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You know it’s Gaelic football in January when…

Freezing weather. Small stadiums. Paltry attendances. Here’s 25 images that sum up the 2013 pre-season Gaelic football campaign.
7.00am, 28 Jan 2013

THE PRE-SEASON competitions in the four provinces ground to a halt over the weekend.

With the Bord Na Móna O’Byrne Cup, McGrath Cup, FBD League and Power NI Dr McKenna Cup all wrapped up, the focus turns to the National league starting next weekend.

But here’s 25 pictures to remember this year’s January Gaelic football action by.

You know it’s Gaelic football in January when…
1 / 25

  • Bord Na Móna O'Byrne Cup: Dublin IT 1-15 Wexford 1-11

    There's plenty hang sandwiches made up to go around.

  • Power NI Dr McKenna Cup: Monaghan 3-16 Donegal 1-5

    Jim McGuinness opts for shelter behind a window rather than prowling on the sideline.

  • McGrath Cup: Kerry 4-22 IT Tralee 0-10

    A former player takes on a management role for the first time. Eamonn Fitzmaurice was used to trotting onto Fitzgerald Stadium in his playing gear but now he's the gaffer.

  • Bord Na Móna O'Byrne Cup: Dublin 3-16 DCU 1-11

    Midweek games take place in Arctic conditions. The Dublin team huddle together for warmth before throw-in.

  • Bord Na Móna O'Byrne Cup: Kildare 1-13 Wexford 1-11

    A dog turns up to boost crowd numbers. Kildare's supporter Ted observes the action here and in the second-half opted to stage a canine pitch invasion.

  • Bord Na Móna O'Byrne Cup: Dublin 3-13 Carlow 1-12

    You have to make sure to put on a warm hat. Anthony Rainbow's red North Face offering is a departure from the traditional black number beloved of GAA managers.

  • FBD League: Leitrim 0-9 Mayo 0-8

    A weaker county stages an upset. Leitrim claim their first competitive win over Mayo since 1994 and Gerry Hickey celebrates with gusto.

  • McGrath Cup: Tipperary 2-9 Cork 1-9

    Players shed layers as they get used to the action. Here umpire Paul Hayes helps out Seamus Kennedy of Tipperary.

  • McGrath Cup: Clare 1-20 Limerick IT 1-2.

    Small stadiums get their day in the sun. Or in this case Hennessy Park in Miltown-Malbay hosts a game on a chilly, grey January day by the Atlantic Ocean.

  • Bord Na Móna O'Byrne Cup: Kildare 1-12 Offaly 1-9

    Keeping your footing is difficult. Kildare's Gary White and Offaly's Ross Brady hit the deck here.

  • Dr McKenna Cup: Tyrone 2-9 Monaghan 0-7

    The snow makes an apperance. Tyrone's Plunkett Kane bags a goal despite the Arctic weather in the Athletic Grounds.

  • Bord Na Móna O'Byrne Cup: Meath 1-9 Longford 1-7

    Respected figures are sounded out for early season opinions. Former Meath boss Sean Boylan offers his thoughts here.

  • O'Byrne Cup: Dublin 3-16 DCU 1-11

    New faces show up in backroom teams. Here former world champion boxer Bernard Dunne dons the Dubs gear after being named their 'sports performance and lifestyle coach'.

  • Bord Na Móna O'Byrne Cup: Laois 2-12 Westmeath 0-12

    Warm-ups are essential to gaining body heat. The Laois players jump in unison in O'Moore Park.

  • Power NI Dr McKenna Cup: Monaghan 3-16 Donegal 1-5

    Not exactly a crowd-puller in Ballybofey. A lone spectator watches on as Stephen Griffin is tackled by Ronan McNally.

  • Bord Na Móna O'Byrne Cup: Dublin 3-13 Carlow 0-12

    The diehards come out in force. A band of Dublin supporters and their bodhrán's make the trip to Dr Cullen Park.

  • Bord Na Móna O'Byrne Cup: Kildare 1-13 Wexford 1-11

    There is a dust-up at the end of a game. The temperature rises at the end of Kildare and Wexford's battle in Newbridge.

  • Bord Na Móna O'Byrne Cup: Meath 1-9 Longford 1-7

    One youngster is inspired as he kicks a ball around outside the dressing-rooms in Ballymahon.

  • FBD League: Sligo 0-9 Galway 1-4

    Old friends meet - part 1. Current Sligo manager and former Galway midfielder Kevin Walsh crosses paths with current Galway midfielder Niall Coleman.

