Why did Gaelic football spread?

Answer 1

Gaelic football is a game which has been played in one form or another in Ireland for centuries. The first 'modern' set of written rules was drawn up by the Gaelic Athletic Association in Ireland. The modern game; http://www.YouTube.com/watch?v=StcMJkQ80ns Ireland

Answer 2

It spread through Ireland because it is a good game. The governing body, The Gaelic Athletic Association, was only founded in 1884, but the game was long established before that. The GAA put better structures in place for the promotion of the game, defined the rules for the game and helped it grow. The GAA is now the largest amateur sporting organisation in the world.

Gaelic Football is not an international sport, but wherever Irish people have gone, they have set up GAA clubs are there are well established ones in many countries around the world, with lots of competitions. To commemorate a centenary since the height of the famine, in 1947 the All-Ireland Football Final was, for the only time, played outside Ireland. It was played in the Polo Grounds in New York, which no longer exists. Along with Hurling, which is the fastest field game in the world, the two games are played now in many parts of the world and anyone who sees the games for the first time are always amazed by them. So that is why the games have spread.

Answer 3

Gaelic Football is run by the Gaelic Athletic Association, known as the GAA. Gaelic Football is one of Ireland's two national sports, the other being Hurling. Hurling is also run by the GAA, so the answer to this question equally applies to Hurling. The GAA has over 2500 clubs in Ireland. In almost every small village or parish one can be found. The players playing for these would be locals from the area. They may play for a club and also for their school, and as they get older for the college or even work teams. Each GAA club would have many teams covering a range of ages from children to adults, so everyone can participate.

The GAA is completely amateur, so no players get paid. So a lot of players stay for life with their clubs, and are not bought and sold or go to play for a team that they have no real connection with, like in professional sports. This also means that many of the fans are familiar with the players on a personal level, as family, neighbours, friends, classmates, workmates etc. So the whole community will have an interest in the team.

The better players get picked to also play for their county teams and will then not only be followed by their local community, but by people from a wider area. People are proud of their local GAA club and their county teams and will follow them loyally. GAA clubs also provide social outlets for people to meet. They often have special events on, like fund raising events or just have a bar where people can go, both after matches and even on days when no matches are played. Most of the people that are members of the GAA club are not players, so the clubs have lots of members.

Irish people meeting together will often talk about their clubs and counties and matches to other people from the same area or completely different areas. Friendships are built this way. Irish people abroad will often share stories or go to watch games on television from home together.

At the height of the GAA season, during the summer months, thousands of people go to see their county teams play. The biggest sporting event of all in Ireland, is the All-Ireland senior Football Final, played in Croke Park every September in front of a crowd of over 82,000 people and with millions watching on TV, listening on the radio or getting the final through the internet in Ireland and worldwide. The Hurling Final is also in September and is another massive sporting event in Ireland. They are just the two biggest finals. Right throughout the age categories and other grades, like education establishments, there are also many All-Ireland Finals, so throughout the entire year there are many matches on.

So as you can see, the GAA is a major influence in Ireland. It brings communities together in ways from small club matches for children right up to the All-Ireland Finals. It also brings them together through all the social aspects too. Without the GAA, Ireland would be a very different country in terms of its sport and culture.

Answer 4

It is one of Ireland's two main national sports, the others being Hurling. It is one of the main sports run by the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA). GAA clubs are found throughout the country. There are over 2500 clubs in Ireland, each having many teams for different ranges of ages. It is also played in schools and colleges. There are matches all year round with the peak of the season being in the summer months. People talk about their teams. Around the world when Irish people meet they often talk about their teams back in Ireland, and will watch games from Ireland. They also set up GAA clubs in their new countries. People will be recognised by their club or county colours when they wear them. So in many ways Gaelic Football has a major impact in Irish society beyond the sport itself, which is also brilliant to watch when played at its best. All players, even at the highest level, are amateur. They usually play with the teams local to them for their lives and have a strong affiliation to their club and county, so it becomes part of the identity of players and fans.

Answer 5

They are Ireland's national sports so they are hugely popular and enjoyable, so naturally Irish people will play them. They do so in Ireland, but also anywhere in the world where you will find Irish people.

Answer 6

It is Ireland's national sport. There are Gaelic Football clubs all around Ireland, about 2500 of them. It is a fast game, high scoring and very entertaining. The top players always play for their local teams, so they have a particular affiliation to their team, unlike sports where players change to play for other teams. The fans also have a strong connection to their local teams and the players. The sport is amateur too.