They’re loved far and wide.
We’re talking about the lads who wear their hearts on their sleeves. We’re talking about the lads who are themselves, who do what they want to do, and don’t conform to the modern GAA cliches that we’re all too familiar with at this stage.
They’ve no limitations, they’ll say what’s on their mind in interviews, they’ve big personalities and that’s why they’re so revered, that’s why they’re so admired.
They might make a fool out of themselves, they might make wrong decisions, but they won’t give a damn about that because as long as they went out on their own sword, they won’t have any regrets.
We’re talking about the people who breathe life into the GAA, the people who always give us something to talk about.
1. Buff Egan
Where else could you start?
The biggest cult hero in the GAA right now? Without a shadow of a doubt.
Buff is a viral sensation at this stage, but he’s made himself that viral sensation through his sheer love for the game.
This is the man who travelled from Kerry to Wexford for the Leinster junior hurling final recently. This is a man who travelled up to Antrim for the county hurling final.
Buff’s love for the game knows no limits and has no boundaries, he even travelled to London for the recent All-Ireland intermediate quarter final between Kanturk and Kilburn Gaels for God’s sake.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BcKmr3EFAST/?taken-by=buff_egan_
His coverage of these games via Snapchat is top class, and he provides hurling lovers from Ireland to Australia with the chance to keep up to date with the latest news, and to watch the latest club games that they would have no way of seeing otherwise.
Buff promotes the game. He is loved by every GAA youngster from Derry to Cork because he brings the game to life with his own catchphrases and his own exciting commentary.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BazW5CMjV3b/?taken-by=buff_egan_
Hail hail.
2. Mickey ‘The Honey Badger’ Burke (Meath)
The self-christened “Honey Badger” is Meath’s answer to Eric Djemba-Djemba.
He’s well known and most of us love him, because, why not?
Burke has represented the Royal County’s hurlers and footballers with distinction in the past. He’s a great servant to the county, having been involved since 2004.
Burke is renowned for his distinctive image.
The man has is tattooed from his head to his toes. He’s ripped to shreds and he has one of the biggest pair of legs in the GAA.
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bc7X-vSFk8_/?taken-by=mickey_burke_
He’s a tough cookie on the field of play, and if you ran into a shoulder from the Honey Badger, Jesus, you’d feel it.
3. Liam Kearns
In the current GAA climate, Tipperary manager Liam Kearns is a rarity and a gem.
This is a man who sings songs in the dressing room after his side’s victories. This is a man who is searingly honest in his post-match interviews.
"You cannot quantify what celebrating a win like that does" – every GAA manager should learn from Liam Kearnshttps://t.co/ZviIqo2ao3 #GAA
— GAA JOE (@GAA__JOE) August 2, 2016
This is a man who encourages the psychological benefits of team bonding through drinking or having the craic because he feels that outweighs the supposed scientific negatives.
Liam Kearns and Conor Sweeney drinking cans on the Tipp bus is just one of the highlights from the latest #GAAHour https://t.co/QVcGqrmuqI
— GAA JOE (@GAA__JOE) August 1, 2016
“I want them to celebrate after a game… I want them to enjoy it and that’s our philosophy and that’s where it comes from,” he once said.
He is a beacon of hope in the modern game that is caught up in a trend of professionalism and sport science.
The man lets his players have a life outside of the GAA bubble.
The man is a legend, and it’s no wonder his Tipperary players speak so highly of him.
4. Tommy Walsh
Thank God Tommy Walsh’s GAA career didn’t end when he retired from the inter-county game in 2014, because Jesus, as we found out this year, that man has so much more to give.
The Tullaroan tank graced the TV screens on Éir Sport this winter, and took over the airwaves in the height of the summer championship action.
"His uncle was MOTM in the 1993 minor final" – Tommy Walsh dropping some knowledge on co-commentary duty today. 😂😂😂😂 #ClubChampionships pic.twitter.com/jtQz2ceUly
— eir Sport (@eirSport) September 30, 2017
Passion. Fire. Explosiveness. Enthusiasm.
No, we’re not talking about his half back play during his nine-time All-Star winning career, we’re talking about his commentary.
Walsh roars down his microphone, blood boiling and heart racing. You can just imagine his veins popping and his head banging as he runs the rule over a game or a passage of play.
The man couldn’t do anything without intensity in his legendary Kilkenny career. Thankfully, it’s the same Tommy in the commentary box.
5. Marty Morrissey
There ain’t no party like a Marty party.
The most eligible bachelor in the country is loved all the way from his native Clare to Dublin and further afield. Marty is always a bit of craic, he’s always up for the laugh, and just like all cult heroes, he doesn’t take himself overly seriously.
Dreams do come true. It's official, the legend that is Marty Morrissey will be gracing the Dancing with the Stars dance floor in the New Year!
Will you bringing the #MartyParty, @MartyM_RTE? #DWTSIrl pic.twitter.com/s6ZTTfUqY3
— DWTS Ireland (@DWTSIRL) December 8, 2017
Marty was lording it on RTÉ in the height of the summer championship action, and for the winter, he’ll be keeping himself busy as a Dancing With The Stars contestant.
Classic.
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