THIS weekend sees the first proper weekend of real knockout football in the Sam Maguire race and we’re also down to the last four of the Tailteann Cup. Counties are starting to realise that in just over a month’s time or less, it will all be over for another year. This weekend we will lose […]
By Steven Poacher ONLY a few weeks ago, big news emerged from Croke Park that the GAA is taking out the competitive element out of games and blitzes for hurling and football for u-12, in a bid to make the sport more inclusive, forgiving and ultimately more focused on participation and enjoyment. There has been […]
LAST weekend the start of the All-Ireland group stages commenced with holders Kerry opening their account against this year’s league champions and contenders to their crown Mayo. A lot of discussion has emerged around the new group format and the pointless nature of three group games and the incredible scenario that in some groups, even […]
THIS Sunday’s Ulster final is certainly creating headlines before a ball is even thrown in with the unprecedented demand for match tickets certainly causing a stir amongst supporters from both counties. The decision to play the game in Clones obviously carries some history, mystic and tradition behind it but this is 2023 – common sense […]
AS the National Football league round robin concluded at the weekend, a lot of talking points emerged, some familiar ones, such as the magic of Monaghan, Mayo flying in the league again, Derry’s continued resurgence under Gallagher and then we had the Armagh debate, a fan base with huge expectations, but are these expectations realistic […]
HOW many games can you recall where a team has struggled in the first half and after a half-time interval have come out a completely different side and you wonder to yourself, what went on in that changing room? We have all heard of famous inspirational half times in the past where medals and heads have […]
WE are four games into the National Football League and only three teams have a 100 per cent record in all four divisions, Derry, Dublin and Cavan. After this weekend it can only be two as Derry and the Dubs meet in Celtic Park on Saturday in what promises to be a cracking game. Other […]
LAST Friday evening in our school, St Joseph’s Newry, hosted the second of our January coach education evenings, with Clare Senior Football Coach Mark Doran delivering a brilliant session on using games to break down a crowded defence. There was 150 coaches at it and the previous week there was over 200 coaches there to witness […]
HAVING travelled to Croke Park for the All-Ireland Club football semi-finals, I came away hugely impressed with the supreme levels of physical conditioning in all four teams. It showed just how much the club game has progressed with players both individually and collectively taking huge pride in their conditioning. Gone now are the days at […]
I WAS chatting to an old friend recently who is now coaching in a club side in Ulster. After a short spell in another club as manager, he said he thoroughly enjoys the coaching so much more than the managing. He said some nights after training, there was a queue waiting to speak to him […]
