GENERAL INFORMATION

The European area has seen a steady increase since activities began just ten years ago in numbers of players and clubs over the past few years. 28 clubs are now active and others are being founded even in countries where we have yet to establish a presence. Playing numbers are in excess of 500 footballers, 200 ladies footballers, 150 hurlers a growing number of camogie players and over 500 young indigenous people being introduced to Gaelic games across the continent.

However, the European Board (ECB) recognises the huge challenge of introducing our games to the 660 million citizens (excluding UK & Ireland). That is why ambitious games and club development programmes are being developed and rolled out in many areas. The ECB’s own structures have been evolving to meet this growth path and the annual convention now attracts over fifty delegates from affiliated clubs. In France, a national federation has been established. The ECB oversees all codes.

Competitions are organised on a ‘blitz’ basis once a month between March and November because of distance and expense involved. The football competitions are played across four regional leagues of four rounds and then in a pan-European Championship and Shield, with one round in each region. The hurling championship is played in four rounds and ladies football is played over seven rounds. 2008 will see the first camogie championship over three rounds. Some county teams also compete in certain All Ireland and Leinster Council (with whom the ECB is twinned) Junior Club Championships

Due to the lack of GAA pitches, men’s team are normally 11-a-side, whilst ladies are 7 or 9-a-side. Teams accumulate ranking points in every round they play (which is a mini-league in itself) and the overall winners emerge based on counting a certain number of rounds within each competition. Clubs are allowed to combine in competitions with points being split as appropriate.

Visiting clubs may participate in certain competition rounds, invitational tournaments and individual clubs are delighted to host given sufficient notice. Under-age teams are usually school based rather club based but visits are also welcome.

Please feel free to contact the ECB or clubs listed below for more details of activities if you wish to play in Europe, or organise a club trip.