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 […]
COACHES play a pivotal role in the development of athletes and understanding how to tailor training programs for different age groups is essential for fostering skill development, physical growth, and mental resilience. Here are five strategies for coaches to effectively customise training for various age categories: 1. Understand Developmental Stages Each age group corresponds to specific […]
IN Gaelic football, we talk endlessly about physical fatigue, how to measure it, recover from it, and manage workloads through GPS and training loads. But what about mental fatigue? The tiredness that doesn’t show up on the watch, yet affects everything from decision-making to motivation to physical performance? As the game evolves, players and coaches are […]
John McMahon I HAVE been lucky enough to work with coaches, administrators, and talent identification and development ‘experts’ here in Ireland and in America. The single biggest concern at present is the early specialisation of our youth athletes. Early specialisation is quite simply a race to the bottom, to do more, more, more at younger […]
By Patrick Morrison HAVING confidence is vitally important for all goalkeepers to perform to the best of their ability especially nowadays, when the position has become one of, if not, the most important on the field of play. Goalkeeping has certainly been catapulted into the spotlight with the actions and decisions of a goalkeeper being […]
THE Daily Mile is a free and inclusive initiative that encourages schools to get children moving for just 15 minutes a day, helping to build healthy habits that last a lifetime. No special equipment, kit, or set-up is needed – just a safe space for pupils to walk, jog or run together each day. Since […]
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 […]
THE majority of GAA clubs are now starting to formulate plans for their pre-season. Coaches and players are looking forward to the season ahead and planning is in full flow. Here are five key considerations for players and coaches as they approach their pre-season planning. Increasing Training Load Too Early The number one mistake I see players and coaches making – […]
THE off-season brings a welcome rest from the demands of a long competitive season in GAA. It’s a time to recover from a tough and long season, allow the body and mind to recover and generally enjoy some time off. The GAA season is arguably one of the most demanding sports in the world with […]
By Patrick Morrison IN 2015, my first year with the Armagh team, we played a challenge game against Dublin down in the DCU sports complex. This was the first year of their five-in-a-row dominance. We had started with a strong team with a handful of our regular starters rested. Dublin on the other hand, had […]
