A basketball ball comes in all shapes and sizes and each one is designed with a different player in mind.
In this blog we are going to go through the different basketball balls that suit the various ages and genders of players.
Plus, we’ll differentiate balls for both indoor and outdoor basketball.
Intersport Elverys is proud Retail Partners with Basketball Ireland and we have a huge range of top products and advice for you to check out.
Basketball Ball Factors to consider
Age and gender are the two most important factors when it comes to the correct basketball ball size.
Whether you are some one is playing indoor and outdoor also matters.
As we have discussed in our blog, How High is a Basketball Hoop, getting the right size for your child is really important to allow them play to their full potential.
First, age and gender are taken into account when the NBA (National Basketball Association) recommends basketball players.
To ensure a perfect match between a player and the ball they use, these suggestions are based on the average height and hand size of the individual.
First, age and gender are taken into account when the NBA (National Basketball Association) recommends basketball players.
To ensure a perfect match between a player and the ball they use, these suggestions are based on the average height and hand size of the individual.
Basketball Ball Sizes: Age & Gender
Children
A size 3 ball would be ideal for children between the ages of 4-6.
However, a size 5 ball is suggested for older children, between the ages of 7 and 10.
Children typically have smaller hands, therefore it seems natural that their ball would be smaller as well so they could play more easily and with a better grip.
Larger balls might frustrate kids by making it challenging for them to master fundamental basketball drills.
Basketball might be more entertaining and slightly simpler to grasp for younger children with a smaller, more appropriate ball.
Teenagers – Seniors (Male)
The suggested size is a size 7 for males and older, teenage boys (12 and older).
According to the National Basketball Association (NBA), a size 7 basketball is the recommended size for males, based once more on the comfort and grip of an average-sized hand.
Basketballs used indoors are made of full-grain leather.
The concrete surface of an outdoor court can cause the leather to wear away, which would ultimately impair the ball’s grip, hence leather basketballs should only be used indoors.
Despite being pricey, full grain leather basketballs are ideal for an indoor court since the leather offers a stronger grip and feel.
Before a game, indoor basketballs need to be used a few times so they may get soft and comfortable to hold.
Rubber is used instead of leather to make outdoor basketballs because it can adapt to a concrete outdoor court’s rougher surface better.
Basketballs for outdoor use don’t need to be broken in due of their rubber construction. Rubber basketballs typically rebound more forcefully than indoor basketballs.
The better choice for beginners is a basketball made of rubber and composite material (leather and plastic). The cost of using an outdoor court is FREE, and these balls are intended to last on uneven surfaces.
Outdoor basketballs are always the ideal choice because they are more economical and provide more bounce, whether you want to play for fun or for exercise.
Basketball is one of the most popular sports in the word right now, with more and more people taking to the court for some action.
One of the major draws to the game is the ability to play it on a basketball court either inside or outside.
In a country like Ireland where the weather is, well, temperamental at best, this makes the game playable all year round!
Plus, you can play with two or ten people and have just as much fun with both.
Indoor basketball courts are typically made with hardwood, while outdoor courts are made from concrete or asphalt.
What are the dimensions of a basketball court?
The National Basketball Association, also known as the NBA, has the biggest basketball courts of any local or international league.
28 metres in length and 15 metres wide (94Ft x 50Ft) are the exterior measurements. As its name implies, the half court line is situated halfway between either end line.
A tip-off circle with a six-foot radius sits in the center of the half court line and is frequently adorned with the home team’s logo.
In Ireland, FIBA regulations state the same, however local federations have the authority to approve courts which fall within lengths of a minimum 4m in length and 2m in width.
The roof of the arena or court must be no lower than 7m while there should be a 2m distance between the court perimeters and the spectators.
A total area of a basketball court is 420m2, for both indoor and outdoor.
The line markings must be 50mm wide and in a color that contrasts with the playing surface, according to FIBA.
Sidelines
The sidelines, which span the length of the court, serve as a marker for the court’s outer perimeter. They are 28m long on a court that is full size.
Baseline and Endline
The ends of the court that run behind the goals are referred to as the baseline and endline, respectively. Usually, they are 15 meters long.
Depending on the strategy a team is using, several phrases are used. The attacking end of the court is referred to as the baseline, and the defending end is referred to as the endline.
Center court
This point on the court represents halfway through a game and serves as the offensive playing area.
The mid court line would be 14 meters from each endline on a full-sized court.
Center circle
The center circle, which is used for the opening tip off, is 3.6 meters in diameter.
Three-Point line
The arcs that delineate a range’s edge from each hoop are the three point lines.
Three points are awarded for scoring from outside of this line. The line is normally 6.75 meters from the basket but may vary based on the level of the game.
Free Throw Line
A player must stand at the free throw line, which is marked 4.6m from the backboard, in order to fire free throws.
