By Patrick Morrison AS a Gaelic enthusiast, it is great to see so many well taken three-pointers but on the flip side, as a goalkeeper it can be disheartening to see so many goals conceded, especially those that could be dealt with more favourably with a more proactive approach. Of course, there is never any […]
By Patrick Morrison CHILDREN are curious and insightful individuals who explore and learn through the process of trial and error just as nature intended. Their world is loaded with all kinds of imaginary games and toys. All a child wants to do is explore their world through the medium of play. And what child has […]
By PATRICK MORRISON GAELIC football has evolved so much since 1884, and no position more so than the goalkeeper position. The array of skills that a goalkeeper has harnessed and developed over the years has grown exponentially. From shot stopping to sweeper ‘keeper; free taker to playmaker, goalkeepers in the modern game really have established […]
HELPING Kilcoo win their 20th Down senior football title at the weekend was something extra special for me. This is because Saturday, October 15 arked the fifth anniversary of my own sole senior championship medal with Armagh Harps back in 2017. This was also my club’s 21st title so the similarities were there. All weekend […]
By Patrick Morrison MY sixth goalkeeping principle is ‘Close the Gap’ and it involves the goalkeeper rushing the attacker through on goal with the aim of getting as close to them as they possibly can. This hurries the attacker’s decision making and, in turn, increases the advantage to the goalkeeper. To increase the goalkeeper’s advantage […]
WITH the majority of county competitions now entering the final stages of their season, now is the time when certain players will begin to think about what retirement would hold for any them – especially players who have been heavily involved in the game for a prolonged period of time. Usually, the post-season is a […]
By Patrick Morrison WHENEVER I am coaching, one of the most common questions I am asked is ‘what is the most important aspect of being a goalkeeper?’ My answer is always the same. There is no one aspect that is more significant than any other as mastery of the position needs a competent level of […]
By Patrick Morrison WHAT is effective communication? Communication is any form of information that is relayed between two interfacing entities. Whether it be audible, visual, hand signals or even just body language, if it sends a message to be received it is deemed as communication. Goalkeepers are in that precarious position where play develops in […]
By Patrick Morrison STEVEN Pressfield’s 2004 novel, The Virtue of War, follows the life of Alexander the Great and his story is told through the eyes of a Hellenic-Persian scribe who was serving under him during his campaigns into India. In the novel there is a quote from Alexander himself which states: “Always attack. Even […]
IN American sports, they split their competitions into two parts with the first part being called the ‘regular season’ and the second part called the ‘post-season’, more affectionately known as the ‘Playoffs.’ Every team in each sport (Baseball, Basketball or Gridiron) will have realistic and attainable goals for their franchise. The better teams, as well […]
