The final four months of the year, a new beginning to some, a chance at redemption, hope of claiming due reward for efforts past. Then there's Mayo. What did they ever do to September, twice hearts were broken in 1996 and in 2013 they were ripped apart. The Junior minister at the department of Sport, the Taoiseach for jaysus sake, they are from Mayo, and no, nothing can be done.
If the public accounts committee do one thing by September 2014, make it appropriating a loudspeaker system for the Mayo-Dublin road and rights for the continuous replaying of Barber's Adagio for Strings. Make it so Enda, make it so.
Ann-Marie Flynn put pen to paper for Balls.ie to help us all understand what Mayo was waking up to, that morning after the beating before. There's hope in here, but then again, it's the hope that'll have them kilt
http://balls.ie/gaa/mayo-all-ireland/ - read it and don't weep, unless you know..
The GAA season had reached fever pitch with the Captial City and half the population winning back Sam and PJ Browne, a lifelong supporter of cliches, decided to mark the closing of the last gate in Croke park with the list of the ultimate GAA cliches.. it was a tight pitch but he fit them all in.
Shane O'Donnell was an unknown quantity to most of the world prior to September but so was Bird Flu or One Direction at different times in the past few years. By the end of September he was a walking testament to the beautification of All Ireland winners, especially those with age and flowing locks on their side. His team-mate Podge Collins took it upon himself to stretch out a hand and beg Ruby Walsh for help.
http://balls.ie/gaa/podge-collins-posts-epic-tweet-shane-odonnells-account/
Over in Manchester, a recently bereaved Man Utd fan took it upon himself to raise a glass, smile, tear and quite a few boos after this speech at his wedding, in front of a load of city fans
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=6Dhcl3sIxuw
October,
What can you say about October, that hasn't already been said, Schools are well back, Club Championships are in full swing and it gave Conor "featured in the Guardian" Neville the chance to plot the 19 different types of Irish Sports Fan - http://balls.ie/football/irish-sports/
The biggest TV event of the year took place in a bright corridor in the Aviva, where Tony O'Donoghue took on Noel King in an interview the importance of which the world hadn't seen since Frost/Nixon.
http://balls.ie/football/video-tony-odonoghues-tense-interview-noel-king/
Another man doing interviews was Alex Ferguson, the former premier league manager had a book out and had plenty to say about it, giving interviews to everyone, even the BBC. One of the last interviews he gave on the launch day, was with Jon Snow, a man used to dealing with convicted criminals and evil dictators. He used that experience to get the best out of Mr Alex.
http://balls.ie/football/alex-ferguson-gets-put-place-john-snow/
November
Usually the half time entertainment in GAA circles consists of a rake of kids all apparently the same age despite the ridiculous height differentials, knocking a ball around the half way line. The Dublin Senior Football final appeared to be ploughing a similar furrow until the young nephews of Ger Brennan stepped in and set a new standard. Truly remarkable and uplifting stuff.
http://balls.ie/gaa/dublin-half-time-entertainment-was-brilliant/
Shane Long made a dreary Monday night something entirely different with this brilliant touch, turn and finish against Aston Villa
http://balls.ie/football/gif-sensational-strike-shane-long/
He was immediately swamped with tweets supporting a call up to the England side.. oh well http://balls.ie/news/shane-long-england/
Far be it for us to remind you of that game against New Zealand but for so much of it, we were a nation arm in arm, living the forgotten dream. Cian Healy turned into a McCaw breaking machine, and helped the creation of one of the best gifs of the year.
http://balls.ie/rugby/gif-cian-healy-runs-richie-mccaw/
December
Reviewing the very month we all sit in right now is craziness right? Well the month is a good 4/5ths over as i write this so ignore anything else that happens.
We learned very early on in the twelveth month of the year that Thomas Graveson is leading the very life we all have at one time or other planned to live, at least for a while. The Danish Lee Carsley is really making the most of retirement. - http://balls.ie/football/thomas-gravesen-las-vegas-fortune-girlfriend/
Brian O'Driscoll may be coming close to the end but he can still show us why and how he is sat firmly at the top of the Irish Sporting dinner table, an amazing between the legs pass for Leinster brought it all back
http://balls.ie/rugby/gif-brilliant-legs-pass-brian-odriscoll/
Munster weren't going to play second fiddle to the likes of O'Driscoll for long and while Leinster lay down for Northampton in the Aviva, JJ Hanrahan scored the latest in the Munster line of miracles against Perpingan - http://balls.ie/rugby/video-jj-hanrahans-miracle-stoppage-time-try/
That's 2013 in a large nutshell, highs, lows and history making moments. 2014 is around the corner, a corner that will see us all consume much drink, and enjoy healthy portions of roast bird. Next year will be bigger better and even more ridiculous here on Balls.ie. Keep coming back.
