This is the Homepage of the Eirball – Irish All-Sports Archive. Our website address is

Clicking on any link in this website shall bring you to one of our 32 websites dedicated to the statistical history of each sport or category of sport played in Ireland plus one website for sports-related games.

The All-Ireland Championships and National Leagues are the highlights of the GAA Calendar. With 32 Counties in Ireland, as well as London and New York from the Britain GAA Provincial Council and World Games taking part, there is plenty of competition in the four most popular sports of Hurling, Gaelic Football, Camogie and Ladies Gaelic. Both Club and County honours are to sought, and in the GAA the season is split into a National League usually playing over the Winter Months followed by the All-Ireland Championships, usually fought out over the summer. The All-Ireland Club Finals take place around St. Patrick’s Day, and the All-Ireland County Championships in September.

Gaelic Football

Gaelic Football is one of the four original GAA Charter Sports of 1884, and the most popular, played to the highest level throughout the 32 Counties as well as 14 Counties around the World. It is 15-a-side and Goals (worth 3 Points) are scored as well as Points (Over the Bar – worth 1 Point). it is organised like most GAA Games on a County, Provincial and All-Ireland basis with Club Competitions providing the bedrock of the game, and the best club players representing their counties. Within both Club and County Competitions there is the League (usually run over the winter months) and the Championship (usually run over the summer months).

Featured Image: Photo Contributor: Dirk Hudson (2020) 14th August 2020, Dublin, Ireland. Various county team jerseys hanging up in the players dressing room under the Cusack Stand in Croke Park Stadium, located in Jones’ Rd, Drumcondra, Dublin. [Internet] Available from: https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/14th-august-2020-dublin-ireland-various-1800336604 [Accessed 26 July 2022]

The GAA World Archive is part of the Eirball.ie – Irish, North American and World Sports Archives

GAA Gaelic Football

Hurling

Hurling is an ancient Gaelic Irish Sport, and one of the four Charter GAA Sports of 1884. It is played with a Hurl or Hurley (stick) and a sliotar (ball) and is one of the fastest team sports in the world. It is 15-a-side and Goals (worth 3 points) are scored as well as points (over the bar – worth one point). It is organised on a Club and County basis like most GAA Sports and has County, Provncial and All-Ireland Championships. Within both Club and County Championships there is the Hurling League (usually run over winter) and the Hurling Championship (usually run over summer). There are about 12 Top Level (Division 1) Counties that play for the Liam McCarthy Cup, as well as the Joe McDonagh Cup (Division 2), Christy Ring Cup (Division 3), and Nicky Rackard (Division 4) and Lory Meaghar Cups (Division 5). Outside of Ireland there are 14 Counties that also play Gaelic Football and sometimes Hurling, with London, Warwickshire and Lancashire taking part in the lower levels of the All-Ireland Championships.

Camogie

Camogie is the ladies version of Hurling, with slightly different rules to suit them. It is also 15-a-side and is scored by either goals (worth 3 points) or points (over the bar – worth one point). It is played with a Camog (stick) and ball. It is organised, like most GAA sports on a Club and County basis, with County, Provincial, and All-Ireland Championships. The season is divided in both Club and County into a Camogie League (usually played over winter) and a Camogie Championship (usually played over summer).

The GAA World Archive is part of the Eirball.ie – Irish, North American and World Sports Archives

Ladies Gaelic Football

Ladies Gaelic Football, as its name suggests is the Ladies version of Ireland’s most popular sport, and can boast almost as much popularity, with 50,000 recently turning up at Croke Park for the Ladies Gaelic Football All-Ireland Championship Final. It is organised, like most GAA sports on a Club and County basis, with County, Provincial and All-Ireland Championships. The season is divided into a Football League (usually held over winter) and a Championship (usually held over summer). The scoring is similar to Gaelic Football, Hurling and Camogie, with a goal (worth 3 points) and a point (over the bar – worth one point). It is also 15-a-side like Gaelic Football, Hurling and Camogie.

