First Training of The Season

On Monday, the 2nd of February, the long-awaited moment arrived: the first training of the season. After two long and dark months without Gaelic football, we could finally hit the field again. Hopes and turnout numbers were high for the first training. We were welcomed by a good bunch of new lads, doubling our Irish players, with more than 15 people joining the session. Overall, it was a great group playing at all different levels.

Whilst putting on our boots and gloves, there was a chance to catch up with each other and to get to know the new players. After our tactically delayed preparation, it was time to run off all the Christmas food, pints of Guinness, and lazy snacks. With perceived temperatures of -10°C, we all battled the wind and cold, but luckily, we were warmed by each other’s company and by Ciarán’s (not missed) warm-up.

The opening exercises were combined with learning each other’s names, which proved to be a challenging and possibly not super-efficient combination. We will catch up on this during the upcoming season. Additionally, we all needed to get back into the game after the long break. But we had great craic getting to know each other, figuring out the game again, and introducing the new people to the sport, whilst the more experienced lads had the chance to challenge each other.

We concluded the training with a game, successful points and attempts were made, and, most importantly, where everyone did their best and had good craic. After, we cycled home and enjoyed a well-deserved warm shower, pondering the muscle pain that lay ahead.