Kerry Vs Cork in All Ireland Semi-Finals

As I have said before Karen is one of the soundest people I have ever met, and since she is Captain Amazing she treated me to a Gaelic Football match with herself and her Da. She has been following Kerry (Chiarraí in Irish pronounced like Kiersey but with no 's' in it) since she is from Scartaglin in Co. Kerry. We followed the throng of people flocking to the stadium. We finally found our way to our seats only to find out we were nearly at the half mark only two rows back from the pitch, best seats in the house!

The Minors (18 and under) were playing first at Croake Park and it happen to by Kerry vs Mayo. Karen's Da, Dave, had played as a youngster so he filled me in with all the rules and what not. You can only take three steps before you can; 'dribble' it once, pass, or kick it back into your hands. The last one being the most difficult and it a feat to be seeing doing it at a sprint. With nearly 38,000 people filling Croake Park and the fans intermixed, it was quite a game. Kerry minors had a near upset, but ended it a tie. That is one thing about GAA that I found interesting that when you tie you just play a rematch at another time.

Sort of anti-climatic for my first match, but with the sun shining down, waving my Kerry flag furiously and an ice cream in hand I was ready for the men to come out and play in their short little tight shorts! It was Cork and Kerry. Those counties are right next to each other and quite the rivals. If you kick the ball over the uprights like in American football it is worth 1 point, but you kick it in the goal like in soccer it is worth three. I whooped and cheered and hollered with the best of them. 'Up the Kingdom!', 'Go the Kingdom', 'Go on ye lads!' I was hoarse! And I made Karen's da proud with my cheering skills. Kerry was ahead for most of the match, but in the last 6 minutes with Kerry up by 7, Cork rallies and comes back to tie it up. People had been leaving the stadium thinking Kerry had it in the bag. The game ends with yet another tie. I do not make it to the other games, but Kerry does beat out Cork to go on to the finals but eventually loses to Tyrone. Next year lads!

After the match we headed to Temple Bar Pub where we had a few scoops of Guinness and listened to some live music. The musician played Karen some Kerry songs since she saw her jersey and my flag. Ben came down to meet with us. They even payed a few songs I knew, and Karen taught me some of the naughty versions to be sung with then as well. Cheeky wee monkey. It was just a good ending to a good day. Little sunburned, good company and great craic!