There's something special about progressing through the ranks with the same players, from under-8 to senior football. Along the way some drop out out and some are tragically lost but it builds a special bond, they're not team-mates, they're friends. Nothing comes before the club, villages and towns revolve around them and everyone from the star player to the kit man has a part to play and a sense of belonging. They really are the foundation the GAA is built upon and without them and the volunteers at the clubs the GAA would be nothing

pplocal (Tyrone) - Posts: 5878 - 08/01/2011 14:27:31    842007

I was the same once, then I got a life, your club is important but family come first.

Good point.

My club is my club, but I dont look at it through the rose-tinted glasses that some do here.

Its full of cliques negativity & hateful people. People too quick to run you down personally & on the field.

On the other hand theres decent people too involved.

I will probably play another 2 years myself but Im not sure if Ill send my kids 20km to play there ,if theres better opportunities for them on my doorstep.

Love my club? Not really...

pundit2 (Louth) - Posts: 597 - 08/01/2011 16:39:33    842100

A gaa club isnt a way of life, for many it is life. its where the men who have seen it all pass it on to kids who want it all. no one outside the gaa can explain the bond that is formed over the course of 20/30 years of playing football together the pain and heartache to the joy and celebrations. A gaa club isnt about what leval ye play at, it isnt about how many medals and cups ye win its about that man who is always at the pitch - putting out flags setting up the goals for underage matches cutting the grass etc, its about the mammys who make tea and sandwiches who put on a party after the u10s big day out, ita about that kid who scored that point in the u12 final and that kid who goes on to play county and becomes the next generations local hero. The clubs son.Its about the people who are never mentioned at Croke Park yet are always there, you dont choose your club you are born to it, your club jersey isnt a tshirt its a symbol of your pride. and for me my club is my 2nd home. no matter what happens in life your pitch your club your team/friends are always their. My club isnt perfect by any strech of the imagination, we play an average leval of football, we dont win alot, we fight, we make up, for me and many more my club is part of my extended family and i wouldnt change it for the world. Club should ALWAYS come before county!

alltheway (Meath) - Posts: 3 - 21/03/2011 20:45:30    893415

my county means more to me than my club. the club is like an irish political party i think.its an amalgamation of people who for some can cause problems about who you are and where you've come from. its a very nepotistic organisation too, where you can nearly predict who the main players are in most cases. that said the flip-side is that it binds people together and playing with school friends creates a sense of belonging and pride that is hard to beat. i personally just prefer the anominity of county level support. i enjoy meeting fellow dubs, and others, without having to form cliques based on family ties, wealth and prestige. at county level, the one cause is supporting the team and everything is second to that. i generally just think the club is far to similar to any group people have direct input into and i reckon its good to get away from that now and again.

seany16 (Dublin) - Posts: 1658 - 21/03/2011 21:04:37    893437

My club is fun. I like my club.

Hanley2 (Longford) - Posts: 420 - 21/03/2011 21:36:10    893480

It means more to me than my wife!

OffalyBigBall (Offaly) - Posts: 635 - 22/03/2011 09:49:49    893561

My club is my tribe. Love them or hate them I just couldn't follow or support any other team in the county. Like family members you fall out, but on the odd big day it brings the whole parish together in one common goal to support the team. On the bad days everybody blames everybody else.

It's the same with the county. Donegal doing well brings all the supporters together, but when we blow our chances everyones an expert. And then it starts all over again next year!!

GAA, it's like a family, frustrating at times but you keep coming back for more!!!

eogran (Donegal) - Posts: 6 - 22/03/2011 11:36:38    893680

The club is hugely important but the county means more. I self identify first and foremost as a kerryman.

mikeoc (Kerry) - Posts: 567 - 22/03/2011 13:13:46    893766

alltheway
County: Meath
Posts: 3

Well said lad, your nothing without your club, always club before county!

killer_88_ (Mayo) - Posts: 2040 - 22/03/2011 14:10:51    893810

The club is hugely important. My club had a good year this year winning a Leinster title. Going to away matches on buses with neighbours, people you went to school with and family friends was great. Running out onto the pitch knowing every single one of the players and their families. Celebrating with people you'll bump into in the shop or mass the next morning and talk about it all again. It's a great community to be involved in.

I love my county too. I don't think I'd prefer one to the other but there's something different about being involved with your club.

kefan (Kildare) - Posts: 498 - 22/03/2011 14:46:22    893854

It means no social life and rows among cousins to me. Apart from that tis great.

Brolly (Monaghan) - Posts: 4472 - 22/03/2011 16:11:18    893954