What is Gaelic Football & Hurling?
Gaelic Football & Hurling are traditional Irish field sports (700+ & 2,000+ years old respectively) and two of the five Gaelic games promoted by Ireland’s Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA).
Both games are gaining more and more popularity in the U.S. due to it’s fast pace, high skill and its all action features. The advent of online video has also helped to capture the imagination of American audiences. Please click any of the videos below to see some or all of the Gaelic sports in action.
Watching these videos will give you a better idea of how the Gaelic games should be played
FAQs
Where can I find out more info about Gaelic Sports and Culture in the USA?
The United States Gaelic Athletic Association (USGAA) administers Gaelic games in the United States. The board is also responsible for the American teams in the United States.
Who can play?
Anyone over the age of 16 is welcome. There is no experience required to play any Gaelic sport. Our club has experienced members that are more than happy to coach you the basics & advanced skills of the game.
How big is a Gaelic Football/Hurling field?
A traditional Gaelic Football/Hurling field is usually 145 meters (158.57 yards) long by 90 meters (98.43 yards) wide. However, as there are not many GAA fields the US we usually play on a full size soccer or rugby field instead.
How many players on a Gaelic Football/Hurling team?
A traditional Gaelic Football/Hurling team would have 15 players but as we play on smaller fields here in the US we play with only 13 players a side.
What do I need to play?
Just bring some athletic gear (shirt, shorts, socks and cleats/athletic shoes) The club will provide you with Gaelic Footballs and other training equipment as needed.
If you choose Gaelic Football no further equipment is needed. However if you are more passionate about Hurling then you will have to purchase a helmet & a hurley. Some hurleys will be provided by the club, although it is recommended that you purchase your own hurley as well.
Nutrition?
We usually training for 1.5-2hrs, so please bring water or our appropriate nutrient as needed.
Do you play in any competitions?
The club participates in the South East Division of North American County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association. and we play games approximately once a month between May & September with the pinnacle of our season being the North American County Board (NACB) championship held over Labor Day weekend every year. See our calendar for more details details.
Can I bring a friend?
Absolutely. If you think someone else may be interested in giving it a try. Then bring them along too. It is how most people got started.
How expensive is it?
Gaelic Football & Hurling are not expensive sports to play and are not dangerous. There are two annual registration fees: 1. USGAA charges a fee of around $63 USD to register with a Club in order to compete at a National level. 2. The Wolfhounds GAA ask for an additional $40 USD in Club Dues to help facilitate the cost of provided equipment, travel expenses, events, etc.
How safe is it?
Gaelic Football & Hurling are not dangerous sports. Only controlled shoulder-shoulder tackling is allowed. We will show you the correct techniques to ensure your safety and the safety of others on the field.
How do I contact the club?
There are multiple ways to contact the club.
- via our ‘Subscribe to our mailing list’ form on the left navigation menu
- via our Contact Us page
- via Facebook and/or Instagram
When do you practice?
To find information on when and where we train please visit our Calendar.
Are you on social media?
Yes. we encourage you to join one or more of our social media apps for all the latest GAA news!
Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube
What are the rules of Gaelic sports like Gaelic Football, Hurling & Camogie?
First of all as this is the first time Camogie is mentioned I will explain what this is. Essentially Camogie is the female version of Hurling. Men play Hurling and women play Camogie. The rules of Camogie, predictably enough, are broadly similar to those of hurling, but with some small adjustments to make the game slightly less physical and more fluid. You can read more about Camogie here
Like any organized sport there are rules and regulations that must be following and obeyed. These rules are in place to provide player safety and fairness for everyone who plays the sports. You can read more about these rules here.
What are the goal dimensions, field positions and some basic skills of both Hurling and Gaelic Football?
