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GAA

07th Oct 2018

13 things GAA people do to show that you’re ‘a real man’

Conan Doherty

The GAA is nearly a stage performance at this stage.

This is how you behave, this is how you walk, this is what you say and, no matter what, if you want to be a real man you don’t go near “that soccer rubbish”.

“Sure ye couldn’t f**king watch it.”

There are other ways to be a real man too. Here’s some of our favourite.

1. Absolutely leg it onto the field

You’re ready for this match and a full-pelt sprint out of the tunnel will prove just that – especially to the crowd who you think care.

2. Get off the pitch first at half time

Even if you’re seven points down, whoever gets into the tunnel first at half time is obviously up for it more.

3. Spit on your own hands

For grip, right?

4. Blow blood out of your nose

A busted nose is a real man’s dream. As blood streams out of you, place your index finger to close one nostril and blow out of the other to maximise the flow and effect of blood that you just don’t have any time for. If it persists, sprint off to the sideline and tell the physio to hurry the hell up and sort it. You don’t want to be off the field but the ref has made you.

Goalkeeper Nickie Quiad with a blood injury 11/7/2015

5. Fist pump

When you win a free, you know the drill.

6. Stay on the sidelines with the coach when you’re brought off

You’re not usually a sub, you see. Make sure everyone knows that. Develop a limp on the way off to demonstrate why you were taken off. Stand along the line and roar at your team mates.

7. Literally roll your sleeves up

Player-fit jerseys aren’t doing your biceps any justice so a little roll of the sleeve wouldn’t harm anyone.

8. Wear tape on your wrists

You look cool.

inpho_00631050

9. Wear a vest at training

You know it’s summer when *insert name here* is wearing a vest.

10. Stay in the dressing room the longest

You’ll go out when you’re ready.

11. Wipe blood on your rig

Hard luck if you don’t wear any light colours.

Henry Shefflin with blood on the back of his jersey 17/3/2015

12. Do your stretches

Usually an over-enthusiastic Junior B player telling boys to be quiet during the cool down so they can focus on their “f**king stretches”.

13. Ask someone to hit you again

I took an elbow in the jaw one day before a league game and thought I’d be a hard man if I showed it didn’t bother me. “Do that again, like a good lad.” Without hesitation, another elbow came back and hit me flush in the jaw. I didn’t ask again.

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