The origins of Gaelic games predate recorded history. Bardic sources provide an insight into the character of the pre-GAA games. Hurling predominates, but there are also references to football. Fragments of the ancient Brehon Laws show that hurling was regulated from at least the eighth century. After the Norman invasion of the 12th century, hurling was restricted by the English Crown. Foreign visitors to Ireland in the 17th and 18th centuries noted that hurling and football occupied an important place in the social life of the community.

The first record of the game being played in Ireland is contained in the Statute of Galway (1527) banning football in Ireland although references to hurling are even older. The effect of this legislation banning all games, was to elevate football above hurling in popularity. The first known football match was a game between Meath and Louth in 1712 at Slane.