The Nanny Diaries: Cork vs. Kerry Match

On Friday night, we cheered on the US in the World Cup!

Ever since I arrived in Ireland, I've been hearing about their unusual sports. Gaelic Football and Hurling are the two main sports (I guess tug of war takes a close third?). When Emily, Taylor, and I heard Cork was hosting a gaelic football match last weekend, we decided it was the golden opportunity to witness what all the fuss was about. County Cork (where I live, in southern Ireland) and County Kerry (Cork's 'next door neighbor' to the west) are Virginia vs. Virginia Tech caliber rivals and, to make things even more exciting, this was the semi-final match for their league. The two teams actually tied the first time they met for the semi-finals, so this was the 'replay' match- obviously they are very evenly matched. We were very lucky to get tickets.

Even though these athletes are not technically paid (except for attending certain events for publicity reasons), they are the equivalent of our major league/professional athletes. Even though they are professional sports, the stadiums are very aged. It was interesting walking into the stadium.. the outside of the stadium makes it look like a run-down, 60 year old high school football stadium, but once you get in its incredibly nice- or at least the field is! Security at these games is NOTHING like the security we would face at home. ALL you have to do is show your ticket. I was carrying a big purse and they did not even attempt to search it. That really took me by surprise. No telling what people could be carrying into these matches!

The match started with the two teams walking side by side in straight lines around the perimeter of the field... of course bag pipers were playing while they did this! After their national anthem, the match began. I may have explained this before, but gaelic football (in my opinion) is much more exciting and fast-paced than soccer. Players can use their hands to dribble or carry the ball, or they can kick it. The goals look like a cross between football goal posts and a soccer goal. Players can score underneath in the net for 3 points or kick/hand bump it through the upright poles for 1 point. Because its so much easier to score through the football style goal, a lot more scoring goes on than in soccer.

We didn't expect to get so into the match, but we were getting very upset and screaming by the end! Unfortunately the Rebels (Cork) lost in double overtime, but it was still an all around electric atmosphere to be in.