GAA History |
The Gaelic Athletic Association "GAA" is a sporting organisation founded by Michael Cusack and Maurice Davin to preserve the national games of hurling and football. It was founded as an organisation for amateur sports and remains that way. When it was founded in 1884, it had Davin as it's first president. Dr. T. W. Croke, became the first patron of the Association, and Croke Park in Dublin is named in his honour.
The GAA is the largest sporting organisation in Ireland, boasting 2,800 clubs comprising of 182,000 footballers and 97,000 hurlers. Membership of the GAA exceeds 800,000 at home and abroad ensuring its role as a powerful national movement with an important social and cultural influence in Irish life.
Gaelic Football
Gaelic football is played by around 250,000 men and women. This makes it the most popular sport in Ireland. The All-Ireland Football Final at Croke Park attracts thousands of fans and is regularly sold to capacity.
Hurling
Hurling is the oldest of Irish sports and dates back to the celts. No standardised rules existed until the GAA was formed in 1884. It is played by approximately 100,000 Irish people. Hurling is a fast field game and is played with an ash stick with a broad end. The stick is used to hit and carry the a small. |
