EVERY YEAR, IN the Centre Court crowd at Wimbledon, one Offaly fan takes his place in his customary county jersey and inevitably gets spotted by Irish people watching on TV.
He’s something of a cult hero at this stage:
But he’s not alone.
Wearing GAA jerseys to major international sporting events is a rite of passage for Irish fans abroad. The possibility of getting spotted on TV and representing your county abroad are some obvious advantages.
So – as much as the internet will allow – here are some notable examples of this noble practice from down the years.
First, we have to talk about Kerry’s obsession with the Masters
Every year in amongst the azaleas at Augusta, the “Kerry Group” logo can be seen
Sported by proud Kerry GAA fans, optimistic about the summer ahead
Basically, it boils down to: if you’re from Kerry and attending the Masters, it’s your *duty* to wear the jersey
No other golf tournament/GAA jersey combination comes close
A proud tradition
Moving on.
The true beauty of this phenomenon is the contrast of the humble GAA top and the ridiculously glam sporting event.
And that contrast doesn’t come much bigger than a Cavan jersey at the Superbowl
Worlds collided that fateful night. But American sport is a perfect setting for such contrast:
Like when this pair were interviewed live on Fox at a baseball game in Texas in 2015
They didn’t understand what they were on about.
Or this guy in a Galway jersey popping up on Canadian telly to discuss ice hockey
Expert analysis.
You can’t even turn on WWE without someone in the front row wearing a Mayo jersey
Wimbledon isn’t the sole preserve of Offaly GAA fans though, Kilkenny have staked a claim in recent years
Feels like 1998 all over again.
An event like the Tour de France has seen its fair share of GAA-themed fandom. Like this Clare jersey in 2013
And some Mayo “artwork” spotted later that same summer
Better than Dave Grohl holding a sign.
Last but not least, a mention for the World Snooker Championships and a pattern that’s emerged
In the quiet, austere library-like theatre, Irish fans stand out with their garish GAA colours
Because they know they’re bound to get on telly
And that faint hope of county representation drives them on
Keep up the good work, everyone
Written by David Elkin and originally posted on DailyEdge.ie
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Where ever you go in the world your guaranteed to see a flute in a Mayo jersey.
Saw a kid in a Man Utd jersey at the Munster Final yesterday. Couldn’t help but wonder if the English media get as excited about it as the Irish do…
@Marcas Ó Callanáin: you’re no craic at all.
@Marcas Ó Callanáin: Yeah, I don’t know what the big deal is.
Same way they worry if other countries love the GAA too.
I do know someone who swapped his GAA jersey with Ronaldo (Real Madrid) in 2003.
It wasnt splashed all over the news though.
He met Ronaldo during a training session at the bernabeu, got his training top
in exchange for the GAA top. The guy was from Roscommon.
@Marcas Ó Callanáin: I was wearing a Dublin jersey at it I never got any mention
@Ned Flanders: If getting a hard-on when seeing a GAA jersey in a foreign country is “craic”, then I’m quite happy to be no craic.
the Carlow jersey in the snoop dogg video is my favourite
@Shimmy Shammy: it was Offaly but a Carlow jersey would make more sense
@Shimmy Shammy: which video is it in?
@John: Ah that’s right is offaly, can’t remember the name of the song but it’s with Pharrell Williams
@Shimmy Shammy: the songs is called ‘Beautiful’ with Pharrell and Snoop Dogg
Poor Leitrim not getting the recognition it deserves at the snooker next to the Kerry lad
Love the GAA but its cringeworthy every time I see it
Don’t think this Bebeto goal celebration would have become as famous as it did without the obligatory Offaly jersey
https://youtu.be/sbhaDnd-5kg
How did you miss the guy in the limerick Jersey at the, I believe, Vancouver hockey riots a few years back????
Sitting next to the Kerrt shirt in the last and fifth last photos is a Leitrim jersey.
Dont forget the hero in the limerick jersey posing beside the burnt out car.
Vancouver riots after Canucks lose playoffs. Apparently its a bit of a tradition!!!
Limerick ‘eh?!