Unusual Sport: Gaelic Football In 5 Questions

If your heart is torn between soccer and rugby, know that there is a sport that combines elements of both team sports. We invite you to discover Gaelic football in 5 questions.

Gaelic football originates from where?

Gaelic football is a team sport originating from Ireland. It is even the most popular sport in the country, closely followed by hurling, with which it shares some characteristics.

In this country, most Irish counties have their own club as well as regional teams. In total, the country has no fewer than 2,800 clubs, and this team sport is played by both women and men.

Today, this number one sport in Ireland has crossed the borders of its native country and is gaining an increasing number of followers in France, particularly in Brittany.

What is the history of Gaelic football?

The origins of Gaelic football can be traced back to the 18th century. The first official match was held in 1712 in the town of Slane, between the counties of Louth and Meath.

The rules of this team sport were put into writing by Maurice Davin, the founder of the GAA (Gaelic Athletic Association) in 1884. They were later published in the United Ireland magazine on February 7, 1887.

Gaelic football is a team sport that combines elements of soccer, rugby, and basketball. It is played by two teams of 15 players each, with the objective of scoring points by either kicking or punching the ball into the opposing team's goal for three points or over the crossbar for one point. The game is characterized by its fast pace, physicality, and skillful ball handling.

At first glance, Gaelic football is a surprising mix of soccer, rugby, basketball, and handball! Each team consists of 15 players, including a goalkeeper, six defenders, two midfielders, and six forwards. A maximum of 3 substitutions can be made during a match.

Matches consist of two halves of 30 minutes for league games or 35 minutes for championship matches.

The field used is 137 meters long by 82 meters wide. The goalposts are the same as in hurling, and the scoring is calculated in the same way:
• 1 point if the ball goes over the crossbar between the two posts.
• 3 points if the ball goes under the crossbar into the net.

It should also be noted that Gaelic football is less violent than rugby or traditional soccer because tackles and blocks are prohibited. Only shoulder-to-shoulder contact is allowed in this sport.

What ball is used in Gaelic football?

Gaelic football players compete for a slightly smaller spherical ball than a standard soccer ball.

The official ball used in competition is made by the Irish brand O'Neill's. It measures about 25 cm in diameter and weighs between 370 grams and 425 grams.

What are the rules of Gaelic football?

One of the fundamental rules of Gaelic football states that a player is not allowed to take more than 4 consecutive steps with the ball in their hands.

When a player wants to advance towards the opposing goals, they must either:
• bounce the ball off the ground. This dribble, similar to that of handball, is called a bounce and players are not allowed to do two in a row.
• bounce the ball off their foot in a move called toe-tap, after which they can take another four steps.

To dispose of the ball, a player can:
• kick it, meaning a strike with the foot.
• hand pass it, meaning a strike with the fist or open hand. They are allowed to propel the ball but not to throw it with both hands.

Furthermore, even though a player is allowed to carry the ball in their hands, they are not permitted to pick it up from the ground with their hands. To retrieve the ball on the ground, they must perform a pick-up, which involves lifting it off the ground with a kick.

To pass the ball, the player must keep the ball in contact with both hands. It is forbidden to send it back with a sleeve as in volleyball... It is also forbidden to jostle the goalkeeper in his area or to snatch the ball from a player's hands. To dispossess an opponent of the ball, one must hit the ball.

Although these rules may seem complex, Gaelic football is an extremely popular sport in its country of origin and beyond. As proof of its growing popularity, this amateur sport organized its first World Cup in July 2023. The event brought together some 2,000 players in the city of Derry in Northern Ireland.