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The dimensions of the field of play are covered under Rules of Specification: Rule 1.1
The Field of Play shall be rectangular, and its dimensions shall be as follows:
Length - 130m minimum and 145m maximum
Width - 80m minimum and 90m maximum
The pitch in Croke Park covers an area of 144.5 m x 88m. It is possible to reduce dimensions by local bye-laws for Under-15 or younger grades.
Under-10 - 110m x 80m
Add 10m to the length for every year
The Go Games are designed to be played on modified playing field dimensions according to which game is being played - First Touch (U.8), Quick Touch (U.10) or Smart Touch (U.12).
The pitch markings are covered under Rules of Specification: Rule 1.2
At distances of 13m, 20m, 45m (Football) and 65m (Hurling) from each endline, lines shall be marked across the field parallel to the endline. The intersections of these lines and of the endlines with the sidelines shall be marked by flags.
The midline of the field shall be marked parallel to the endlines, and shall have a minimum length of 10m.
Boundary lines are part of the field of play.
Pitch markings around the scoring space are covered under Rules of Specification: Rule 1.4 and Rule 1.5
Two rectangles of the following dimensions shall be formed in front of each scoring space.
(a) One rectangle, 14m by 4.5m, shall be formed by two lines 4.5m long and at right angles to the endline being marked 3.75m from the inside of each goalpost, and the ends of these lines being formed.
(b) A second rectangle, 19m x 13m, shall be formed by two lines 13m long at right angles to the endline being marked 6.25m from the inside of each goalpost, and the ends of these lines being joined.
(c) The endline, including the goal-line, is part of each rectangle, the other three lines enclose the area of that rectangle.
Rules of Specification: Rule 1.5
A semi-circular arc of 13m radius, centred on the mid-point of the 20m line, shall be marked outside of each 20m line.
The Substitution Zone is covered under Rules of Specification: Rule 1.6
An area of the sideline, extending 5m on either side of the centre line, shall be marked as the Substitution Zone, and all the players coming off/ going on to the field of play in acts of substitution/ temporary replacement shall go through this point, when given permission by the referee.
Exception - An injured player may leave the field at the nearest point to him
(All lines on the field of play shall be 90mm + 13mm wide. All lines shall be marked in white with a suitable marking material)
Flags that are used to mark the dimensions of the pitch are covered under Rules of Specification: Rule 1.7
All flags used on boundary lines shall have smooth round tops.
N.B. For safety there should be at least 5m between endlines/sidelines and the wall/fence/seating etc.
The Scoring Space and Goalposts are covered under Rules of Specification: Rule 1.3
The Scoring Space shall be at the centre of each endline. Each shall be formed by two goalposts, circular in cross section, which shall have a height of not less than 7m above ground level, and be 6.5m apart. The inside edge of the endline shall be at a tangent to the front edge of the base of the goalposts.
A Crossbar shall be fixed to the goalposts at a uniform height of 2.5m above the ground. The crossbar shall have a rectangular or circular cross section.
When rectangular, it shall have a depth of 140mm + 10mm and a width not less than 50mm.
When circular, it shall have a uniform diameter of 125mm + 5mm.
The Dimensions of the Scoring Space may be reduced by local bye-laws for Under-15 or younger grades.
Underage Guidelines
Under-10 - Crossbar set at 1.8m approx (6ft) above ground and goalposts set at 3m approx (10ft) apart
Age 10 - 13 - Crossbar set at 2.1m approx (7ft) above ground and goalposts set at 4.5m approx (15ft) apart.
Under-14 and up - Full size
Goalnets shall be securely fixed to the back of the crossbar and the back of each goalpost. The roof of the net shall be supported for a horizontal distance of not less than 900mm, at crossbar height, by a metal net support fixed to the back of the goalposts. The mesh of the net shall have a diagonal length not exceeding 150mm for football and 50mm for hurling.
The dimensions of a Sliotar are covered under Rules of Specification: Rule 4.3
The circumference of the hurling ball (sliotar) shall be between 23cm and 25cm. The ball weight (mass) shall be between 110 and 120 grams. The rib shall not exceed 2.4mm and shall not be less than 2.2mm.
The thickness of the leather cover shall not be less than 1.8mm. The leather cover shall conform with the designated Irish standard. The use of laminated splits, laminated corrected grain, or laminated full grain leathers shall be excluded.
Exception - the dimensions may be reduced by local Bye-Laws for Under-15 or younger grades.
Reduced size hurling balls are recommended for grades up to and including Under-14.
Specially designed Sliotars are outlined for each of the Go Games - First Touch, Quick Touch and Smart Touch
The dimensions of a Gaelic Football are covered under the Rules of Specification: Rule 4.3
The football shall not weigh less than 450g and not more than 485g. The circumference shall not be less than 68cm and not greater than 70cm. Exception - the dimensions may be reduced by local Bye-Laws for Under-15 or younger grades.
Under-9 - Size 3 (400g max)
Ages 10-14 - Size 4 (425g max, 63.5cm max)
Size 5 - (Full Specification)
Specially designed Footballs are outlined for each of the Go Games - First Touch, Quick Touch and Smart Touch.
For more information on Specifications contact:
Coaching and Games Development,
Croke Park,
Dublin 3
Tel: (01) 8363222
Fax: (01) 8366420
Email: gamesdevelopment@gaa.ie