*How to speak Irish

Many of the words below are in daily use by most Irish.

The GAA is the Gaelic Athletic Association and is the governing body of Irish football and hurling. There is a club in every town.

Now that the season is getting into swing, the following might be useful...

GAA Phrases

Bollix: - The Referee

Mighty :- Very good

Hames :- A right shite, e.g. 'He made a hames of that chance'

Timber: - Intimidation of a hurling opponent, e.g. 'Show him some timber'

Lamp :- A good thump, e.g. 'I swung for the sliotar (the ball), missed by 3 feet and lamped the full back'

A Crowd :- A gathering of people who watch a match and hope for random acts
of violence, e.g. Waterford supporters

Schkelp: - To remove living tissue in the absence of surgical procedures,e.g. 'That shite from Tipp took a schkelp outta me leg'

Hatchet Man :- Mountainy type, uses hunter/gatherer instincts

Bullin': - Angry, e.g. 'The centre half was bullin' after I lamped him'

Bull Thick: - Very angry, e.g. 'The centre half was bull thick after I Iamped him again'


Joult: - A push, e.g. 'I gave him a joult and he has to wear a neck brace for 2 weeks'

The Comm-A-Teee: - Local GAA bullshitters in general

Bushted :- An undefined soreness, e.g. 'Jayz me arm is bushted'

The Bomber :- Popular name for a fat hairy GAA player

A Hang Sangwidge :- Consumed with 'tay' on the sides of roads after matches in Pairc Ui Chaoimh or Thurles, usually contains half a pound of butter

Rake: - A great amount of anything, usually pints of Guinness the night before an important match

Indanamajaysus (in-da-nama-Jaysus): - What was that for, referee?

Ya Bollix Ya :- Corner back's formal recognition of a score by his opponent

Leh-It-In-Ta-Fuck-Wud-Ya :- Full forwards appeal to a midfielder for a more timely delivery of the pass

Mullocker: - Untidy or awkward player released for matches

Burst The Bollix :- Instructions from the sideline to tackle your man

Row :- Disagreement involving four or more players

Shamozzle: - Disagreement involving both teams, including goalies, substitutes and supporters jumping fences

All-Hell-Broke-Loose :- A massive row that continues out in the parking area or dressing room areas, usually resolved by the Gardai - very popular in Wicklow