10 Supporters You Will Find at Every Minor GAA Game
It is getting into the business end of the Electric Ireland GAA Minor Championship, with both the hurling and football championships reaching the quarter final stage. Minor football and hurling is often the starting point for many inter-county stars, but what about those who don’t take to the field?
Minor teams form a big part of local communities, and with this comes great support, both at club and county level. With the Electric Ireland GAA Minor Championship Finals drawing closer, we thought we would look at the ‘16th man’, by looking at 10 supporters you are likely to find at every minor GAA game.
10 Fans You Will See at Minor GAA Games
1) The Caring Mum
Where would a minor star be without their mum? From washing the gear and getting the boots ready, to ensuring they have the right food to help them along the way, the relationship between the caring mum and her son is something special. Expect to see them cheering every touch and pass made by their son on the field, and possibly having words with the referee should there be a strong challenge on him!
2) The Cheerleader
Most likely part of a group of young fans, the cheerleader can be found cheering on minors up and down the country. Due to the volume of games they attend, this is a very knowledgeable and trusted fan at minor level.
3) The Young Pup
From 12 to 16 year olds, you will find the younger players of clubs regularly attending minor games. These are the ones with aspirations to one day pull on a minor county shirt themselves and will watch on with a keen eye to see what exactly it takes to become a minor star.
4) The Board Member
Whether it’s at club level or county level, the members of the board are always keen fans. The minor team form a big part of any club and county, and the board is always keen to see how the guys are performing. Interest from board members reaches fever pitch come championship season.
5) The Enemy
A regular attendee at minor club games, the enemy is a fan that usually plays for the neighbouring team. They will come along to do their best scouting job, while also making their presence known to club supporters by donning their own club colours. Expect to find these guys huddled in a section of the pitch on their own.
6) The Senior Star
The fan that all those on the pitch aspire to be, the senior star is one of the main players within the club and could even be representing their county. For minor footballers and hurlers, seeing the senior stars watch the game can be a big lift. And, for the senior star, it can be a great way to get a glimpse of the future and see who is coming through to take their place.
7) The Swearer
The overly aggressive fan that every club has, whether it’s the manager, referee or the players, this fan feels the need to express themselves at almost every incident by swearing. With a limited vocabulary when it comes to watching a game (mainly limited to swear words), if you could bottle up their enthusiasm and give it to every supporter, it would certainly be a big lift to the guys on the field.
8) The Analyst
From every puck out and side-line ball, to a fist pass and solo effort, this fan is analysing everything that happens to spot the potential stars of the future. They are often a very knowledgeable fan and may have even been a minor or senior star in days gone by.
9) The Referee’s Enemy
Normally found standing beside the caring mum, board member or the swearer, this fan is on the referee’s case at every decision, letting them know why they were wrong. This is probably the one voice that will stand out from the rest of the pack, as the minors continue to go about their business on the pitch.
10) The Clubman (or woman)
The fan who will be at every game, from youth right through to seniors and reserves, this supporter is a truly dedicated fan that will come out to watch the minor game come rain or shine. They will have seen it all and can rhyme off the minor stars that have come up through the club and county throughout the years, even sharing some of their greatest games. If you impress this fan, you are headed in the right direction.
Have We Missed Any GAA Supporters?
Have we missed any typical GAA fans that turn up to any of your minor games? Let us know by connecting with Electric Ireland on our Facebook page.
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