Like father, like son.
They say you don’t just pick it off the ground, talent needs to be nurtured and encouraged. Often it just needs to be inspired, because if you can see it being done, then you will believe that it is possible.
The GAA has a rich history of sons following in their fathers’ footsteps by representing their counties – it’s a family sport after all – and some counties even have a rich bloodline.
Here are five GAA stars, whose fathers were also top ballers back in the day.
1. Bernard Senior, Alan, Bernard Junior and Paul Brogan
Bernard Brogan Senior didn’t just give Dublin football three incredible players who would go onto play pivotal roles in the county’s most dominant team in history, but the former midfielder was actually a star himself back in the day.
A three-time All-Ireland winner himself, the midfielder represented Dublin in the ’70s and’80s, and won an All-Star in 1979.
This journalist isn’t even going to attempt counting all of the All-Ireland medals they have in that home.
2. Peter and Darragh Canavan
Peter ‘God’ Canavan was captain of Tyrone when they finally won their first ever All-Ireland title in 2003.
Before then, the silky shooter was dubbed as ‘the greatest player to never win an All-Ireland’, given that he had to wait until his thirties before getting over that line.
The Errigal Ciarán man managed to pocket another one in 2005, and his son Darragh – who in only his second year as a Tyrone senior footballer – has already won an All-Ireland, so the young forward has got plenty of time to overtake his old man.
3. Pat Spillane Senior and Junior
Before Pat Spillane became one of the best known (and controversial) pundits in the GAA, he was a superstar of the game in the ’80s, winning an incredible eight All-Ireland titles.
The nine-time All-Star was a part of one of the most successful Kerry teams in history, and his son not only shares his name, but clearly some of his footballing talent as well.
Okay, so Pat Junior is representing Sligo rather than Kerry, and is eligible to do so because of where his mother is from, but he is still an inter-county footballer, and only getting better with each passing year.
4. Barney and Dean Rock
Barney Rock won an All-Ireland title with Dublin back in 1983, and was selected to be a part of the first ever Ireland team that participated in the International Rules games with Australia.
His son Dean Rock is one of the best known names in Gaelic football – a seven-time All-Ireland winner, and three-time All-Star – the clinical finisher has been imperative to Dublin’s success in recent years.
Known for his dead eye with the dead ball, Rock could finish games with his pinpoint free-taking, as well bas being able to score beautifully from play.
5. Jarlath Burns Senior and Junior
Jarlath Burns was a high-fetching midfielder and a powerhouse for Armagh back in the ’90s, even leading them to their first Ulster title in years, a trophy which sparked a resurgence of success for the Orchard county.
His son, Jarleth Óg Burns is currently a mainstay in the Armagh team, currently managed by Kieran McGeeney, a former teammate of his father’s.
Although yet to win a trophy, this is as exciting and competitive an Armagh side has been as when Senior was knocking around the middle of the park.
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