Free Throw Circle
The size of the center circle and the free throw circle are identical (3.6m in diameter).
In order to make a free throw, shooters must remain within this circle. Jump balls are also played in the circle.
Free Throw Lane Lines
The lane lines that make up the “key” extend from the free throw line to the baseline.
However, FIBA (International Basketball Federation) regulation modifications in 2010 designated it as a 4.9m by 5.8m rectangle.
The shape and width might vary depending on the level of the game.
To prevent opposition players from blocking the free throw shooter, some additionally have gap marks.
Top Basketball Courts in Ireland
Ireland boasts some brilliant indoor and outdoor basketball courts.
There are a total of 65 registered courts in Dublin alone, along with excellent ones in Cork, Kerry, Galway and Mayo.
The flagship court in Ireland is the National Indoor Basketball Arena in Tallaght which has a capacity of 2500 people and is the home of Irish Basketball.
While the Mardyke Arena in Cork (pictured) is also hugely popular.
Even if you don’t know much about basketball, you have probably heard of a three-pointer or the three-point line.
A full 70 years after Dr. Naismith created the game, the three-point line made its debut in the American Basketball League in 1961.
The line was inserted to heighten the tension, but because the league disbanded after only one and a half seasons, the plan was doomed to failure.
The NBA’s subsequent rival entered the scene in 1967. The three-point line was implemented by the American Basketball Association, or ABA, from the beginning, and it was a big success.
The ABA introduced a number of fascinating innovations that improved the product for the spectators.
But in the end, there was not enough capacity for two basketball leagues, and in 1976, the NBA and ABA amalgamated.
But the merger does not include the three-point line! The NBA’s decision-makers at the time were too obstinate to implement such a significant adjustment.
Before introducing the three-point line in the 1979–80 season, they waited three years.
It wasn’t included in the NCAA until 1986, and high school basketball courts didn’t get it until 1987.
However, the story doesn’t finish there. In the 1990s, the line was shifted closer for three seasons in an effort to increase scoring, but it was soon returned to its previous position.
The NBA even acknowledged that there had been discussions regarding a four-point line, taking the concept to its logical conclusion.
We’ll believe it when we see it.
Was a Basketball Court ever different?
Nowadays, all basketball courts have the same basic designs.
But it wasn’t always the case!
Back in 1956 when FIBA was born, the key was a trapezoidal design that had a much wider baseline.
The term “key” refers to another design of this feature.
Have you ever wondered how a square space beneath a basket obtained such an arbitrary name?
The original space was substantially smaller for this reason, although the circle around the free throw line was the same size.
These two elements came together to form a shape that resembled an antique key. The key was first enlarged to 12 feet in 1951, and then to the current 16 feet used by the NBA and FIBA.
The phrase still exists, but its original meaning and design have been lost to time. For the record, this feature’s official name is “free throw lane,” which isn’t a term that many of us are accustomed to hearing.
If you’re looking to buy a basketball hoop but don’t know how high a basketball hoop is then we’re here to help.
Intersport Elverys has both the information and the hoops to solve your problem.
The right height for the basketball hoop or rim depends on the age of the players too – kids will need a lower hoop than older children and more senior players.
So by checking what the correct height for a basketball hoop is will ultimately help your kids and improve their skills.
Equally, for those’ big kids’ in your life, you don’t want them shooting into a small hoop!
A basketball hoop’s diameter at the NBA level is 18 inches (46cm), or 10 foot.
The same holds true for every senior basketball contest, whether it be at the national level in Ireland, high school level in the United States, or even the professional men’s and women’s games.
However, not all children’s basketball hoops are 18 inches in diameter; some hoops have a lower ring diameter.
The ease of scoring is unaffected by the smaller size of the basketballs used by kids.
We have both adjustable and fixed basketball hoops available for purchase.
Our basketball hoops are easily adjustable so that players of all ages can utilize them, while our fixed options can only be initially set at one height, however they can be adjusted higher as kids grow older, which is very convenient.
The earliest hoops were made of peach baskets, which James Naismith hung on the railing of the running track at the YMCA gym in Springfield, Massachusetts, in 1891.
The railing was 10 feet above the floor.
One of the few elements of the original game that has persisted to the present day is Naismith’s unplanned choice to put the baskets on the railing.
Basketball gear is readily available at Net World Sports.
We provide equipment for all ages and abilities, including balls, nets, hoops, and rebounders.
There were occasional calls over the years to adjust the height of the hoops, but the audience love dunks and that’s why it was never moved!
How big is a basketball backboard?
A basketball backboard must be 42″ tall and 72″ broad to be considered legal. However, a backboard that is 48″ tall is also acceptable.
At the high school level in the USA, however, there are less restrictions on the size of a backboard. Variable dimensions are allowed if they have the local governing body’s approval.
