Was born into it.

Remember the moment I was going to play the first match for the club.....at U/10 in hurling.

Was ready at 09.30, by 10.00 was pestering the auld fellow to go........for a match at 11.30 and a pitch 15 minutes away.

To this day I never turn up late for a match, stupid I know going to games give me a buzz. Even if its Junior 10 when I am going I am going and thats it!!

witnof (Dublin) - Posts: 1604 - 15/03/2016 18:16:43    1835209

Always had a hurley, was always pucking around somewhere with cousins, friends, anyone, but it was really the 1987 Munster final that got me hooked. After that, I got involved with the local club, started playing for the school (or at least trying to) etc, and being taken to Tipp's league games became a different experience (in that I was now taken willingly). To this day, whenever I see a red-head ending a famine, I get a lump in my throat...

Marlon_JD (Tipperary) - Posts: 1823 - 15/03/2016 19:25:58    1835235

Early 70's. Wembley at Whit as a very young child. Then every Sunday going with dad, the tortuous tube journey from East London to Ruislip, New Eltham or Edmonton. Cannot really remember the actual matches, just the crowds, the smell of drink from the clubhouse. Seemed like there were thousands of people there, but was very young so everything probably seemed much bigger I suppose.

But although born in London, it was just ingrained in you and was totally natural to go and watch all the GAA matches in London.

One abiding memory was watching Tony Grealish, think he was star at Leyton Orient at the time, playing ... was a big deal at the time.

KerryLondoner (Kerry) - Posts: 41 - 16/03/2016 16:33:52    1835443

Scored 2-3 in one of my first games u-12.. was thinking I may be the next Maurice Fitz

Unfortunately my scoring average has dipped to about 0.5 points a game due to a number of factors..which isnt great for a corner forward

Thank god im good friends with the coach

KY4SAM2015 (Kerry) - Posts: 898 - 16/03/2016 17:30:21    1835452

Sam, this better than being a corner forward who used score a point a season and that was in hurling!

TheHermit (Kerry) - Posts: 6354 - 16/03/2016 19:07:37    1835473

Ah yes hermit..id be dangerous with a hurley..bit too skillfull of a game for me

Im sure them north Kerry corner backs wouldnt be easy to shake off so im sure your point was well earned

KY4SAM2015 (Kerry) - Posts: 898 - 16/03/2016 19:34:34    1835483

Well Sam when your about half a foot taller than most of them and about 2 stone heavier you'd think I'd at least manage 2 a season!!

TheHermit (Kerry) - Posts: 6354 - 16/03/2016 21:27:04    1835506

My first memories are listening to matches in the mid to late fifties. We had no electricity and there were three batteries, one 'wet' and two 'dry'. The wet battery was a cylindrical glass contraption and had to be taken to a man in the local village to be charged every few weeks. Woe betide one if they were caught listening to anything,which were actually most things, 'trivial' on the 'wireless. Anyway the Munster Championship between and Limerick is the first I can clearly recall and Limerick, with a local Pat Hartnett on board, won the All Ireland Title later. This was not broadcast of course but I still recall hearing the result before the Senior between Tipp and Galway started. A lifetime love affair had begun.

Oldtourman (Limerick) - Posts: 4501 - 16/03/2016 21:30:26    1835507

Early 90s it began. Couldnt stand hurling until i was about 12..always wanted to be a rugby player so I could get the hottest girls in town. Found out quickly down in Cork in a junior cup match that I was pretty rubbish at rugby. I took up the hurley and ball again with renewed vigor and lied to girls that yes I was on the school rugby team every saturday night. Thats Limerick city for you

bloodyban (Limerick) - Posts: 1710 - 17/03/2016 08:04:11    1835517

My first day in Croke Park watching the Dubs was in 1982 for the Leinster Final defeat to Offaly. Had been to most league & championship games the following year however the first day I started to believe I was witnessing something really special was the the 1983 semi final versus Cork. Dublin were down and out when Barney Rock's last minute goal to draw level shook the old stadium. That lead to the rout by the Lee in the sun and the 12 Apostles bringing Sam home in the final but it was that last minute goal in the semi that got me hooked.

bubba83 (Dublin) - Posts: 333 - 17/03/2016 08:56:22    1835525

I remember leaving Dr Hyde Park in Roscommon after a Mayo match, don't know what year, and there was this good looking woman wearing a tight Mayo jersey and tight red trousers walking a few lines in front of us and every time she turned left or right every man behind her turned in the same direction, it was only when she went into a shop with her friends that every man then realised 'where the hell are we'. It was the funniest sight to see people scratching their heads wondering what turn to make so they could get back to their cars after getting lost.
Oh on the pitch ya I was born into the GAA

riverboys (Mayo) - Posts: 1389 - 21/03/2016 13:49:36    1836409

Adrian Sweeney's point from the very edge of Croke Park towards Canal End. He didn't even look up.

I think it was v Armagh in 2003. Can't be sure

---

Also, during Dublin v Cork in 2010 at a point in the match when the Dubs were going well Bernard Brogan won a free (cos that is what he is best at) and lay on top of the ball and fisted towards the Hill as if to say we have it. They didn't have it. But that moment was class. Such a connection between the team and players that you don't get at the pinnacle of most sports.

squareball_1988 (Donegal) - Posts: 343 - 22/03/2016 14:45:27    1836769

GAA had me long before this but I think my favourite moment was McConville's goal for Armagh vs Kerry in '02.

He'd missed a Peno in the first half. His celebration behind the goals. He'd started the move from about halfway and it really turned a game that looked all Kerry up until then.

I was upstairs in the big tree in 2010 when Dublin's goal went in. Best atmosphere I've ever experienced whilst watching a GAA match.

Whammo86 (Antrim) - Posts: 4563 - 22/03/2016 16:03:55    1836805

I was born into it being brought training with my father when he was playing and later when he was managing the club team. Started playing at 8 years of age and have been in love with the game since

3rdmidfielder (Australia) - Posts: 425 - 22/03/2016 16:43:32    1836820