Ireland will come to a standstill today for Dublin v Kerry so here we GAA with sport’s biggest rivalries.
The two great Gaelic Football or Gaelic Athletics Association (GAA) rivals have been facing off against each other since 1892.
So if you’re lucky, or you’ve planned ahead, then you’ll find yourself in Dublin on All-Ireland weekend.
When the Dubs and Kerry meet for the 14th time to decide who takes Sam home.
Sam being the iconic Sam Maguire after whom GAA’s most coveted trophy is named.
And paraded around the winning county’s clubs, filled to the brim with booze.
Croker is the real thing
Now seeing we live our lives by the mantra… go to where the locals pray and play we’d recommend the temple of GAA, Croke Park.
The 82,000 capacity North Dublin stadium affectionately known to locals as Croker which also houses the All-Ireland hurling final.
And Limerick’s hurlers are still in full party mode after beating their great rivals Kilkenny for their fourth title in a row.
Aussie rules
Famous travellers that they are the Irish took their Gaelic football with them when they were transported to Australia.
Where the sport developed into the Aussie Rules that it is today.
And the two countries play an international compromise series.
The biggest match of them all is the Grand final with Melbourne giants Carlton v Collingwood the fiercest match-up.
And every sports fan, and even those who don’t, need to visit the iconic MCG, the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
It’s a thing that they play Aussie Rules on a cricket oval which I know from watching the action at London’s Foster’s Oval.
Boston’s team party
And when it comes to sporting rivalries then in America old historical rivalries run deep.
And when you add the snatching of a heroic player, Babe Ruth who you build your club around.
And curse their opponents then it’s plain to see…
Why the Boston Red Sox and the New York Yankees built up a grudge match.
Boston, of course, is one of America’s great sporting cities.
And its basketball team, the Celtics, have built up quite the history with the LA Lakers.
And its ice hockey team, the Bruins, with the Montreal Canadiens.
While Tom Brady and the New England Patriots built up a resentment from New York, yes, but right across the States.
El Classico
Now there are other soccer rivalries including Scotland’s Celtic and their Old Firm derby with Rangers.
But there’s only one El Classico… Barcelona v Real Madrid.
Although there are variations on that theme around the world this football classic allows you to sample the Iberian Peninsula.
And yes, you have to take sides, so full disclosure here it’s been Barcelona ever since I first helicoptered over the Camp Nou.
And got wrapped up in Messimania many years later.
Get in the hole
Now some old rivalries have enjoyed refurbs to become bigger and better than ever.
With the Ryder Cup, held for most of its history between GB & Ireland, now extended to include Europe.
All of which has meant that as well as the British and Irish heartlands.
We’ve now had Ryder Cups in Spain, France and this September in Rome.
Where we’re hoping that instead of the oft-exclaimed exhort of Fore! we’ll be hearing Forza! instead.
Back to the All-Ireland and if you’re not, or can’t be, at Croker today.
Then the big match is on RTÉ obvs but also now BBC Sport at 3pm.
It’s a good place to start as here we GAA with sport’s biggest rivalries.
