At what age did you go to your first GAA match ?
Who played in the match?
Do you remember anything about it ?
Who were the main figures involved in introducing you to the GAA ?
What was your first match in Croke Park ?
Who were the first GAA players you were aware of ?
Is anyone else in your family as interested in GAA as you are ?
Did your indoctrination involve any bad-mouthing of soccer or was it more ecumenical ?
At what age did you go to your first GAA match ? - 4
Who played in the match? - St John's and St Paul's
Do you remember anything about it ? - I remember the soldiers intimidating the goalkeeper behind the goals
Who were the main figures involved in introducing you to the GAA ? - Cardinal Conway and Michael Lyster
What was your first match in Croke Park ? - Never played there
Who were the first GAA players you were aware of ? Jim Nelson, Jim Murray and Stephen Ramsey
Is anyone else in your family as interested in GAA as you are ? Yes
Did your indoctrination involve any bad-mouthing of soccer or was it more ecumenical ?
[/quote] No
At what age did you go to your first GAA match ? 8
Who played in the match? Armagh v Donegal in Breffni Park
Do you remember anything about it ? Yeah -- Donegal as All Ireland champions snatched a draw with the last kick of the game, Armagh had led the whole way
Who were the main figures involved in introducing you to the GAA ? My da
What was your first match in Croke Park ? 1994 - NFL semi-final against Laois
Who were the first GAA players you were aware of ? Ger Houlihan, Martin McQuillan, Benny Tierney
Is anyone else in your family as interested in GAA as you are ? Na my da's not a big clubman and only really goes to championship and home league Armagh matches. Myself and my cousins would have a similar interest
Did your indoctrination involve any bad-mouthing of soccer or was it more ecumenical ? Na
At what age did you go to your first GAA match ? 13, in 1972, the Ulster Final, and Donegal's first ever Ulster title win I believe. Another vivid memory is the 1973 Corn Na Nog Cup Final in which my school participated and were beaten by St Colman's. Remember the ref was Patsy Devlin from Tyrone who the previous year refereed the All Ireland FinalWho played in the match? Donegal beat Tyrone ;D
Do you remember anything about it ? Vaguely remember standing up the old grass bank hill in Clones with my parents, unable to see too much. However I remember vividly being in a pub after the game and the Anglo Celt trophy came round and even got a sip of illicit brew out of it (illicit for me because I was no where near 18 years of age)
Who were the main figures involved in introducing you to the GAA ? Two teachers at Primary School in what was a predominately soccer area.
What was your first match in Croke Park ? Armagh V Clare, League in 1976.
Who were the first GAA players you were aware of ? The Down 1968 team particularly Sean O'Neill and Colm Mc Alarney, also Tony Mc Teague of Offaly, as they were prominent when my interest was nurtured and I liked his Christian name
Is anyone else in your family as interested in GAA as you are ? No one as interested, though some are interested. Late brother played County Football at all levels, and won a Sigerson Cup medal in 1982 and was selected on Combined Universities team.
Did your indoctrination involve any bad-mouthing of soccer or was it more ecumenical ?
No. In fact one of the teachers used soccer stars of the era as an example of doing right, and others as an example of how not to behave. I do remember playimg soccer on the local GAA field however and being told to quickly pick up solo and hand pass when a club stalwart was seen approaching
At what age did you go to your first GAA match ? Presumably I was at matches while still in the pram but the first I can remember was at 5.
Who played in the match? Armagh - Down, Ulster championship 1991.
Do you remember anything about it ? My evil mother tricking me into supporting Down, culminating with the purchasing of one of their ugly red and black rags. A day that is still the source of much shame.
Who were the main figures involved in introducing you to the GAA ? Da.
What was your first match in Croke Park ? 1992 AI Final - I'm told I fell asleep during the minor game only to wake up to see Armagh lose it in injury time.
Who were the first GAA players you were aware of ? Houlie, Anthony Tohill, Keith Barr, Colin Corkery.
Is anyone else in your family as interested in GAA as you are ? Da and Grandfather.
Did your indoctrination involve any bad-mouthing of soccer or was it more ecumenical ? Don't think so.
At what age did you go to your first GAA match? Can't remember - late 60s prob in a pram.
Who played in the match? Can't remember - local club match - Mostrim v XYZ
Do you remember anything about it ? No. Prob got in free!
Who were the main figures involved in introducing you to the GAA ? Auld lad. Player at the time.
What was your first match in Croke Park ? 1975 AI Final. Wet day. Mickey Ned got pole-axed.
Who were the first GAA players you were aware of ? The 74 Dubs.
