Frequently Asked Questions

Where are the games played?
When does the season run?
What is the GAA?
Are injuries common?
Is there co-ed?
Are there any professional leagues?
Why do people play?
Who plays?
How can I get involved in watching the games?
How can I get involved in playing?
What is the greatest prize in Gaelic Games?
We have started a club, but why should we join the NACB?

Where are the games played?
Gaelic Games are predominantly played in Ireland, but the North American County Board is responsible for promoting them throught the USA outside of New York City. For details of clubs near you, see the clubs page. The North American finals are played in different cities on different years. In 2005 they were played in Philadelphia, and they will be held there again in 2006. The North American Finals are always played over the Labor Day weekend.

When does the season run?
In most US cities, the local GAA season runs from April through August. April is when the teams start to recruit and warm up with some light training sessions. In Ireland, the inter-county All-Ireland championships run from May through September. The club All-Ireland championship runs through the winter and the finals are played on St Patrick's Day.

What is the GAA?
The Gaelic Athletic Association is the governing body of the Gaelic Games of Hurling and Gaelic Football. It also governs such games as Rounders and Handball. It is a totally amateur, non-profit, community-based organisation whose remit includes the promotion of Irish culture as expressed through sport, poetry, song, dance, and music. Camogie (hurling for ladies) is governed in Ireland by the Camogie Association, but in the USA it is administered through GAA structures.

Are injuries common?
No. Believe it or not, you are more likely to be injured in a game of soccer than in a game of hurling because of the higher likelihood of a collision of the lower legs in soccer. Physical contact in gaelic games is limited to a shoulder-to-shoulder charge with the player in possession of the ball. Your training in hurling will consist mostly of learning how to protect yourself. Helmets can prevent head injury, but your stick is your main means of self-preservation.

Is there co-ed?
Not in Ireland, and not in most US cities. There are ladies' teams and mens' teams everywhere, but there are some mixed mixed teams in places like Millwaukee where people take a more flexible approach to how teams are made up in the interests of promoting the game.

Are there any professional leagues?
No. Although the All-Ireland championships look like major professional events, the only reward that the players get is the honour of winning and representing their local community. It is this that makes the GAA such a unique organisation. It remains free of the corrupting influence of out-of-control players' salaries and transfer markets.

Why do people play?
GAA club and county teams represent their respective local communities. It is the honour of representing one's community that spurs people on to play, and the fact that the players on a team represent the area in which the team is based means that the following is loyal and fanatical. At local club level, people play for various reasons. They play because it is fun, it is a sociable activity, it is a challenge, to improve fitness and health, and for recognition for their achievements.

Who plays?
Our games are mostly played by Irish people, including some who travel from Ireland for the summer - mostly students. However, there is a growing contingent of American-born players who really are the future of the Association in the United States, and our organisation is changing its business model to encouage more of this.

How can I get involved in watching the games?
It depends on where you live. If you want to watch local games, a good place to start would be to check out the clubs page and find out if there is any GAA activity near you. If you're interested in watching the All-Ireland championships on television, the cable channel Setanta Sports is available on pay-per-view on Direct TV, or there may be a local Irish pub near you that screens the games.

How can I get involved in playing?
It depends on your level of skill and where you are. Step one is to find a club near you. Most clubs will welcome people of any ability, including total beginners. If you're interested in starting a club, contact the North American County Board for assistance.

What is the greatest prize in Gaelic Games?
The most prestigious prizes in Gaelic Games are the inter-county All-Ireland Championships. For football the prize is the Sam Maguire cup. In Hurling it is the Liam McCarthy cup. These two finals are Ireland's equivalent of the Superbowl, and the two All-Ireland finals are huge national occasions. They are attended by the Taoiseach (Prime Minister) and the Irish President, as well as any visiting VIPs and foreign dignitaries who may be in the country at the time.

We have started a club, but why should we join the NACB?
Affiliating with the North American Board entitles you to the following:

• Participation in the NACB playoffs and the chance to win the title of North American Champions
• Voting rights at the NACB Convention and a say in how the organization is run
• Support and guidance in games development from the North American Board
• A season of competitive games in your division if available.