THERE has been a lot of talk recently in the lead up to the GAA Congress and the election of the new President last Friday night about the different issues, problems and challenges the new man would be faced with.

Unfortunately, Ulster candidate Jarlath Burns was narrowly defeated by New Yorker Larry McCarthy. I know very little about Larry but I have to say I was extremely disappointed for Jarlath because I do feel that he was the perfect candidate.

One of the talking points in the lead up to Congress was the volume of training inter-county sides are now doing. Let’s be honest, this is not a new issue or a recent thing. This train has been hurtling out of control for years and years.

Let’s go back a few years ago when there was talk that Davy Fitzgerald had the Wexford hurlers training 29 days out of 31 in January, pure madness. Most inter-county managers are getting the squad back together in October, only weeks after the original season has ended. It has certainly become a major issue, and personally I feel there is simply no call for a lot of it.

I remember back in 2018 when Carlow had a hugely successful year. In the previous National League of 2017 we had lads training hard on a Tuesday and Thursday on the pitch in between weekly games and personally I felt that we looked a little leg heavy during some games and a little overcooked.

The following season (2018) we decided to cut back on the volume of training we were doing. Instead of training hard on the Tuesday and Thursday, Tuesday became a stretch and recovery session, with the guys in the panel who didn’t play doing a small-sided games and small running blocks to stay sharp. We would conclude with a small bit of video analysis from the previous weekend.

On the Thursday, the session would be high intensity but very seldom over the hour. The results were very evident, six wins from six and the highest scoring average in the four divisions. Players looked fresher and hungrier than ever.

Even throughout the championship campaign that summer, it was four days off after comprehensive wins over Louth and Kildare. It left players feeling much fresher both mentally and physically. I just feel we have a habit of wanting to do more because the county or club beside you are doing more.

Part of the problem we have in the GAA though is the lack of consistent games. Bar the seven in the National League, there are too big a gap between league and championship and even during the championship although the ‘Super Eight’ fixtures have solved that just a little.

Personally I feel with more regular games, there would be less need for more collective training. I think back to asking Martin Clarke, who played 72 senior competitive first team games for Collingwood, about it and other than pre-season when some hard graft went in, he said their week was pretty low key in between games. He concluded that the games were keeping players fit and during the week it was more tactical and mental than physical.

I fear we could be driving young players and older players, whose lifespan now seems to be getting shorter and shorter with the demands being placed on players, away from the game with the huge volume of collective training some counties are placing on lads.

Mental health has become such a big issue now among that particularly younger group of 18 to 25-year-olds and the psychological stress and strain of training and games can take its toll on young people.

Over-training can lead to some serious issues among young players including:

• Increased irritability

• Obstinacy

• Tendency for hysteria

• Defiance

• Avoidance of contact with coach and colleges

• Over sensitivity to criticism

• Anxiety

• Depression

• Moodiness

As a coach take the lead when it comes to your own team. Don’t be afraid to cut back on training, play more games, and give young players the down time they deserve but more importantly they need!

comment@gaeliclife.com