The GAA World Archive is part of the Eirball.ie – Irish, North American and World Sports Archives

Colleges GAA

LGFA Higher Education Championship

Gaeltacht GAA

About Comortas Peile na Gaeltachta

Comortas Peile na Gaeltachta is an All Ireland Football Championship held annually since 1969 between Club sides from the Gaeltacht Areas of Donegal (Ulster), Galway and Mayo (Connacht), Kerry, Cork and Waterford (Munster) and Meath (Leinster). [Reference: 8]

American Football Ireland

This is an All-Time Record of Irish 11v11 American Football, including All-Time Results & Standings; International Results; Irish 11v11 American Football Teams; Irish 11v11 American Football Players, Coaches & Officials; Irish American Football Records and Irish American Football Yearbooks. Please use the navigation bar above to see the record of Irish 8v8 American Football (Development Leagues; 2nds Teams; Youth Contact Football) and Flag Football.

This is the Index / Landing Page to the All-Time Results, Standings and Box-Scores of American Football Ireland 11v11 Leagues, College Bowl, Early Pre-Pads Football, Festivals, All-Star Games and Preseasons. Below you will find links to the Results & Tables of the Irish American Football League since its first year in 1986, in increasing levels of detail, depending on how much detail you want

Header Image Credit: [1] Photo by Thomas Ronveaux on Pexels.com [2] American Football Ireland Mini-Helmets by Enda Mulcahy for Eirball [3] Photo by Ricardo CL on Pexels.com [4] Photo by Jean-Daniel Francoeur on Pexels.com

American Football Ireland Premier Era

Irish American Football Association Era

In 2001, a new administration – the Irish American Football Association – re-established the Irish American Football League, as a Winter League in 2001, and a Spring League in 2002, and then in 2003 as ‘Division 1’  with an 8-Man Division 2. Divisions 1 & 2 were merged into one 11-Man, 6-team IAFL in 2004, and the League expanded to 11 teams by 2008, when a new 8-Man Development League was again re-introduced, to help newer teams starting out, and help existing clubs field second teams. the Development League became a full 11-Man Second Level in 2013, with the two tiers renamed the Shamrock Bowl Conference &  IAFL 1 Conference. A third Tier, the IAFL 2 Conference was introduced in 2014, leading to a 23-team League at its height. In 2020 the Irish American Football Association was renamed American Football Ireland, under new management, President Orla McAleese, the first Female President of the Association.

American Football Association of Ireland Era

The Irish American Football League has been running since 1986. The first Shamrock Bowl (Ireland’s Super Bowl or Title Game) was played in 1986 and the first full Irish American Football League season in 1987. For the first three seasons the League operated in Ireland only, and then in 1989 became part of the Combined Gridiron League which operated throughout Ireland, England, Scotland and Wales. In 1990 the League returned to an Ireland-only league, but only in Northern Ireland, with the sole Republic of Ireland representatives, the Dublin Celts, playing in the UK Second Division (NCMMA) and playing a series of exhibition matches against the Northern Irish teams. Following on from the Irish League Final, the Champions of the Irish League played against the Dublin Celts in the Shamrock Bowl. In 1991 an All-Ireland American Football League was re-established, under the American Football association of Ireland banner, which became the Irish Senior League in 1997, under new management. This was a time when the initial excitement for the new sport faded, and the NFL was no longer on terrestrial TV in Ireland or Britain, and the number of teams dropped to 3 in 1999, and then in 2000 there was no league

American Football Ireland Division 1 and 2

Basketball Ireland

Basketball Ireland was founded as the Amateur Basketball Association of Ireland in 1947, and after playing a County and Club Championship format for nearly 30 years switched to a National Basketball League based on clubs in 1973. This became professionalised with the import of American players during the 1979-80 season and the name of the organisation was changed to the Irish Basketball Association to reflect this. The IBA became Basketball Ireland in 2003 and organises National Leagues, Cups and Tournaments as well as entering International competitions.

National Basketball Leagues

This is the Eirball Index Page to the All-Time Results and Standings of the Basketball Ireland National Leagues. First founded in 1973-74 after 27 years of the Amateur Basketball Association of Ireland All-Ireland Club and County Championshps, the National Basketball Leagues have two tiers in both Men’s and Women’s Basketball.

Header Picture Credit: [1] Folan, John | Irish Basketball Memories of the 80s And 90s Facebook Group (2020) Post to Page, January 27, 2020″Fantastic team loved going to see them play” [Internet] Available from: https://scontent-dub4-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/84031072_1023908997993251_8391839803976450048_n.jpg?nc_cat=104&_nc_sid=ca434c&_nc_ohc=eZjapq8zlu4AX9QUva&_nc_ht=scontent-dub4-1.xx&oh=03447b305a695c8d4a572078f382a059&oe=5E9F44CB [Accessed 25 March 2020][Adjusted]

Amateur Basketball Association of Ireland / Irish Basketball Association Division 1

The Amateur Basketball Association of Ireland was formed in 1947. After 25 years of All-Ireland Championships based on a Club & County basis like in the GAA, the ABAI created the first National Basketball League based on clubs in 1972-73.

