Scór
Encyclopedia
Gaelic Athletic Association
The Gaelic Athletic Association is an amateur Irish and international cultural and sporting organisation focused primarily on promoting Gaelic games, which include the traditional Irish sports of hurling, camogie, Gaelic football, handball and rounders...
charged with promotion of cultural activities, and the name of a series of annual competitions in such activities.
Rule 4 of the GAA's official guide reads:
"The Association shall actively support the Irish languageIrish languageIrish , also known as Irish Gaelic, is a Goidelic language of the Indo-European language family, originating in Ireland and historically spoken by the Irish people. Irish is now spoken as a first language by a minority of Irish people, as well as being a second language of a larger proportion of...
, traditional Irish dancing, music, song, and other aspects of Irish culture. It shall foster an awareness and love of the national ideals in the people of Ireland, and assist in promoting a community spirit through its clubs."
The group was formally founded in 1969, and is promoted through various GAA clubs throughout Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
(as well as some clubs outside of Ireland).
Structure
Scór competitions are organized along similar lines to hurling and Gaelic football championships. GAA clubs in each respective county enter teams or individuals into various events at competitions. Each heat of the competition takes place usually in a GAA hall on a Sunday night during which the following events take place:- Rince Fóirne (Céilí Dancing)
- Amhránaíocht Aonair (Solo Singing)
- Ceol Uirlise (Instrumental Music)
- Aithriseoirecht/Scealaíocht (Recitation/Storytelling)
- Bailéad Ghrúpa (Ballad Group)
- Nuachleas (Novelty Act)
- Rince Seit (Set Dancing)
- Tráth na gCeisteanna (Question Time)
These heats culminate in a county final. The winning team in each event, in each county, goes on to compete in a provincial championship, and the winners of each of the 4 provincial championships go on to the all-Ireland Scór finals. To win an All-Ireland title is seen as a great achievement and honour for any club.
The competitions are split by age, into Scór na bPáistí (or primary school Scór), Scór na nÓg (or Young/Junior Scór) for under-18s, and Scór Sinsear (Senior Scór) for adults. This year's Scór Sinsear All Ireland final shall be held in The Gleneagle Hotel, Killarney on Saturday 9th April 2011.