We're just one sleep away from the launch of our newly designed website but before we embark on a new journey, we're looking back across the five years of Balls.ie one last time and choosing a team of the most Balls.ie type players throughout our existence.
We're just one sleep away from the launch of our newly designed website but before we embark on a new journey, we're looking back across the five years of Balls.ie one last time and choosing a team of the most Balls.ie type players throughout our existence.
The criteria for making this team is a bit hard to nail down. Skill is not high on the agenda, nor is familiarity with actually playing Gaelic football. What we look for are the players who entertained, who played a starring role on our site, and those who were just a bit different from the norm.
The Team
1. Davy Fitz
We couldn't not take this man out of retirement for the Balls team of our existence. The reasons for his inclusion are fairly obvious.
2. Ciaran Lenehan
We had to convert the Meathman to a corner back but there was no way he didn't make the team. The funniest GAA player - perhaps the funniest Irish sports star, full stop - on Twitter, Lenehan is an integral part of this line-up.
Confusion reigns as meeting of Dublin Football backroom team mistaken for water protests... #GAA pic.twitter.com/TAJn5eY4WM
— Ciarán Lenehan (@CiaranLen) December 10, 2014
3. Richard Dunne
The obvious choice at full-back. Probably the best Irish player of Balls' generation, Dunne is the only player of our team to actually have a day of the year named after him.
6 September - the day Richard met the Russians.
4. Joey Barton
Joey Barton has been through a lot since Balls launched and we've been there every step of the way. Already a member of the traffic hall of fame, we've no worries over whether he can make the jump to Gaelic football. Sure isn't he an avid fan?
Sky Sports 3 now. GAA semi final replay. ???? #hearditwasacracker — Joseph Barton (@Joey7Barton) August 31, 2014
5. Laois steward
Some might call this man a surprise inclusion but he was the sole reason GIFs were invented, after all, so how could we leave him out?
6. Davy Hare
When choosing a centre half back, you need an enforcer; a man who won't back down and is not afraid to get into a row if needs be.
That man is Davy Hare.
7. Terry Phelan
A true cult hero, Phelan has been as much a part of Balls as any other sports star. He easily takes his place at wing back and as chief goal celebration organiser.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uXauYVy_dws
8. Sean O'Brien
He may have made him name as a rugby player but we've no qualms about putting SOB in at midfield in our team of the five years.
Strong, a good runner and well able to take a shoulder.
9. Rory Gallagher
The singer as opposed to the current Donegal manager. Gallagher lit up the 2012 summer with undoubtedly the GAA song of the 21st century.
I dare you to watch it without the lyrics getting stuck in your hear again.
10. Simon Zebo
A player who'll keep moral among the team high and has the capability to produce a piece of magic out of nothing. Zeebs is definite in our forward line.
11. Tim Tebow
Some - including a couple of detractors in our own office - may say that putting Tim Tebow at centre half forward is perhaps the worst decision we've ever made, but there is no denying that once upon a time, Tebow's star shone brighter than most.
For those couple of months alone, he makes it.
12. Paul Galvin
Galvin is obviously our other wing half forward. There was never any doubt that he would be. For every reason that makes him great.
13. Stephanie Roche
At corner forward, we have the scorer of the best Irish goal in Balls.ie history. Sure it wasn't even close.
14. Mario Balotelli (2010-2013)
He'll keep us entertained but I don't know if we can rely on his for scores.
15. Joe Brolly
The perfect man to round-off our team of the Balls era. We don't always agree with his opinions but he's a fantastic writer. a stand-up guy and our favourite insomniac.
Also, don't forget to follow @TheSlicedPan on Twitter, the social media home of our new entertainment site which launches tomorrow.
[interaction id="5558bf3a85fa298e44550655"]