Jeff Stelling and Chris 'Kammy' Kamara called into studio to tell us all about their first All-Ireland final, and their voyage in getting there. We even got an "Unbelievable Jeff"!!
For anyone who doesn't know, earlier this Summer, the two Premier League presenters travelled the length and breadth of Ireland in a bid to understand how grassroots GAA clubs fuel the GAA championships. Their journey was documented as part of a min-series for AIB and culminated in a test of their newfound knowledge by attending, and commentating, on their first All-Ireland football final.
The two legends are completely hooked on our beloved sport(s) and could not believe the aura in Croke park yesterday. Kammy said that he and Jeff have been to thousands of games and stadiums across the planet, but nothing made the hair on their neck stand like the atmosphere a few minutes before throw-in yesterday, "The place was electric".
Jeff spoke of the nightmare start Mayo had to the game, and how it was "all going off" during the double sending off (the commentary is hilarious). He was intrigued by the running battles in every corner of the pitch throughout the seventy eight minutes or so.
The physicality of the game/sport is also something that astonishes both men too, as Jeff refers to the players as "Land of the giants". 6ft+ of pure power!
They also paid homage to the ref(s), as they have to be at the top of their game to monitor everything happening at such a high velocity.
When Muireann asked them if they were surprised by anything they witnessed during the final, there was one observation that blew their minds - the fans. They were highly impressed by the sea of blue, green and red with no segregation, "They drink together, sit together, laugh and cry together". The Premier League could take a leaf (or most of the chapters) out of our book.
Overall, the boys met so many good people along the way and learned all about the Irish sense of community and spirit. From "not having a Scooby Doo", to dishing out stats like they're going out of business - they've been well and truly converted!
The final episode of 'Jeff & Kammy's Journey To Croker' airs on the 25th of September from 5pm, and will include their commentary of the All-Ireland football final.
Have a listen to the full interview here:
You can also watch some of it here:
For more fun interviews like this, tune into The Ian Dempsey Breakfast Show every weekday morning from 7am.
