Category: Management

Championship defeat can be devastating but we must tread carefully as many are facing bigger internal battles

Posted on by Steven McDonnell

Sport can sometimes be cruel and the feeling of hurt and emptiness you experience at the hands of defeat is one of the worst feelings ever. I know this, because right now I am feeling that pain. I’m not alone though as the length and breadth of the country, there are teams being eliminated from their Read more about Championship defeat can be devastating but we must tread carefully as many are facing bigger internal battles[…]

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

Posted on by Steven McDonnell

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’[…]

What do forwards need to do to get proper protection?

Posted on by Steven McDonnell

I’ve seen it often enough as a spectator and manager and have been on the receiving end of it numerous times as a player. But how many times do we see a forward getting sent off for lashing out at his opponent, having not received any type of protection from officials, which include umpires, linesmen Read more about What do forwards need to do to get proper protection?[…]

Playing the game and not the occasion is key to replicating training ground performance on the big day

Posted on by Steven McDonnell

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[…]

The Time Out Podcast – With Tony McGettigan

Posted on by Steven McDonnell

HOLD THE ROPE!!! (Powerful and inspirational story for your team) – CREDIT – Chris Fore

Posted on by Steven McDonnell

I came across this story called HOLD THE ROPE several years ago, and it became a major mantra for us during the 2005 Training Camp.  I rewrote and added some things to what I originally found. I went down to Home Depot, and bought a long rope.  I cut about a 5 inch piece off that rope Read more about HOLD THE ROPE!!! (Powerful and inspirational story for your team) – CREDIT – Chris Fore[…]

Vince Lombardi

Posted on by Steven McDonnell

Vincent Thomas Lombardi is arguably the greatest football coach of all time, and is on the short list of history’s greatest coaches, regardless of sport. His ability to teach, motivate and inspire players helped turn the Green Bay Packers into the most dominating NFL team in the 1960s. The oldest of five children, Vince Lombardi Read more about Vince Lombardi[…]

Managing or Coaching – Be Creative

Posted on by Steven McDonnell

My motivation for my first blog of 2018 comes from the GAA Games Development Conference that was on last weekend in Croke Park. Another source of motivation for writing this piece is because a lot of club teams are starting to get back together now and new and existing managers and coaches are trying to plan the next 10 Read more about Managing or Coaching – Be Creative[…]