The Ultimate Guide to a Basketball Court 2024

Posted on January 26, 2023 at 1:07 pm.

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.

For regulations on how high a Basketball hoop should be, check out this blog.

In Ireland, FIBA also state that a game can be abandoned if there are condensation issues on the court and the home may potentially lose the game.

Basketball Court Markings

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.

Check out some of the rest right HERE.

The Three Point Line History

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.

Conclusion

Intersport Elverys are proud Retail Partners of Basketball Ireland.

So we want to bring you the best products and information we can.

Make sure to let us know if there is something you want or to learn and we will try our best to help you.

How high is a basketball hoop 2024

Posted on January 25, 2023 at 4:33 pm.

Written by Ger Flanagan

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!

As Proud Retail Partners of Basketball Ireland, we will bring you all the advice and products you need.

Sounds good?

how high is a basketball hoop

How High is a Basketball hoop? – The Dimensions

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.

how high is a basketball hoop

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.

Check out this blog to learn the ins and outs of a basketball court and its dimensions.

Why are basketball hoops 10 Feet?

It’s amazingly simple.

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!

Maybe that’s you!

Check out our full basketball range below to see.

Intersport Elverys & Basketball Ireland Launch Retail Partnership

Posted on January 25, 2023 at 2:05 pm.

Written by Ger Flanagan

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.

For more Basketball content, check out this blog on How High a Basketball hoop should be.

Ireland Women’s Soccer: The Ultimate Guide

Posted on January 18, 2023 at 2:53 pm.

Written by Ger Flanagan

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 going to the World Cup?

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!

Sounds exciting, doesn’t it? 😊

Before you meet the players, if you want to know more about the fixtures and opponents, you’ll find it out in this blog.

Ireland Women’s Soccer Team – The Players

Vera Pauw has just named her final squad for the World Cup and there were some shock announcements to say the least.

So lets have a look at the full squad and then we’ll drill down into some of the players.

Goalkeepers

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.

Grace Moloney

Position: Goalkeeper

Age: 30

Club: Reading

Moloney has been a consistent player for Reading FC, helping the team secure promotion to the FA Women’s Super League in the 2020-2021 season.

Born in Slough, England she made her international debut for the Republic of Ireland in 2016 and has since become an integral part of the Women’s National Team squad.

On December 1, 2020, at Tallaght Stadium, Moloney made her debut under Vera Pauw in a crucial UEFA Women’s Euro 2022 qualifying match against Germany. Pauw praised Moloney’s performance as “fantastic” despite Ireland’s 3-1 loss.

Megan Walsh

Position: Goalkeeper

Age: 28

Club: Brighton & Hove Albion

After playing here youth football with England, It was revealed that Walsh, had switched her allegiance to Ireland, becoming eligible due to the fact that her grandfather was born in Wexford, and after failing to be called up for the England senior team.

She was called up for Ireland’s matches against Slovakia and Georgia in the Women’s World Cup qualifying round last year. On February 19, 2022, during Ireland’s 1-0 loss to Russia at the 2022 Pinatar Cup, Walsh received her maiden international call-up and first cap.

Defenders

Heather Payne

Position: Defender

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 recognised as the Player of the Match.

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 99^th 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.

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.

Aine O’Gorman

Position: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.

Megan Connolly

Position: Defender

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.

Claire O’Riordan

Position: Defender

Age: 28

Club: Celtic

O’Riordan never represented Ireland at the youth level, but at the 2016 Cyprus Women’s Cup, against Hungary, she earned her maiden senior cap.

A defender, who is also comfortable in attack, she spent her first five years of her senior career with Wexford Youths in the Irish Women’s National League before agreeing to a professional deal with MSV Duisburg in the German Frauen-Bundesliga.

In August 2022, O’Riordan signed a contract with Celtic following four years in Germany.

Izzy Atkinson

Position: Defender

Age: 21

Club: West Ham United

The Dublin born defender was first named in a Republic of Ireland squad at the tender age of 16 before making her first start in a 1–0 FIFA Women’s World Cup qualifying defeat in Norway in June 2018.

The former Shelbourne and Celtic was predominately a winger in her early part of her career, but has been transformed into an attacking full back.

Pauw will certainly be looking to utilise her in this role as she also has an eye for a goal.

Midfielders

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.

Ruesha Littlejohn

Position: 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.

Ciara Grant

Position: Midfielder

Age: 30

Club: Heart of Midlothian

The talented Donegal native is a qualified doctor and has worked as a lecturer in the Royal College of Surgeons.

However, she will now be focusing on her football for the foreseeable with a huge task ahead of her.

Grant earned her senior international debut against the United States’ 5-0 friendly defeat in 2012. She was placed in an unfamiliar right-back position by then team coach Sue Ronan.

In June 2021, Vera Pauw called Grant back to the national squad after she performed well for Shelbourne and made another appearance on November 30, 2021, in UEFA Group A’s 11-0 victory against Georgia to qualify for the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup.

Sinead Farrelly

Position: Midfielder

Age: 33

Club: NJ/NY Gotham FC

Born and raised in Pennsylvania to to an Irish father, she initially represented her country of birth the youth level before switching to represent the Republic of Ireland senior national team in 2023.

She earned her first senior international cap with Ireland on April 8, 2023, by starting and playing 60 minutes in a friendly against the United States senior team and brings real experience to the Irish set up.

Lucy Quinn

Position: Midfielder/Forward

Age: 29

Club: Birmingham City

Quinn has had an impressive career in English football, notably with Birmingham City Women, where she has consistently contributed with goals and assists.

She made her international debut in 2015 and has been a valuable attacking option for the Women’s National Team having previously represented Great Britain at the 2017 World University Games where she won the golden boot award for most goals scored.

Her speed, technical ability, and goal-scoring instincts make her a threat to opponents.

Forwards

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 65^th 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.

Kyra Carusa

Position: Striker

Age: 27

Club: London City Lionesses

Carusa made her debut for the Women’s National Team in 2021 and has since proven to be a promising forward.

Her ability to score goals and attacking prowess has clearly impressed Pauw and was enough to convince her to bring her to the World Cup, scoring 30 goals in 51 appearances for HB Køge between 2020-2023.

Marissa Sheva

Position: Forward

Age: 26

Club: Washington Spirit

Sheva alerted the FAI to her eligibility for the Republic of Ireland women’s national football team and was called up to a training camp in Marbella in February 2023.

Her maternal grandparents came from Donegal and Tyrone.

Sheva won her first cap as a half-time substitute for Abbie Larkin in a 0–0 friendly draw with China, on 22 February 2023,

In April 2023 Sheva started Ireland’s next two fixtures, both against the United States. Sheva played on the left wing, having made her debut on the right wing.

Coach Vera Pauw said the team’s and Sheva’s performance in advance of the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup was encouraging despite the fact that they lost both games.

Abbie Larkin

Position: Forward

Age: 18

Club: Shamrock Rovers

One of the youngest players on the squad, Larkin received her first call-up to the senior Republic of Ireland team in February 2022, just in time for the Pinatar Cup in Murcia, but needed her parents’ approval before skipping school to go on the trip!

She was given her maiden cap on February 19, 2022, in a 1-0 loss to Russia and later replaced Kyra Carusa at halftime in a 1-0 victory over Wales.

During the 9-0 victory over Georgia at Gori on June 27, 2022, Larkin scored her first goal for Ireland on the occasion of her fourth cap with Vera Pauw commenting: “I hope that everyone has seen how talented she is.”

Stand-By Players

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.

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.

How many GAA clubs are there in Ireland 2024

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

Written by Ger Flanagan

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.