 | ||
The two dominant sports of the Gaelic Games can be found to be played in traditional regions of Ireland. Hurling is traditionally found to be played mainly in the provinces of Munster and Leinster whereas Gaelic football is played in almost every county but is dominant in Ulster and Connacht and certain parts of the other provinces.
Contents
Munster
The traditional hurling-football divide in Munster runs a line from Tubber in north County Clare through Corofin to Labasheeda. Across the Shannon in County Limerick the line divides the footballing territory in the hilly west Limerick to the hurling territory in the lush lowlands of east and central Limerick. In County Cork the line also divides east to west starting at Mallow extending downwards towards Cork city and onto the coast, further west beyond the footballing west Cork is the almost entirely footballing territory in County Kerry with only a very small hurling region north of Tralee in Ardfert, Ballyheigue and Causeway. The entire Counties of Tipperary and Waterford are considered to be traditionally hurling regions.
Leinster
In Leinster the traditionally hurling region is located to the south west of the province. The entire of County Kilkenny is considered hurling territory with very little football activity. Most of County Wexford is in the hurling region along with Counties Carlow, Laois and Offaly. The rest of the Leinster Counties are considered footballing counties.
Connacht
Connacht is almost entirely Gaelic football territory with only Galway competing in the Liam MacCarthy Cup. In County Galway the hurling-football divide draws a line from Galway City to Ballinasloe. The divide in Galway probably stands out more than the other counties. The hurling territory in Galway stands out so strongly from the rest of the province which results in the Galway team playing in the Leinster Championship. Another very small hurling region is in eastern County Mayo around Ballyhaunis.
Ulster
Similar to Connacht, Ulster is almost entirely a footballing region with the hurling region being located in the Glens of Antrim.