Sports fans...
A curious breed, it seems that as soon as their team crosses the paint and runs onto the pitch the person they are from Monday-Friday suddenly disappears, and is replaced by a completely different entity.
With the September air starting to chill and the big match approaching on Sunday, now is time for GAA fans to take centre stage.
While they come in all different shapes, sizes and allegiances, you're always bound to come across a few of the same old predictable characters come game day...
So, here are just a few of the fans you might encounter this weekend in the lead up to the colossal Mayo v Dublin All-Ireland Final.
1. The Part-time Journalist:
This is a fan that has scarcely seen a match all year, but they've read a few articles and listened to a bit of talk back radio in the lead up, and now all of a sudden there isn't a more knowledgeable sports fan in the country than this one.
You're likely to hear quotes such as the following from this fan:
''They haven't put a foot wrong all year, but in the pressure of a final you never know!''
''They have such great depth on the bench, you'll really see their fresh legs come to the fore in the final minutes''
*After a side wins* ''You know, they really won it at the selection table. They picked a side to play to the conditions and it paid off. The manager won this one.''
This fan's comments are often met with a subtle eye roll from their friends.
2. The Superstitious One:
''Nobody move! You're all in lucky positions!'' You may hear this person scream as someone tries to get up for a bathroom break during the first half. This fan has been wearing the same game-day underwear for the past 18-seasons. And are completely convinced that their teams fortunes rest on them pulling on their lucky under garments.
They're so meticulous that they always ensure the TV is facing in a south westerly direction, the door is half a-jar and the m&m's are all separated into 'good and bad' colours.
This fan will undoubtedly blame themselves if their team happens to lose.
3. The Quietly Confident Fan:
This fan isn't saying anything...they know their team is more than a good chance of winning. But they're fully aware that any comments they make about their team triumphing may come back to haunt them. They’ve poured over all the stats, watched every game, knows his sides players inside and out...has calculated a greater than 70% chance of victory.
But still...
You won't hear a peep out of them until the final whistle blows.
4. The Bragger:
A social media pest, this fan has been antagonizing fans of the opposing side all week with snide comments on Facebook posts. If they win, this fan will send an epic victory message rant to your phone straight away. Conversely however, if they suffer a loss you're unlikely to hear from them for a week. This is the type of fan that will never acknowledge a good piece of play from the opposition, no matter how impressive.
This fan is not someone you want to be around if their team gets over the line...for about the next month.
5. The True Fan:
Unfortunately for this fan, their team has been defeated...but that's not enough to dampen the pride they have in their club colours, no! Instead of wallowing in self pity, this fan will wipe the tears away, puff out their chest, put their camera on reverse, take to Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and Snapchat, and post an emotion charged selfie with a caption along the lines of 'Not good enough today, credit to the opposition, we'll be back next year!''
You can’t help but have respect for this kind of fan, they bleed for their team!
6. The Neutral:
There's no pressure on this fan, no nervous energy. Their team barley won a game all year, and they've made their peace with that...
Today they just want to kick back, relax, and watch the spectacle. Sure, they might choose to align themselves with another team for the day, but they may also choose not to, it's totally up to them.
They're in for an enjoyable day.
One thing is certain with this fan however...when asked who they want to win, their response? ''Oh, doesn't bother me, I just want to see a good match,'' how diplomatic.
7. The Stats Extraordinaire:
This fan knows absolutely everything about their team, everything. We're talking from the size of their boots, to amount of points they kicked in their first year of Minor County. They love nothing better than correcting an incorrect stat, sometimes even willing to interrupt someone else's conversation to do so.
They're able correctly name every member of the championship winning team from 1976 without hesitation.
For them, nothing beats the feeling of reeling off a really obscure stat, and hearing the words ‘Oh, didn’t know that.’
And finally...
8. The Bandwagoner:
Where has this fan been all year? Do they even like football? All of a sudden they turn up fully decked out in their club colours, screaming and yelling at the TV like their life hangs on the outcome of the game. This person wasn't even aware there was a final on until three-days ago, but here they are passionate as anyone!
As soon as the game is over however, it’s straight to the back of the wardrobe with the scarf, and who knows they’ll see the light of day again...
So there you have it, just a few of the fans you might come across this Sunday. Regardless who you support we hope you enjoy the match and have a great day! If your team is playing, win or lose, you might want to start working on those excuses for not turning up on Monday now, just in case.
