How many GAA clubs are there in Ireland 2024

Posted on January 12, 2023 at 3:32 pm.

Club football and hurling is the heartbeat of the GAA, but exactly how many GAA clubs are there in Ireland in 2024?

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.

Before you read on, you might be interest in reading about some of the Best GAA Grounds in Ireland?

How many GAA clubs are there in 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.

Conclusion

If you are not sure what the GAA means, this blog explaining just that will tell you why.

If you want to support your club or county, why not check out our unbeatable range HERE or below.

We hope you enjoyed this blog.

Best GAA Grounds in Ireland

Posted on January 10, 2023 at 3:16 pm.

Written by Ger Flanagan

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.

How long is a GAA pitch?

Posted on January 9, 2023 at 1:30 pm.

Written by Ger Flanagan

Football and hurling pitches are big, but did you ever wonder exactly how long a GAA pitch is?

Well, there’s no exact answer as most pitches vary in size but generally – and officially – the field of play has to be between 130m-145m long and 80m-90m wide.

In comparison to other field sports, the pitch in Croke Park is nearly twice the size of a conventional soccer pitch at 15,000m2 – covering 145m by 88m wide.

However, not all pitches are that size with most fluctuating between the regulations, often on a game-by-game basis too.

We’ll explain further down.

How long is a GAA Pitch – the layout

The field of play, or pitch, should be rectangular and measure between 80 and 90 meters in width and 130 to 145 meters in length. For younger players, it can be lowered.

At 13 meters, 20 meters, and 45 meters from each end line, a set of lines are drawn across the pitch.

For hurling, a second marking is made at 65 meters.

On the sidelines, flags are used to denote these lines as well.

A 10 m long line that runs parallel to the end lines is also present in the centre of the pitch.

Each goal has two rectangles delineated in front of it.

The larger one is 19m by 13m, while the smaller one measures 14m by 4.5m.

The 20-meter line is marked with a semicircle in the middle, and the area where substitutions must be performed is designated 5 meters on either side of the center line.

The entire ball must cross the perimeter line before it is deemed out of play because all lines are a part of the region they define.

The goal is 6.5 meters wide and 2.5 meters high, and the posts should rise at least 7 meters to form an H.

A big area if you are expected to get up and down for 70 minutes, as Mayo’s Mattie Ruane highlights in this blog about playing midfield.

Are all GAA Pitches the same size?

No they are not and getting definitive answers can be difficult.

Often a pitch is perceived as being a ‘smaller pitch’ when in fact the official size would suggest different.

How it looks on the eye, the size of the sideline and its surroundings such as stands often influence how big or tight the pitch is perceived.

Plus, we all know instances of crafty managements and groundsmen tightening the pitch size to try and influence the opposing team or shut them down!

In terms of well-known county grounds, the ones in which claim to use the full space are Cusack Park, Ennis; MacCumhail Park, Donegal; Pearse Stadium, Galway; O’Connor Park, Offaly; Semple Stadium in Tipp; and Dr Hyde Park in Roscommon.

The tightest inter-county grounds include St Conleth’s Park, Kildare with measures only 135m x 80m.

But again, the layout of the ground often makes a pitch look bigger or smaller.

If the stands and terraces are closer to the pitch and the crowds are big, the atmosphere will make the pitch seem even smaller and condensed.

While a large empty stadium make a pitch look huge on TV, which is often the case with Croke Park which looks gigantic due to the camera positioning.

Want to know how long a GAA match is? This blog will tell you.

Conclusion

If you’d like to know more about the GAA, why not check out our blog about what the GAA means right HERE.

Intersport Elverys are huge GAA supporters and we stock the latest and best products from all counties.

Before go, Mayo GAA’s Eoghan McLaughlin shares some fascintating insight on how to play wing back in this blog.

Or check out our full GAA Ranges below.

What does GAA stand for?

Posted on January 5, 2023 at 4:03 pm.

Written by Ger Flanagan

Gaelic football and hurling are a religion in Ireland, but you’d be surprised with the amount of people that still ask what does the GAA stand for?

There is a lot of global interest in the organisation at the moment so many people outside of Ireland are beginning to become interested in our native sport and its governing body.

Here it is.

The GAA stands for the Gaelic Athletic Association of Ireland and it is Ireland’s largest sporting organisation. It remains and is widely celebrated as one of the great amateur sporting associations in the world.

It plays a huge and influential role in the Irish society and its impact extends way beyond the promotion of Gaelic games.

Below, we will explain more.

When was the GAA founded?

It was established on November 1, 1884, at a gathering in Thurles, County Tipperary, by a group of intrepid Irishmen who had the wisdom to recognise the significance of creating a national organisation to make sports more accessible to the general public and to revive and nurture traditional, indigenous sports and pastimes.

Only the wealthy and aristocracy were primarily permitted to engage in real athletic participation at that period.

Up until that point, emigration, extreme poverty, and foreign influences had progressively eaten away at everything that made Ireland unique.

After that illustrious first gathering, GAA clubs sprang up all throughout Ireland within six months, and people started playing hurling and Gaelic football before competing against each other in tournaments and with pride.

You might find out Starterss Guide to Gaelic Football Positions Blog interesting?

Are GAA players paid?

Since its inception, the GAA has remained an amateur organisation.

