Your earliest memories of the GAA

[GalwayBayBoy]

First ever game I have vague recollections of seeing on telly was the 82 Seamus Darby final. We also had a VHS copy of the 1980 hurling final between Galway and Limerick knocking around the house but can't remember if I watched that before or after the 82 game. I can vaguely remember watching some of the infamous 83 Galway v Dublin final the year after but the next few years were a blur until the Galway hurlers emerged in the late 80's and I can remember watching most of those games.

[ardchieftain]

Have a vague recollection of the 1977 final, watched it on tv with the family. I remember more about the flags and bunting round Armagh city than i do about the match. I remember torturing the parents about going to Armagh games after that.

[GaillimhIarthair]

Vaguely remember watching the 78 or 79 football final on the telly - was at the 80 hurling final but struggle to remember much of the game except the crowd invading the pitch afterwards!  For some reason I was very disappointed when Kerry didnt do the 5 in a row in 82 but those feelings were nothing compared to the following year!! - dont think the auld lad had the patience to explain to a very upset 10 year old why 14 couldn't beat 12 

[theticklemister]

1991 my first trip to Croke park as an eight year old and Anthony scoring the goal to win he NFL against Tyrone. We ste it that day when looking back.

But anyway, it's time for a wee story; sitting on train here to Wigan so there is f**k all else to do.

Gather around my friends and comrades, and listen close to me,
About the young ticklemister, a GAA man he was to be,
His da loved the football, and had no time for that soccer game,
He passed on his love to his son, tis all about the Gaelic fame.

The ticklemister played no Gaelic, in his early early years,
As in the streets of Derry City, there were other different fears,
Only 3 clubs in the city, offering underage at that time
So he started his footballing career, in a school that was fine

St. Patricks primary school, in the heart of Pennyburn,
He had his GAA teaching from a lovely Belfast woman,
Brid Kelly McElroy taught him all that he had
He also had help from Toy Scullion and some other Culchie lad

He started the GAA in primary 6, no pitch did they own,
So to get some training Brid use to moan and moan,
So the school had Leafair pitch and Celtic Park now to play
In those small-sided matches, those were great memories in the day

From the school we went, to that famous club Steelstown
We trained up in the Bishy field, in Creggan we thought was miles out of town
We had no pitch at the time, so a travelling we did go,
We waited each Saturday at Buncrana road at 8.30 we had to show

We had great coaches at the club, every Saturday we did meet,
We hated playing Doire Colmcille, for they use to us did beat,
We hated playing the Dolans, as they left us black and blue,
But he met great friends like poster Baile Stil, and don't forget Hi Mucker also too

So another year past,  and our the love for the GAA we were fed,
We represented our school, in mayos colours of green and red,
To the mcglinchey final we did go , to make our school proud as could be
I was ever so happy as captain, to lift the trophy high above me

So here was the story, my first memories of the GAA
Were I learned to love our native games, helped along by my da,
Where I met long-time friends, who I text to-and-fro
For st. Patricks Pennyburn and Steelstown, a debt I do owe

[skeog]

in the sixties used to tune in to radio eireann  as  it was known then liam campbell used to be commentating some times he was awful does anyone remember him

[Milltown Row2]

Playing hurling/football for the primary school, St Finian's Fall road Belfast, Brother Christopher (my clubs current President) gave us a training session before the game and we played St Galls primary. Big rivals and my best Cuz was playing for them. That's were competition really kicks in for me!! Anyways before the game the Brother Christopher showed us a video of him soloing and how to shoot and kick the ball lol, mad Kerry man and great clubman.

Great times

[ballela-angel]

1959 Ulster Final - Down V Cavan - Then onto Croke Park for my first trip there - We got stuffed by Galway in the All-Ireland semi-final

[sligoman2]

1991 my first trip to Croke park as an eight year old and Anthony scoring the goal to win he NFL against Tyrone. We ste it that day when looking back.

But anyway, it's time for a wee story; sitting on train here to Wigan so there is f**k all else to do.

Gather around my friends and comrades, and listen close to me,
About the young ticklemister, a GAA man he was to be,
His da loved the football, and had no time for that soccer game,
He passed on his love to his son, tis all about the Gaelic fame.

The ticklemister played no Gaelic, in his early early years,
As in the streets of Derry City, there were other different fears,
Only 3 clubs in the city, offering underage at that time
So he started his footballing career, in a school that was fine

St. Patricks primary school, in the heart of Pennyburn,
He had his GAA teaching from a lovely Belfast woman,
Brid Kelly McElroy taught him all that he had
He also had help from Toy Scullion and some other Culchie lad

He started the GAA in primary 6, no pitch did they own,
So to get some training Brid use to moan and moan,
So the school had Leafair pitch and Celtic Park now to play
In those small-sided matches, those were great memories in the day

From the school we went, to that famous club Steelstown
We trained up in the Bishy field, in Creggan we thought was miles out of town
We had no pitch at the time, so a travelling we did go,
We waited each Saturday at Buncrana road at 8.30 we had to show

We had great coaches at the club, every Saturday we did meet,
We hated playing Doire Colmcille, for they use to us did beat,
We hated playing the Dolans, as they left us black and blue,
But he met great friends like poster Baile Stil, and don't forget Hi Mucker also too

So another year past,  and our the love for the GAA we were fed,
We represented our school, in mayos colours of green and red,
To the mcglinchey final we did go , to make our school proud as could be
I was ever so happy as captain, to lift the trophy high above me

So here was the story, my first memories of the GAA
Were I learned to love our native games, helped along by my da,
Where I met long-time friends, who I text to-and-fro
For st. Patricks Pennyburn and Steelstown, a debt I do owe

Well done ticklemeister