An American family have made some funny observations after going to their first ever hurling match, and a lot of Irish people probably wouldn't notice these more quirky aspects to the sport.
Cork Beo report that the family said they "loved" their visit and with mam Mandi, who runs the Youtube account 'Nonsense of Mandi', uploading loads of great footage from their fun day out.
The gang attended a league game between Limerick and Offaly in the Gaelic Grounds back in March, and strung together a vlog which was put up in May.
READ MORE: Tomas Ó Sé pulls out of the running for Offaly job leaving uncertainty around Faithful county
They got a real show on the day, with the All-Ireland Champions running riot scoring 4-29 to the Biffo's 0-17.
But it wasn't just the crazy fast-paced sport that got their attention, there were loads of other little things that they found different compared to back home - from pitch invasions to lack of cheerleaders and of course, where are the lads' pads?
Here's just some of the stuff they noticed:
The turnstyles are tiny
All stadiums around Ireland, both in GAA and other spots, are a tight squeeze when it comes to getting in. This was something they found strange compared to events back home where there's plenty of room and entrances into things are easy to find.
Mandi said: "We came late to this game and we couldn't spot the doorway anywhere. Just one giant building with no door. Finally we spot four tiny slits into the building and it was basically like sneaking in.
Kids go free?
Mandi says they didn't know this about the league and had forked out tickets for all of them, only for the smallies to go straight through.
Kids bringing their own gear
They loved that the young chaps brought their own hurleys and sliotars and would play beside the field before, after, and during the main game.
Tis fast
She said: "Our host was very excited that we were going to a hurling game and he boast that it was the fastest sport ever played on a field, it is true? I don't know. But it did look like it."
It is true, we're not even going to bother Google it.
Lack of pads
One of the kids notes: "It's so funny. They have to wear helmets but they wear tiny little shorts and little shirts. Literally nothing else is protected."
They also joke how "players can get bashed in the face without a penalty". Another comparison that was to quidditch, the game from Harry Potter. They said: "Does this not look exactly like the beater part of quidditch? But like the entire game. You heard it here first, hurlers are basically just Fred and George Weasley."
Cash is king
Mandi also says that American sports events tend to be card-only and cash won't fly at all, which was the opposite this day in the Gaelic Grounds where they couldn't buy anything because they didn't know. In fairness this one's not a common occurrence.
Cheerleaders
Irish people only really know what they are from either being in the states or from TV. And the Americans notice the lack of them here too, "I don't think I've ever seen a European team with any kind of cheerleader" Mandi says.
Pitch invasions
After the full time whistle the kids are straight onto the field, and the Americans are a bit nervy about it at first but eventually the two youngest shoot off into the crowd to run around. It's probably one of the more unique things in GAA compared to other sports but not a lot of Irish people would think about it much. Remember the pushback when they decided to stop letting it happen in Croke Park?
But one bit that Mandi also liked about it was that the players took pictures with everyone, and she noted that the bigger the circle around a player the more well-known they were.
"It's like after a musical, like meet the performers. This is like meet the players."
Reaction
Their video got a lot of great reaction from Irish people, with well over 100 comments.
Mandi's last note in the video was that it was the best way to get to know a culture, and everyone agreed.
One said: "I'm from Limerick and what you said at the end is true. Hurling is something pure, I gave my life to the game and was never paid and got some terrible injuries but I'd do it all again without a second thought. Not for glory, honour, or money, just for the love of it.
Another said: "Fair play to you and your family for going to the match and trying to understand it, your son seems very interested in the game, hope ye enjoyed your stay."
One added: "Very fun video. Its always fun to hear peoples opinion on our culture."
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