A white rectangle 2 inches wide and 24 inches wide by 18 inches high, situated behind the ring, designates the location of the regulation backboard.
The basket itself is made up of an 18-inch-diameter metal ring and a 15 to 18-inch-long white string net.
The rim is made with high tensile carbon steel to give the perfect bounce but and enough give for those spellboundink dunks like the ones below.
How Long is a basketball game?
A NBA basketball game typically lasts for two to two and a half hours.
Even though an NBA game only has 48 total minutes of play time, the clock is frequently paused for fouls, timeouts, and when the ball is out of bounds.
USA In contrast to professional NBA basketball games, which have four quarters of 12 minutes each, college basketball games are played over two 20-minute halves.
At Mens Senior level in Ireland, games consist of four quarters of ten minutes.
Conclusion
We’ve got a great range of basketball hoops for the little (or big) basketball fan in your life!
Basketball Ireland and Intersport Elverys formally launched their official retail partnership on Wednesday, January 25 2023 with news that the Irish replica kit and the official Molten balls are now available to purchase online and in-store, in selected outlets nationwide.
Philip Staunton, Head Buyer confirmed: “We are now stocking the official Molten ball used for all levels and a range of Basketball Ireland-branded balls in the coming months. For the first time we will be stocking the official Kappa national team kit in selected stores and they will also be available online.”
Speaking at the launch, Ireland men’s captain John Carroll welcomed the news that Ireland replica jerseys are available to purchase: “Yeah it is good, so many people before were asking where they get the jersey’s before, so it’s good that I don’t have to part with my jerseys now, they can go and get their own!
“It’s good for the sport, there’s been huge demand.”
Intersport Elverys and Basketball Ireland’s retail partnership has been a huge success since it began in October, with the on-court uniform and off-court gear for adults and children proving to be hugely popular.
Bruce Wood, Basketball Ireland Head of Commercial and Brand, added: “Having the official Molten balls and the Ireland kit available to purchase is the latest step in our partnership.
“Demand has been huge from the basketball and wider sporting audience for this, as has been proven over the last number of months since we joined forces with Intersport Elverys, with the products flying off the shelves and we’re excited to be bringing in official Basketball Ireland-branded balls soon too.”
Anne-Marie Hanly, Intersport Elverys Senior Marketing Manager, added: “There are huge numbers playing the sport around the country, with a 50/50% gender split when it comes to participation and engagement in basketball.
“We are emersed in performance and authenticity in sport, so this partnership is an ideal fit for us.
“We will work with Basketball Ireland throughout the year to help grow the Basketball Ireland brand and to deliver an even better experience to the growing community of both players and fans.”
John Feehan, Basketball Ireland CEO, said: “Our partnership with Intersport Elverys has been a great success and is another example of the visibility of our sport growing massively.
“Our playing population has increased 48% in the last five years and the popularity of the sport is showcased by the fact that our recent internationals have been sold out, along with huge numbers attending this month’s InsureMyHouse.ie National Cup semi-finals and finals.
“Basketball in Ireland is on the rise and it’s wonderful to have Ireland’s leading sports retailer, Intersport Elverys, on board as part of this journey.”
Ireland international Michelle Clarke, who also took part in the launch, added: “It’s great to have Intersport Elverys as a one-stop shop for all things basketball.
“I have had so many people asking about where they can get their hands on Basketball Ireland kit and it’s great to see it now in store.
“There is a real buzz about the sport, I was lucky enough to captain Killester to the InsureMyHouse.ie Paudie O’Connor Cup success last weekend and seeing a packed and vibrant National Basketball Arena was amazing.
“This retail partnership is another illustration of the growth and excitement around our game.”
Intersport Elverys will also stock scorebooks for clubs, which will be available online and also in some stores.
Next Summer the Republic of Ireland Women’s National Football Team embark on their historic journey into the 2023 World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.
It’s the first time in history they have managed to qualify and there is huge excitement for this year’s tournament.
In this blog we’re going to look back on the difficult and testing road to Down Under and see just how Vera Pauw and her side wrote their names in history.
Republic of Ireland Women’s National Football Team: The Road to Down Under
FIFA Women’s World Cup UEFA Qualifiers Group Stage
Republic of Ireland 0-1 Sweden
October 21, 2021
The Republic of Ireland opened their campaign with a defeat, but there was huge encouragement got from holding World number 2, Sweden, as close as they did.
A first-half own goal by Louise Quinn was enough for Sweden in Tallaght Stadium was enough for Sweden to give them the win.
Katie McCabe and Lucy Quinn came closest for the home side but couldn’t find the net.
But optimism was high after the opening night.
Finland 1-2 Republic of Ireland
October 26, 2021
Vera Pauw’s side got their campaign back on track at the first time of asking with a 2-1 win away to Finland in Helsinki.
