The Magnificent Senior Seven

Thursday night was the last official night of GAA training at the local pitch and, in droves, the under 6's, 8's, 10's and 12's arrived, with rumour rife among them that there was to be PIZZA ! On a cool but dry evening the community was abuzz with excited children, cheerful coaches, much relieved mentors and busy club committee members. Hubby and I traveled up together to support and cheer and catch up on some chat with the other parents, membership of your local GAA club being the key to feeling part of it all and accepted when you swoop in from a foreign parish. As GASP strolled over to some of the fathers I chatted happily to The Ban Garda , Cowgirl Caitriona and the Sheep Yeaner . " Training " commenced, but on this special night, was basically fun filled kicking around with the children competing against both their own age group, but also their coaches. Next thing, I know, like the trailer for the Magnificent Seven, GASP sauntered past gesturing to The Sheep Yeaner to come with the group that had formed and was making it's way over to the under 10's pitch. I watched in amazement as Chicken Curran, Speedy Sheehy, Danger Zone Dillon, The GAA Magpie, Sneaky Sheehy, GASP and Deputy Dillon sniggered and giggled like childer as they made their way onto the pitch amongst about 25 very excitable under 10 year olds. Without any strategic discussion, codes or tactics, like old pros they assumed their positions of old on the pitch and literally took off ! It was a joy to behold, the old boys versus the young, experience and wisdom versus youth and vitality. I had never seen GASP move so fast, show such ball skills or look so happy ? If only we could reproduce that combination at home....hem ! The GAA Magpie, a man for whom soccer has dominated his life, has obviously been paying close attention on the sidelines of his children's games and scored 2 goals....mind you...maybe he still doesn't know you can score over the bar in this strange sport ?? Danger zone Dillon stopped every attempt by the under 10's to score choosing to play the ball upfield to either Sneaky or Speedy Sheehy who swiftly, deftly and under the radar then hand passed to either the Sheep Yeaner or Deputy Dillon. From here my one and only GASP "the gaffer
", legs running like a wind up toy charged after the ball surrounded by 10 year olds, until he released it to the GAA Magpie who was lying in wait to plant it, yet again in the back of the others nest.
I must admit to having got quite excited by the sight of all these middle aged men of the parish showing off their ball skills, speed and agility so publicly, as they are an understated lot normally. Whatever about Mothers and Others, I think the club seriously needs to consider a male version for those who can still remember their Junior and Intermediate glory days ....maybe Daddies and Laddies, Outlaws and Inlaws or, looking at how they came of the pitch....Loins and Groins ! The sweat was standing on GASP as he gratefully accepted a drink and slice of pizza from one of the mammies. I found him VERY attractive but was well aware that encouraging extra curricular activities might backfire, in that it might limit his ability to perform the basic physical requirements I have for him at home....ho hum.....decisions decisions !