Taming the wild West: Cork’s role in shaping Gaelic football’s ruleboook

The place of Cork in the history of the GAA is well understood. The number of clubs in the county, its success in theAll-Ireland championships, the manner in which it has earned unmatched success in women’s games, and the dual nature of its commitment to Gaelic games have created for the county an essential place in the story of the GAA.

A thing happened, however, right at the very beginning of the GAA which has had long term implications for theplaying of Gaelic football and the nature of the game that was forged.