Even on the best of days, GAA can be frustrating.
There are 14 other lads on the pitch aside from yourself, each with different traits. Some are good and some are downright awful, boiling your blood in the process.
Here are the most infuriating of the lot.
1. The big man who takes the ball into contact
This man still thinks he’s playing minor and that he can burst through the opposition at will but it doesn’t work that way anymore. Instead of playing the simple pass he wants to take the man on and, more often than not, he loses possession.
2. The lad who refuses to pass
He’s the one-man show, more than likely playing wing forward. If he gets the ball just know you’re not getting it back as he will not give up trying to do it all himself.
3. The lad who can’t spot a pass
Different to the man who doesn’t pass, this lad just doesn’t know when to pass.
After you bothering your hole to make a run off the shoulder and creating acres of space because you are a god, your efforts go to waste because your team-mate has tunnel vision and is completely unaware of your presence.
4. The forward-thinking defender
He’s a forward at heart but the manager has decided to throw him in at cornerback. This isn’t going to end well for anyone.
He’ll play the ball out of the backline and follow it up the pitch even when it’s 50 yards ahead of him – all the while his man is left alone in the full forward line.
5. The lad who can’t solo
There’s only one way to describe this lad, a liability. He may be fast, strong and well able to put in a hell of a tackle but the positive traits stop there. The natural ball winner can’t solo under pressure and loses possession as quick as he won it.
6. The guy who can’t own up to his own mistake
It’s everyone’s fault except his. If he loses the ball someone should have been there to sweep it up. If he misses a shot it was because he shot from an impossible angle and someone should have been in a better position calling for the ball.
In the heat of battle, this is not a man to criticise because you will get an explicit response.
7. The walking casualty
This guy has terrible luck, whether it be from a long term injury or just from years on the beer, he has become GAA’s answer to Jack Wilshere. Bets are made in the changing room about what minute he’ll come off injured and it’s a minor miracle if the trooper can make it to full time.
8. The man there to make up the numbers
Yes, you’re doing the lads a favour by turning up to a Junior B match when they’re short of numbers but that doesn’t mean you can prance around as if you’re God’s gift and put in zero effort.
9. The captain that never trains
It’s remarkable really, not once have you seen him at training but he’ll never miss a match.
Despite barely being able to get through a warm-up, he employs himself as a team leader and for some unknown reason, the manager has him as the first name on the team sheet.
Did we miss anyone? Vent your frustrations in the comment section.