  • Bord Na Móna O'Byrne Cup: Dublin 3-13 Carlow 1-12

    Old friends meet - part 2. Once they faced off on the pitch, Jim Gavin (Dublin) and Anthony Rainbow (Kildare). Now they face off on the sideline, Jim Gavin (Dublin) and Anthony Rainbow (Carlow).

  • Bord Na Móna O'Byrne Cup: Kildare 1-13 Wexford 1-11

    Loyalties are torn - part 1. Current Wexford manager Aidan O'Brien with former Wexford manager and current Kildare selector Jason Ryan.

  • Bord Na Móna O'Byrne Cup: Dublin 3-16 DCU 1-11

    Loyalties are torn - part 2. Current Dublin and former DCU player Paddy Andrews goes up against current DCU and Dublin players James McCarthy.

  • Bord Na Móna O'Byrne Cup: Dublin IT 1-15 Wexford 1-11

    Homemade scoreboards are constructed. None of the fancy electronic stuff here.

  • McGrath Cup: Clare 1-20 Limerick IT 1-2

    Mick O'Dwyer is in charge of a new team. This time it's Clare who get the Micko treatment as he marches out before their seasonal opener.

  • Bord Na Móna O'Byrne Cup: Meath 1-9 Longford 1-7

    It's a far cry from Croke Park. Ballymahon in rural Longford is the setting as Meath's Damien Carroll tucks the ball past Longford's Paddy Collum.
  • There's plenty hang sandwiches made up to go around.
  • Jim McGuinness opts for shelter behind a window rather than prowling on the sideline.
  • A former player takes on a management role for the first time. Eamonn Fitzmaurice was used to trotting onto Fitzgerald Stadium in his playing gear but now he's the gaffer.
  • Midweek games take place in Arctic conditions. The Dublin team huddle together for warmth before throw-in.
  • A dog turns up to boost crowd numbers. Kildare's supporter Ted observes the action here and in the second-half opted to stage a canine pitch invasion.
  • You have to make sure to put on a warm hat. Anthony Rainbow's red North Face offering is a departure from the traditional black number beloved of GAA managers.
  • A weaker county stages an upset. Leitrim claim their first competitive win over Mayo since 1994 and Gerry Hickey celebrates with gusto.
  • Players shed layers as they get used to the action. Here umpire Paul Hayes helps out Seamus Kennedy of Tipperary.
  • Small stadiums get their day in the sun. Or in this case Hennessy Park in Miltown-Malbay hosts a game on a chilly, grey January day by the Atlantic Ocean.
  • Keeping your footing is difficult. Kildare's Gary White and Offaly's Ross Brady hit the deck here.
  • The snow makes an apperance. Tyrone's Plunkett Kane bags a goal despite the Arctic weather in the Athletic Grounds.
  • Respected figures are sounded out for early season opinions. Former Meath boss Sean Boylan offers his thoughts here.
  • New faces show up in backroom teams. Here former world champion boxer Bernard Dunne dons the Dubs gear after being named their 'sports performance and lifestyle coach'.
  • Warm-ups are essential to gaining body heat. The Laois players jump in unison in O'Moore Park.
  • Not exactly a crowd-puller in Ballybofey. A lone spectator watches on as Stephen Griffin is tackled by Ronan McNally.
  • The diehards come out in force. A band of Dublin supporters and their bodhrán's make the trip to Dr Cullen Park.
  • There is a dust-up at the end of a game. The temperature rises at the end of Kildare and Wexford's battle in Newbridge.
  • One youngster is inspired as he kicks a ball around outside the dressing-rooms in Ballymahon.
  • Old friends meet - part 1. Current Sligo manager and former Galway midfielder Kevin Walsh crosses paths with current Galway midfielder Niall Coleman.
  • Old friends meet - part 2. Once they faced off on the pitch, Jim Gavin (Dublin) and Anthony Rainbow (Kildare). Now they face off on the sideline, Jim Gavin (Dublin) and Anthony Rainbow (Carlow).
  • Loyalties are torn - part 1. Current Wexford manager Aidan O'Brien with former Wexford manager and current Kildare selector Jason Ryan.
  • Loyalties are torn - part 2. Current Dublin and former DCU player Paddy Andrews goes up against current DCU and Dublin players James McCarthy.
  • Homemade scoreboards are constructed. None of the fancy electronic stuff here.
  • Mick O'Dwyer is in charge of a new team. This time it's Clare who get the Micko treatment as he marches out before their seasonal opener.
  • It's a far cry from Croke Park. Ballymahon in rural Longford is the setting as Meath's Damien Carroll tucks the ball past Longford's Paddy Collum.

All pics by INPHO

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