Enda Muldoon was a great player for Ballinderry and Derry

Recently retired Brian O’Driscoll and Paul O’Connell were seen as ‘great players’ in the world of Rugby as were Ryan Giggs, Alan Shearer and Paul Scholes in soccer.

Recently retired Johnny Doyle, the O’Se brothers, Henry Shefflin, DJ Carey and Peter Canavan, Paul McGrane, Paddy Bradley, Enda Muldoon and Ciaran McDonald were great players in Gaelic games and I had the honour of being a coach to the last four named above.

Iconic figures really, but what makes a ‘great player’ or a ‘player great’.

Strong team players backbone any team. When others fail, great players drive on with strong resolve and persistence, committed to getting the job done.

Here are five qualities that make a great player great:

1. Always Reliable – Day in, day out they are reliable, not just some of the time. They can be counted on to get the job done, meet deadlines, keep their word and provide consistent quality work.
With excellent performance, organisation and follow through on tasks, they develop positive working relationships with team mates keeping the team on track as Paul McGrane (head of Armagh’s Development Squad) has instilled in his Academy Coaches post his playing days.

2. Communicates with Confidence – Great team players might silently get the work done but shy away from speaking up and speaking often. Ciaran McDonald was like this in Mayo but when he did speak he was clear, inspirational and profound and his team mates listened with intent.
Thus great team players communicate their ideas honestly and clearly while respecting the views and opinions of team mates.
Clear, effective communication is the key to getting heard.

3. Does More Than Asked – Good players know that getting ‘work’ done and doing your fair share is expected yet great players know that taking risks, stepping outside their comfort zones, coming up with creative ideas, taking on more responsibilities and extra initiative is what it takes to get ahead and sets them apart from their team mates.
That’s why Mickey Moran and I made Paddy Bradley captain of Derry.

4. Adapts Quickly and Easily – Great players don’t sit back and allow change to happen. They are productive and drive positive change themselves.
They don’t get stressed or complain but are flexible in finding their feet in whatever is thrown their way. Such was Enda Muldoon, no matter what role or position Mickey and I asked him to play.
His positional awareness, creativity and calmness earned him the tribute nickname ‘the Big Easy’, as he dominated opponents and led his team mates by example.

5. Displays Genuine Commitment – Great players are happy to work when needed/asked and Ciaron, Paul, Paddy and Enda were always early and willing to learn when I arranged ‘one-to-one’ coaching clinics with them.
Each had a positive relationship with team mates, illustrating a caring commitment to the team and expecting team mates to follow suit.
If any of my readers have aspirations of becoming a great player, check how many of these common great players traits that you already have or could develop:

– Demonstrate reliability; Communicates constructively; Listens actively; Functions as an Active Participant; Shares openly and willingly; Co-operates and pitches in to help; Exhibits flexibility; Shows commitment to the team; Works as a problem solver; Treats others in a respectful and supportive manner; Has a great work ethic and desire to be great; ‘Killer’ instinct – ‘I win or I learn’; Hates losing more than like winning; Has the ‘guts’ to take the tough decision in Critical Moments; Has the ability to take and process coaching; Be a leader and a student of the game; Play any role necessary to win; Be as dedicated to ‘Defensive’ work as you are to ‘Attacking’ work; Trust your team mates; Be able to accept the accolades of winning as well as the responsibility of losing.

To be ‘great’ you don’t have to be extroverted or a self-indulgent promoter. Just be an active participant and do more than is expected of you.
Put the ‘team’ first above ‘Me’ objectives and do things without waiting to be asked.
In return you’ll build positive perception, gain more ‘visibility’ and develop influential connections to help you become a great player.