The Free-Kick Revival

A huge debt of gratitude will be owed to Seán O’Shea and Rian O’Neill in years to come. Both of these guys have demonstrated to the whole country in high-octane moments the importance of having a reliable free-taker capable of putting the ball over the bar when everything is at stake.I have long been an Read more about The Free-Kick Revival[…]

Ulster newcomers reaping major rewards from minor success

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[…]

Mayo will have plenty to fear from Tyrone’s ‘Mentality Monsters’

Jürgen Klopp once labelled his Liverpool team “Mentality Monsters”. On the evidence of what we witnessed in Croke Park on Saturday evening, the exact same could be said of Tyrone. They took the mother of all beatings against Kerry just 10 weeks ago in a National League match, and in the build-up to this game, Read more about Mayo will have plenty to fear from Tyrone’s ‘Mentality Monsters’[…]

More big game experience will only benefit current Orchard crop

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[…]

Training ground battles made me sharper for challenge of the Championship

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[…]

When it comes to improving skills, players should be jumping in with both feet

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[…]

Steven McDonnell looks back on Armagh’s 2003 Championship campaign – CREDIT – The SideLine Eye

Armagh reached their second All-Ireland Final in as many years back in 2003, coming up against rivals Tyrone in the showpiece. The year started and ended in disaster, as Monaghan defeated the reigning All-Ireland Champions in the opening round of the Ulster Championship. Qualifier wins over Waterford, Antrim, Dublin and Limerick saw Armagh reach the Read more about Steven McDonnell looks back on Armagh’s 2003 Championship campaign – CREDIT – The SideLine Eye[…]

The Advanced Mark

How can we speed Gaelic football? How can we make it a faster spectacle and more enjoyable for the spectators to witness? That are a few of the questions I have heard over the last couple of years and too be honest I was getting quite excited about this type of talk. From an attacker’s Read more about The Advanced Mark[…]