In 1979-80 St. Vincent’s Killarney brought in two paid American Imports, contrary to the rules of the ABAI, but after taking no action against them for most of the season, they relented having seen how many fans it was bringing in, and allowed paid imports, changing the name of the Association to the Irish Basketball Association to reflect this. This era, from 1980-1991 is regarded by many in Irish Basketball as its “Golden Era”

Irish Basketball Association / Basketball Ireland Men’s Super League

In 1991 the Association merged the Men’s Divisions 1 & 2 into one National Basketball League, with two conferences: North & South. At the same time it reduced the number of paid American Imports from two to one, thinking the Irish playerscould make the step up. The fans lost interest, however, with just one American on the teams, and it is regarded as the end of the “Golden Era”. After two seasons under this format, the two division set-up was reinstated, with Divisions 1 & 2 now named the Super League & Division 1.

The Irish Basketball Association was rebranded in 2003 as Basketball Ireland, and the two Conference (North & South) model was again reintroduced, although the two Division (2 levels) set-up was retained. The Women’s 2nd Level was reinstated at this time also, although the Women’s Divisions never had North & South Conferences.

In 2013 the Super League underwent a name-change to the Premier League, as a drastic attempt was made to fix the National Leagues and the massive debt Basketball Ireland had built up.   In 2016 the Super League brand made a comeback and by 2019 it was stated on the Basketball Ireland website that the €1.4 Million debt was paid off.

Irish Basketball Association Ladies / Women’s Division 1

Irish Basketball Association / Basketball Ireland Women’s Super League

Irish Basketball Association Men’s Division 2

The Amateur Basketball Association of Ireland created a second level for Men’s Basketball in 1977-78, known as Division 2, which remained Division 2 after the re-branding of the organisation in 1979-80. For the 1991-92 season, both Divisions were merged into one Budweiser-sponsored League with North and South Conferences and American-style playoffs.

Irish Basketball Association / Basketball Ireland Men’s Division 1

In 1993 the Men’s Budweiser League was again split between two levels, with the highest level being named the Super League and the second level Division 1.

Irish Basketball Association Ladies / Women’s Division 2

Basketball Ireland Women’s Division 1

Irish Ice Hockey Association

Elite Ice Hockey League

Ice Hockey has been played in Ireland since the 1940s when the Ulster Ice Hockey League featuring mostly Canadian soldiers stationed in Northern Ireland during WW2 flourished. While some Irish players played in that league it was not until 1949-50 that an Irish Ice Hockey Association was established for Irish teams. In addition to the Irish Ice Hockey Leagues over the years since there has also been teams based in Dundonald Ice Bowl who played in Scottish and Celtic Leagues and the Belfast Giants who play in the Elite Ice Hockey League alongside teams from Scotland, Wales and England and also in the Champions Hockey League (Europe).

Elite Ice Hockey Leagues

As well as playing in the Elite Ice Hockey League (England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland), the Belfast Giants can compete in the Champions Hockey League (European Champions League)

Celtic Ice Hockey Leagues

As well as the Elite Ice Hockey League (England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland – Pro Level 4 (A) in the National Hockey League (North America) system), there are also Celtic or Scottish Leagues which Irish teams have participated in since the 1980s, forming a bridge between the Pro Levels (EIHL) and the purely recreational or amateur Irish Leagues.

In the 1980s and 1990s teams from Castlereagh, based at Dundonald Ice Bowl entered Scottish or Northern English / Scottish Leagues, and then from 2008 to 2010 teams from both Dundonald and Dundalk Ice Bowls entered the Celtic League, which was more evenly distributed between Irish and Scottish sides.

Irish Ice Hockey Association

Ice Hockey has been played in Ireland since 1940 when it was first introduced by Canadian soldiers serving in Northern Ireland during World War II. This page provides a link to the Final Standings and Results of various Leagues in Ireland since then. The greatest Irish Ice Hockey League of all time was the Irish Ice Hockey League of 2007 to 2010, when the Dundalk Ice Dome was open, and the league featured teams which could compete in Europe.

