Gaelic football
Gaelic football is a competitive sport played mainly in Ireland.
| Table of contents |
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2 Rules 3 Leagues and Team structure 4 The All Ireland Final 5 Recent Winners of GAA All-Ireland Football Championships 6 Notes |
Though it has existed for centuries, it was formally arranged into an organised playing code by the Gaelic Athletic Association in the late nineteenth century.
Male and female leagues of the game exist.
Modern gaelic football is played with a round leather ball, similar to - but heavier than - that used in soccer.
The game is played on a ground similar to a rugby pitch. The goals, located at each end have a scoring system involving posts that are shaped like a letter 'H'.
If the ball is kicked into the lower section (which is guarded by a goalkeeper), a goal is scored.
If the ball goes over the bar, one point is scored.
One goal is valued at three points.
Scores are recorded in the format {goal total} - {point total}.
For example, if a team scored 1 goal and 14 points, it is written as 1-14 which would produce a total of 17 points.
The winning team is the one which has the highest total score, when the points total is calculated.
For example, in a conjectural match between Meath and Dublin (two real-life rivals),
the final scores would be writtenOrigins
Rules
Gaelic football's rules are most similar to Australian Rules Football, and it is widely believed that Irish games were a significant influence on the Australian game. Since the late 20th century, Gaelic and Australian rules teams have played each other in International Rules matches, in which compromise rules based on both games are used.
Meath 2-14 Dublin 1-12