A brilliant free kick from Megan Connolly put the Republic of Ireland ahead after ten minutes and dominated much of the first half but couldn’t find a second.
However, a fighting re-start from Finland saw them draw level in the 52nd minute through Engman.
But the brilliant Denise O’Sullivan responded instantly , capitalising on poor goalkeeping to fire Ireland ahead.
Goalkeeper Courtney Brosnan put in a player of the match performance to keep their hopes alive.
Republic of Ireland 1-1 Slovakia
November 25, 2021
The Girls in Green were brought crashing back to earth after a strong start to their campaign with this result.
In truth, it very easily could have been a loss too after a second half goal from Martina Surnovska gave the away side a lead.
Thankfully, however, Katie McCabe would pull one back, burying a low shot into the far corner to send the home crowd into raptures.
‘Georgia is a must-win – simple,’ manager Vera Pauw said afterwards.
Republic of Ireland 11-0 Georgia
November 30, 2021
And win they did!
The Republic of Ireland hit a record 11 goals over Georgia in Dublin and got their campaign back on track in style!
The hosts were 4-0 up half time, with goals from Kyra Carusa, Lucy Quinn, Denise O’Sullivan and an own-goal.
O’Sullivan would go on to hit a hat-trick, Katie McCabe got in on the act with a brace, while Saoirse Noonan, Amber Barrett and Megan Connolly completed the rout.
The win moved them into second in the group, behind leaders Sweden and ahead of Finland.
Sweden 1-1 Republic of Ireland
April 12, 2022
Coming into the game a draw would have been a great result for the Republic of Ireland, however by the full time whistle they would have felt disappointed not to have left with three points!
Arsenal star Katie McCabe have the away side a shock lead late in the first half and they looked nailed on to record probably their best win ever, until Real Madrid’s Kosovare Asllani equalised 11 minutes from time.
Despite being under pressure for much of the game, the Irish stuck to their defensive duties diligently, attacking on the break and causing trouble too.
The home side needed a point to qualify, and their siege eventually broke the stern Irish defence down to break the Republic of Ireland’s hearts.
Georgia 0-9 Republic of Ireland
June 27, 2022
A hat-trick from Katie McCabe and double from Louis Quinn thrashed Georgia once more in Gori.
Goals from Niamh Fahey, Megan Connolly, Abbie Larkin and Denise O’Sullivan cruised to a victory that would send them back into second place of the group ahead of Finland.
‘We have two games to go and we have it on our own hands,” Vera Pauw said after. ‘We have the feeling that we can maybe do it.’
Republic of Ireland 1-0 Finland
September 1, 2022
A second half goal from Lily Agg sensational secured the Republic of Ireland a place in the play-offs on a famous night in Dublin.
A record home crowd of 6,952 people packed into Tallaght Stadium to see the Irish recover from a sluggish start to earn them a deserved lead.
They could not begin to dream of a trip to Australia and New Zealand in 2023.
Slovakia 0-1 Republic of Ireland
September 6, 2022
The classy Denise O’Sullivan kept the Girls in Green in winning form against a tough Slovakia side.
Despite already having booked their place in the play-offs, a win for the away side would provide a bit of retribution given Slovakia took points from them earlier in the campaign.
In a cagey game, Cork native O’Sullivan took her goal brilliantly in the 37th minute and added further trajectory to her rising stock in the world game.
FIFA Women’s World Cup UEFA Qualifiers Play Off
Scotland 0-1 Republic of Ireland
October 11, 2022
A famous, famous night.
Amber Barrett’s goal for the Republic of Ireland in the 72nd minute was enough to defeat Scotland at Hampden Park and secure their spot in the tournament in Australia and New Zealand the following year.
As the Scots failed to express themselves and saw their own dreams of replicating their 2019 finals appearance die, Real Madrid star Caroline Weir had a first-half penalty saved from Courtney Brosnan.
Both teams entered the evening unsure of their futures, but other outcomes clarified the picture and made it plain to Republic of Ireland that a victory would be sufficient to guarantee their spot in Australia and New Zealand the following year.
‘I’m so proud of the girls’ performance,’ captain Katie McCabe said after. ‘It wasn’t pretty tonight at all, but it was an unbelievable save from Courtney for the penalty.
‘We put our bodies on the line, we worked for each other, we ran for each other, and that’s what this team is all about.
‘We’ve got an identity we’ve been working on throughout this campaign. It’s not pretty and it’s not everyone’s favourite style of football, but it works for us and we enjoy it.’
Next July the 2023 World Cup gets underway and the Ireland womens football fixtures are sealed.
After qualifying for the tournament for the first time ever after beating Scotland in a Play Off last October, Irish football fans have been waiting patiently to see our opponents.