Baseball Ireland

This is the Eirball Index Page to All-Time Results and Standings of the Irish Baseball League and other Baseball Leagues in Ireland such as the WW2 League among US and Canadian Soldiers stationed in Northern Ireland for the duration of the War.

Irish Baseball League

In mid-1990s a few Leinster Softball players wanted something more competitive and atarted the first Irish Baseball League in 1997. With funding from the Irish-American owner of the Los Angeles Dodgers Major League Baseball team, a puropse-built Baseball Diamond was made in Corkagh Park, Clondalkin, Dublin 22, including a Little League field, and the League has been in existence since, celebrating its 25th anniverary in 2021.

Ireland Soccer

All-Ireland Soccer Cups and Republic of Ireland Soccer Leagues’ Results and Tables can be found by clicking on the buttons in the list below.

All-Ireland Soccer Cups

All-Ireland Soccer Cups have been played on an on-off basis since 1941-42 when the Dublin & Belfast Intercity Cup was first played. The North-South Cup lasted two seasons from 1961-1963 and then sponsors names appeared on the Blaxnit Cup (1967 to 1974), Texaco Cup (1973 to 1975), and Tyler Cup 1978 to 1980. The Irish News sponsored the North West Cup from 1995 to 1998, featuring teams from Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland parts of Ulster. The latest and perhaps greatest All-Ireland Cup was the Setanta Cup, which ran from 2005 to 2009 and then after a years break from 2011 to 2014.

The Eirball.football Archive is part of the Eirball.sport – Irish All-Sports Archives

Football Association of Ireland

The Football Association of Ireland (Republic of Ireland Soccer) broke away from the Irish Football Association (Northern Ireland Soccer) after the 26 Counties gained independence in 1922. The FAI organises the League of Ireland (Premier Division, First Division and Underage Divisions) as well as at one stage the League of Ireland B Division.

Women’s National League

The FAI organises the Women’s National League as well as the FAI Women’s Cup, FAI Women’s National League Cup and Underage Leagues and Cups

Irish Rugby Football Union

United Rugby Championship

Header Image: Photo by Nayla Charo on Pexels.com

Rugby Union is one of the four most popular team sports in Ireland, after Soccer, Gaelic Football and Hurling. There is a Professional League operating at the highest level with teams in Leinster, Munster, Ulster and Connacht as well as Scotland, Wales, Italy and South Africa, the top teams of which qualify for the Champions Cup involving the Top French and English sides.

There is also an All-Ireland League for Club sides below this and Four Provincial Leagues below this again. Women’s Rugby has gained in popularity in recent decades and there is an All-Ireland League fed by Provincial Leagues. Variations on the sport include Rugby Sevens, Tag & Touch Rugby (non-contact) and Wheelchair Rugby.

Below you will find links to the Results and Tables for a variety of competitions.

The Irish Rugby Football Union governs Rugby Union on the island of Ireland, running the All-Ireland League, and sending International Teams to the 6 Nations, World Cup and various other International Rugby Board competitions.

United Rugby Championship

All-Ireland League Men’s

IRFU Women’s Rugby

Hockey Ireland

Hockey has been played in Ireland in various forms for hundreds of years, and possibly had the same origins as Hurling. Until recently there were Men’s and Women’s Leagues in each of the four Provinces and the South East with an All-Ireland Playoff at the end of the season. There has been an Irish League since 2015 with Promotion/Relegation to the Provincial Leagues.

Cricket Ireland

Australian Rules Football

Australian Rules has been played in Ireland since 2000, when the first clubs were formed in Dublin and Belfast. There are currently the full 21-a-side Men’s Premiership, Super 9s/10s and a Women’s Super 7s.

Ireland also enters the European Championship and International Cup. the Leprechaun Cup, an International Cup is also hosted in Belfast, and Irish Universities enter the Fitzpatrick Cup for the European University Title.

There are also International Rules matches between Ireland and Australia which has been played since 1984 with the first touring sides visiting Ireland in the 1960s.

Below you will find links to the Results and Tables of various Competitions involving Irish Teams:

Australian Football League Ireland

Australian Football League Ireland Women

Netball Ireland

Netball originated in England at the end of the Nineteenth Century as a Women’s version of Basketball. It got its name in Jamaica. It differs from Basketball in the lack of contact between players, and in the scoring – each basket counts as one goal rather than two points, and the ball must be passed into a zone around the goal where a designated player may make a shot.

