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10 pictures that perfectly capture the opening weekend of the 2017 GAA season

After a few months away, it’s so good to have it back!

New year, new nose. It didn’t take long for Kildare’s David Slattery to be reminded of the art of war. 

Donall Farmer / INPHO Donall Farmer / INPHO / INPHO

Boy meets ground. Longford’s Barry O’Farrell is sent tumbling during his side’s clash with Kildare.  

Donall Farmer / INPHO Donall Farmer / INPHO / INPHO

Good to be back! Davy Fitzgerald enjoyed his first day back in the saddle as Wexford swept aside the challenge of UCD in the Walsh Cup. 

Donall Farmer / INPHO Donall Farmer / INPHO / INPHO

Some traditions you just can’t shake. Business was brisk as the Dublin headband brigade were out in force.   

Dublin fans buy headbands Ryan Byrne; ©INPHO / Ryan Byrne/INPHO Ryan Byrne; ©INPHO / Ryan Byrne/INPHO / Ryan Byrne/INPHO

Best seat in the house. Eight-year-old Kerry fan Nicky Corridon offers his encouragement during the Kingdom’s clash with Tipperary.

Nicky Corridon (aged 8) watches the game from a different perspective Tommy Dickson; ©INPHO / Tommy Dickson/INPHO Tommy Dickson; ©INPHO / Tommy Dickson/INPHO / Tommy Dickson/INPHO

The wait is over. First day out for the new campaign and the hardcore supporters pay their dues in Wexford.

Spectators look on Donall Farmer; ©INPHO / Donall Farmer/INPHO Donall Farmer; ©INPHO / Donall Farmer/INPHO / Donall Farmer/INPHO

A season ticket for new Meath boss Andy McEntee, gratefully supplied by Martin O’Halloran.

Martin O'Halloran with a new season ticket for Meath manager Andy McEntee Colm O'Neill; ©INPHO / Colm O'Neill/INPHO Colm O'Neill; ©INPHO / Colm O'Neill/INPHO / Colm O'Neill/INPHO

Putting in the hard graft in pre-season. It was standing room only as the Wexford footballers took on UCD in the O’Byrne Cup in Gorey.

A general view of Gorey GAA Grounds Donall Farmer; ©INPHO / Donall Farmer/INPHO Donall Farmer; ©INPHO / Donall Farmer/INPHO / Donall Farmer/INPHO

First day back, a cold day but no signs of rustiness from the Dubs’ Jason Whelan.

Jason Whelan and Caolan McGonagle Ryan Byrne; ©INPHO / Ryan Byrne/INPHO Ryan Byrne; ©INPHO / Ryan Byrne/INPHO / Ryan Byrne/INPHO

First day back and there’s nothing quite like a melee to get the heart racing, demonstrated here by some Cavan and Tyrone players.

Tyrone and Cavan players clash during the game Presseye / Andrew Paton/INPHO Presseye / Andrew Paton/INPHO / Andrew Paton/INPHO

New Meath and Cavan bosses begin 2017 with success but early injury worry for Tyrone

Dublin stars on holiday in Jamaica but fringe players get job done to beat DCU in Parnell Park

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18 Comments
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    Jan 8th 2017, 10:24 PM

    Great to see ye ventured out as far as Cavan… Did the journal make it back to the capital before they closed the gate to repel the nightly attacks from the marauding packs of culties. Next time maybe pay a photographer in Connacht to take some photos and “email” them back to you……

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    Mute Dec
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    Jan 8th 2017, 11:56 PM

    To be fair Liverpool were playing Plymouth Argyll today and the Journal reporters were busy giving a minute by minute report of this really important soccer fixture……. in so many regards the Journal.ie is fantastic but who’s idea was it to focus on such a meaningless FA cup match at the expense of sporting events much more relevant to the people of Ireland?

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    Mute Sean @114
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    Jan 9th 2017, 9:05 AM

    Insertfunnycomment. Most GAA journalists ARE culchies. Do you not read the national papers or do you only stick your head in the Farmer’s Journal?

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    Jan 9th 2017, 3:47 PM

    @Sean @114: If you read my comment again you’ll notice I was referring to the lack of coverage from the journal on the league games in Connacht. I dont think I once made reference to “Most GAA journalists” your statement is irrelevant. Anyway must dash I’ve a copy of the Farmer’s Journal to buy…

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    Jan 9th 2017, 6:03 PM

    If you read mine you’ll see that I mentioned journalists, like in general. I reference the national media as evidence. I presume that would apply to TheJournal also.

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    Jan 9th 2017, 8:11 PM

    “journalists, like in general” can’t help reading that in a big D4 voice… “I reference the national media as evidence” where is the evidence you have supplied? You have made an assumption without any evidence supplied to back up your statement. Back to the pavilion with you my good chap. Bye now!!

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    Mute johnkilleen
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    Jan 8th 2017, 10:00 PM

    nothing was happening in connacht?

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    Mute filthypete
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    Jan 8th 2017, 10:23 PM

    They couldn’t find a smaller tracksuit for Davy Fitz?

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    Mute Alex Falcone
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    Jan 8th 2017, 9:49 PM

    ‘there’s nothing quite like a melee to get the heart racing’
    A row you mean, where no one ever gets sent off, where young men end up having their legs broken in two places, where the GAA hierarchy turn a blind eye because dealing with the thuggery would have negative financial implications.
    Yes, there’s nothing like two fanatical tribes beating the crap out of each other all in the name of sport.

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    Mute Uncle Monty
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    Jan 8th 2017, 9:56 PM

    Do you grow?

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    Mute The IMF are here
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    Jan 8th 2017, 10:19 PM

    It’s actually called a schmozzle

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    Mute Tim Thethird O'Hanrahan
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    Jan 8th 2017, 10:23 PM

    Couldn’t agree more!

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    Mute Alan b..
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    Jan 8th 2017, 11:16 PM

    Alex you forgot about the little people you have to care about the hill billies

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    Mute jane
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    Jan 8th 2017, 11:25 PM

    Alex most weekends there are hundreds of GAA games played across the country at different ages and levels. The number that end in someone getting a bone broken from a deliberate attack is tiny. Obviously the lad who carried out this attack should be held accountable and his club punished. However, it’s unfair to taint the whole association because of a few incidents.

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    Mute Trevor Dunne
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    Jan 9th 2017, 2:28 AM

    ‘Where no one ever gets sent off’ – There were 3 red cards…

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    Mute Alan b..
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    Jan 8th 2017, 9:48 PM

    I’d like to see some photos of the closing day of the season,would that have been yesterday by any chance?

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    Mute Robbie Callaghan
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    Jan 9th 2017, 12:01 AM

    Great to have it back

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    Mute Paul Roche
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    Jan 9th 2017, 12:17 PM

    Jesus, that’s depressing

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