Ireland

:This page is about the island of Ireland. For the political territories on the island, see Republic of Ireland, Northern Ireland and the History section below.

Sport

Main article: Sport in Ireland

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Gaelic football and hurling are the most popular sports in Ireland. Along with Camogie, Ladies' Gaelic football, handball and rounders, they make up the national sports of Ireland, collectively known as Gaelic Games. All Gaelic games are governed by the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA), with the exception of Ladies' Gaelic Football, which is governed by a separate organisation. The GAA is organised on an all-Ireland basis with all 32 counties competing; traditionally, counties first compete within their province, in the provincial championships, and the winners then compete in the All-Ireland senior hurling or football championships. The headquarters of the GAA (and the main stadium) is located at the 83,000 seater Croke Park in north Dublin. All major GAA games are played here, including the semi-finals and finals of the All-Ireland championships. All GAA players, even at the highest level, are amateurs and receive no wages.

Related Topics:
Gaelic football - Hurling - Camogie - Ladies' Gaelic football - Handball - Rounders - Gaelic Games - Gaelic Athletic Association - Province - Provincial championships - Hurling - Football - Croke Park

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The Irish rugby team includes players from north and south, and the Irish Rugby Football Union governs the sport on both sides of the border. Consequently in international rugby, the Ireland team represents the whole island. The same is true of cricket.

Related Topics:
Rugby - Irish Rugby Football Union - Cricket

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However, when Ireland was partitioned, organisation of football (soccer) in the Republic was transferred from the Belfast-based Irish Football Association (IFA) to the new Football Association of Ireland (FAI). The IFA remained in charge of the game in the six counties. (Consequently in International Association Football, the island has two teams: the Republic of Ireland, and Northern Ireland.)

Related Topics:
Football (soccer) - Irish Football Association - Football Association of Ireland - Six counties

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In 1990, the Republic of Ireland made the quarter finals of the World Cup (this was the country's first appearance in the World Cup finals)

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Greyhound racing and horse racing are both popular in Ireland: greyhound stadiums are well attended and there are frequent horse race meetings. The Republic is noted for the breeding and training of race horses and is also a large exporter of racing dogs. The horse racing sector is largely concentrated in the central east of the Republic.

Related Topics:
Greyhound racing - Horse racing

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Boxing is also an all-island sport governed by the Irish Amateur Boxing Association.

Related Topics:
Boxing - Irish Amateur Boxing Association

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Golf is an extremely popular sport in Ireland and Golfing Tourism is a major industry. The 2006 Ryder Cup will be held in the K Club in Co. Kildare, which is just outside Dublin.

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Irish Sporting Stars would include: Brian O'Driscoll (Rugby, Captain of Ireland and the British & Irish Loins), Roy Keane (Captain of Manchester Utd), Damien Duff (Chelsea and Republic of Ireland), DJ Carey (Killkenny All-Star Hurler), Peter Canavan (Tyrone Gaelic Football Captain and All-Star), Aidan O'Brien (Horse Trainer), Keiran Fallon (Jockey), Eddie Jordan (former F1 Team Owner), Padraig Harrigton (Golfer), Sonia O'Sullivan (Athlethics),Steve Collins (Boxing) and Ken Doherty(Snooker).

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