We all have a bit of GAA in our lives.
Whether it's a cousin playing for the local club team, a brother who's the biggest fanatic in the county, a great-grandfather who won a county title in the 60's or a mother who manages the camogie team. The GAA is held in common by so many Irish people, it brings us together, it sustains us.
It's coming up to Christmas. GAA players and supporters are experiencing withdrawal symptoms due to their one or two week absence from playing in and watching games.
When the new year begins, teams will be back training, the opening rounds of the league aren't too far away.
Over the Christmas, these GAA heads are starving for something to keep their minds occupied, to keep themselves ticking over, to fill the gaping hole the absence of the GAA has left in their lives, and in their Christmas stockings.
It's Christmas, and you need to remind them that all hope is not lost, that the GAA still exists.
1. GAA season ticket -
Be there all the way.
Season tickets allow GAA fanatics to be exactly that. They are code specific, and offer a service that includes entry to all of a county team's league games, and this free entry extends to their first round of the Championship.
From there onwards, a season ticket holder will be guaranteed a ticket to all of the county team's games in the Championship at a discounted rate through a pay and play system.
Their
loyalty is rewarded by the guarantee of All-Ireland final tickets, if they have attended more than 60% of their team's games. Any GAA fanatic will comply to this.
The convenience can't be understated as all others around scamper and worry about attaining tickets at the 11th hour.
The prices are valuable considering the service, and they are available
here, where you can also pick up the club version - for the real die-hards.
2. Dundalk IT Jersey -
Enough said.
https://twitter.com/DkITGAA/status/933777994501578752?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.sportsjoe.ie%2Fgaa%2Fdundalk-retro-gaa-jersey-138109
This is a work of art. No GAA head will turn up their noses to this.
The away geansaí is just as attractive. Take your choice.
The jersey will be available from next week on the
O'Neills online shop.
3. Bag of sliotars or gaelic footballs
This is one for the players. The players who are sick of losing sliotars to hedges, ditches and to neighbour's gardens.
The players who are sick of going out for target practice with one football and having to race in behind the goals to collect it, and then, then to repeat the process.
Sure you'd be wrecked after five shots.
On top of this, there's nothing worse than searching high and low for a sliotar all over the house to go for a puck. They need to be at the ready, they need to be good to go.
The players need a collection.
4. Club/County gilet -
They're as cool as you like. A grandparent could wear them out on the farm while chasing sheep. The same grandparent could show up to their grandchild's under-14 first round club game donning their favourite jacket.
Look how slick Dr. Crokes manager Pat O'Shea looked in his.
Not overly warm, but warm enough to keep out the cold.
Most clubs sell their own gear as the Christmas season approaches. Find out the size you're looking for and away you go.
5. Last minute gift -
You can never go wrong with the
GAA literature of the moment. Some of our top GAA stars have released some brilliant books in recent months, with Jackie Tyrrell's "The Warrior's Code" springing to mind, alongside Philly McMahon's "The Choice."
Colm Cooper's autobiography is bound to garner interest from the majority of fans. These will be available in any good book-shops.
6. Club wooly hat -
We live in Ireland. A wooly hat will never be gathering dust. Some of the beanies our GAA clubs have on offer are slick as hell and bloody attractive, too.
The jersey will be available from next week on the O'Neills online shop.
