No worries. I played Gaelic all the way up fromt about 7 years old and enjoyed the social side of it. Got fairly handy at it around about 15 when I got taller but fell out with my club after minor (u18s) and left to start soccer. I still play for a junior side in Dublin and it's great craic but dont take it as seriously.
Setanta was a hurler here and I'm sure he played bit of ball but I'm not sure if he'll cut the mustard from what i've seen. Kennelly is your typical Kerry footballer. Smooth, accurate and a beast of a ball player. I was surprised at how quickly he adapted but a few of Irelands best rugby players were fantastic GAA player (Conor O'Shea, Mick Galwey, Geordan Murphy and Shane Horgan to name just 4) I remember Kennellys Irish jig when the Swans won. He may want another title before departing Oz.
Stines is a tough nut. He was a great footballer as was his brother Brian who was a midfielder for Dublin in the 90s. Brian was a player who put everything on the line for the team. The type of player who is sorely missed in the Dublin panel at the minute.
What is your thinking on the comprimise rules? Are you a fan or do you think it's just a glorified brawl?
Yeah, but isn't Gaelic a non-pro sport in the first place? I couldn't believe it when I heard the players aren't professionals, it's such a fantastic sport - surely there's a market for a proper league?
Having said that I don't actually know what the
real situation is over there.
I was surprised when I heard Setanta and his brother came from a Hurling background (a fine sport too, that). A massive transition in fairness, the odds were against him from the very start.
As for Kennelly, quite simply he's a joy to watch. I'm concerned about his shoulders though, he seems to be having troubles with them every-other game. Just last two weeks ago against the side I follow (Hawthorn) he had a semi-dislocation, played on, then copped a full dislocation only to run out the game. I don't think his side, Sydney, have that much left in the tank. They're the typical gritty grind out a result side akin to say a Blackburn or Big Sam's Bolton back in the day. I think they've had their time in the sun for a little while yet.
I personally love the hybrid game. I went to watch it last time it was down here - when 'the' incident happened (when our guy absolutely coat-hangered your guy) - and it was fecking brilliant. Though when you think about it it's kind of unfair, our side is full of professional sportsmen, who're paid to hit the gym and reach the peak of physical fitness, they're all used to throwing their bodies around every week in the AFL. They can obviously take and dish our massive hits.
Whereas your side are full of teachers and the like that come from a sport that doesn't have tackling even (?) let alone big hip-n-shoulders. It was inevitable that our boys where going to try and intimidate your side physically.
I don't mean to sound demeaning but the saying 'boys against men' comes to mind - physically, I mean.
I really hope they bring the games back, I hear talks have been underway for a while about reinstating the series. Though I think some restrictions will obviously be put in place.
, as the totally wrote us off !