Soldiering

[tiempo]

What I originally read when I glanced at the soldering thread title 🤦�♂️

Out of interest, any first hand experiences of playing on at adult/senior level into mid-late 30s/40s, for how long and what reasons e.g.

- club was struggling and needed experience among a young group
- that elusive medal
- addicted to the game/love of the jersey
- one more dig at the parish rivals
- deluded
- fear of retirement
- finally landed the bear in the square/impact sub FF role
- dropped back to GK and got a buzz off it
- avoid coaching / committee roles
- playing with sons daughters brothers sisters nieces nephews cousins
- A list player in the club or opposition you wanted to play alongside/test yourself against
- runout at new club / county facilities
- promotion goals / relegation risks
- group with potential for a provincial/A-I run

And how did things work out - downer, moderate success, big wins, lasting memories?

Words of advice to others hanging in there?

[Milltown Row2]

Played into my mid to late 40's managed to play a game at 50 when the seniors were short a player

Never wanted to stop playing, was never really chasing medals as being a yo-yo team in hurling meant it was difficult to reach the heights of our footballers, just the buzz and love of the game was enough.

That said have intermediate and junior titles and loads of divisional football and hurling competitions medals

Played corner back mainly and when two more competent younger corner backs arrived I moved up front which I loved

Was lucky with injuries so never missed many games

Went into management out of wanting to improve our fortunes but still played for our seconds

Biggest regrets and biggest joys all happened in the same season, managing us to Croke park but not participating as a player.. past my best but would have gotten a sub appearance, possibly lol

I think I was very lucky to have played with so many different generations of players over the years, started senior championship at 16 so plenty of decent county players.

Similar in football in a way but never a committed footballer, one season at senior was enough and I stayed with seconds after that. Never the same buzz

Lucky to play with my brothers and son and my cousins , great back ups lol

Got play against some of the best players Antrim ever produced, Klute played for a team generally in our league, we used to have to have two players on him

And only one team I never beat, which is annoying

Plenty of scars and dislocations over the years and a broken back which healed reasonably quick all things considered

Played county juvenile underage

For me to extend your life in playing is to enjoy it, enjoy your team mates, dig in help out never get above your station, don't take yourself too serious either, and realise you are a long time not playing so enjoy the times


There is an tv add on TG4 which actually chokes me up, the one giving the stats on how many kids step away from team sports or sports in general.

My kids tried and never got into playing for the club, we don't live near it and at their school, hockey was the sport, they still play into adulthood which I'm happy as team sports bring about so many benefits

[Norm-Peterson]

There are some men who play for my local club who play alongside the children of their old school mates. I don't know whether to admire or pity these men. I think they may do it because they are struggling to let go of their youth. One of the men made his senior debut before many of his team mates were born.

[galwayman]

I played with my clubs first team until I was 40.
I just loved playing football and I was still fit enough to do a job.
At that stage then we had an influx of quality younger lads so I dropped down to play with our second team for two years.
I struggled with one of my knees for years and another recurrence led to more surgery and that's finished me off now as I'm bone on bone in that knee. So I pretty much can't play any contact sport anymore.
I'd still tog for our B team if my knee allowed me.
I just loved playing football simple as.

[Mario]

Derry have a thirds league which i've played in for a few seasons in my mid to late 30s. Games are on a Friday night, there was no requirement to train outside of a few weeks around championship time and even then it was a bit of craic. It definitely helped fill the void you get when you stop playing. Nothing like playing on a nice pitch on a Friday evening in the summer, no matter what the level. The pints definitely taste better after a game too.

Unfortunately we've struggled to get a team together the past year, so that's put an end to it.

[trueblue1234]

Dads and lads there now to facilitate those of our older generation who still enjoy pulling on the boots. 44 this year and still love a bit of contact sport, be it astroturf soccer or D&Ls.

Actually find the astroturf sorer on me than the social Gaelic. But it's the slow recovery if you do twing anything that gets to you now. Stiff for a day or two after.

Nothing worse than the head telling you to do something in a game but the body just goes wtf...

[RedHand88]

Went back in my early 30s after a 14 year hiatus. Last time I'd played was minors/reserves.
Reasons behind it was just to improve general fitness/get me out of the house.
First thing I'd say is that it was a completely different sport. We all know that from watching it obviously but when you play it you realise how much fitness is a factor now. Skill is irrelevant.

Wasn't fun having ones half my age run rings round me and seemed to be getting injuries after every game so I packed it in. Its a young man's sport now.

