I RECENTLY travelled to Jordanstown for the annual Ulster Coaching Conference. A brilliant collage of coaches and speakers were assembled by Ulster GAA and provided the patrons with a wonderful action-packed day of learning. One of the biggest attractions – and a massive improvement – in the Ulster Conference is the huge variety of practical […]
STEVEN POACHER: Scanning for small improvements
November 8, 2022
AS we enter the off season for coaches, I suppose it is important we all critically reflect on the past year and what we did well as coaches, what things didn’t go so well and how can we improve both individually and collectively within a group environment. This is a time of year for coaches […]
Poacher joins Fermanagh hurlers
November 3, 2022
FORMER Roscommon and Carlow coach Steven Poacher has been added to the Fermanagh hurling management team for the 2023 season. Erne boss Joe Baldwin had intended to add a strong presence to his coaching team for the season ahead and has landed on the Newry native. Poacher had been linked to the Fermanagh football job […]
STEVEN POACHER: Knowledge is power as Newry coaching day looms large
October 22, 2022
IT’S around this time of the year that most coaches are close to finishing off their respective seasons across the province, whether that be with an underage or a senior team. Unless you are involved in the latter stages of championship semi-finals or finals, your season is coming to a close. A lot of coaches […]
STEVEN POACHER: Learn while recharging batteries
September 20, 2022
IT’S around this time of the year that most coaches are close to finishing off their respective seasons across the province, whether that be with an underage or a senior team. Unless you are involved in the latter stages of championship semi-finals or finals, your season is coming to a close. A lot of coaches […]
Mayobridge boss Poacher hoping for scoring intent against Burren
August 26, 2022
By Kieran Lynch DOWN’S Senior and Intermediate Championships get underway this weekend, and the fixture administrators have arguably saved the best for last, with Monday night’s clash between Burren and Mayobridge concluding the first-round action. Ahead of the game, Mayobridge manager Steven Poacher spoke to Gaelic Life, and he took the positives out of a […]
STEVEN POACHER: A new era of Gaelic Football
August 2, 2022
A FEW weeks back, John Harrington of GAA.ie interviewed me for a piece in the All-Ireland semi-final programme. It centered around how Gaelic Football has evolved over the last five years and how the sport is gathering pace both on and off the playing field. There’s S & C, nutrition, GPS, video analysis, performance coaches, transition play, […]
STEVEN POACHER: Take players out of their comfort zone
July 22, 2022
LAST Sunday was the showpiece day in hurling, the All-Ireland final between three-in-a-row chasing Limerick and the old dog for the hard road in Brian Cody and Kilkenny. I was absolutely glued to the game. I will be the first to admit I am not a huge hurling fan, but I couldn’t help but sit […]
STEVEN POACHER: King Con -if fit -can cause another Dublin coronation
July 5, 2022
By Steven Poacher ON Sunday past we witnessed a wonderful game of football between two teams who were extremely well prepared and well-conditioned. The meeting of Galway and Armagh had everything including the first-ever penalty shoot-out in Croke Park in front of a full house. The second game was never going to live up to […]
STEVEN POACHER: Start with a pen and paper
March 11, 2022
I HAVE been asked the same question on numerous occasions recently by people who are getting into coaching for the very first time, particularly at underage level. The question is always ‘have you any advice for me?’ Well, apart from buying yourself some very thick skin and a crash helmet, I always reiterate the same […]