It is played in both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland with Northern Ireland ranking as one of the World Powers in the sport. There is a League in both Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland and was once leagues in Cork and Limerick. Versions of the Sport include Fast Fives and Mixed 6-a-side Netball, with Independent Leagues in the latter in Dublin.

Netball Ireland Women’s Leagues

Ireland Lacrosse

Irish Lacrosse League

After the Irish Lacrosse Union disappeared around the First World War, and the Irish Ladies Lacrosse Association from 1926-1970 had also disbanded, the third wave of Lacrosse in Ireland was the revival of Ireland Lacrosse in the early 21st Century, featuring Men’s Women’s and Box (Indoor Lacrosse).

Irish Women’s Lacrosse League

Women’s Lacrosse was codified in Scotland, and is a 12-v-12 version of Lacrosse. There was an Irish Ladies Lacrosse Association in Ireland from the 1920s to 1970, that played in the Home Nations against England, Scotland and Wales, and also held a Schools Shield, with teams from Dublin & Belfast.It was resurrected in the early 2000s, with an International team, and the Irish women’s Lacrosse League.

Rugby League Ireland

Irish Rugby League

Rugby League is most popular in Australia and Northern England. It differs from Rugby Union in having two less players (13 as opposed to 15) and no scrums or lineouts.

It has been played in Ireland since Rugby Union players set up the Dublin Blues in the 1990s as a way of keeping fit during the rugby union off-season. The first Irish Rugby League season was in 1996, but the League didn’t play the 2000 season due to the decision by the Rugby League Authorities in England to no longder fund it. It was restarted in 2001 under a new administration: Rugby League Ireland.

In 2007 a separate Elite League was created with the Emerald Conference as a second level. Folowing this experiment the All-Ireland Championships were reinstated in 1010, featuring Leinster, Munster and Ulster Leagues, with an All Ireland Playoff. There is currently a League run on Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland basis with an All-Ireland Grand Final.

There is also EuroTag – a European version of Tag Rugby and RL Nines – full contact but with reduced numbers.

Below you will find links to the Results and Tables of various competitions in Ireland and involving Irish teams.

Rugby League Ireland Women

Volleyball Ireland

Volleyball Ireland is the National Governing Body of Volleyball in Ireland.

Volleyball was invented in New England, USA at the end of the 19th Century. It is played by two teams on a court much like a Badminton court with a high net separating the two sides. The object of the sport is to score points by keeping the ball from touching the ground on your own side while trying to get it over the net and in-bounds in your opponents side.

Matches are played in sets much like in the Racquet Sports, with each set being the first to 21 and winning by 2 points. Matches are usually best-of-5 sets. Volleyball has been played in Ireland since the 1960s. There are four main variations played in Ireland: Volleyball, Beach Volleyball, Spikeball (Reduced Numbers) and Sitting Volleyball (like wheelchair sports but without the wheelchair).

Volleyball Ireland is the National Governing Body for Volleyball in the Republic of Ireland. It was founded as the Volleyball Association of Ireland in the 1960s and renamed Volleyball Ireland in 2017. It oversees the running of the Volleyball Ireland National Leagues as well as Schools Competitions and entering Ireland teams in International Competition. There are three regional associations which make up a constituent part of Volleyball Ireland: Volleyball East Region, Volleyball South Region & Volleyball West Region.

Below you will find links to various competitions in Ireland:

Volleyball National Leagues Women

Volleyball National Leagues Men

Water Polo

Ireland Water Polo Men’s

Ireland Water Polo Women’s

Olympic Handball

Olympic  Handball is a team sport played on the same court as a Futsal court.

It is like a cross between Basketball, Water Polo and Indoor Soccer, where the goal is to throw the ball into a goal at the other teams end of the court. It is played with the hands rather than feet and running with the ball is not allowed. The players must pass the ball into a semi-circle surrounding the opposing teams goal where they can shoot.

The Irish Olympic Handball Association runs Senior Men’s and Ladies Leagues as well as Schools competitions.

Below you will find links to the Results and Tables of various competitions#

Ireland Handball Men

Ireland Handball Women

Football Fives and Footbag

Futsal

Futsal is the South American version of Football and was invented in 1930s Uruguay by a teacher. It is played on the same indoor court as an Olympic Handball court, with lines delineating the out-of-bounds rather than walls as in Indoor Football. Players must pass the ball into a semi-circle surrounding the opposing teams goal before being allowed to shoot. Similar games include Arena Soccer (big in USA and Canada, where there were professional Leagues before the MLS), Indoor Football, Football Fives, Street Soccer, Beach Soccer, and Powerchair Football.

