It’s coming to the business end of the GAA football and hurling championships and with all roads leading to Croke Park, we decided to take a look at the characters you’re sure to meet on the way. Get your hats, flags, scarves and headbands at the ready folks – Croker here we come! ___________________________________________________________ The die-hard fan This is the ultimate GAA fan. They haven’t missed a game since the early 1980s, never mind this season. They are there through wind, rain, hail and snow, they know the players inside out and upside down – and usually feel like they could do a better job at picking the team. The bandwagon fan The bandwagon fans are there only when the good times roll around. They have a vague idea of who their side beat in the last match to get to Croker, but probably can’t name too many of the team. They will be easily spotted as their jersey will probably still have the price tag on it. The ‘prepared for every eventuality’ fan We have a lot of grá for these type of fans. Usually the ones sitting in front of you in the stand, they’ll have the ham sandwiches, flask of tea and of course, bags of Tayto. They’ll also be the sound ones who will turn around and offer you a Werther’s Original. The ‘I’m only here to shout at the ref’ fan The dread when you realize you have landed beside the referee hater. This will be the fan who doesn’t really care what’s going on on the scoreboard and instead, has more interest in hurling abuse at the referee and linespeople. Can someone please give them a red card instead? For all of our sakes. The famous face As the season approaches the final stages, there is no doubt that you will see a famous face in the crowd cheering on their team. Every county has one and we bet poor Niall Horan is raging he won’t have his day in the sun. #YopWestmeath. The silent fan This is a very particular type of fan who will pop up beside you in the Cusack Stand, radio in one hand and programme in the other. You may not know for certain who he is supporting, but there’s no doubt he’s glued to every single word Marty Morrissey is saying – and can probably give you a run through of the team’s stats since the 1950s. The 'up for the craic' fan Not to be confused with the bandwagon fan, the up for the craic fan is literally joining in the festivities for the fun of it all. Not too bothered about what’s going on on the pitch, or indeed the result, they’re more worried about getting a good spot in The Big Tree afterwards. The ABD fan The ABD (anyone but Dublin) fan is a special type of fan. Again, not usually one who knows all the ins and outs of the GAA, they think it’s fun to shout for every other team but the capital... Unless they're playing Meath of course.  They will be the ones complaining about the size of the population the Dubs have to choose from, and what a crime against sport this is. The ‘you definitely won’t miss me’ fan Hats, scarves and headbands? This phrase was designed for this fan. They will be decked out head-to-toe in their county colours; the flag will be their jacket (sure won’t the action warm them up), their hat must resemble that of a jester and they will be sporting a jersey circa late 1990s early 2000s to prove what a die-hard fan they are. The 'passing on the legacy' fan These are some of our favourite fans – the mammy, daddy, granny or grandad are there with the small ones in tow, passing on the love for the county colours. Bless.   Don’t miss out on all the action. Tickets on sale now at gaa.ie/tickets, selected Supervalu and Centra stores and usual outlets. GAA. Be There. All The Way.