GAA 101 – Your Guide To Understanding Irish Sports

 What Is The GAA?

The Gaelic Athletic Association, or GAA, consists of four indigenous Irish games: Hurling, Gaelic Football, Handball and Rounders. Hurling and football are the most widely played, with some matches shown all around the world. Handball and Rounders, despite not being as common, are equally as fascinating.

What Is Handball & Rounders?

Handball is like squash, but instead of a racquet, you use your hand to strike the ball! Games are played in singles or doubles within an enclosed court. The ball must be returned before it bounces twice and must hit the front wall before hitting the ground. It is a game played around the world and, naturally, Ireland is home to some of the world’s finest players.

Rounders is Ireland’s answer to baseball, the rules are almost identical! The only difference is that instead of a baseball, a sliotar is used as the ball of play.

Though not as common as hurling and football, these sports are engrained in Irish culture and are incredibly fun to both watch and play. If you happen to stumble upon a game, be sure to hang around and watch, you won’t regret it!     

Rounders

Handball