So what is this Gaelic Football anyway?

Gaelic Football is best described as a cross between soccer and rugby, although it is older than both. It originated, and is played primarily, in Ireland. The first record of Gaelic football is in the Statutes of Galway (1527) which allowed the playing of football but banned hurling. The earliest reported match took place at Slane, Co. Meath in 1712 when Meath played their neighbors, Louth. It is a field sport played on a rectangular "pitch" (field) with a round ball. The field is much larger than a soccer or NFL field at 158 yds by 98 yds for a full sized pitch. Each team has 13 players on a side, one of which is the goal tender. Both men and women play the game, in independent leagues. Players line up much the same as soccer (full backs, half backs, midfielders, forwards, etc.) and typically play in a "man to man" format. Players are allowed to move around the entire pitch without regard for the location of the ball (i.e.
- no offsides).

One of the main differences from soccer is that players in Gaelic Football can use their hands to carry and pass the ball. A player can only obtain possession of the ball in their hands only when it is not in contact with the ground. Once in possession of a ball, a player can only take four steps before they must pass it to another player, bounce it to themselves or "solo" it. (A maneuver where the player drops the ball from their hands to their feet while running, and then kicks it back into their hands, all without the ball contacting the ground) It is a skill which is difficult to master, but impressive to watch when done properly.

Advancing the ball to another player is done by kicking it or hand passing it. A hand pass must be "punched" out of the hand with a closed fist.
Throws are not allowed and result in a change of possession. The ball can be passed in any direction on the pitch.

Another major difference from soccer, and one which brings some of the rugby elements to the game, is that physical contact is allowed. It is legal for a player to "check" another player in possession of the ball with a shoulder to shoulder hit. Defenders may also try to knock the ball from an opponents hands in an attempt to steal it. There is also a great deal of physical contact when attempting to win a "jump" ball. Full out tackles or wrapping up of a player, with or without the ball is not allowed and results in a free kick forward from the spot of the foul.

Similar to soccer, there is one goal placed at each end of the pitch defended by the goal tender. The goal itself is a net approximately the same size as in soccer; however, the vertical posts continue upward to create a plane above. Scoring is accomplished in one of two ways. A shot into the net past the goal tender is worth 3 points. Players may also kick or hand pass the ball over the goal crossbar and between the uprights.
This is worth one point.

Scoring is accomplished in one of two ways -- A shot into the net past the goal tender is worth 3 points. Players may also kick or hand pass the ball over the goal crossbar and between the uprights. This is worth 1 point. The third number shown, in parentheses, represents the total score for the team. This number is typically not provided regulation matches.

Gaelic Football is considered an amateur sport, even in Ireland. Players on each team play for the honor of representing their town, or County, and typically hold down regular jobs when not competing. Unlike many sports here in America, no contracts are made between the players and the teams.
The sport is all about the local men, women and children bringing the recognition and trophy back home.

Levels of play for the men's and women's leagues are broken down into Senior, Intermediate and Junior level. These levels are based on skill level and not age. Senior is the top skill level, while Junior is the lowest. The junior level, which is equivalent to club level, is again broken down into A, B, C & D divisions. The Junior D division was created three years ago to help develop Gaelic Football programs in cities just getting into the sport.

The culmination of every football season is the National Championships of the North American Gaelic Athletic Association, the ruling body for Gaelic sports in North America (*except New York City). The event is held annually at various cities around the nation were clubs exist. Each Labor Day weekend teams of men, women and children from all over the United States come to compete for the Title in their respective division and sport.