THERE ARE A lot of acceptable excuses you could use for failing to attend GAA training.

Your manager can’t really argue with illness, injury or the perfectly vague ‘personal reasons’. But some people still try to take it that little bit too far.

Here are 6 of the most ridiculous excuses to get out of training – that actually worked.

1. ‘Dad varnished the hall floor’

If you’re looking for the most ridiculous excuse, this has to hands-down be the winner.

A few weeks ago, @LsHurlingDev tweeted a screen-grab of a text message sent by one young player to his manager. The unidentified Laois hurler explained that he couldn’t get upstairs to get his training gear because his father had varnished the hall floor.

2. ‘No-one has Brazilian or Mexican heritage’

Last summer, everyone was looking for a reason to skip work and training in order to watch the World Cup.

With Brazil and Mexico set to kick-off at the same time as the scheduled training, one Waterford-based club decided to take a stand and sent around this clever text to its player.

The match finished a scoreless draw so they didn’t miss much in the end.

3. ‘Groin Strain’

Poor Niall had one very bad day last year. Not only did he have a ‘wicked groin strain’, he also managed to send this very intimate excuse for missing training to the wrong number.

So instead of manager Paul, he sent news of his ‘sore balls’ to a random lad – who was more than happy to share Niall’s unfortunate injury with the world.

4. ‘No tax or insurance’

We’ve all heard the ‘can’t come to training because I’ve no tax or insurance’ excuse. But it’s usually from players…and a lie. Last year, however, one Mayo GAA club posted this message on their Facebook page.

5. ‘lads cutting silage’

As far as excuses go, this is almost as Irish as they come. Farmers take cutting their silage very serious. When you’ve got a dry spell, you need to make the most of the good weather.

Annacurra GAA club in South-East Wicklow that recognize the importance of this and cancelled their match because a large portion of the team would be missing for silage reasons.

And they’re not alone.

Sometimes it’s not the players, it’s the referee.

6. Clocks went forward

This happens every time the clocks go forward. It seems it can take some people a little time to adjust to the change.

Somebody is bound to turn up at training or to a match ridiculously late. Because if you can’t get away with it when the clocks go forward, when can you?

What ridiculous excuses have you heard?

Some moments teach you everything you need to know about yourself.  So many milestones are reached as we come of age – Leaving Cert results, starting college, living life independently. Players in The Electric Ireland GAA Minors Championship are embarking on their adult lives, juggling new responsibilities with their ambitions and are looking to the future. The Electric Ireland GAA Minors Championship – follow the conversation at #ThisIsMajor.