FUELLING your body properly is just as important as your training when it comes to Gaelic football. The right nutrition can help you perform at your best, recover faster, and avoid injury. But not every day requires the same amount of food and fuel. That’s where the Traffic Light System comes in. A simple way […]
PATRICK MORRISON: A key in goalkeeping is getting your feet right
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March 18, 2025
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
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March 11, 2025
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 […]
PATRICK MORRISON: Another week, another rule
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February 25, 2025
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 […]
SHANE RICE – Off-feet conditioning: A smarter way to train
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February 24, 2025
IN Gaelic football, running is at the heart of the game, but that doesn’t mean all conditioning has to be done on the pitch. Off-feet conditioning, also known as cross-training, is an effective way to build fitness without adding unnecessary running load. When used correctly, it can help players improve endurance, maintain fitness during injury, […]
PATRICK MORRISON: The goalkeeping spectrum
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February 18, 2025
OVER the past 20 years, we have really seen the evolution of the goalkeeping position in Gaelic football. So much so that we have seen possibly the greatest ever in Stephen Cluxton to the newest modern phenomenon of ‘keepers joining the fray. Over the past 20 years, and even before then, we have seen a […]
PATRICK MORRISON: The young goalkeeper
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February 11, 2025
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 not […]
JOHN McMAHON: Planning is key to success
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February 3, 2025
PLANNING is key to success – but how 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 high/low model is a way to […]
SHANE RICE: Off-season speed training
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January 27, 2025
SPEED is a crucial element in Gaelic football, and how you train for it in the off-season can make all the difference when the season kicks off. Off-season speed training isn’t just about running fast; it’s about preparing players to meet the demands of the game, reducing injury risk, and improving overall fitness. Here’s how […]
STEVEN POACHER: A whole new ball game
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January 24, 2025
ALL eyes on the league this weekend as the competitive action for 2025 begins, or should I say all eyes on the referees. Of course I am referring to the new rules which are sure to create many talking points after the opening weekend. What should supporters expect? A lot of the unknown, I would […]