While the inter-county football leagues commenced earlier this month, this weekend saw many Senior, Intermediate and Junior county/divisional leagues get going across the country for 2015. It's the culmination of hard 4-6 weeks of hard and uncompromising work in the gym/field. It is an opportunity for management, new or recurring, to get a good look at how their team is shaping up for the year ahead, players will get to test themselves in a competitive encounter and supporters finally get the opportunity to voice their opinions and back them up with cold hard facts, well facts as they see them anyway. High on the 'watch-list' for most will be the usual foes of discipline, fitness, age and reputations but now we are also seeing topics such as training methods and the black card dominate the league opener build up.
So sit back, relax and enjoy a lighter look at some of the cliches provided by Players, Management and Supporters before, during and after the opening round of league encounters and the difference between what is said and what the reality really is......
1. Players
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| The Huddle - Epicenter for some of the most rousing speeches in the history of the GAA |
"We've trained hard and put in the yards in the wind, rain and snow so let's do ourselves justice today"
There will always be one player who hasn't trained, has not put in the hard yards but has spent many evenings in front of a warm cosy fire watching Corrie nursing an un-diagnosed 'injury' while the rest of the panel battled war-zone like conditions for the past few weeks. He will still start and will probably will be the one most likely to come out with this gem to distasteful glances from the numbers 16 to 22.
"let's work hard for each other today boys, support and encourage each other even when mistakes are made"
The whistle blows, the ball is thrown in and the game is on. The tall lanky #9 bats it down to his midfield compadre, who neatly sends a hand pass to the eager on-coming wing back who attempts to play an audacious outside of the right foot 50/50 ball into the still half asleep full forward who is beaten easily in battle with his direct opponent, who in turn motors on and sets up a counter attack. What will be hurled in the direction of the wing back will have parents blocking their children's ears - support and encouragement sentiments are quickly forgotten as that counter attack leads to concession of an early score. Also see - "let's keep it simple for the start and settle into the game" and "right options at the right time"
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| Full backs taking the law into their own hands |
"We need to put down an early marker"
Ah yes, the classic pre-match huddle statement from the larger than life full-back who has seen it and done it all before. There is a stark difference between the 'marker' he speaks of and what one of the fresh younger lads thinks. One of them is thinking scores and making an impression while helping the team come away with a valuable, confidence boosting win while the other one is thinking of playing skittles with any 'marker' that tries to pass him.
"Where's the cover!!!! They're coming right through the middle"
It's not been a good start and the two midfielders are baying for the ref to blow the half time whistle. Another score before half time would be great but a loose pass in front of goal leads to a breakdown in the attack and in less time than you can sat '"I was bloody free" to your team mate, another score is on the board for the opposition. Then comes this plea from the full back line. It falls on deaf ears as both midfielders are still catching their breath at the other end of the field arguing about who is supposed to be the 'holding' midfielder.
"See you for the United game at 4 down the local?"
It's very rare that a player who was skinned alive, gets his name taken by the ref and ends up being taken off at half time comes out with this one. No No, it's usually the games MVP who invites everyone for a few pints as he looks for an audience to discuss his 2-3 from play.
2. Management
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| Friends with no one on the field |
"We'll need our 15 on the field against this shower to have any chance today"
Focused with squinted eyes as he goes into American Sniper mode searching out the culprit who racked up 6 yellow cards, 3 black cards and a red last year. Finally finding his target he locks in and stares his target down before taking aim in the nicest possible way by firing this beauty. He quickly follows it up with another...... "I'm not directing this at you by any means, this goes for everyone". You'd be forgiven for laughing.
"it's all about the performance, don't mind about the result today. Championship is our focus"
Management is a funny game so it is. Win and you are the toast of the village, lose and you're not overly concerned by 'the league'. I don't think I've ever met a player who has gone out to lose a game and with performance usually comes results. They are intrinsically linked. For example, if anyone in finance told their manager that they were working hard but not able to balance the books each month but were confident of having it right at year end then I'm sure that he wouldn't bee too secure in his role of looking after the books. Despite what is said, management are all too well aware of this.
"We're still in this, an early score and we'll be right back into this"
It hasn't gone to plan and the halftime scoreline doesn't make for pretty reading. 0-7 down, after playing with the wind, the driving rain and the infamous hill and the players trundle in weary, down and defeated. This is where management earn their salt. An early score is all they ask for and everyone leaves with a renewed sense of optimism - well that is until the wind stiffens and we concede 1-2 in the first three plays of the 2nd half.
"give it 5 more minutes, we'll take you off then"
This is the universal signal for you're not coming off, man up and keep going until the end you lazy sod. You might have been the fittest on the panel 10 years ago but old age is starting to creep up on you. Your last effort from the 21 yard line dropped short into the goalkeepers hands of all places and you stood and watched as your direct opponent took off up the field, like you used to be able to do. These words of encouragement from the sideline give you a little boost so with that you make one more run for a ball which is intercepted. I'm done you decide and trudge off to the sideline and substitute yourself. You'll have better days."We've got to train harder, we weren't at the races today"
At this stage it's best for everyone he doesn't find out about the 21st we were all at last night. In any instance life is about to become a living nightmare starting next Tuesday evening.
3. Supporters
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| Supporters out in force to celebrate |
"I heard they are training well the last few weeks, must be that new strength with conditioning training I've heard they are doing - if you ask me Billy it's nonsense"
The village is full of optimism as usual at the start of the year. It has been years since a trophy has been paraded through the village complete with articulated lorry to rejoice the heroes of the hour. This year rumours of 'new training methods' being introduced and have spread like wildfire. Everyone is keen to add their two cents worth with many lamenting on the older methods such as running laps as methods that worked well back in the day.
"What's the point having a big man inside if they are not going to use him"
Off the shoulder is not looked upon fondly by these purists, especially not this time of the year when fitness levels are at there lowest. They love to see the ball driven long and high to 'the Tower' standing inside on the small square. Players see it as a get out of jail option, management see this as an option when other options are not on but the supporters see it was an under utilised option that could be the sword that this team falls on. You'll often hear them say that he has won every ball that lands on top of him, but neglect to tell you that and ball to the left or right of him has been swept up with relative ease.
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| Sometime 'inter-county' stardom doesn't guarantee success! |
"Is that Johnny on the bench, that's a joke so it is, shur he's an inter-county player"
Let's have a look at Johnnys fact file: Johnny is 37, he works in the city, he has 3 young kids with a 4th on the way, he has trained once since the start of the year and at that he pulled out after the third 100 meter sprint, he wanted to retire but was talked out of it but for the lads outside the wire the only thing that they care about is that he played an under 21 challenge game for the county 17 years ago.
"Is that young Barry, what age is he? He's what, shur he is just a boy out there amongst animals"
He's been heralded as a potential future star from the time of his first holy communion when he wore the club colours at the alter receiving the holy sacrament for the first time. Last year he was part of the victorious minor B team which swept all before them en route to league and championship double. He weighs 60kg, he is 5'6" and his pre's start tomorrow. But today he starts corner forward. His mother didn't even come to the game, she didn't even know he was in contention. He doesn't even flinch when handed the jersey - the supporters on the other hand will put their heads into their hands every time Barry goes in for a tackle.
"A win is a win I suppose"
There are some people who are never happy. Despite 9 years without a victory over today's opponents, and after losing three players to injury during the game, blooding three new youngsters and playing against a biased ref we manage a miraculous 1 point victory. Even this won't do as we didn't play like the Kerry teams of old!