Below you will find the Results and Tables of various competitions in Ireland.

Golf Ireland & PGA Tours

PGA Tour

Golf, while a Scottish Game with Celtic Roots, is very popular in Ireland, with Irish Professionals on the European and US PGA Tours counting among the most successful.

European PGA Tour

Golfing Union of Ireland

There are a number of Tours in Ireland with weekly tournaments held at a different club each week, as well as clubs throughout Ireland which hold Prize Day tournaments.

Irish Ladies Golf Union

Snooker Billiards Ireland

Snooker is played on a table covered with a green baize and with six holes (pockets) at the four corners and halfway down both sides. The object of the game is to use a white ball (hit with a cue) to knock coloured balls into pockets. The balls are worth different points for each colour from 1 (red) to 7 (Black).

Bowling

Bowling comes in many varieties, from the earliest Road Bowling which may have started in Ireland or may have been brought in by William of Orange; to Skittles, Lawn Bowls, Tenpin Bowling, Petanque (the sport played at the foot of the Eiffel Tower), Boccia (the Italian version of Bowling) to Indoor Bowling (played on a green mat in Community Centres and Church Halls).

Tenpin Bowling

Tenpin Bowling is a version of Skittles or Bowling played with ten skittles and a much bigger, heavier ball. There are Bowling alleys throughout Ireland.

Lawn Bowls

Lawn Bowls is a genteel version of bowling played on a green lawn. Irish Lawn Bowls governs Lawn Bowls in Ireland, with Provincial Associations in Leinster and Ulster.

Darts

Darts has a 500-year history in Ireland. A small dart is thrown at a target which has 20 numbers segments (scoring 1-20), with double and triple points scored for hitting smaller zones in each segment nearer the centre of the Dart board. The centre (the Bull’s Eye) scores 50. players must finish on a double. Points are scored downwards from 501 to zero.

There is a League in most counties with pubs entering teams. There is also a Professional Circuit in Britain which Irish players can enter.

Contact and Combat Sports

As this is part of the Eirball – Irish North American and World Sports Archives the main focus shall be sports such as Celtic Wrestling, WWE Wrestling, Boxing-UFC Compromise Rules, Kickboxing, Fencing, Gladiating, Jugger, Paintball / Airsoft, Laser Tag (Quasar) and Capture the Flag which originated either in Ireland, USA, or somewhere else around the World (i.e. Asia, Latin America and Africa). Particular attention shall also be paid to European Sports which are either Traditional and Ancient or Modern 21st Century Sports (such as Jugger).

Boxing and Fighting

Variations on Boxing include Olympic / Professional Boxing, Bare-Knuckle Boxing (currently not sanctioned), UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship) and Kickboxing

Boxing

Ireland’s most successful Olympic Sport.

Ultimate Fighting

Ultimate Fighting is a modern take on Boxing and other fighting games that originated in USA.

Modified Rules Boxing-Ultimate Fighting

The first Modified Rules Boxing-Ultimate Fighting fight took place between Floyd Mayweather Jr and Conor McGregor, with two events – one Boxing and one Ultimate Fighting taking place in the fight, held on different nights. It follows the Irish tradition of Compromise Rules between Gaelic Athletic Association sports and other sports such as Australian Football, Shinty, Pelota, Baseball & Softball, Lacrosse and Golf.

Wrestling

Competitive Wresling dates back to at least the Original Olympic Games in Athens, Ancient Greece. Another Ancient versions of Wrestling is Sumo (Japan). Modern versions include Olympic (Greco-Roman), WWE (American), Lucha Libre (Mexico), and indeed also Mud Wrestling (England) and Jelly Wrestling (Ireland).

WWE Wrestling (USA)

World Wrestling Entertainment is the Modern American made-for-TV version of wrestling.

Olympic Wrestling (Greco-Roman)

Olympic Wrestling is the version which dates back to Ancient Greece and Rome and the original Olympic Games. It is the version in the Modern Olympics also.

Sword-Fighting

Fencing is a renaissance sword-fighting sport. Gladiating is the ancient version revived for TV in Gladiators and Armoured Combat is the medieval version of sword-fighting.

Fencing

Fencing Ireland organises a number of tournaments per year.

Gladiating

Gladiating is a fun version of the ancient Roman military combat as was seen on US and British TV Programs from the 1990s onwards. Various types of combat or adventure-like tasks are engaged in by teams of players.