Did your indoctrination involve any bad-mouthing of soccer or was it more ecumenical. That would be an ecumenical matter.
At what age did you go to your first GAA match ? - 6
Who played in the match? - Ardboe v Moortown 1983 cship semi final
Do you remember anything about it ? - Ardboe were 8 points and a man down and came back to draw,won the replay.
Who were the main figures involved in introducing you to the GAA ? - Father
What was your first match in Croke Park ? - Dublin v Tyrone 1984 all ireland semi final
Who were the first GAA players you were aware of ? - Frank McGuigan,Bomber Liston.
Is anyone else in your family as interested in GAA as you are ? - Father and brothers
Did your indoctrination involve any bad-mouthing of soccer or was it more ecumenical ? - No,soccer was followed as well.
At what age did you go to your first GAA match? 6
Who played in the match?Monaghan V Kerry, Kerry would have done all the playing :-[
Do you remember anything about it ? It was the start of a hatred grudging admiration of kerry football and crepe paper hats
Who were the main figures involved in introducing you to the GAA ? Me father and Grandfather
What was your first match in Croke Park ? As above
Who were the first GAA players you were aware of ? Nudie, Gerry McCarville, Horse Kennelly, John Egan.
Did your indoctrination involve any bad-mouthing of soccer or was it more ecumenical. If the grandfather seen me or the brother playing soccer there would be no 99 that evening, we soon copped on that to get a 99 one played football and in Monaghan tradition got stuck in when you were at it, :), great memories.
At what age did you go to your first GAA match ? 4. I remember fighting with a kid from the opposition. He used his nails which I thought was grossly onfair
Who played in the match? Poyntzpass versus Whitecross at the old pitch along the Canal Bank. You had to cross the railway tracks to get to the field. Grossly dangerous.
Do you remember anything about it? All the players seemed like giants to me. All gross.
Who were the main figures involved in introducing you to the GAA ? Father and elder brother. Both gross.
What was your first match in Croke Park? St Colmans College Newry versus St Jaraths Tuam (I think) circa 1975. Cant remember who we played in the semi-final. I was, of course, a spectator and sat beside Mr Goss.
Who were the first GAA players you were aware of ? All Down men :( Colm McAlarney, Paddy Doherty, Sean O'Neill
Is anyone else in your family as interested in GAA as you are? Oh yes, even my sisters are as amd about it as I am
Did your indoctrination involve any bad-mouthing of soccer or was it more ecumenical? In St Colmans Newry, soccer was frowned upon. Strangely, I might have supported N Ireland during the... ahem... home championships but that would have been the last time
At what age did you go to your first GAA match ? The first I can remember was probably about 4, but I was going since I was born.
Who played in the match? Saint Mary's Rochfortbridge against Shandonagh I think. Westmeath League Football
Do you remember anything about it? The Rochfortbrige lads had a player called Black Pat Bradley. He had body hair like a gorilla.
Who were the main figures involved in introducing you to the GAA ? Father and Mother
What was your first match in Croke Park? All Ireland Hurling Final 1981
Who were the first GAA players you were aware of ? My Father, and the Offaly lads from Ferbane like Sean Lowry. Matt Connor was a big hero of mine a little later when I was about 8
Is anyone else in your family as interested in GAA as you are? Yes. And the In Laws.
Did your indoctrination involve any bad-mouthing of soccer or was it more ecumenical? More ecumenical, but there was always a sense that the soccer lads were either not good enough to play GAA, or else were GAA players keeping fit.
At what age did you go to your first GAA match ? 7
Who played in the match? Galway vs Offaly, 1980 AIHSF
Do you remember anything about it ? The Connollys and drinking lots of Fanta and there being loads of chocolate on tap and furry hats and those crepe paper hats that would leak their dye in the rain and the scoreboard with the strange words "Gaillimh"and "Uibh Fhaili". And later every match would have that word "Gaillimh". I also remember a story from the 1980 Gaelsport annual about a hurler who had his jaw broken in the early stages of a match but played on to win the thing at the price of a lifelong disfigurement
Who were the main figures involved in introducing you to the GAA ? My father and an uncle of his from Ballinasloe
What was your first match in Croke Park ? See above.
Who were the first GAA players you were aware of ? John and Joe Connolly, PJ Molloy, Bernie Forde, the Punch brothers from Limerick
Is anyone else in your family as interested in GAA as you are ? Just myself and the auld fella
Did your indoctrination involve any bad-mouthing of soccer or was it more ecumenical ? Yes. In school we were exposed to a GAA Jihadi who made us all watch the 1981 Superstars competition and who pointed out how crap the soccer players were at the chin-ups compared to Pat Spillane. And the logic was that soccer players have no arm muscles because they are not proper men like Pat Spillane.
