When it comes to our sport, we Irish are a passionate lot.
But no sports get our blood pumping like the Gaelic ones. And this Sunday will see the second All-Ireland senior championship final grip the nation.
Day of days. Twins and All Ireland tickets arrive at around the same time.
— Ciaran McMonagle (@CiaranMcMonagle) September 12, 2014
If you’re lucky enough to be in Croker on Sunday to watch Donegal take on Kerry, a true spectacle awaits.
Your pulse will quicken at the first brassy note of the national anthem. Your attention will be locked on the skilful manoeuvring of the men on the field.
And the thousands of viewers at home, who couldn’t get tickets, will hate you.
Coming to terms with not having a ticket is much like coming to terms with grief. There are six stages you’ll need to get through.
1: Disbelief
The first stage is shock. Utter shock at having missed out.
“There’s no way I didn’t get tickets. It must be some sort of mistake. They can’t have sold out…”
(GIF: wrestlingwithemotions.tumblr.com)
2: Denial
After shock, you pretend it never happened.
“There’ll be more tickets. There’s always more tickets. This isn’t Willy Wonka. It’s the GAA. Sure they sold out five Garth Brooks concerts, they can shake a few more out of the final. There’ll be more, just you wait…”
(GIF: Tumblr/StraightScallop)
3: Anger
A burning wave of fury overtakes you, a rage that knows no end.
“No poxy tickets for the final?! What? How could this have happened?! I got ‘John 3:16’ tattooed on my arm for this? God, why have you forsaken me?!”
(GIF: Gifbay.com)
4: Bargaining
Blinded by the wave of emotions, you turn to desperate expressions of hope to find a way of avoiding the inevitable.
“Maybe if I go to Mass and light a candle… Sure Enda Kenny doesn't need one, Mayo lost in the semis."
(GIF:Tumblt/StarWarsGifService)
5: Depression
Your emotions settle, and the reality that you have no tickets settles in. You reluctantly accept what has happened.
“Well, I suppose I’ll just watch ‘Up for the Match’ on RTÉ. Maybe Gráinne and Des will do an Oscars-selfie with the referees. Haven’t seen Crystal Swing in a while…”
(GIF: Tumblr/Marizworld)
6: Acceptance
The final stage. A return to stability, moving on to the next phase of your life.
“Sure… it might be a draw, and then there’ll have to be a replay!”
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Ah well, if you weren't watching it at home, you'd miss out on Marty Morrissey anyway.
