Sunday was Ireland’s equivalent of the Super Bowl. Teams from Cork and Down played in Dublin for the Irish football championship. Cork won by one point, after a twenty year championship drought. Down had gotten to finals by beating perennial champion Kerry.
Marty and I learned about this when having dinner (great meal) at the Ballyferriter Hotel pub and restaurant, where our B&B host had dropped us off at for dinner. Turns out the pub was full of Cork fans, wearing Cork red and white. Kind of like walking into a bar full of Ohio State fans, except these fans were celebrating pretty peacefully.
So Marty and I got to watch a replay of the game, and learn a little about Irish (Gaelic) football.
If you remember the early days of ESPN (before ESPN invented replays of Sportcenter to fill up their air time), they used to show Australian Rules Football. A lot. Well, Irish football is similar like that. Some characteristics of rugby, a bit of soccer, and some things unique. It’s continuous play, but you can carry the ball some. There is passing, but scoring is done only by kicking the ball. One point for kicks over the goal posts, three points for kicking it under the goal posts past the goalie.
It’s fun to watch. Unfortunately, the game doesn’t require players to develop the skills necessary to be an NFL quarterback. Matt Moore may have played Irish football.
Irish football also differs from American collegiate and NFL football in that the players are amateur. They all have other jobs. Or attend class.
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