BACK in my minor playing days, when the age grade was under 18 – which should never have changed – I was very lucky to be involved in a successful Killeavy team that won two championships in a row. We had a great crop of players that played together from U10 level, up through all Read more about Ulster newcomers reaping major rewards from minor success[…]
About two miles outside of Clones you start to notice the cars parked alongside the road. That feeling of excitement and nervous tension starts to creep in. You try to keep the journey from the Westenra Hotel in Monaghan to Clones as light-hearted as possible, but this is the moment when things start to get Read more about More big game experience will only benefit current Orchard crop[…]
I have often seen it with teams I have been involved in, both as a player and as a manager, the guy that is exceptional in training but for some reason finds it difficult to replicate it on match day. There are many reasons why we train but the main one has to be geared Read more about Playing the game and not the occasion is key to replicating training ground performance on the big day[…]
As a player, you are always trying to find that edge that adds something different to your game. Being a forward all my career and particularly an inside forward, I found that working on your speed work in the summer months always gave me that platform to play and think a bit sharper. I’m a Read more about Training ground battles made me sharper for challenge of the Championship[…]
MOST aspects of our game are coached to us from a very young age and when I say this, I mean the basic skills of the game. We are taught how to toe-tap a ball, how to catch a ball, how to control a ball, how to solo and how to deliver a pass using Read more about When it comes to improving skills, players should be jumping in with both feet[…]
“The club was blown up twice in the troubles, they went through a s***load of aches and pains to get out the right side of it. It’s good for a lot more people than me” Ronan McNamee is one of the most interesting and colourful characters on the current playing circuit. In the second part Read more about PART 2. From darkness into light: Allstar Ronan McNamee opens up on his battle with depression – CREDIT – Cahir O’Kane, The Irish News[…]
Three weeks ago, Ronan McNamee became Aghyaran’s first ever Allstar. In the first part of an incredibly candid interview, he talks about his journey from the depths of depression and his recovery and the pinnacle of sporting excellence. Cahair O’Kane writes… “Not all those who wander are lost”JRR Tolkien YOU will find that quote tattooed Read more about PART 1. From darkness into light: Allstar Ronan McNamee opens up on his battle with depression – CREDIT – Cahir O’Kane, The Irish News[…]
Considering coaching strategies to promote athlete enjoyment As the level of professionalism in sport continues to grow, the stress levels that athletes experience also increases due to the widespread importance placed on success – generally measured by the outcome. Whilst it can be argued that the outcome is most important at elite levels of competition, a Read more about Is It Important for Athletes to Have Fun? – CREDIT – Warrick Wood / The Coach-Athlete Relationship[…]
One of the great parenting quandaries is when to push our kids and when to back off. This issue surfaces in every aspect of their lives from academics to music lessons to team sports. For each child there is a different answer and for each family a different story, but on the issue of sports, there Read more about Why Parents Should Encourage Their Kids to Play Team Sports – CREDIT, The Empty Nest[…]