At what age did you go to your first GAA match? – Must have been about 5 years old
Who played in the match? – Meath Vs Dublin, League Match in the latter half of the 80's.
Do you remember anything about it? – I think the Dubs won, but the players were so muddy that you couldn't tell the jerseys apart, except the goalkeepers.
Who were the main figures involved in introducing you to the GAA? – My Dad.
What was your first match in Croke Park? See above.
Who were the first GAA players you were aware of? – The whole Meath team from the late 1980's + Jack O'Shea, Pat Spillane, Jimmy Barry Murphy, Teddy McCarthy, Joe Cooney, Sylvie Linnane, Connar Hayes, Éanna Ryan, Gerry McInerney, Pete Finnerty, John O'Leary, Barney Rock, Kieran Duff,
Is anyone else in your family as interested in GAA as you are? – No one else comes close to the obsession I have but my Dad, Mam and Sister are. The brother has bit of a grudge against it because of not getting picked at underage or something like that.
Did your indoctrination involve any bad-mouthing of soccer or was it more ecumenical? – No we were encouraged to try other sports as much as GAA. Played a short while for a soccer club at a young age.
At what age did you go to your first GAA match ? (not counting playing underage) 1st senior match was in the late 80's
Who played in the match? Clans v St Peters in senior championship
Do you remember anything about it ? yes, Dessie McCann missing a penalty for Clans
Who were the main figures involved in introducing you to the GAA ? The late Gerry Fegan
What was your first match in Croke Park ? Crossmaglen v Ballina ( i think)
Who were the first GAA players you were aware of ? Jimmy Smyth, Colm McKinstry and Jim McKerr
Is anyone else in your family as interested in GAA as you are ? No
Did your indoctrination involve any bad-mouthing of soccer or was it more ecumenical ? No
At what age did you go to your first GAA match ? The 1st I remember was aged 7.
Who played in the match? Mayo v Roscommon
Do you remember anything about it ? Mayo lost and the man beside us had no left ear. There was just a hole in the side of his head.
Who were the main figures involved in introducing you to the GAA ? Parents
What was your first match in Croke Park ? 1985 All-Ireland semi-final v Dublin
Who were the first GAA players you were aware of ? Wille Joe
Is anyone else in your family as interested in GAA as you are ? All of them
Did your indoctrination involve any bad-mouthing of soccer or was it more ecumenical ? Soccer was something on tv. Gaa was what we did in Mayo.
At what age did you go to your first GAA match ? At matches since I was born but I think my first proper memory was a League Q-Final in Croke Park 87 or 88
Who played in the match? Cavan and Dublin
Do you remember anything about it ? Cavan as usual should have won and gave Dublin a fright but Dublin still won
Who were the main figures involved in introducing you to the GAA ?Father
What was your first match in Croke Park ? See above
Who were the first GAA players you were aware of ? Damien O Reilly and all the main Mullahoran players who played with Cavan also Barney Rock and Barry Coffey of Cork were names that stood out.Mick Lyons,Brian Stafford,Colm O Rourke and most of that 'Dirty Meath' team as they were known in my household.
Is anyone else in your family as interested in GAA as you are ? Father and Brother are probably worse than me
Did your indoctrination involve any bad-mouthing of soccer or was it more ecumenical ? No, Soccer and other sports were always followed in my house but Football was always King.
At what age did you go to your first GAA match ? 7
Who played in the match? Waterford and Armagh hurlers
Do you remember anything about it ? Waterford won by 7-11 to 0-3. The scoreboard operator put Waterford's first goal up as 10-02, leading to the wag to observe that that'd be the final score. He was right
Who were the main figures involved in introducing you to the GAA ? My brother
What was your first match in Croke Park ? 1998 All-Ireland hurling quarter final. Waterford 1-20 Galway 1-10
Who were the first GAA players you were aware of ? The Cork hurlers of the 1980's. Name the three best hurlers ever - Jimmy, Barry and Murphy
Is anyone else in your family as interested in GAA as you are ? My brother used to be heavily involved but not any more. My sister is probably the most interested
Did your indoctrination involve any bad-mouthing of soccer or was it more ecumenical ? No bad-mouthing at all
At what age did you go to your first GAA match ? that I remember - 5. Was brought before that as a toddler, but cannot remember.
Who played in the match? Club game , My fathers old team mates Banagher v someone else.
