The beautiful game with a Gaelic twist

Sport, travel and experiencing a culture unknown to me before – my first ever visit to Ireland was one that will stay with me forever.

What more could a 29-year-old sports enthusiast ask for?

This was not just a weekend away, it was the chance to learn the basics of a sport that, to be honest, I knew hardly anything about.

Gaelic football is loved by millions in Ireland and not just loved – the sport is something of a religion for the Irish population. Like football in England, it is the game that melts into people's hearts, and means so much to so many.

The sport which combines the skills of football, basketball and rugby into one compelling game is played by millions from an early age.

The aim of teams of 15 players is to kick or punch a round ball into a net (scoring three points) or over a crossbar for one point. The goal resembles that used in rugby but having a net attached.

The staggering thing is no one earns a single penny from it with its top stars living, shall we say, normal lives and working as bank clerks, shop assistants, general managers and many other job titles away from the field.

Gaelic football is one of the world's biggest amateur sports and is watched by thousands week in and week out throughout Ireland.

Talented youngsters get to represent their county then play at the same level until the day they give up the sport for good.

Unlike football or any other sport, there are no transfers or switches to other clubs. Once a talented player is chosen, represented by one of Ireland's many counties, then he stays on their books. How refreshing is that?

Despite it being an amateur sport, no stranger would guess, giving its status in Ireland.

Thousands of fans come in droves during the season to support their county heroes and live coverage of its biggest games are broadcast like it's a million-dollar sport.

I was very privileged to be in Dublin and learn all about the sport, its origins and experience one of Gaelic football's biggest matches on the domestic calendar at the stunning 70,000 capacity Croke Park Stadium to watch the GAA semi-final between Kerry and Tyrone with a place in the GAA All Ireland Final grand final up for grabs.

As I was watching (trying to work out what actually was going on) I considered how good a Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo would be if they too were in a sport where you could use your hands as well as your feet. There would be no stopping them.

And my word, the Irish players don't hold back.

I lost count of how many scuffles Isaw. It was like watching clips of the famous Leeds United sides from the 1970s.

The match was pure entertainment with a constant flow of drama, controversy and a nail-biting finale between two very competitive sides.

I've been a season ticket holder at Derby County for 20 years so I'm used to seeing tears and rage but this was a thrilling spectacle from start to end.

Kerry won the match, deservedly, 18-14, but I didn't care who won – it was great to watch an event from a neutral standpoint and just enjoy the compelling drama.

The crowd made so much noise throughout it made for a fantastic atmosphere.

Getting back to the neighbouring Croke Park Hotel for a pint was an experience too, the queues were extraordinary.

A tour of a Gaelic football training academy on the outskirts of Dublin for a training session was fascinating, the place was filled with people learning about the sport, and it seems the popularity is growing so much that even stag parties are travelling to Ireland to experience the sport and bond over a tussle on the field.

As for my training session, it proved to be great fun but not a easy as I'd first thought.

First I was taught the basics in hurling – another Gaelic game played in Ireland and then Gaelic football.

To be truthful, the session wasn't my finest hour, constantly dropping the ball and pretending to know what I was doing when I actually had no idea, but it proved a great laugh.

Aside from the Gaelic football, staying at The Croke Park was a delightful experience. I'd even go as far to say it was the best hotel I've been in. Stunning rooms and the food was brilliant – especially the full English breakfasts which helped prior to the training session!

There was also a great cycle tour of Dublin which was really enjoyable despite the constant showers.

As I headed back to the airport returning to the UK, I managed to get a couple of Irish newspapers which had the back pages filled with Kerry's thrilling win.

For an amateur sport to make back page headlines shows just how much Gaelic Football means to the people of Ireland and its easy to see why – it's a weekend I'll remember forever.

Travel facts:

Aer Lingus flies from Birmingham to Dublin four times daily with fares starting from £19.99 one way, including taxes and charges for travel until April 30, 2016. For more information visit aerlingus.com

Rooms at The Croke Park start from 99 euros (£73). Visit the website www.doyle collection.com/hotels/the-croke-park-hotel

For more information and fixtures list for the 2016 season at Croke Park Stadium, visit www.crokepark.ie/home