With the first outing on July 20th, 2023 the Ireland womens football fixtures get off to a tough start against hosts Australia, before a very testing second game against Canada and a final outing against African heavyweights Nigeria.
Despite the big time differences between Ireland and Australia, each game is on at a very respectable time, meaning we will all get to tune in.
In this blog we’ll give you the time, dates and venues for the Irish womens football team World Cup, as well as a breakdown of their group stage opponents.
Ireland Womens Football Fixtures Group B
Game 1
Australia v Republic of Ireland
11am (Irish time) in the Allianz Stadium
Game 2
Canada v Republic of Ireland
1pm (Irish time) in nib Stadium.
Game 3
Republic of Ireland v Nigeria
11am (Irish time) in Suncorp Stadium
Ireland Womens Football Fixtures: World Cup Opponents
Australia
World Ranking: 12
Star player: Sam Kerr
Manager: Tony Gustavsson
As co-hosts of the tournament with New Zealand, Australia were automatically placed in Group B and didn’t have to go through a qualification route.
Nicknamed ‘The Matildas’, they have also never made it past the quarter-final stage.
The nature of the draw means they will play all their three group games on home soil, giving them a significant advantage against what is expected to be a huge crowd going by ticket sales to date.
Their biggest threat is their captain, the talismatic Sam Kerr who is also their all-time leading goal scorer.
The Chelsea star is the only female footballer to have won the Golden Boot in three different leagues and three different continents – The W-League (Australia/New Zealand), the NWSL (North America) and the FAWSL (Europe).
They also boast other WSL stars such as Arsenal’s Caitlin Foord and Man City’s Hayley Raso.
Canada
World Ranking: 6
Star Player: Christine Sinclair
Coach: Bev Priestman
The Canadians are most likely to top the group and are a serious World Cup contender after winning the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
They managed to go through 2022 unbeaten, with the exception of a 1-0 loss to reigning world champions and neighbours the USA.
Their captain, Christine Sinclair, is the world’s all-time leader in international goals scored across the mens and womens game with 190 after 300 caps!
Sinclair has also scored at five World Cups and is a 14-time winner of the Canada Soccer Player of the Year.
They are stacked with WSL players, such as Man United winger Adriana Leon, Chelsea duo Jessie Fleming and Shelina Zadorsky, along with Spurs defender Kadeisha Buchanan.
Nigeria
World Ranking: 45
Star Player: Asisat Oshoala
Coach: Randy Waldrum
A former powerhouse of African women’s football, Nigeria come into the tournament in poor form.
A fourth place finish at the last Africa Cup of Nations was deemed a very result – considering they won 11 of the previous 13 tournaments it’s easy to see why.
But there is no doubting that they have some really quality, none more than Barcelona striker Asisat Oshoala.
Regarded as one of the greatest African female footballers of all time, she has won a record 5 African Footballer of the Year awards.
Last year, she was nominated for the Ballon d’Or after a season where she won the Primera Division’s Golden Boot, and a year after winning the Champions League.
Conclusion
To find out more about the Republic of Ireland womens team, check out our Ultimate Guide to the Players right HERE.
Ireland women’s soccer team created history last year after qualifying for their first ever World Cup with a historic win over Scotland in Hampden Park.
A second half goal from Amber Barrett proved enough for Vera Pauw’s side to book their tickets to Australia and New Zealand this year.
The 2023 Women’s World Cup is going to be a memorable moment in Irish sporting history, but just who are the team who created it?
As proud Official Retail Partners of the FAI, we’re going to delve a bit deeper into the team in this blog.
We can’t wait for the World Cup, especially since Republic of Ireland will be facing the hosts, Australia, in the World Cup opener!
Vera Pauw hasn’t named her final squad for the World Cup just yet but you can expect most if not all the team who played against Scotland to be included on the plane.
So who are they?
Courtney Brosnan
Position: Goalkeeper
Age: 27
Club: Everton
American-born Brosnan was one of the heroines of Ireland’s win over Scotland, saving a second half penalty from Real Madrid star Caroline Weir.
She has amassed 11 caps for Ireland and kept clean sheets in 9 of those, the former West Ham star will be a hugely important cog in the wheel for Ireland’s World Cup chances.
Jamie Finn
Position: Defender/Midfielder
Age: 24
Club: Birmingham City
Finn’s versatility is a huge asset and will see her play in a wing back or defensive midfielder role.
The Dublin born star received what she felt was a surprise call up to the squad for Ireland’s UEFA Women’s Euro 2022 qualifier against Greece back in 2019 and impressed during a 1-1 draw.
Her performance that day propelled her confidence and she went from strength to strength, eventually earning a professional contract with Birmingham City where she still plays.
