Dear Noel,
Our school are playing a final next week. I’m left corner-back, and have played well all year.

My problem I will be marking a girl, and I don’t know what to do. I’m shy around girls and blush quite easily.
She’s very tall, and kicks with both feet. She’s stronger than most boys our age.
She scored 2-4 (2f) in the semi-final. But what do I do now? Because she’s a girl, I don’t think I can impose my trademark physical game on her.

My father says it’s a man’s game and I should treat her no differently, but I just don’t feel right about it all.
What should I do, Noel? Her name is Myra. Myra Hennelly.

- Evan (11), Mid Mayo.

 Noel replies – This is a much more common problem than you may realise, Evan. A few quick suggestions:
1. Your Dad is right.
2. Practice speaking with a deep voice in the days leading up to the game.
3. Call her Martin when she comes over to shake hands before the throw-in.
4. Play her from the front, goal-side.
5. Nothing fancy on the ball – just a dutiful hand-pass to a half-back, and back into your corner again.
6. Fake tan.
7. Fake left, go right.
8. Fake injury, if it comes to that.

Noel knows the score. Reach him on This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it ; www.knowledgeablenoel.com; Skype (knowledgeable.noel); and Facebook (Knowledgeable Noel.) Keep it in the club. 

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