Championship is coming.
That grand stretch you’re seeing in the evenings means that two of our favourite things are nearly upon us: the return of Game of Thrones for a fifth season and the return of the GAA Championship.
Combining our love for GAA with our positively nerdy passion for the literary and visual versions of Game of Thrones, we’ve assigned each county with a house that would reflect their status if the GAA was transported to Westeros, where the fields are often bleaker than Markievicz Park, Sligo on a wet November day.
What houses will emerge from the kingdom of Connacht come the height of the summer?
By Paul ‘Sword of The Morning’ Moore, Conor ‘The Kingslayer’ Heneghan and Paddy ‘The Onion Knight’ McKenna
The Kingdom of Connacht
Mayo – House Stark
Book Motto: Winter is coming
County Motto: Dia is Muire Linn
How much tragedy and heartache can one family take?
Winter has been coming for House Mayo since 1951 and it seems it will never end…
Roscommon – House Baratheon
Book Motto: Ours is the fury
County Motto: Constans Hiberniae Cor
Not as established as some of the great houses in the four kingdoms, but though they don’t go back as far, they’re certainly making up for lost time and their under-age armies have been enjoying plenty of success on the battlefield in regional jousts.
They have plenty of history with House Stark (Mayo) and you get the sense that it could really boil over very soon.
Galway – House Martell
Book Motto: Unbowed, unbent, unbroken
County Motto: Ceart agus Cóir
Cast off somewhat from the rest of the four kingdoms, House Martell have always been known for having a bit of style, for looking good and for causing envious glances from those around them.
Their role in the bigger picture has been somewhat muted in recent years, but they nearly always make an impact when they travel to King’s Landing and they could do with making more than an occasional visit.
Sligo – House Karstark
Book Motto: None
County Motto: Tír na Dúil Chroí ar
A vessel of House Stark (Mayo) the two families, like the neighbouring counties, have a lot of similarities but they differ also.
The men are typically described as big, fierce, bearded and long-haired, so that pretty much sums up Keelan Cawley.
Just like the Yeats county, house Karstark’s colours are also black and white but a word of caution, anyone that has read the books will know that treachery is a foot.
Here’s hoping that Niall Carew has a solid grip on his panel.
Leitrim – House Hollard
Book Motto: None
County Motto: Táimid go h-iontach
With just one surviving member, House Hollard is Game of Thrones’ smallest family.
We’d like to say that that member is brave, fearless and a winner but Ser Dontos Hollard is the court jester, and not a very good one.
Leitrim GAA fans have had little to smile about in recent years, maybe their new Lord Shane Ward can bring some more credibility to the realm’s smallest house.
London – House Selmy
Book Motto: None
County Motto: Na Deoraithe
Not one of the more renowned houses in the realm, their main protagonist is currently in exile serving Daenerys Targaryen’s Queensguard.
The Exiles, like Ser Barristan Selmy, have proven their worth on foreign soil, particularly in recent years.
House New York – The Unsullied
Book Motto: None
County Motto: An Úll Mór
A silent, foreign army that we don’t often hear much from.
The Unsullied are fearsome warriors but they are said to get lazy if they are not tested in battle. Without proper tests, New York are always caught cold in their annual outing.
If you liked this check out our Leinster GAAme of Thrones Houses, with Munster and Ulster coming over the weekend.
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