Anti-Sports Jingoism Video of the Week #2

Just in case you're curious, I consider this collection of rugby league slobberknockers to be Anti-Sports Jingoism Video of the Week #1.

But, on to #2. Here we are headed to the Emerald Isle, to see the wonderful Wizard of Oz.

Wait, I'm sorry, that's the Emerald City. My bad.

On the Emerald Isle (Ireland, for those of you who weren't fortunate enough to have an Irish-Canadian grandmother), there is this game known as Gaelic football. Here's a nice highlight video:



So, what the hell is going on? Sort of simple, really. Basically, Gaelic football is amped-up soccer. Players are allowed to pick up the ball and run with it, so long as every five they bounce it off the ground, or kick it to themselves (which is called soloing).

You might also notice that the soccer-esque goal has goalposts extending above it. Well, in Gaelic football, you score points either way. Kicking the ball through the uprights above the crossbar is worth one point, while kicking the ball into the soccer-type goal is worth three. More points for the bottom, because there's a goalie.

The field is about 150 meters long, which translate to 162.5 yards. Each team has 15 players to a side, and a game is made up of two 35-minute halves.

Also to note, despite the professional look of the games in the highlight video, there is no professional Gaelic football. All the players are amaeteurs, and play for their respective Irish counties.