16 Of The Oddest And Greatest GAA Stories Of 2013

Never mind the mainstream, 2013 was a great year for the quirky and more peculiar side of the GAA. Here we relive some of our favourite moments that didn't make the backpage headlines but certainly made a home in our hearts.

So, in no particular order..

1. The case of the missing jumper

There was panic followed by panic followed by great relief.

In After match celebrations a #Roscommon #gaa Supporter dropped a good jumper on the pitch in Tullamore today Roscommon Co Secretary has it

— Ross Supporters Club (@RossSupporters) August 5, 2013

An Ecstatic Rossie reunited with his "good jumper" by Supporters Club Chairman Brian Carroll & Treasurer Tom Murray pic.twitter.com/cdUhHsXKLy — Ross Supporters Club (@RossSupporters) August 7, 2013

2. We had the greatest half-time entertainment in GAA history

Ger Brennan's four-year-old twin nephews were going at it hammer and tongs at the Dublin county final.

3. Meticulous fight preparation

Davey Hare teaches us to never leave your glasses in the line of fire.

4. GAA boot technology took a major step forward

Only the best and finest for the Junior B stars of Tracton GAA (aka AC Minane) in Co Cork.

5. This happened...

Adrian Chiles; Croke Park regular and hurling's newest fan.

6. Pat Spillane decided we wanted to share a story about him getting the shift in Australia

A mental image that will never ever leave me.

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7. And then Joe Brolly decided to open up also

Not to be trumped by Spillane, Brolly decided to give us a story about him getting the shift in America:

'After the first training session with the team in Van Courtland Park, we went to the bar overlooking the park and got very drunk. “Duck, young Brolly,” said one of the older lads, just as a volley of empty shot glasses smashed against the wall of the pub. I had barely straightened up when they drilled another row of shots and another half dozen egg cups shattered against the wall. At this point, I got into a safer position behind a pillar. Thing was, nobody asked them to stop. It was like Vikings drinking after they had sacked the nunnery and cut off the locals’ heads. As the night wore on I fell in with a girl and after a short time we were earnestly telling each other how much we loved one another. In the small hours, we ventured outside, she produced keys to an ancient $300 sedan and full as a monkey, she drove home. When she reached her building, she turned right a bit too hard and drove straight into the wall of the apartment block. It was like the opening credits in “Police Squad” where the squad car drives straight into the dustbins. She didn’t even reverse. Just left the car with its nose crushed against the wall. Next morning when we emerged, she saw the damage and said, “What were you thinking of driving home? Look what you’ve done to my car.”’

- Extract from the Derry Journal