the sport in the youth teams around the country. It wasn't until 1988 when Ireland qualified for the European Championship when, in their opening game, they beat England.
Much has happened since then. Football or soccer has a huge foothold with fans today, especially with Ireland's performance in World Cup 2002. The team performed spectacularly, and although they didn't win the Cup, there is a tremendous amount of talent to help them qualify for World Cup 2006.