Do you remember anything about it ? Found it odd that fellas were changing into their football gear in their cars beside the pitch - no clubhouse/dressing rooms then.
Who were the main figures involved in introducing you to the GAA ? My Father
What was your first match in Croke Park ? 1980 All-Ireland SFC semi final. Kerry 4-15 Offaly 4-10
Watched it again that night on the sunday game, mesmerised !
Who were the first GAA players you were aware of ? Bomber Liston, first GAA action I saw on Telly was clips of his goals v Dublin in AIF in late 70's broadcast on ITV's world of sports when living in england.
Is anyone else in your family as interested in GAA as you are ? Father and brothers. Mother is now v interested too- having not seen a football before she met my father.
Did your indoctrination involve any bad-mouthing of soccer or was it more ecumenical ? No. All sports interested our family. Participation and watching.
Must get my wife to answer this. Would be interesting to see the answers of someone who didn't even know that Gaelic games existed until they were 24!
At what age did you go to your first GAA match? 4
Who played in the match? Tyrone v Armagh
Do you remember anything about it ? The sandwiches
Who were the main figures involved in introducing you to the GAA ? My Dad (Plus a girl who had a thing for me, so I used to football as a excuse to get out of dodge city)
What was your first match in Croke Park ? 2003 1/4 Final. Croke Park was never that disabled friendly for me before that. (I was in England for the Sligo game in 2002)
Who were the first GAA players you were aware of ? Frank McGuigan, Peter Canavan, Fergal Logan, Chris Lawn and Finbar McConnell.
Is anyone else in your family as interested in GAA as you are ? My Dad, Oldest Brother, Youngest Brother, My Mum and Youngest Sister.
Did your indoctrination involve any bad-mouthing of soccer or was it more ecumenical ? No bad-mouting about soccer in our house, just the GAA was "where it's at"
Amazing reading through this the number of games that other contributors' answers bring back to mind. I well recall Monaghan V Kerry in 1979 (the feckers had knocked us out of Ulster in the semi final that year), and that was the day in Croke Park that Nudie Hughes first came to prominence, and he was at right full back! Also remember I'd trekked to Rome (a three day boat and train journey expedition, costing £90 return and 30 years later you'd get a budget flight for half the price!) in 1980 as a student, and coming home and stopping off in London overnight, my mate's future brother in law with whom we were staying, told us all about Matt Connor's performance in the All Ireland semi with Kerry the Sunday before (no internet or Irish papers even, in Rome to keep up to date in those days)!
At what age did you go to your first GAA match ? Would have been 7/8.
Who played in the match? First I remember is Mayo vs Cork pitch opening Foxford '89.
Do you remember anything about it ? Mayo Won (I think) & The aul fella doin the line at it.
Who were the main figures involved in introducing you to the GAA ? Aul Fella.
What was your first match in Croke Park ? 92/93?? Nemo rangers vs Eire Og AI club final.
Who were the first GAA players you were aware of ? Liam McHale/Tj Kilgallon
Is anyone else in your family as interested in GAA as you are ? All of them.
Did your indoctrination involve any bad-mouthing of soccer or was it more ecumenical ? Gaa was all we played and did in Mayo.
At what age did you go to your first GAA match? 7
Who was playing in the match? Mayo and Roscommon
Do you remember anything about it? Mayo won and I was fascinated by the scoreboard, there were 2 Rossies in front of us shouting 'go on kill him kill him' any time some Mayo player got the ball.
Who were the main figures involved in introducing you to the GAA? My dad. I salute you.
What was your first match in Croke Park? 1996 drawn final between Mayo and Meath
Who were the first GAA players you were aware of? Liam McHale and the Knockmore team that nearly did it in 1997
Is anyone else in your family as interested in GAA as you are? If my sister was home more she would have me harished to go to every game under the sun!
Did your indoctrination involve any bad-mouthing of soccer or was it more ecumenical? No, soccer is all we chat about once the GAA season is over.
At what age did you go to your first GAA match ? Like others probably in the pram
Who played in the match? local club and our bitter rivals
Do you remember anything about it ? my da got a bad slap from an opponent
Who were the main figures involved in introducing you to the GAA ? parents and extended family
What was your first match in Croke Park ? 1983 All Ireland Semi - Galway beat Donegal in seniors and Derry hammered Galway in the minors.
Who were the first GAA players you were aware of ? Da and uncles etc etc
Is anyone else in your family as interested in GAA as you are ? More or less, probably been surpassed at this stage!
