| Gaelic football is a 15 a side ball and goal game | | | | allowed, a player in possession may carry the ball |
| and it does appear to be a cross between rugby | | | | for four paces but must then bounce or hop it |
| and soccer. Although claimed to be as old as | | | | only one hop being allowed if the ball has been |
| Hurling the first historical references to the game | | | | caught. |
| appear around 1527. The pitch is usually 137m long | | | | Players may carry the ball on a solo run if he |
| and 82m wide goal post at each end similar in | | | | either hops the ball every three steps, run in |
| style to rugby post each side consist of three full | | | | possession for as long as he wishes provided the |
| forwards, three half forwards, two midfields and | | | | ball has not been caught, he may also run |
| three half backs, three full backs and a | | | | providing he bounces the ball from toe to hand |
| goalkeeper. | | | | every four steps. |
| Should a defender put the ball over its own end | | | | Pulling, pushing, tripping or elbowing an opponent is |
| line the attackers are awarded a free kick from | | | | a foul, punishment is a free kick to the opposition. |
| the 50 yard line. at a point opposite to where the | | | | Rugby style tackles are also punished in the same |
| ball crossed the line. Should a player put the ball | | | | way as frontal or a charge into the back, |
| across a side line the opposite side gets a free | | | | however shoulder charging is allowed and actively |
| kick at the place where the ball crossed the line. | | | | encouraged by the crowd. |
| The goal area is based on the end line 13.72m by | | | | The referee controls the game with the |
| 4.57m and extends in front of the goal post, | | | | assistance of four goal umpires two at each end, |
| should a defender foul in this area a penalty kick | | | | and a touch judge on each side line. The referee |
| is awarded, like soccer only the penalty taker and | | | | starts the game by throwing the ball between the |
| the goalkeeper can be in the area until the kick is | | | | midfield players at the beginning of each half. He is |
| taken. | | | | also the sole judge of the playing time. the game |
| Gaelic football has no offside rule and players can | | | | can last between 30 and 60 minutes each half |
| play the ball on or off the ground with either the | | | | there are two halves. |
| foot or the hand. A player cannot pick the ball up | | | | Scoring the ball must be kicked or punched |
| from the floor with his hand but he can chip it or | | | | between the posts and over the cross bar a goal |
| lift with his foot. The ball may be passed by or | | | | is equal to 3 points. |
| punched with the closed fist, throwing is not | | | | |