Martial Arts

There are a number of different Martial Arts in Ireland, the most popular of which are Karate, Judo & Taekwondo.

Irish Racquet Sports

Racquet Sports played on a National level in Ireland are Badminton, Tennis, Squash and Table Tennis.

Badminton

Badminton is played both competitively and recreationally in community centres throughout Ireland. The biggest prize in Irish Badminton is the Irish Open, a top International Tournament, which has been running for over 100 years. There are also numerous Individual & Doubles competitions throughout the year, run on a National, Provincial or Local (County) basis

Badminton Ireland

Badminton Ireland organizes Graded National Competitions in Men’s, Ladies & Mixed, with those awarded part of Ranking counting towards the National Ranking for Singles & Doubles. It also organizes the Irish Open, which is an International Tournament.

Badminton Ireland Leagues

There are Badminton leagues in each county or district, and also a Badminton Premier League, which attracts the top players from all over Ireland International Competitions feature the best of Irish Badminton talent, and Irish players have competed in the Olympics. Below the National & Provincial level, County Level competitions are run throughout the year, for both Singles & Doubles.

Badminton Premier League (Ireland)

Badminton Ireland – Irish Club Championships

Olympic Games

Olympic Sports include Athletics (Track & Field), Swimming, Winter Sports, X-Games, Gymnastics, Weightlifting, and Strength. Variations on these Sports such as Sea Swimming (Liffey Swim), and Hill Running are also covered here. Fitness sports include the Cross-Fit Games, Cheer Sport, Orienteering and Caving. For other Olympic Sports such as Golf and Soccer please see the Sections dedicated to these sports in the two Navigation Bars.

Athletics

Athletics has a long and distinguished presence in Ireland, with numerous Summer Olympics Medal winners. It is also known as Track & Field. Other disciplines include Mountain Running

Track & Field

Swim Ireland

The Olympic Games is the pinnacle of an Athletes career and Irish Swimmers have been winning Medals at the Olympic Games since 1924. The Irish Open Swimming Championships are one of the highlights of the Irish Swimming Calendar.

Skiing

There is a small amount of Winter Sports in Ireland. Apart from the Ice Hockey & Inline Hockey Leagues and Curling there is also an artificial Ski Slope at Kilternan in Dublin, and Irish Teams have entered Ice Skating and Bobsleigh competitions abroad.

Surfing

Ireland Hosted the first European Surfing Championships in 1972

Wall Climbing

The Irish Bouldering League is under Mountaineering Ireland and is run over 5 Competitions each year, with 30 problems to be solved in each competition. Points are scored from 10 Points to 1 depending on which attempt a climber solves a problem (10 Pts for 1st Attempt, 7 Pts for 2nd Attempt etc) [See Articles for References]

Gymnastics

Gymastics Ireland is the National Governing Body for the Olympic Sport in Ireland. It is a member of the Federation of International Gymnastics.

Horse Power

Power Sports include Horse Racing (Flat Racing, Jump Racing, Point to Point and Harness Racing), Greyhound Racing, Pigeon Racing, Angling, Wild West (Rodeo, Pack Burro Racing, Dog Mushing), Boat Racing (Rowing, Sailing, Canoeing, Powerboat Racing), Bike Racing (Road Cycling, Cyclo-Cross, BMX, Mountainbiking, Motorbike Racing), Motorsport (Rallying, Autocross, Formula Racing, Karting, Hill Climbing, Stock Car Racing), Air Racing (Hot Air Ballooning, Hang Gliding, Air Racing, Drone Racing, FlugTag).

Horse Racing

Horse Racing Disciplines include Flat, Jump, and Point-to-Point, and also Harness Racing.

Point to Point

Harness Racing

Greyhound Racing

Country & Western

Country & Western sports include Ploughing (The National Ploughing Championships) and Jousting which take part in Ireland, as well as Wild West sports such as Rodeo (Texas State Sport), Pack Burro Racing (Donkeys – Colorado State Sport), Cowboy Polo (started in New Mexico but now only played in Montana) and Dog Mushing (Alaska State Sport)

Ploughing

Boat Racing

Canoeing

Powerboat Racing

Bike Racing

Bike Sport includes Road Cycling, Cyclo-Cross, BMX, Mountainbiking and Motorbike Racing. Cycling ireland is the National Governing Body for Road Cycling and Cyclo-Cross. The Mountainbiking Association of Dublin runs competitions in the Greater Dublin Area.