Niamh Fahey
Position: Defender
Age: 35
Club: Liverpool
The Galway native is one of the most experienced players in the squad, having earned 106 caps and being named Senior International Player on three occasions.
Fahey has a wealth of experience, winning every honour in the English game with Arsenal before moving to Chelsea and winning the league and cup double.
Also a prominent Gaelic footballer in her past, Vera Pauw will be looking to Fahey to bring all her experience to the fore this year for the Ireland women’s soccer team.
Louise Quinn
Position: Defender
Age: 32
Club: Birmingham City
One of the star’s of the team, the Birmingham City captain earned her 99th cap against Scotland.
A native of Wicklow, the former Peamount, Arsenal and Fiorentina player has scored an impressive 15 goals for her country.
She was also named the 2021-22 Signing of the Season in the FA WSL by The Guardian, finishing as Birmingham’s top goalscorer, as a defender, but could do nothing more as they got relegated to the second tier.
Diane Caldwell
Position: Defender
Age: 34
Club: Reading
Caldwell has experienced top level football all over the world, with the likes of FC Koln in Germany, North Carolina Courage in the USA, Avaldsnes IL in Norway and Manchester United and Reading in England.
The Balbriggan defender is comfortable in midfield or defence and lined out against Scotland replacing the injured Savannah McCarthy.
However, she still remains an important player.
Megan Campbell
Position: Defender
Age: 29
Liverpool
Campbell possesses a secret weapon that is a crucial part of the Irish game plan – an incredible arrow-like long throw-in.
She caused all sorts of havoc to Scotland with her speciality and no doubt Vera Pauw is hoping to do the same with it Down Under at the World Cup.
The Liverpool defender and Drogheda native is a teak-tough left back who was pivotal in Liverpool getting promoted to the top flight of the Women’s Super League last season.
Aine O’Gorman
Position: Midfielder/defender
Age: 33
Club: Shamrock Rovers
Aine joined the Republic of Ireland women’s soccer squad when she was just 16 years old in 2006, and she remained on the team until she retired from international competition in 2018.
Under the direction of manager Vera Pauw, the versatile player, who spent the majority of her career as a striker, did make a comeback to the senior squad line up in 2020 as a full-back.
Aine led Ireland for the first time in 2015, and in 2016 she contributed a hat-trick to their historic victory over Montenegro.
Lily Agg
Position: Midfielder
Age: 29
Club: London City Lionesses
The English born midfielder qualifies for Ireland through her Cork-born Grandmother and made her debut in the squad in April 2021.
Agg scored the winner against Finland on her home debut to help Ireland secure that all-important Play-Off spot against Scotland.
Arriving off the bench after an injury to Ruesha Littlejohn, Agg headed home the winning goal.
Denise O’Sullivan
Position: Midfielder:
Age: 28
Club: North Carolina Courage
A midfield maestro who is only of the Republic of Ireland’s most important players and one of the top players in the National Women’s Soccer League where she plys her trade with North Carolina Courage.
The Cork native joined Glasgow City in June 2013, and in both the 2013–14 and 2014–15 seasons, she helped the team reach the Women’s Champions League’s round of 16 and final eight.
Denise immigrated to the US and began her career with the Houston Dash before switching to the North Carolina Courage, where she received Team MVP honors twice in consecutive championship seasons.
Katie McCabe
Position: Midfielder
Age: 27
Club: Arsenal
Captain fantastic and a genuine world-class star at Arsenal who has propelled her name onto the game’s biggest stages.
After signing with Arsenal in 2015, she has won the FA Cup, league title and was named on the PFA Team of the Year in 2021.
The Dublin star was named the youngest ever captain of the Ireland women’s soccer team in 2017 and hasn’t looked back since, scoring 18 goals in 70 appearances.
Heather Payne
Position: Striker
Age: 22
Club: Florida State Seminoles
Payne, a native of Roscommon, originally attracted people’s attention when she was playing minor soccer with Salthill Devon. She then advanced fast through the underage ranks at the international level.
She competed for Ireland at the UEFA Women’s Under-17 European Championships in Iceland in 2015, and in a friendly match against Scotland in July 2017, she made her senior debut.
In the April 2021 friendly loss to Belgium by a score of 1-0, Heather was recognized as the Player of the Match.
Amber Barrett
Position: Striker
Age: 27
Club: FFC Turbine Potsdam
The scorer of that now famous goal that sent her country to the World Cup for the first time ever.
The Donegal star arrived off the bench in the 65th minute delivered when it was needed the most and etched her name in the Ireland women’s soccer team’s history.
Pauw and her team will be hoping for more of her magic come World Cup time.
Ruesha Littlejohn
Position: Striker/midfielder
Age: 32
Club: Aston Villa
Ruesha, a swift and lethal finisher, had represented Scotland the youth level but choose to represent Ireland at senior.
