The ball might pass or the man might pass, but never both
Thats a fact. The young fellas keep you young as well. Tis great auld craic now. No one really gives a fuck so its pure relaxed, but at the same time when the game starts you want to win.
No training, no tactics, no analysis. Pick eleven and off you go. Sport at its purest.
I’ve been in and at quite a few masters games in different sports, it’s absolute fucking murder in some of them, aul lads trying to do the things they could do 20 years ago. It can get nasty enough but it’s good aul fun.
But it’s much more craic still doing it around a few young lads, you can bear the banter and the laughs. Much more relaxed.
I’ve seen a few masters hurling games and they are fairly vicious. A lad with a bit of toe can do untold. So they get leathered early and often by lads, as you say, annoyed with themselves that can’t do what they used to.
The soccer is handy enough at this level. Even if a fella is faster than you, he usually won’t be able to run faster than you with the ball and a fair chance he’ll make a fuck of it trying. The length of it is a fucking killer though. Gah is a different story if you are stuck on a flyer.
Hard day at the office today down a few bodies and the lad in front of me never played soccer underage. He’s game as a pebble to be fair to him and covered every blade of grass, but its not much use to you and he on the opposite wing and the winger and full back coming at you. I spent half the game trying to tell him where he was supposed to be. Big field, hard ground. Took its toll. The two knees are sore now I’ll have to go and find some running water somewhere to stand in
You’re lucky you’ll be able to struggle to work in the morning, you may need a lie down after lunch……
Try playing in 38 degrees.
Back at the O35s myself after a 5 year hiatus from the game. We won the 35Cs last year and the SSFA, in their infinite wisdom, has seen fit to bump us up to the As.
I’ve never seen a more demoralised bunch when the news broke.
Ireland held out for 1:53 v England.
Back in the fuckin Game
Played a hurling league game - very low level last night and scored the best hurling goal I will ever score.
After a lifetime at corner back I have been released to centre forward ambling around and picking up loose ball. Followed a delivery into the FF line and latched onto the break perfectly. Carried the ball at an angle across the 21 and lashed it into the opposite top corner sanction, pinging it. To make things sweeter there were a few young lads I teach/taught on the opposition team to witness.
You have to love the lower divisions in Dublin hurling. You could safely play till mid 50s and still not get roasted. The new short game must be a dream to any cute forward. Fair funny watching teams try to work the balls out short.
Absolutely. A lovely social activity. We had 19 togged last night and the majority of us over 40. No way that would happen in Tipp without a riot.
Dublin junior leagues are enjoyable alright. Like you say, junior hurling back home would be a lot more cut throat. A couple notable teams aside there is no real skelping or dirt strokes.
I was sent off two weeks ago playing Parnells, it was 14 years since the last time it happened but he fully deserved it
Forwards is a doddle
Joining a long line of great Centre Forwards from the club.
Would never manage playing in the backs anymore with my knees. Your movement is dictated by the forward. Up in the forwards you dictate the movement.
There’s an age you hit where you don’t run around after lads anymore. The first 5 yards are in the head
I was told tonight I could stay at 11 and didn’t have to track back. Heaven.
This is how the game should be played
The only way I’ll get sent off now is abusing a referee over not knowing the rules. The standard is woejaysus.
For example in a recent game I won a free in the unscorable zone. I took it quickly by pulling a ground stroke to a free man 25 yards away. Whistle blows. Free overturned to them.