Even at the highest level, players are not paid for their participation, and the GAA’s voluntary ethos continues to be one of its most crucial components.

The organisation is based on Ireland’s customary parishes and counties.

Since the GAA is a community-based organisation, it is frequently claimed that it is challenging to distinguish between the community and the club because they frequently overlap and are connected.

There are more than 2,200 GAA clubs spread across Ireland’s 32 counties.

Why not check out this blog on our Best GAA Players of all Time?

What sports are in the GAA?

The Association GAA now collaborates with sister organisations, such as the LGFA and Camoige, to develop Ladies Football and Camogie in addition to Gaelic sports including Hurling, Football, Handball, and Rounders.

The Association also promotes Irish music, song and dance and the Irish language as an integral part of its objectives.

Check out the breakdown of the size of a GAA pitch in this blog.

Conclusion

We absolutely love our GAA at Intersport Elverys and we know you do too.

As proud sponsors of Mayo GAA, as well as being Official Retail sponsors of Dublin GAA and Tipperary GAA, we have heritage and experience in the game.

So check out county-wide list of products and services below.

We’ve got all the new jerseys, training gear and accessories.

Join our Training Community 2024 | Intersport Elverys

Posted on January 1, 2023 at 9:00 am.

Written by Ger Flanagan

Start your 2024 fitness journey off right by joining the Intersport Elverys Training Community.

Here we will have all the best tips, advice, workouts and products to make your training easier this year.

Whether you are a novice and starting out for the first time, or an experienced and elite athlete, we’re sure you will find something of benefit.

Check out some of our training blogs below, across weights, cardio, swimming, yoga, running and more.

Weights Training

Best weight training exercises for women, with Irish soccer star Rianna Jarrett

Beginners Guide to Suspension Training

Choosing the right workout for your fitness goals

Yoga

The Ultimate Guide to yoga at home

Mini Flow: The best yoga poses for Kids, with the O’Neill family

Yoga for GAA Players and Athletes

Home Gym

At home resistance band workout with Bundee Aki

The Ultimate Guide to buying a Spin Bike

The Ultimate Guide to buying a Kettlebell

Q&A with our Home Gym Experts

Training Advice

Training Tips from Ireland’s Top Irish Female Athletes

What is the science behind fasted cardio?

How to use a foam roller?

Tips on Recovery and Injury prevent, with WAFL star Aishling Sheridan

Size Guides

How to find the best Leggings

How to find the best Sports Bra

Swimming

Guide to the benefits of Sea Swimming

Guide on how to stop swimming goggles fogging up

Running

How good is Jogging: The Benefits

Should I wear a knee support while running?

6 Tips on Running Injury free

Intersport Elverys Custom E-Gift Cards

Posted on December 5, 2022 at 4:53 pm.

Written by Ger Flanagan

If you want the perfect gift for a special occasion, look no further than an Intersport Elverys E-Gift Card.

After purchasing an E-Gift Card online, it will be delivered to your recipients email box within seconds and it can be used both online and in-store.

And the best thing – our custom designs and messaging will suit any occasion and the gift card NEVER expires.

Check them out HERE or below.

Gift Cards – Delivered to your door!

We all love receiving something in the post so why not surprise a that person in your life with a customer gift card in their favourite team’s colours for a special occasion?

We’ve got Mayo GAA, Dublin GAA, IRFU, FAI and more custom designs for you to choose from.

Plus, they are fully sustainable and not harmful on the environment!

FAQ

1) How do I check my Gift Card balance?
For E-Gift cards please check here.
For Physical Gift cards please check here and go to manage Gift card.

2) Where can I use my Gift Card?
Our Physical Gift cards and E-Gift cards can we used online at www.elvery.ie or in any of our stores Nationwide, please see our store locator tool here.

3) How do I use my Gift Card for online purchases on Elverys.ie?
To use your Intersport Elverys gift card simply click on Pay with an Elverys Gift Card on the checkout payment page, enter gift card number, click on check balance. Once you checked your balance another box will appear asking you to enter amount of order. Enter amount of order and click use this card. Finally hit on place order.
You can use multiple Intersport Elverys gift cards to place an order just follow the above steps with each card until the order value is reduced to zero. At this point the place order button can be clicked.

4) Can I part-pay with an Intersport Elverys Gift Card and use another payment method to pay the balance?
If your purchase total is greater than the value on your Intersport Elverys gift card, you can use your gift card and then pay the outstanding balance using your debit or credit card. Remember to enter the gift card details before moving onto the other payment options to complete the purchase.

5) Do I have to use my full Gift Card balance in one transaction?
You don’t need to spend your full gift card balance at once. You can pay using a gift card online or in store, and any remaining balance will remain available for future purchases.

6) How long is my gift card be valid for?
There is no expiry timeframe on any of our gift cards.

7) What is the maximum amount I can purchase?
You can purchase Gift cards amounts up to €1,000.

8) Can I exchange/refund my Gift Card for cash?
We do not offer refunds on Gift Cards or exchange for cash.

9) I’ve lost my email with my Gift Card details, can this be resent to me?
Please contact our customer service team here and they will reissue the email with your Gift Card details.

10) I’ve sent the Gift Card to the wrong email or physical address, what should I do?
Please contact our customer service team here and they will cancel the card and refund your order. Please note we are not liable for cost associated with cards that have been used having been sent to an unintended recipient.