Did your indoctrination involve any bad-mouthing of soccer or was it more ecumenical ? Never mentioned, my da never played soccer, but the uncles would have played locally too.
At what age did you go to your first GAA match ? I was 4 years of age and it was the 1968 Ulster Final in Casement Park.
Who played in the match? Down and Cavan
Do you remember anything about it ? Nothing about the match but I remember my Uncle getting me a poke!
Who were the main figures involved in introducing you to the GAA ? My Da...his claim to fame was that he played a few games with Sean O'Neill at the Abbey. He instilled the GAA into me and my brothers and sisters. We all grew up obsessed with the Red and Black and the ethos and pride we inherited from the 60/61 boys. Also a man called Pat Murtagh...Pat was a father figure for a lot of players in my era in our club. A legend in our club ...he played with O'Neill and Paddy Mo etc and he's back with our Minors this years after a few few years rest ;)
What was your first match in Croke Park ? 1977 All Ireland Final. Our minors won and we had two club men playing and another on the bench. The senior final went to plan as well.... :D
Who were the first GAA players you were aware of ? Colm McAlarney...boyhood hero..Down Superstar...as a 19 year old he didnt give Mick O'Connell a kick in 1968..I think thats a good enough pedigree. One other player was a guy called Cathal Digney....never won any All Ireland Medals but ask anyone from Down what sort of a player he was.
Is anyone else in your family as interested in GAA as you are ? Gach aon duine apart from my Ma.
Did your indoctrination involve any bad-mouthing of soccer or was it more ecumenical ? Soccer was never a threat...it was a game you played on the street before you went to football training.
At what age did you go to your first GAA match ? 7 (1962)
Who played in the match? Pearse Og and Carrickcruppin, I think
Do you remember anything about it ? Sneaking in under the fence/wall by the CBS, though there was probably no need to.
Who were the main figures involved in introducing you to the GAA ? My dad
What was your first match in Croke Park ? Kilkenny vs Clare Oireachtas Hurling Final
Who were the first GAA players you were aware of ? Paddy Doherty, Joe Lennon, Sean O'Neill. My dad was from the Point
Is anyone else in your family as interested in GAA as you are ? Everyone. My younger brother played county football for Armagh and London; my youngest played hurling for Armagh and Louth; and I hurled for Armagh
Did your indoctrination involve any bad-mouthing of soccer or was it more ecumenical ? Not at all
At what age did you go to your first GAA match ? I was 4 years of age and it was the 1968 Ulster Final in Casement Park.
Who played in the match? Down and Cavan
5 Sams, were you around for my indoctrination 12 months later, christ that was a good day, pity there have been few like it since.
I well remember Cathal Digney, getting sent off in Down's rout by Dublin in the AI semi Final in 1978 (so much for Down's invincibility in Croke Park :D) and Mourne hooligans disgracing Ulster by throwimng bottles at the referee at half time >:(
Also remember his brother Jarlath, my own late brother never gave him a kick in the Ulster Minor Final or replay in 1977. Christ if only John Corvan had put in ten minutes in either of those games, both Armagh minors and seniors would have been in the 1977 AI Finals :'(
At what age did you go to your first GAA match ? (not counting playing underage) The first one I remember I was 7 and the match was the 1959 Ulster Final. I was at ones before that but don't remember them
Who played in the match? Down beat Cavan
Do you remember anything about it ? yes, I remember the excitement of it all and how big and beautiful the Clones pitch was, and 10 years later when I got to play on it, I was shocked at how poor the surface was
Who were the main figures involved in introducing you to the GAA ? My parents were wild Down fans, yet my da was from Armagh!
What was your first match in Croke Park ? 1959 All-Ireland semi-final against Galway and they stuffed us
Who were the first GAA players you were aware of ? Eamon McKay, George Lavery, Leo Murphy, Pat Rice, Kevin Mussen, Dan McCartan, Kevin O'Neil, Jarleth Carey, Joe Lennon, Sean O'Neil, James McCartan, Paddy Mo, Tony Hadden, Patsy O'Hagan and Breen Morgan - That list is from memory from all those years ago without looking anything up, so you can see that they made a huge impact on me - Plus two were related to me and one of them was my next door neighbour
Is anyone else in your family as interested in GAA as you are ? All of the males
Did your indoctrination involve any bad-mouthing of soccer or was it more ecumenical ? No need to bad mouth the soccer - Gaelic Football was the "beautiful game" long before soccer ever knew there was such a phrase!
At what age did you go to your first GAA match ? 4
Who played in the match? Derrylaughan v Carrickmore - 1981 Tyrone County Final
Do you remember anything about it ? Not wanting to be there - hated everything football until 1984.
