HAVING watched the unbelievably exciting hurling finals on Sunday, it’s hard not to be envious of the speed and incisive transitions in those games. This is in stark contrast to the football that is currently on show. As we enter the summer months, we are beginning to see that Gaelic football is becoming more defensive […]
AS I write this I have a sense of déjà vu. Another big game for Armagh and another heart-breaking penalty shoot-out defeat. I’m just back from a coffee with Aaron McKay and he was so disappointed he let me pay (again!). I would suggest the next time instead of penalties we should have a supporter […]
I’D like to start this week by thanking my cousin, Armagh’s Aoife McCoy, for a great day at her wedding. A sprained ankle on the dance floor was my punishment for trying to act the young fella. Luckily we got a dry day for it, which has not been the case recently. Every manager and […]
GAELIC football is gradually moving towards a reset in the fundamental make up of teams. We have two points to consider in this regard. Firstly, the standard programme lays out the 15 players in the traditional structure. They consist of a ‘keeper, six defenders, two midfielders and six forwards. I can’t for the life of […]
By Declan McCoy I WAS fortunate enough to have been in Croke Park last year to witness one of the best games of football in years when Armagh played Galway in the All-Ireland quarter final. The game was action-packed with quality, drama and, of course, controversy. One incident that I have spoken to a lot […]
By Declan McCoy THE recent Ulster Club Championship final between Glen and Kilcoo was simply brilliant. I had planned to go to it but my wife had organised Christmas drinks with her sisters leaving me at home with the boys. The word ‘hero’ does not do me justice (I clean too). I improvised and set […]
By Declan McCoy AS it’s currently the off season, I decided to mix it up a bit with a non-coaching column. I have decided to pick a team composed of the best county players I have seen in the flesh. These are my personal favourite players so I’m not suggesting a debate on the best […]
AS it was my father’s birthday on Sunday (happy birthday Desy), I thought I’d drag him to the Louth County final and we followed that up by watching the Down County final on television. I had also taken in the Donegal final the day before on TG4. My wife, Marie, thinks I need to take […]
IN the modern GAA, it has become increasingly more common to see clubs go for outside managers. In fact, at senior level I would wager a guess that 80
