Gaelic Football is one of the sports played in Ireland. It became popular in the 16th century. The number of players range from 25 to 100 players. There are 15 players in a team. The players can kick, punt, punch, or dribble the ball ("hop"). Throwing on the other hand is not allowed, also carrying the ball isn’t allowed. Kicking or punching the ball over the crossbar is one point and punching or kicking the ball in the net is three points.
Horseracing is a very famous sport in Ireland. This country has about 30 race tracks. The races are held about 170 days a year. The recognized races in Ireland are the Irish Derby, and the Irish Grand National, but the most famous race is called the Royal Dublin Society horse show.
Hurling is also a very liked sport in Ireland. It is very similar to hockey. It is played with a small ball and a curved wooden stick. The stick or "hurley" is called camn in Irish. The ball or sliothar (the name they gave it in Ireland) is similar in the size of a hockey ball. This game is played on a pitch approximately 173 meters long and 82 meters wide the players can strike the ball on the ground or in the air the team has 15 players one goal keeper, 3 full-backs, 3 half-backs, 2 midfielders, 3 half-forwards, and 3 full-forwards.