Who were the main figures involved in introducing you to the GAA ? My Father
What was your first match in Croke Park ? 1984 All-Ireland Semi-Final Tyrone v Dublin. Thats the day I started to love the GAA.
(I cant remember Frank McGuigans performance that day but i do remember him scoring 1-6 out of 1-7 against Armagh in his last game for Tyrone a few months later).
Who were the first GAA players you were aware of ? Frank McGuigan, Eugene McKenna, John Lynch.
Is anyone else in your family as interested in GAA as you are ? Pretty much everybody.
Did your indoctrination involve any bad-mouthing of soccer or was it more ecumenical ? No bad-mouthing at all
At what age did you go to your first GAA match ? Maybe 6
Who played in the match? Don't know -was a college game that I was taken to and remember little about it.
Do you remember anything about it ? My Dad and his mate took me and the other man's son. Big crowd.
Who were the main figures involved in introducing you to the GAA ? My Father and school.
What was your first match in Croke Park ? 1972 All-Ireland Semi-Final Offaly V Donegal. Went to see Tyrone minors... they went on to lose the final to Cork.
Who were the first GAA players you were aware of ? The late Brendan Dolan, Frank McGuigan, and Aidan McMahon of Tyrone, Sean O'Neill of Down, Tony McTeague-Offaly and Brian McEniff-Donegal.
Is anyone else in your family as interested in GAA as you are ? My father and couple of brothers.
Did your indoctrination involve any bad-mouthing of soccer or was it more ecumenical ? Yip-the old man bad mouthed soccer and then watched the big games on TV and shouted for Celtic ::)
Hey Fox,Aidan Mc Mahon was a way better soccer player than he was a Gaelic player.He was a very good center forward,and was a great header of the ball
Quote from: gortnaleck on March 20, 2010, 03:02:58 AM
Hey Fox,Aidan Mc Mahon was a way better soccer player than he was a Gaelic player.He was a very good center forward,and was a great header of the ball
I know he was a good soccer player too. Top GAA player and was midfield on Tyrone team won 1973 Ulster final and I think he may have played for Ulster a few times.
Any newbies want to share their experiences?
At what age did you go to your first GAA match ? 7
Who played in the match? NFL final 85 Armagh Monaghan
Do you remember anything about it ? Joe Kernan scoring the first point with a free. Paddy Linden doing a wee celebratory dance near the end. Getting a triangular Armagh flag from the croke park shop.
Who were the main figures involved in introducing you to the GAA ? My da
What was your first match in Croke Park ? 85 NFL final
Who were the first GAA players you were aware of ? Joe Kernan, Jack O'Shea
Is anyone else in your family as interested in GAA as you are ? Yes
Did your indoctrination involve any bad-mouthing of soccer or was it more ecumenical ? We all played for the local team. It was just something everyone did. We all played soccer too but there was never a team locally.
Brilliant Benny,I'll add another question if that's not too cheeky?
At what age did you go to your first GAA match ? 5, in the days of lifting the child over the turnstile at Croker
Who played in the match? All Ireland Hurling Final 1974 Kilkenny and Limerick
Do you remember anything about it ? I remember absolutely nothing about the game but that it was raining and there were more people there than I thought there was in the world
1st game you remember on the telly? Dublin-Kerry All Ireland Final1976. The auld fella, a west Limerick man, was a staunch Kerry supporter and I remember us being ferried into Dublin to the cousins house while him and the brother (a Dub fan) went off to the match. Dublin won and the cousins teased me relentlessly, I probably cried
Who were the main figures involved in introducing you to the GAA ? The auld fella
What was your first match in Croke Park ? see above
Who were the first GAA players you were aware of ? Stephen Rooney and Georgie Wilson from that Dublin team as they were from our town, actually probably all the Dublin and Kerry players from that era. I could look at a photo and name them all but wouldn't be able to with the current Dublin team
Is anyone else in your family as interested in GAA as you are ? Yes
Did your indoctrination involve any bad-mouthing of soccer or was it more ecumenical ? Brought up as a kid in Balbriggan, a garrison town and there was way more soccer than gaelic but I'd have been aware we were 'GAA people'.
[/quote]
Most interesting post you've ever made seafoid lol.
At what age did you go to your first GAA match ? 8
Who played in the match? No idea
Do you remember anything about it ? It was in Bellaghy.
1st game you remember on the telly? Meath Cork AI final either 89 or 90...
Who were the main figures involved in introducing you to the GAA ? My da.