Had a brief stint at Liverpool and scored her first goal for the senior team in the 5-1 Cyprus Cup victory over Northern Ireland.
She’s also played with the likes of Arsenal, Liverpool, London Bees, Leicester City and Birmingham City.
Niamh Farrelly
Position: Midfielder/defender
Age: 23
Club: Parma
Farrelly joined Serie A Femminile side, Parma with the view of being recalled into the Irish set up and she did just that.
Vera Pauw recalled her after a string of impressive performances with the Italian side she got the call.
However, a bad ankle injury hampered her progress in terms of on-field activity but she’s still going to be a serious option for the tournament.
Megan Connolly
Position: Midfielder
Age: 25
Club: Brighton and Hove Albion
A Cork native, Megan comes from a family steeped in sport, particularly GAA with her being the brother of Cork star Luke Connolly.
Connolly, an attacking-minded midfielder with excellent skill, excelled during her time at Florida State University and was selected to the NSCAA First-Team All American in 2015.
In 2019, she signed up with Brighton & Hove Albion. Her first senior goal came against Montenegro in 2016; her second, against Finland in 2021, was directly off a free kick.
Leanne Kiernan
Position: Striker
Age: 23
Club: Liverpool
Cavan native Kiernan has an incredible knack for scoring goals.
In 2021 she scored 12 in 15 games for Liverpool before an ankle injury ruled her out for several months last season.
Despite this, the former West Ham and Shelbourne star should still earn her seat on the plane.
Stephanie Roche
Position: Striker
Age: 33
Club: Shamrock Rovers
Roche became world famous where her sensational goal for Peamount against Wexford Youths in 2013 went viral on YouTube before being nominated for the FIFA Puskás Award alongside James Rodriguez and Robin Persie.
Outside of that she has made 58 appearances for her country, scoring 14 goals.
She has played for the likes of Houston Dash, Sunderland and Florentia and will bring a wealth of experience if she gets the call up.
Chloe Mustaki
Position: Defender
Age: 27
Club: Bristol City
Mustaki was the captain of the Women’s Under-19 squad that advanced to the semi-finals of the 2014 UEFA European Championships in Norway.
After receiving a Lymphoma diagnosis, Mustaki heroically overcame it to return to football, playing for Peamount United, UCD Waves, and Shelbourne in the Women’s National League and competing at the World University Games.
She was called up to the Ireland senior squad in March 2020 thanks to her time with Charlton Athletic, but she injured her ACL during training.
Mustaki would need two years to heal before making her senior debut in the Pinatar Cup match against Russia in February 2022, which Russia won 1-0.
Conclusion
We hope this blog has given you more insight into the : Ireland women’s soccer team ahead of the much-anticipated World Cup.
Intersport Elverys, as proud Retail Partners of the FAI, will be there every step of the way.
Stay tuned for more content or check out the FAI Women’s Range below.
Club football and hurling is the heartbeat of the GAA, but exactly how many GAA clubs are there in Ireland in 2023?
They come in all shapes and sizes, with each playing their part in the cultural fabric that is the GAA.
Clubs were formed around the traditional parishes and counties of Ireland and they have played a monumental role at local community level over the past 100 years and more.
Currently there are over 2200 GAA clubs in the 32 counties of Ireland.
So now we know how many GAA clubs are there in Ireland, but how is that broken down county-by-county.
Well, by far and away, Cork have the most amount of GAA clubs.
How many GAA clubs are in Cork you ask?
Incredibly, there is approximately 259 clubs in Cork which is a traditional dual code county, meaning they play both football and hurling.
Add in the size of the county itself, then it’s understandable.
Dublin has the second highest number of clubs with approximately 134, or if you consider that there are a lot of clubs with a hurling club, that number will rise toward the 200 mark.
Third is a close battle of Antrim and Limerick which are just over the 100 mark; with Leitrim and Longford, two of the smaller counties in Ireland, having the smallest representation, both with under 30 clubs.
How many GAA clubs are there in the world?
The GAA has also developed itself abroad amongst the Irish Diaspora and it’s popularity is growing more and more all the time.
Clubs are now established in the USA, Great Britain, Canada, China, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, mainland Europe and more.
Amazingly, over 400 clubs are registered in all corners of the world.
In the USA alone there are well over 120 clubs, with the majority in New York, but also Chicago, Boston, San Francisco and Philadelphia.
There are been many changes in the organisation throughout the years too.
The elimination of “the Ban” in 1971, which had banned Association members from participating in or visiting a number of other sports like soccer and rugby, was one of the first significant reforms to occur.
The restriction prohibiting members of the Security Forces in the north of Ireland from joining the Association and the regulation limiting the playing of games at Croke Park and all other Association venues to only those controlled by the Association were changed more recently.
