THE IMPACT OF THE GAA ON IRISH LIFE Camogie and Ladies Football
Camogie and Ladies Gaelic football are run independently of the GAA, but with its active support.
Camogie
The Camogie Association (Cumann Camógaíochta na nGael) was founded in 1904 after a challenge camogie match had taken place in 1903. The inspiration for the development of camogie came from the Keating Branch of the Gaelic League, in Dublin. The sport was developed from hurling. ● Camogie spread gradually. By 1912, there were at least 22 clubs in Dublin, London, Wexford, Cork, Meath and Louth.
● The first All-Ireland championship was held in 1932.
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Ladies Gaelic Football
It took much longer before ladies’ football was organised. The Ladies Gaelic Football Association was founded in 1974 after a number of tournaments were held in the years before that, and county boards were set in some counties. The first All- Ireland championship was held that year. ● Both camogie and ladies’ football have benefitted from coverage by TG4. ● They have provided a Gaelic outlet for ladies to match the men’s hurling and football. If they were absent, more younger ladies would be playing soccer and rugby as alternatives.
Assessing Your Learning
1. What was the separatist tradition? 2. Who believed that the GAA could be used as a cover to train young men? 3. Who reported on the activities of the GAA? Why? 4. Who were banned from playing GAA? 5. What were GAA players banned from playing? 6. Why were people shot at in Croke Park on Bloody Sunday, 1920? 7. What other sports does the GAA organise besides football and hurling? 8. What is the relationship between the GAA and camogie and ladies’ football?