Gaelic Football.

Gaelic football is almost completely unknown outside of Ireland, but here on the Emerald Isle it is a very popular sport. A game known for its speed, intensity and strategy, gaelic football is typically described as a mix of soccer, football, rugby, and even basketball. Confused yet? So were we...
Last week the boys and I attended our first Gaelic football match and spent half the game figuring out the rules, the other half either in shock or laughing at the heckling from our surrounding Irish counterparts. Lets just say they were majorly displeased with the referee.

Like rugby, teams consist of 15 people, and like english football a round soccer ball is used. If you have ever watched Aussie Rules, (which I know at least four of you have), the rules are quite similar. The game is short with two 30 minute halves. Players are only allowed to carry the ball for four steps and then must pass it as if bumping a volleyball, bounce it like a basketball, or volley it off their foot like a soccer ball. A very coordinated bunch!

We were pleasantly surprised with our seats, we were basically sitting on the pitch!

By far the most confusing part of the game was attempting to determine out how much body contact, ie: blatantly pushing and punching in the face and ribs, was actually allowed. The match was incredibly violent. It seemed like everything was fair game. We later read that "forbidden tackling moves include pushing an opponent, side tackles, punching, and tripping." This explains why the fans were so angry...

Tomorrow we are taking in a Hurling match at the Ireland Championships Finals. Hurling is coined the "fastest game on grass," and supposedly just as violent as gaelic football. To quote Jason Statham, "[hurling] is a cross between hockey and murder." I am very afraid...