The Gaelic Athletic Association, or GAA, is the governing body for traditional Irish sports – most notably hurling and Gaelic football. The GAA has been managing and promoting Gaelic sports since it was founded in 1884 by Michael Cusack.
Gaelic sport is as much woven into the fabric of Irish culture as Guinness and, even though over 80,000 fans cram into Croke Park, all sports governed by the GAA remain amateur. Outside of Ireland, Gaelic sports are considered to be minority sports (although there are clubs based throughout the UK), but on the Emerald Isle, the GAA is just as big as the Premier League in England and the NFL in America.
Players do not earn any money playing Gaelic sports (although more popular players are compensated by sponsors) due to its amateur status. The greatest honour of all is to be selected to represent your county (players may only represent the county of their birth) to compete in the All-Ireland Championship, which is the biggest competition in Gaelic sports.
Sports Governed by GAA
The GAA governs and promote traditional Irish sport and pastimes, including:
- Hurling
- Gaelic football
- Camogie
- Handball
- Rounders
What is Hurling and Gaelic Football?
Hurling and Gaelic football are by far the two most popular sports that fall under the GAA’s umbrella. Both games are played for a total of 70 minutes, with 15 players on each time, with a goal (scoring into the net) worth three points and a point (successfully hitting the ball through the posts) worth one point.
The main difference between hurling and Gaelic football is that the former is played with a small ball (similar in size to that of a tennis ball) and players use hurley’s to control, pass and shoot the ball (sliotar), while players of the latter use their hands and feet, playing with a football. Hurling is the fastest ball sport on the planet, which is part of its appeal, and is also why players must wear helmets for protection.
Gaelic football is the more popular of the two sports in Ireland, partly because Dublin is one of the country’s strongholds for football. Gaelic and association football share some similarities, so it shouldn’t be too surprising to learn that there has been some crossover in players playing both forms, most notably former Arsenal and Manchester City forward Niall Quinn who played in an All-Ireland Minor Hurling final for Dublin at Croke Park in 1983 before moving to England.
Camogie, Handball and Rounders
Camogie, barring a few differences, is the same as hurling only that it is the women’s form of the sport. Games last for 60 minutes instead of 70 and players may score from hand-passed shots in camogie which is illegal in hurling.
Handball, or Gaelic handball, is very similar to the American handball and squash, while rounders is primarily the same as the sport that is played in England apart from the bat, ball and pitch being larger.
Britain GAA
Britain GAA, founded in 1927, is made up of seven counties – some of which play in the Irish Gaelic football and hurling championships. These counties are:
- Scotland
- Yorkshire
- Lancashire
- Warwickshire
- Hertfordshire
- Gloucestershire
- London
Across these seven counties are a total of 82 clubs, with players young and old playing in leagues held outside of Ireland. London’s county team have won an All-Ireland Hurling Championship, the biggest prize on offer in the sport, back in 1901 and competed in four consecutive finals between 1900 and 1903.
All Britain Competition
In Britain, schools and clubs compete at the ABC – All Britain Competition – in a four-day festival that saw 2,183 club players competing in 2021. That figure rose significantly from the last holding of the event in 2019, with 2020 cancelled due to Covid-19, where 1,700 players competed. That statistic suggests that the popularity of Gaelic sports is on the rise in Britain and that was also achieved without any schools participating due to the pandemic.
The majority of players competing at the 2021 ABC came from London, with a total of 115 teams made up of 12 clubs participating across the Gaelic football and hurling/camogie age groups, between Under-7s and Under-18s. Warwickshire was the next best-represented county with 63 teams from six clubs and then Hertfordshire with 33 teams from six clubs. Scotland (three teams from one club), Lancashire and Ulster (both one team each) were also represented.
Gaelic Football and Hurling Trophies
Here at Fen Regis Trophies, we are proud to supply awards and trophies for a wide variety of sports clubs, leagues, and events. Please view the sports trophies available on our online shop and, if you cannot find anything suitable, look at our online catalogue to view a larger range of awards and trophies.
You can also get in contact with a member of our team by calling 01945 588100 during office hours or emailing us at fenregistrophies@hotmail.co.uk.