What is the biggest GAA club in Ireland?
In terms of GAA club size, the Dublin clubs, or ‘superclubs’ as they are becoming known, are gigantic in size.
Reigning Leinster club champions Kilmacud Crokes are amongst the biggest, if not the biggest, with a staggering number of 5000 members, fielding approximately 160 teams.
Ballyboden St Enda’s aren’t too far behind with circa 3500 members, fielding over 170 teams across both genders, four codes and all age groups.
The divide between the big and small clubs is growing by the year and becoming a concern for the GAA.
When you compare the likes of Crokes against Down’s Kilcoo, who defeated their Dublin counterparts in the All-Ireland Club Final last year, have only 250 members.
Ireland boasts some absolutely incredible GAA grounds.
From the Gaelic Grounds in New York to the amazing amphitheatre that is Croke Park; or from the hallowed turf of the once spectacular Casement Park down to the Kingdom of Killarney and its heartbeat, Fitzgerald stadium.
Not to mention the Home of Hurling or Ulster Final Day in St Tiernach’s Park.
Each ground has forged its own place in GAA history through unrivalled and unique atmospheres.
They are feared and loved in equal measure.
In this blog we’ll list some of our favourites.
If you stumbled on this blog and might be aware what the GAA is, check out this Blog.
Without further ado and in no particular order…
Best GAA Grounds in Ireland
Casement Park, Belfast
Capacity: 32,000
Although a ball hasn’t been kicked in Casement Park since Sunday, June 9 2013 after Monaghan beat Antrim 0-11 to 0-6 in the Ulster Championship, the ground’s memory is buried deep in GAA peoples’ hearts.
Right now, unfortunately, it is in a saddening state of disrepair after plans for an extension to transform it into the home of Ulster football was quashed in 2014 on the back of objections from local residents.
But that setback has only served to increase the legend of Casement Park and the simply unforgettable match-day atmosphere it served up.
Opened in 1953, the stadium has huge historic significance and hosted eight Ulster Finals. Known for its Sea of Saffron, it still serves as a reminder of what Belfast is missing.
However, in May of last year the legal challenge against the granting of planning permission for Casement Park was dismissed, leading the way for a huge transformation in 2023.
Semple Stadium, Tipperary
Capacity: 45000
The second largest GAA grounds in the country, Semple Stadium has established itself as the ‘Home of Hurling’ and the showpiece of provincial hurling, the Munster Final.
Situated in Thurles, down the street from where the GAA was founded in Hayes Hotel, it is steeped in history.
The atmosphere on Munster Final Day is stuff of legend and the immaculate pitch helps to serve up some absolutely ‘lovely hurling’.
Croke Park, Dublin
Capacity: 82000
Not only is Croke Park the best stadium in Ireland, it is also one of the greatest in Europe.
GAA HQ and host of the pinnacle of our national sports, the All-Ireland Final, it is a sight to behold when it is packed to the rafters.
The pitch is carpet-like, while the surroundings of the stadium is vibrant and boisterous, there is nowhere like Croke Park.
That’s why it remains a dream for every young boy and girl to get the chance to play there.
St Tiernach’s Park, Monaghan
Capacity: 36000
The biggest ground in Ulster and the greatest Ulster Final atmosphere of them all.
The capacity is estimated between 29000-36000 but when the calendar reaches the Ulster Final day the sound would suggest the capacity is double that.
Host of some of the best and most classic Ulster Championship matches in the past, Clones is a GAA circus on those days and we simply couldn’t leave it out of this list.
Fitzgerald Stadium, Kerry
Capacity: 38000
Killarney is one of the most beautiful towns in the country and Fitzgerald Stadium has produced some of the most beautiful football the game has ever seen.
The backdrop of the Kerry mountains is a real display of beauty while it also personifies the mountain in which opposing teams are going to have to climb to beat the home team there.
Some of the greatest footballers the game has ever seen have honed their craft inside the gates of Fitzgerald Stadium.
And on the very, very few occasions when the football might disappoint, the town and after-match atmosphere rarely does!
Tuam Stadium, Galway
Capacity: 6700
A surprise inclusion on the list, but there’s something about visiting Tuam Stadium that makes it memorable.
Once with a capacity of 26000, the stadium has been reduced over time for health and safety reasons along with its general condition too.
But for people of a certain vintage, the old ground as served up some magical memories in the Connacht Championship. Right now it’s far from luxurious, but what’s rare is wonderful.
It has been boosted by news that development works is going to be carried out to revamp the ground to a modern-day facility.
Conclusion
For any more information on GAA grounds, why not check out this blog showing you How Long a GAA Pitch is.
Like some of the grounds you’ve just read, Intersport Elverys is steeped in GAA History too.
Make sure to let us know what you’re favourite GAA Grounds are and why.