Road Cycling

Cyclo-Cross

Motorcycle Racing

The Leinster 200 Motorcycle Race was raced over the Tallaght Circuit from 1934 to 1949.

Motorsport

Motorsport includes Rallying, Autocross, Formula Racing, Karting, Hill Climbing, Stock Car Racing, Monster Trucks. For Motorbike Racing, Powerboat Racing and Air Racing please see the Bike Racing, Boat Racing and Air Racing pages in the Navigation Bar at top of this page.

Motorsport Ireland

Formula Racing

The Leinster Trophy Car Race is an International Standard Car Race first run on the Tallaght Circuit (Co. Dublin) from 1934-1949. It is now raced at Mondello Park in Co. Kildare

Air Racing

Drone Racing

The first Irish Drone Racing Championships were held in 2015.

Asian Sports

Asian Sports played in Ireland include Polo (and versions of Polo such as Polocrosse); Kabaddi and Sepak Takraw.

Polocosse

Polocrosse is a version of Lacrosse played on Horseback. It was invented in Northern Australia in the 1970s and the first World Cup was played in 2003.

Polo

Polo originated in Iran and was introduced to Britain and Ireland by the British Army after it was discovered there.

Ultimate

International Rules

International Rules, also known as Compromise Rules is a term for a number of related sports combining the rules of GAA sports with similar sports from around the World. There is International Rules Football, played between Ireland and Australia, Hurling-Shinty, played between Ireland and Scotland, Handball-Pelota, which is Ireland v Basque Country, as well as Rounders-Baseball and Rounders-Softball (Irish teams v American, Canadian and Britsh teams), Hurlacrosse (Hurling-Lacrosse – Ireland v Iroquois Nationals), and Poc Fada Golf (A Golf Course where players use a Hurl/Hurley to hit the ball into the hole)

Chess

GAA Handball

Handball was first played in Ireland according to the World Handball Council website and the GAA Handball website describes it as the GAA’s only real World Sport. It is organised along the same lines as the rest of the Gaelic Games which come under the authority of the GAA – with County, Provincial and All-Ireland Championships, in both Men’s and Women’s, Team and Individual, Boys and Girls and also in Softball and Hardball versions. Some players compete in the European Pro Wallball Tour (Wallball is a unified version of Handball in Europe, bringing together the Handball of Ireland, UK, France, Italy, Spain, Catalonia, Basque Country, Belgium, Wallonia, Flanders and Netherlands. Others play on the US circuit or in Canada and Australia. It is also played in Japan and Latin America.

GAA Poc Fada

An Poc Fada – ‘the Long Puck’ is a Gaelic Game where players use a Hurley to hit a Sliotar (ball) up the side of a mountain and down the other side in as few pucks or shots as possible.

The sport would have a similar origin to the Scottish Game of Golf. It is mentioned in the myths and legends of Ireland, when Setanta took his Hurley / Hurl and hit his Sliotar all the way from Co Louth to Co. Armagh in one go. The All-Ireland Poc Fada Championships have taken place in the Cooley Mountains in Co. Louth since 1961 in commemoration of the legendary feat.

Links to the Results of the GAA Poc Fada All-Ireland CHampionships from the inaugural Championship in 1961 (Men’s) and 2009 (Ladies) are available at the links in blue (below the picture).

GAA Irish Rounders

Rounders is an Irish and British version of Softball and Baseball, and thought to be the ancestor of both. It was first codified in Ireland as part of the Original GAA Charter of 1884, but not organised until 1958. It is a Bat and Ball (also known as Safe Haven) sport whereby the batter attempts to hit a ball thrown at him or her by a pitcher or bowler and then attempts to run around the bases back home.

Shinty

Shinty is Gaelic Scotland’s traditional version of Hurling. It is one of the forgotten Gaelic, Celtic or Atlantic Games like Basque Pelota and Welsh Baseball, played mostly in Gaelic parts of Scotland like the Highlands and Islands. The game is very similar to Hurling, with a curved stick used to hit a ball through a goal, except there is no point-over-the-bar and less play in the air. The game is 12-a-side as opposed to Hurling’s 15-a-side. The Shinty National League Division 1 was the Second Level of Men’s Shinty from 2004 to 2007. Incuded here is Manx Cammag. See also International Rules:

Shinty in Ireland

Camanachd Association National Leagues

Camanachd Association Cups

Women’s Camanachd Association