What was your first match in Croke Park ? AI hurling semi finals 89. Still haven't topped that day.
Who were the first GAA players you were aware of ? Jack O"Shea first memory
Is anyone else in your family as interested in GAA as you are ? Yes
Did your indoctrination involve any bad-mouthing of soccer or was it more ecumenical ? No
At what age did you go to your first GAA match ? 8, was the Frank McGuigan final
Who played in the match? Armagh and Tyrone
Do you remember anything about it ? f**king Frank McGuigan!!!
1st game you remember on the telly? The 1983 AI final.......seeing as that was my first ever game that I can recall no wonder i ended up the way I did ;D
Who were the main figures involved in introducing you to the GAA ? My mother
What was your first match in Croke Park ? 1985, my brother played in a schools compromise rules game for the Abbey
Who were the first GAA players you were aware of ? Jack O"Shea first memory
Is anyone else in your family as interested in GAA as you are ? Yes, wide involvement of my extended family at playing and coaching
Did your indoctrination involve any bad-mouthing of soccer or was it more ecumenical ? No
At what age did you go to your first GAA match ? First one I remember anything from was when I was 6
Who played in the match? St Brendans of Manchester v St Peters in 1987 Lancashire Senior Final
Do you remember anything about it ? Neil Collins the future Down keeper making a huge mistake causing Brendan's to lose. Brendan's won 4 in a row either side of 87 so its a much talked about game
1st game you remember on the telly? Galway beating Kilkenny in 87, can remember complaining why I wasn't allowed to go over for it.For some odd reason it was on black and white on Channel 4
Who were the main figures involved in introducing you to the GAA ? Dad. It was a huge part of his life from when he came to Manchester in 1964. His weekends were taking up running underage teams etc.
What was your first match in Croke Park ? 1990 Hurling final, never experienced anything like it even at Old Trafford. The noise and colour were unreal, will never forgot it. I was in awe of the great Joe Cooney first half display.
Who were the first GAA players you were aware of ? Joe Cooney was my first GAA hero. I'd heard so much about my dads favourite hurler Sylie Linnane too. Mainly players from Cork & Meath as first football final I remember was i 87 and the mother was from Cork. Val Daly was another one.
Is anyone else in your family as interested in GAA as you are ? Yes
Did your indoctrination involve any bad-mouthing of soccer or was it more ecumenical ? No, encouraged to play any sport we wanted.
At what age did you go to your first GAA match ? 7 or 8
Who played in the match? Annaclone v St Johns I think
Do you remember anything about it ? I remember my cousin playing but not a lot else. I would of been at a few camogie matches around the time with the sister playing
Who were the main figures involved in introducing you to the GAA ? Family - prob my sister more than the rest
What was your first match in Croke Park ? 91 semi final v Kerry
Who were the first GAA players you were aware of ? County wise it would be James McCartan & Ambrose that I remember first.
Is anyone else in your family as interested in GAA as you are ? Yes
Did your indoctrination involve any bad-mouthing of soccer or was it more ecumenical ? Not really - there was no soccer teams anywhere near us so it was never a threat
At what age did you go to your first GAA match ? All Ireland Vocational schools hurling semi final
Who played in the match? St Pauls from Beechmount were playing a team for Galway in god knows where
Do you remember anything about it ? My oldest brother was playing and a couple of cousins, on the bus going down feeling nervous of these 'big lads' as I was still in primary school.
Who were the main figures involved in introducing you to the GAA ? My cousins, mum and dad had no interest in GAA or any sports really.
What was your first match in Croke Park ? I can't remember off hand but it would have been a Leinster hurling final, I'd have been around 12, as our juvenile manager, Hilary McDaniel was a huge Kilkenny fan and brought us every year, I remember some of the match and annoying some fan by running around the wooden benches at Croker, I also got stung by a wasp that day!
Who were the first GAA players you were aware of ? My main men were the Galway hurlers and the Offaly hurlers, always went for the underdog, Brendan Lynskey, a combative style of hurling which I brought into my game!
Is anyone else in your family as interested in GAA as you are ? just my brothers
Did your indoctrination involve any bad-mouthing of soccer or was it more ecumenical ? No, there was no soccer played at our schools, though we played 5 asides a lot I'd no time for it really
At what age did you go to your first GAA match ? No idea, would have been at Armagh Harps games in the College Fields (old)
Who played in the match? First County memory NFL final 83 Armagh v Down
Do you remember anything about it ? Not really
Who were the main figures involved in introducing you to the GAA ? My Dad
Who were the first GAA players you were aware of ? Johnny Corvan would have been a big one, Fran McMahon, Jack O'Shea
Is anyone else in your family as interested in GAA as you are ? Yes
Did your indoctrination involve any bad-mouthing of soccer or was it more ecumenical ? Played plenty in the park but it
It was like organised Youth soccer never existed - it didn't at my end of town.
