Geography of Gaelic games

The two dominant sports of the Gaelic games are traditionally played in separate regions of Ireland.  Hurling is traditionally played mainly in the provinces of Munster and Leinster, whereas Gaelic football is played in every county but is dominant in Ulster and Connacht and certain parts of the other provinces. 

Munster
The traditional hurling-football divide in Munster runs along 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 from the hurling territory in the lush lowlands of east and central Limerick.  In County Cork the line also divides east from west, starting at Mallow and extending south towards Cork city and on to 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 traditional hurling region is located in the south west of the province.  The entire 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 other 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 follows a line from Galway City to Ballinasloe.  The divide in Galway probably stands out more than in other counties.  The hurling territory in Galway stands out strongly from the rest of the province; as a result, the Galway team plays in the Leinster Championship.  Another very small hurling region is in eastern County Mayo around Ballyhaunis. 

Ulster
Ulster is also almost entirely a footballing region; the hurling region is located in the Glens of Antrim. 

Links
 Gaelic Athletic Association county
 Gaelic games
 Hurling
 Football
 Dual county

See also
 Geography of Australian rules football
 Geography of association football

References

Category:Gaelic games
Category:Gaelic games terminology