[Dreadnought]

Played last year when just turned 40. More to try keep things going. We've lost a lot of players. Missus thinks I'm mad, but just doing my bit until we have enough coming up under

[Brendan]

Derry have a thirds league which i've played in for a few seasons in my mid to late 30s. Games are on a Friday night, there was no requirement to train outside of a few weeks around championship time and even then it was a bit of craic. It definitely helped fill the void you get when you stop playing. Nothing like playing on a nice pitch on a Friday evening in the summer, no matter what the level. The pints definitely taste better after a game too.

Unfortunately we've struggled to get a team together the past year, so that's put an end to it.

If only all the thirds teams in Derry treated it that way! Seen some scraps in those thirds matches and most of them between team mates!

[ClubScene13]

Played last year when just turned 40. More to try keep things going. We've lost a lot of players. Missus thinks I'm mad, but just doing my bit until we have enough coming up under

Dreadnought as in Mullahoran? I thought you were a big enough outfit

[Dreadnought]

Played last year when just turned 40. More to try keep things going. We've lost a lot of players. Missus thinks I'm mad, but just doing my bit until we have enough coming up under

Dreadnought as in Mullahoran? I thought you were a big enough outfit

They are, the other code

[tiempo]

Played into my mid to late 40's managed to play a game at 50 when the seniors were short a player

Never wanted to stop playing, was never really chasing medals as being a yo-yo team in hurling meant it was difficult to reach the heights of our footballers, just the buzz and love of the game was enough.

That said have intermediate and junior titles and loads of divisional football and hurling competitions medals

Played corner back mainly and when two more competent younger corner backs arrived I moved up front which I loved

Was lucky with injuries so never missed many games

Went into management out of wanting to improve our fortunes but still played for our seconds

Biggest regrets and biggest joys all happened in the same season, managing us to Croke park but not participating as a player.. past my best but would have gotten a sub appearance, possibly lol

I think I was very lucky to have played with so many different generations of players over the years, started senior championship at 16 so plenty of decent county players.

Similar in football in a way but never a committed footballer, one season at senior was enough and I stayed with seconds after that. Never the same buzz

Lucky to play with my brothers and son and my cousins , great back ups lol

Got play against some of the best players Antrim ever produced, Klute played for a team generally in our league, we used to have to have two players on him

And only one team I never beat, which is annoying

Plenty of scars and dislocations over the years and a broken back which healed reasonably quick all things considered

Played county juvenile underage

For me to extend your life in playing is to enjoy it, enjoy your team mates, dig in help out never get above your station, don't take yourself too serious either, and realise you are a long time not playing so enjoy the times


There is an tv add on TG4 which actually chokes me up, the one giving the stats on how many kids step away from team sports or sports in general.

My kids tried and never got into playing for the club, we don't live near it and at their school, hockey was the sport, they still play into adulthood which I'm happy as team sports bring about so many benefits

Enjoyed this post

[befair]

It is a deficiency of gaelic football that it's not a game you can play as you get older; in soccer or rugby you can jog around till your 60s. If ther was some way to adapt the rules requiring less physical fitness, I'm sure I could still stick a ball over the bar from 30 yds

[Armagh18]

It is a deficiency of gaelic football that it's not a game you can play as you get older; in soccer or rugby you can jog around till your 60s. If ther was some way to adapt the rules requiring less physical fitness, I'm sure I could still stick a ball over the bar from 30 yds

sounds like the 3 up was made for you

[brokencrossbar1]

Made a playing comeback to junior football when I joined a newly reformed club playing very junior stuff. Had been retired about 5-6 years but kept myself fit and played a bit of over 40's stuff. Thoroughly enjoyed it and would have kept playing on but too much going on to commit. Still play when I can once a week and with coaching I'm in a field/sports hall 3-4 times a week and that's only getting busier as the season starts.

From my perspective I had nothing to prove as I had won everything I could win. I wanted to give something back to a new group of lads in an area that having a GAA club is a challenge to exist nevermind thrive.

I have older kids and a wee one. The older kids would link to Cross still,  eldest played for them,  never made the seniors but played on the intermediate team. The other kids played underage but never really into it,  more circumstances than anything. My wee one now is made about it and Saturday and Sunday is all about football and Camogie so this keeps me there and involved and half young! 

I still think there's 20 minutes in me,  particularly with the 3 up, but we all think that!  Will content myself with Fat boy football and creaking for 2 days after that!