Ireland
Introduction
Land and Resources
Economy
Population
Goverment
History
Things to see
Ireland in Europe
Dublin
Short
History
Important People
A guided tour
Lifestyle
Art
Music
Sports Heroes
Nightlife
Fashion
Education
General
Information
To school in Ireland
Crumlin College
Introduction
Departments
Meet
the students
Meet
the teachers
Lingua E
The J.E.P.
Diary
of a visit to Belgium
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Irish Sporting Heroes
Ireland has a rich sporting tradition and some of our sporting heroes have made a significant impact on the world stage. In Cycling, Stephen Roche has won the Tour de France. In Athletics, Sonia O'Sullivan holds the ladies' 5000m and 10000m European titles; Catriona McKiernan is a real medal hope for the Ladies' marathon at the Sydney Olympic Games later this year. In swimming, Michelle Smyth won three gold medals at the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta.
In Soccer, the exploits of the national team under Jack Charlton are legendary. Roy Keane and Denis Irwin have won European Champions' League medals with Manchester United. In Boxing, Barry McGuigan, Wayne McCullagh and Michael Carruth have all achieved success at the Olympics. In Formula 1 Motor Racing, Eddie Jordan and Eddie Irvine have won on the world's top circuits.
However, It is our own national games of Camogie, Gaelic Football and Hurling that attract the largest spectator attendances. These sports, administered by the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA), have many sporting heroes. Each of Ireland's 32 counties has Gaelic football, Camogie and Hurling teams. Teams consist of 15 players - a goalkeeper, 6 defenders, 2 midfielders and 6 forwards. Camogie and Hurling are played with a stick and a small leather ball called a sliothar. No sticks are used in Gaelic football and the leather ball is similar to that used in soccer.
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