SKY PAIR’S AWE FOR FINALISTS
JEFF STELLING has admitted he was totally unprepared for the physicality of Sunday’s All-ireland final. The Soccer Saturday host has travelled the country in a bid to understand how grassroots clubs fuel the GAA Championships in a mini-series for AIB. It reached it’s climax at Croke Park where Stelling, alongside fellow Sky Sports pundit Chris Kamara commentated on the All-ireland final where Dublin beat Mayo to clinch a historic three-in-arow. “I knew how fast a game it is but what I wasn’t prepared for was the incredible, electric atmosphere and the sheer physicality of the All-ireland final,” Stelling said. “I hadn’t seen that before.” Donie Vaughan’s sending off was a defining moment, coming shortly after John Small was given his marching orders. But Stelling felt there could have been even more expulsions and praised the officials who had their work cut out for them on the day. “During commentary Kammy said, ‘The referee needs 100 pairs of eyes here’ and they do because it was just going on everywhere – little niggles and clashes going on absolutely all over the pitch! But it was riveting. “I’m used to soccer and you can’t get away with it, you’re under a microscope all the time. “But a lot of it is relatively insignificant stuff, just Player A winding up Player B as much as they possibly can. It sort of added to the enjoyment in a curious way.” While the the onfield clashes had Kamara and Stelling wincing in their seats, they were impressed by the friendly atmosphere off it. Stelling said: “It was amazing to see fans beforehand sitting together, drinking together, laughing together, crying together and drinking together afterwards again. It’s a joy and really uplifting.”