What is the GAA?
The Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) is Ireland's largest sporting organisation, founded in 1884 to preserve and promote traditional Irish games. It organises the two main sports — Gaelic football and hurling — along with camogie (women's hurling), handball, and rounders.
The GAA is organised on a parish-based club system, with county teams representing the elite level. It is amateur at every level: players, managers, and coaches give their time freely, driven by pride in club and county.
Gaelic Football
Gaelic football is the most popular sport in Ireland. Played between two teams of 15, it combines elements of soccer, rugby, and basketball. The round ball can be caught, kicked, or hand-passed. Goals (3 points) are scored under the crossbar, and points (1 point) are kicked over the bar. The All-Ireland Senior Football Championship final draws over 80,000 spectators to Croke Park each year.
Hurling
Hurling is often described as the fastest field sport in the world. Players use a curved wooden stick called a hurl or camán to strike a small leather ball called a sliotar. It is played on the same pitch as football with the same scoring system. The skill, speed, and physicality of hurling make it a uniquely thrilling spectacle.
Camogie
Camogie is the women's version of hurling, governed by the Camogie Association (an integral part of the GAA since 2021). Rules are largely the same, with some differences in equipment and playing time. The All-Ireland Senior Camogie Championship final is one of the highlights of the women's sporting calendar.
Club Structure
The GAA club system is the backbone of Irish community life. Almost every parish in Ireland has its own GAA club, fielding teams from Under-6 up to Senior level. Clubs compete in county championships, with the winners progressing to the AIB All-Ireland Club Championship. This grassroots structure feeds into the county teams that compete in the inter-county leagues and championships.
Key competitions within the club scene include county senior championships, provincial club championships, and the All-Ireland club finals held on St Patrick's Day in Croke Park.
Key Venues
Croke Park in Dublin is the GAA's headquarters, seating 82,300. It hosts All-Ireland finals and major concerts. Other major grounds include Semple Stadium (Thurles), Páirc Uí Chaoimh (Cork), Gaelic Grounds (Limerick), and St Tiernach's Park (Clones).
GAA Calendar
The GAA year runs from January to September. The National Leagues run from January to April, followed by the provincial championships in May/June. The All-Ireland series runs through the summer, with finals in July (hurling) and August/September (football).
Gamble responsibly.