THE goal of training in general should be to do as much as possible, as often as possible & keep improving. Unfortunately, the reality of training is not so simple. While training does trigger positive adaptations and benefits performance in the long-term, this comes at the price of the breakdown of the body and impaired […]
PATRICK MORRISON: Effective communication
By Patrick Morrison WHAT is Effective Communication? Communication is any form of information that is relayed between two interfacing entities. Whether it be audible, visual, hand signals or even just body language if it sends a message to be received it is deemed as communication. Goalkeepers are in that precarious position of play developing in […]
PATRICK MORRISON: The young goalkeeper
By Patrick Morrison CHILDREN are curious and insightful individuals who explore and learn through the process of trial and error just as nature intended. Their world is loaded with all kinds of imaginary, games and toys. All a child wants to do is explore their world through the medium of play. And what child has […]
PATRICK MORRISON: Look after your gloves
By Patrick Morrison EVERYWHERE I go whenever I am coaching goalkeepers I am always asked about what gloves I think are the best to use. What is the best make, the best cut, what is the best fit, etc. In reality there is no perfect pair of gloves that is best for everyone. Just like […]
JOHN McMAHON: Don’t make these mistakes!
FOR our GAA athletes during the pre-season phase, the focus lies on developing robust athletes who can withstand the rigours of back-to-back matches and the continuous demands of a competitive season. This involves exposing athletes to chronic load in terms of both volume and high-speed running. Additionally, agility and contact training play crucial roles in creating […]
PATRICK MORRISON: It’s ‘CANI’ not ‘CAN I?’
By Patrick Morrison ALL goalkeepers want to improve. It doesn’t matter what age, level or reason for playing as a goalkeeper, we all want to feel as if we are becoming better ‘keepers week on week. That said, it is important to realise that the amount you improve, and the rate of improvement are vastly […]
PATRICK MORRISON: A key in goalkeeping is getting your feet right
WHENEVER I am coaching, one of the most common questions I am asked is ‘what is the most important aspect of being a goalkeeper?’ My answer is always the same. There is no one aspect that is more significant than any other as mastery of the position needs a competent level of ability in all goalkeeping […]
PATRICK MORRISON: It’s making, not taking
By Patrick Morrison THUS far the new 40-metre kick-out rule has sent teams back to the drawing board to rethink their restart strategies. Most teams have settled upon popping the ball to the corner-backs or pumping it long for the midfield battle. Indeed, every week of the league rounds we are regularly seeing teams smashing […]
Barrett insists basic skills are more important than ever
HEADLINE – Basics more important than ever By Michael McMullan DONEGAL coach Luke Barrett feels the new-look rules will put more emphasis back on the basic skills. In an interview with Gaelic Life, Barrett gave his take on how coaching might look after the introduction of the FRC’s rule enhancements. Advertisement After four years managing […]
PATRICK MORRISON: Another week, another rule
By Patrick Morrison “ANOTHER week. Another rule!!” This was a text message I received from a goalkeeper I coached several years ago when they heard of the introduction of the new 20-second kick-out clock to Gaelic football, the rationale for its introduction being that goalkeepers are taking far too long to take their kick-outs. Like […]









