What’s that on your washing line?

There is no sports fanatic quite as fanatical as a GAA fan of a small village in Ireland. Anyone that doesn’t support their local team is viewed with suspicion and mutterings of being a traitor. Stories of fist fights between players on the pitch spreading to spectators is not unheard of. Referees have been threatened and in one particular case a number of years ago, one was even “kidnapped” because of a disputed result.

There may be a little embellishment in the above, but the passion for the game and loyalty to the local team is without question.

I thought it funny when I heard recently about my niece’s sister. She plays for the team in Wicklow Town, 2 miles down the road from her home village of Rathnew. What team she plays for is not important to her. It’s the sport that counts – which is a great thing for all teenagers. Despite this (and here’s the funny bit ) when she hangs her team jersey out on the line to dry she places a tea towel front and back to hide it from fanatical eyes!