Irish Sport

Ireland's mark on the world of sport has been disproportionate to the size of the country. Irish soccer teams have won European Championships at youth level and Irish players play for clubs all over Europe. Ireland has produced some of the best golfers, snooker players, cyclists, boxers and jockeys in the world and our athletes have triumphed at championship and Olympic level.

Gaelic Football and Hurling, as Ireland's native sports are the most popular. The major competitions in each sport are the All-Ireland Championships which are contested by teams from each of the 32 counties. The All-Ireland finals are played at Croke Park in Dublin, which is the headquarters of the GAA (Gaelic Athletic Association) in Ireland and is currently undergoing a major development programme.

Soccer is also very popular in Ireland and is governed by the Football Association of Ireland (FAI). However the senior domestic competition do not reflect the real strength of soccer as many talented players play in leagues abroad. Many of these same players, play for the national team which enjoys a large following.

Rugby Football has about 60,000 Irish participants at club and school level and competition exists in the form of schoolboy, club and provincial leagues and championships. The Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU) is the governing body for the sport and the Irish international team draws large crowds.

Athletics and particularly track and field athletics has a long tradition in Ireland, which has produced a long list of past World and Olympic Champions. The most popular events are running, over middle and long distances and on marathon, track and indoor cross-country courses. Current athletics stars include Catherina Mc Kiernan and Sonia O'Sullivan, both cross-country champions at European and World levels.

Equestrian: The Irish bloodstock industry is considered one of the finest in the world. Famous racehorses produced include Arkle, Dawn Run, Istabraq, Nijinsky and Saddlers Wells. Ireland has produced a string of leading riders in all disciplines including Michael Kinnane, Richard Dunwoody and Eddie Macken.

The sports of Snooker, golf, boxing and many other sports have seen Irish sportsmen and women compete and triumph at the highest level.