Some amount of people recalling games as 4 year olds. I call bullshit!
At what age did you go to your first GAA match ? 8 I think
Who played in the match? Sligo v Mayo, Connacht SFC
Do you remember anything about it ? My Dad brought me which is unusual when I think back as he pretty much never goes to matches though always watches on TV or listens to the radio. Sligo did ok for a while but were well beaten in the end.
Who were the main figures involved in introducing you to the GAA ? My Dad and several great coaches in my local club.
What was your first match in Croke Park ? Meath v Mayo All Ireland semi final 1988. Played Ashbourne in an U-12 challenge game the evening beforehand.
Who were the first GAA players you were aware of ? Pat Spillane and Jack O'Shea.
Is anyone else in your family as interested in GAA as you are ? No
Did your indoctrination involve any bad-mouthing of soccer or was it more ecumenical ? No, I played any sport I could be involved in.
At what age did you go to your first GAA match ? I was brought up in Armagh city so would have seen a lot of games in the Athletic grounds but never really paid attention to who was playing as i was only interested in getting onto the field to play. The first game that i vividly remember was the National league final of 1982.
Who played in the match? Armagh v Down
Do you remember anything about it ? It was in croke park and the upper hogan was very high.
Who were the main figures involved in introducing you to the GAA ? In p4 we got a male teacher and started doing Football and Hurling in P.E. In p6 i joined the Football team and the teacher/coach had a huge influence on turning me into a decent player.
What was your first match in Croke Park ? As already stated, league final 1982 but the next visit lasted long in the memory, the club took the u12 team to the 1983 all ireland final, Dublin v Galway. We were on Hill 16 and the atmosphere was toxic, i remember being quite afraid, especially after seeinga Galway fan in the toilets, covered in blood.
Who were the first GAA players you were aware of ? I have hazy memories of the 1977 final being on tv and the players from those days became household names, so people like Colm McKinstry and Joe Kernan.
Is anyone else in your family as interested in GAA as you are ? Strangely no, despite my Da having played and later becoming chairman of Ballyhegan.
Did your indoctrination involve any bad-mouthing of soccer or was it more ecumenical ? Pre p4 everyone i knew played soccer, i joined a soccer team before i joined the local GAA club. Maybe it was different in the town but noone ever said a word about what code you played.
At what age did you go to your first GAA match ? I used to go with my Dad to Clan na Gael matches most weekends from i was a child. I probably didnt pay much attention to the actual match and played football with some of the other kids. I remember many games sitting on the grassy banks of Clones but again it is hard to remember the specifics. The first big match that springs to mind is Armagh v Roscommon in the 1992 minor semi final.
Who played in the match? The "stars" for me were the lads from my club... Marsden, Kevin O'Hagan and Barry John O'Hagan
Do you remember anything about it ? Yeah, some bastid burnt me with a cigarette in the canal end.
Who were the main figures involved in introducing you to the GAA ? My parents and grandfather.
What was your first match in Croke Park ? You know, before i started thinking of these questions I would have said the 1994 National League final v Meath. The minor semi of 1992 trumps that though. My first all Ireland final experience was the 1997 Maurice Fitzgerald show.
Who were the first GAA players you were aware of ? Clan na Gael club players in the early 90s. John (soup) Campbell, McCabe, Henderson, McCann etc
Is anyone else in your family as interested in GAA as you are ? No not really. Thankfully the wife is interested but not as much as me.
Did your indoctrination involve any bad-mouthing of soccer or was it more ecumenical ? No. I had my chances to play soccer too and soccer was always on the TV in our house.
At what age did you go to your first GAA match ? 10
Who played in the match? Armagh v Roscommon 1977 All Ireland semi-final replay
Do you remember anything about it ? Armagh led by 3 with a few minutes to go, Roscommon pulled back 2 points but Armagh held on to reach the All Ireland final
Who were the main figures involved in introducing you to the GAA ? My Dad
What was your first match in Croke Park ? See above
Who were the first GAA players you were aware of ? Probably the main players on the 75/76 Dublin and Kerry teams
Is anyone else in your family as interested in GAA as you are ? Yes
Did your indoctrination involve any bad-mouthing of soccer or was it more ecumenical ? My Dad would be interested in almost every sport