Northern Ireland v Austria

Words Heidi McAlpin

Yet again we stare into the abyss of a stadium virtually devoid of baying fans singing euphorically and bouncing as one. The only “touching hands” and “reaching out” remain largely within the confines of our homes and gardens. ENJOYING A STAYCATION IN… A GAWA CAVE

But all is not lost as many fans have spent the Covid-induced quarantine constructing their very own GAWA caves, dens and sheds from which to enjoy the big fixtures. Forget Jamal Lewis, it’s all about the Llewelyn-Bowens among you creative lot. Take Jackie Wallace of 1st Finaghy NISC who has become his very own, well, Roy of the Rovers. “My partner has a dog grooming business in our shed and during lockdown my sister-in-law suggested I turn the unused bit into a wee man cave for myself,” he explains. His little piece of heaven is crammed with GAWA and Northern Ireland memorabilia to create the perfect shrine. “It gives me somewhere to sit and relax after work and watch the games in peace,” says Jackie. But, like all of us, he misses the live spectator experience. “It’s definitely not the same. Nothing beats meeting your mates for a pint or two and a sing-song before heading down to the ground. All being well we will be able to do that shortly.” Here’s hoping Jackie. Ray Taylor of Antrim NISC is the proud landlord of Ray’s Tavern, “a cosy wee garden pub” he has spent lockdown lovingly curating. “On match days it definitely has the feeling of an away trip,” says Ray. “I’m sure many people will know how good that feels.” And nestled among his many flags, scarves and signed souvenirs are some rather fetching cushions made from his children’s old footy tops. If they ever make The Great GAWA Sewing Bee, Ray’s yer man. While some fans have been inspired to elevate match days with recent mancave masterpieces, others can date their dens back to way before Covid-19 struck.

“I've been working on my dining room mancave for three years now,” says London NISC’s Ormonde McDowell. Pride of place is a framed collection of his Euro 2016 tickets, but Ormonde would love a signed squad shirt to enhance his haul. His current goal is to complete his Northern Ireland Corinthians figure collection which he started in lockdown. “It’s a little bit of nostalgia and revisiting my teenager years,” he says. Meanwhile, Ormonde’s makeover has inspired friends to join his mancave movement. “Everyone loves it and a few people have started their own,” he reveals. Size isn’t everything when it comes to displaying your GAWA credentials, as Ballymena’s Raymond ‘DJ’ Wilson will testify. “I’ve got a Bushmills whiskey Northern Ireland themed oak barrel seat and table,” he says with pride. “It's not really a shed but it's my happy place and it's the only one in our wee country.” But even this cleverly crafted creation isn’t a patch on sitting on those hard plastic stadium seats. “My nine-year-old son Cody has been to a game at Windsor Park but my daughter Rayanne (five) has still to get to her first match,” he explains. For now Rayanne and all the family will have to take turns perching on their dad’s barrel of laughs. Another GAWA aficionado who has poured her heart and soul into her own special room is Glenda Farr. “It's my wee happy place and holds so many memories,” says Glenda of the bar she built six years ago in memory of her beloved dad Tommy. “The shed is called Tommy's Lair,” she explains. “A lair is where a wolf takes its cubs and my daddy was a big Wolves fan and called us his cubs.”

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