PATRICK MORRISON: Goalkeeping coaches – Isolate your needs


By Patrick Morrison AS a coach, our top motivation will always be to pass on our coaching knowledge to help improve our players. Our players trust us to have the knowledge they need as well as the systems and methods to help and implement that knowledge. Gaelic games are constantly evolving both internally and externally […]


JOHN McMAHON: Cultivating a generation of athletes


AS a former PE teacher, youth development has always been both an area of interest and vast experience. Youth athletic development is now common practice across many clubs and county set-ups. However, my observations do raise concerns for me. Below are some fundamental key considerations when working with youth athletes. Youth athletes are at a […]


PATRICK MORRISON: Enhance your abilities


By Patrick Morrison WITH the inter-county season in full flow but breaking for two weeks and the club season drawing ever closer, it may be prudent for goalkeepers to focus their attentions on what areas of their game they may or wish to improve upon for the coming season. Breaking them down into three main […]


SHANE RICE: Why jump performance matters


IN the GAA, we all notice the obvious moments: winning a high catch, exploding out of a tackle, rising for a block or getting that first step to break a line. Underneath all of that is one big physical quality: how well an athlete can produce force fast. That’s why many strength and conditioning coaches, especially in […]


JOHN McMAHON: How to plan effectively for your team


DO you know how to plan effectively for your GAA teams? The High Low System Popularized by Sprint Coach Charlie Francis, the terms “High” and “Low” refer to the intensity of demand on the nervous system from the training done. The HighLow Model is a way to organize the stress and demand of the training to […]


JOHN McMAHON: Are your players recovered?


IN the athletic population and sports coaching world doing more & more is right? This couldn’t be more wrong!! From Hyrox to CrossFit to the coach in the middle of the field ‘beasting’ a team the more is better approach is here. If a Gaelic athlete is not ready for training, there is no point in putting […]


PATRICK MORRISON: The goalkeeping arc


By Patrick Morrison ONE of the most important aspects of goalkeeping in Gaelic football is being able to position oneself effectively in and around the crease, that is the area in front of the goals. Paradoxically, although it may be an important area, it is very rarely covered properly, if at all. Having a good starting […]


PATRICK MORRISON: It is time? – goalkeepers pondering their future


By Patrick Morrison WITH all county competitions completed and the provincial competitions entering the final stages of their season, now is the time when players of a certain vintage will begin to think about what retirement would hold for them especially players who have been heavily involved in the game for a prolonged period of […]


JOHN McMAHON: Maximising your pre-season


THE GAA off-season is a crucial period for players, coaches, and teams. It offers an opportunity to recharge, reflect, and prepare for the upcoming season. Here are some valuable tips to make the most of your off-season. 1. Rest and Recovery After a demanding season, it’s essential to prioritize rest. Allow your body and mind to […]


PATRICK MORRISON: Time to grow


ALL over Ireland, county championships will be winding down to their final climactic games. This means that for most players, the season has ended and their so called off season begins, going from training three to five sessions per week down to one to two sessions and in some cases zero sessions per week. Most […]