Prepare like a champion, play like a champion.
Big game days can be tough for many GAA players. Some lads suffer with pre-game nerves, for others the day just goes so slow because they simply can't wait any longer to get out onto the pitch to make their presence felt.
No matter what grade it is, the games don't get any bigger than a local derby clash in the county championship. This is what all the slogging during the winter was for, this is what family and friends will be fixated upon for a whole week if not more.
Bragging rights, parish pride, personal pride - it's all riding on this one and the players are the only ones who can do anything about it now.
Training has been tapered down for the week. The buzz was in the air at Wednesday night's session. That's the buzz of championship and you could feel it, you could smell it. Lads were sharp and in line with the high expectations, the team's house is in order for the championship this year. This could actually be the year.
https://twitter.com/SportsJOE_GAA/status/972477183821271040
Oran GAA club, a small club located in the heart of county Roscommon were going through all of those emotions this week as they prepared for a clash with their neighbours and rivals St Croans in the Junior B Championship.
The first round is always a crucial one. A good start can set a team up for a championship run, particularly in a grade like Junior B where a win or a loss there can decide the turnout for trainings.
The mid Roscommon club got their year off to a flying start, but a lot of the credit for that must go to their manager who ensured his men were in the right state, both mentally and physically for the battle ahead.
https://twitter.com/ORANGAA/status/990301322976137216
The pre-match itinerary he set out for his team was both specific and tailored...to the needs of a Junior B warrior.
First the team would meet at 5ish. No later, no earlier.
Then they would warm-up approximately 48 minutes before throw-in. That's science.
Then the players would break for tea/coffee/fags/jaffa cakes...Different strokes for different folks.
Of course, religion had to be involved and the local priest wouldn't let the lads down.
And win the breaking ball and get the first point they would do.
"4-10 to 2-7 we won and not only did we win the game but we won the breaking ball and scored the first point too," said a team member to SportsJOE.
Junior B. You can't beat it.
