BELLAGHY manager John McKeever has said in this week’s edition that the use of GPS trackers has really helped his team in terms of their preparation. He says that there is more accountability for players, as the work they do is tracked by satellite. There were some conspiracy theorists who suggests that nefarious tech superbrains were using covid vaccines to plant computer chips. Yet here in Ireland Gaelic Footballer will happily accept tracking devices. All for the sake of the GAA, or at least to keep the management off their back. Though if they are wearing those trackers then technically they are keeping the management very much on their back.

RONAN SCOTT

THE Irish News did an interview with former Chris Lawn earier this week, and he was surprisingly critical of Art McRory and Eugene McKenna. The Moortown man said they didn’t properly harness the young talent coming through in the early noughties, and he’s perfectly entitled to his opinion. It was surprising to see someone criticise two legends of Tyrone football, particularly Art, and it’s worth noting the contrasting comments of former Tyrone captain Ciaran Corr in this week’s Gaelic Life. He obviously has massive time for them both, saying they were forward-thinking coaches citing the fact they brought a sports psychologist into the camp. Art and Eugene were probably of their time, and arguably Mickey Harte too found himself falling behind when Jim Gavin and Jimmy McGuinness came on the scene. It’s near inevitable really, and Chris’ comments should be read in that context.

NIALL GARTLAND

TYRONE Chairman Mickey Kerr got a bit of stick for his comments suggesting that the GAA must return on an All-Ireland basis. It just shows how starved the members of our association are for a return to action that a statement like that went down like a lead balloon. Mickey meant well, but it’s not really a major issue that clubs in the north will get back to training before their southern counterparts. It doesn’t disadvantage anyone, and it’ll be particularly beneficial for kids who really need to get back training and socialising. It was interesting to see Tyrone coaching officer Damien Harvey go public about how he disagreed with Kerr – never look a gift horse in the mouth and all that.  Harvey ran for chairman a few years ago and one wonders whether he’ll put his hand up again  at some point in the future.

NIALL GARTLAND

A COUPLE of guys told me this week that they fear that if the club action doesn’t return before county then players will drop off and smaller clubs could be in trouble. One of the concerned parties was Tommy Coleman from Clann Eireann. He says that if club football is put on hold till late summer, and other sports like soccer are playing away, then they will see a drop off in attendance. Last year Clann Eireann were getting almost 40 at training each week. He doesn’t want to lose anyone, but there are probably clubs out there who have a lot less players, who couldn’t stomach losing anyone. While we are not certain how the season will pan out yet, bar the fact that players who take their guidance from Stormont will be togging out in the ditch from April 12, . I do think the GAA will put clubs first.

RONAN SCOTT

A COUPLE of guys told me this week that they fear that if the club action doesn’t return before county then players will drop off and smaller clubs could be in trouble. One of the concerned parties was Tommy Coleman from Clann Eireann. He says that if club football is put on hold till late summer, and other sports like soccer are playing away, then they will see a drop off in attendance. Last year Clann Eireann were getting almost 40 at training each week. He doesn’t want to lose anyone, but there are probably clubs out there who have a lot less players, who couldn’t stomach losing anyone. While we are not certain how the season will pan out yet, bar the fact that players who take their guidance from Stormont will be togging out in the ditch from April 12, . I do think the GAA will put clubs first.

RONAN SCOTT

HAILING the quiet nature of Fergal McCann, Dominic Corrigan told me last week that he felt that some coaches spend far too much time blowing their own trumpet on social media. I do understand what he’s getting at, and social media isn’t for everyone, but there’s no doubt that it can be a useful tool at the same time. Every team needs a good coach, so it’s hard to blame coaches trying to get themselves noticed. I mean, it’s the exact same with journalists – it’s all well and good doing your utmost and producing reams of  good copy, but does anyone really notice unless you publicise your own work by having an active Twitter account with plenty of followers? Maybe not, and at the end of the day, no-one else is going to do it for you. So maybe a bit of self-promotion isn’t such a bad thing.

NIALL GARTLAND