15 perfect Christmas gifts for the sports fan in your life

THE SHOPPING DAYS are slipping by, the workplace Kris Kindle draws have been made and the stockings are hanging from the mantle-piece at home.

But what to get the sports nut on your list? Fret not, here’s some of the best ideas…

15 perfect Christmas gifts for the sports fan in your life

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The Beerbelly
Want to drink at big games? Too cheap to pay big game prices? Have I got the product for you! The Beerbelly allows you to smuggle a rubber bladder into matches as you strap it to your stomach and feed a straw towards your mouth. What could go wrong? Price: €37
Remote Control Caddy
This sofa pocket remote control organizer will arm the armchair sports fan in your life with all the ammunition needed to enjoy weekends' worth of TV action without descending into a red rage when the flicker mysteriously disappears. Snacks, remotes, TV magazines, spectacles, tissues, pen and paper, betting slips, rosary beads - all the essentials for watching the match can now be 'organised' here and all within easy reach. Price: about €12
Jedi golf club covers
Oh God, girls. You're living with someone who's not only a golf nerd - but an ACTUAL nerd too. Never mind, get them these Star Wars accessories. He may get beaten up on the back nine however. Price: €30 on Ebay
NFL Monopoly game
Money, money, money yo... Monopoly make special edition versions of the classic board game like Sponge Bob, The Simpsons and Seinfeld. Now you can buy and sell your favourite gridiron stars too.
Hurling t-shirt
Cork duo Kevin O'Leary and Cillian Moore founded clothing company Freshmilk this year. With a range that covers politics and pop culture, Ireland's hurling fans are catered for too. Real men might not wear helmets, but they're required to under Croke regulations. Very cool tee though, no?
Shatter-proof hurley
A former roofer in Co Clare, Flan Marsh, developed the shatter-safe hurley and brought it to market this year. The Broadford man developed the technology to safeguard against bits of hurleys flying dangerously into the air. Major League Baseball are also very curious about the invention. Price: Around €20Source: INPHO/Lorraine O'Sullivan
The Snood
This is the must-have accessory for the Premier League footballer in your life. Realistically, we can expect under-age players in colourful boots to don this ridiculous accessory in the first games after Christmas. If Teresa Keane is reading, however, it's probably better to get Roy socks - judging by his recent Snood rant. Price: about €20Source: Sharon Latham/Manchester City FC/Press Association Images
Books
This is the part of the Toy show when uncle Gaybo stresses the importance of giving a book as well as the beeping-and-blipping electronic toys. It's been a good year for Irish sportswriting - and atop that tree is Christy O'Connor's The Club. I missed my stop this morning as I read the final chapter on the bus. I can't say better than that. Price: Around €12
Match tickets
What better gift than a ticket to see a game? The provinces play in the Magners League over the Christmas. Source: INPHO/Morgan Treacy
New York Times crossword baseball
Eight words, starts with 'B' ends in 'ball'... that's right, it's a NY Times crossword puzzle baseball. Perfect for the commute to work.
Squareball tee-shirt
If you liked the Freshmilk tee, you'll love this. Squareball focus on stylish and witty GAA attire, for when the county colours just won't do. Price: €24
Melodic swimming goggles
When you love music so much, you need it in the pool... Price: €30
Recycled football furniture
While you're crashed out watching La Liga of a Sunday evening, you can actually sit on a football. Amazeballs. Price: approximately €80
Shoot and Match annuals
Maybe for the younger sports nut, or the young at heart (and young at reading level), these fun, information-packed yearly hardcover books are always a treat. Price: about €4 each
Ticket Stub Diary
Never forget that afternoon on the Hill when you broke a tooth in Barry's Hotel afterwards, the Coldplay gig when you lost everyone and your phone battery died or the Ireland game when you saw Robbie Keane take the goal-scoring record and you met that nurse in Coppers afterwards. This diary lets you keep all your old tickets in the one place in a tidy, hardcover and even has a margin to allow you to add memories alongside the stubs. Price €8 at Amazon