Football games are mentioned in the Statute of Galway , 1527 , which allowed the playing of football and archery , but banned `` hokie '' -- the hurling of a little ball with sticks or staves , as well as other sports . Football games are mentioned in the Statute of Galway , 1527 , which allowed the playing of football and archery , but banned '' ` hokie ' -- the hurling of a little ball with sticks or staves '' , as well as other sports .