IT’S THAT TIME of the year again.
The gentlemen of Ireland are preparing to put down their razors, brave ridicule, and cultivate the kind of facial hair that would see you laughed out of the pub on a Friday night during any other month of the year.
Yes, it’s Movember.
If you’re setting out on the 30-day odyssey of the great unshaven, this is a particularly exciting time, a time of boundless possibilities. Which mo should you grow?
Allow these Irish sports starts to guide you through your options.
The Pencil
Jamie Heaslip knows all about choosing the right lines on the pitch — and on his face. This is one for the minimalists.
The Paintbrush
Irish cricketer Tim Murtagh models a mo that you could use to paint a door frame. The white robe only adds to the look, really.
The Gentleman Thief
When Ray Houghton debuted this 1920s throwback on RTÉ a few years ago, the country nearly went into collective meltdown. Classy, with a slightly sinister edge.
The Horseshoe
We’d argue that there has been no finer Irish mo in recent years than Padraig Harrington’s full-bodied horseshoe. No wispy bits or bald spots there.
The Horseshoe and Soul Patch
If you want to take the horseshoe to the next level, add a soul patch under the bottom lip like Oulart-the-Ballagh captain Darren Nolan.
The Chin Puff
An elongated soul patch for the men who just don’t know when to stop — like Cian Healy.
The Handlebar
Neil McComb’s 2012 effort was a classic, oozing style and sophistication. Be ready to invest in some tache wax to get those twirly bits at the end right.
Poor chap. He was performing really well as hooker for Munster and he’s forced to take the rest of the season off. Understandably, he’ll be disappointed but at least he knows himself that injuries like these can happen to anyone. And especially at 25, it’s not the end of the world, because he’ll be back next season, or if things go better than expected, he might be called up to the summer Tests in Argentina. Either way, this young man has still plenty to give.
Best of luck on recovery, a very serious contender and at 25 ten years ahead of him.