Whilst en route to the 2019 All-Ireland finals, I misplaced my ticket and had to resort to watching the match at a pub in Summerhill. Fortunately, I did not repeat the same error for the replaying of the game. As the end of the final match drew near, with Jonny Cooper sent off, and Dublin trailing by one point despite three attempts to even the score, the threatening question, would Dublin lose this match and miss out on the five-in-a-row, floated ominously. This question was posed by Paul Kenny, a Dublin native.
Upon reflecting, we had made preparations for such precarious circumstances throughout our trainings. Our mindsets were ready even if we were behind by a few points with only minutes left and in necessity of a score. Therefore, there was no havoc or distress.
Indeed, the strain could be sensed within the stadium as the high stakes of the five-in-a-row loomed heavily. This pressure was palpable even on the pitch.
However, We had drilled ourselves in these tricky situations during training sessions over the year, amassing necessary knowledge on how to handle such crucial moments. There was profound trust amongst team members, confidence that we would ultimately find a solution.
We doggedly stuck to our strategies, fulfilling directives provided by the management team. There was an absence of individualistic play; the players attempted shots from prime positions. We adhered to the game strategy, successfully drew the game, instigating a replay. The subsequent events form a part of history.
From past experiences, both as a team and as individual players, particularly against opponents such as Kerry and Mayo, we learnt to maintain our composure. Luckily, everything fell into place in the end.
In response to an anonymous question on any new rule that could be integrated to enhance the game from an attacker’s perspective, my answer would be that the game is mostly satisfactory as it stands. However, there may be some merit in mandating that two forwards must remain inside the 45m line at all times, along with two defenders. This rule could enable fast turnovers and quick passes to maybe two of the most threatening forwards, creating the possibility for more one-on-one plays and open spaces for goals.”
“It’s evident that the dynamics of a football match can change significantly when teams transition upfield. It can create ample room for potential scores. Furthermore, fewer player barricades behind the ball have been an increasingly recognised requirement. By confining four players inside the 45m mark, with a balanced number of attackers and defenders, there’s a considerable possibility of enhanced scoring opportunities. This would be a likely outcome if teams cease overloading the front, which currently poses a challenge for forwards. To facilitate the game’s flow, this could be monitored by the linesmen, sparing extra burden on the referee. Even warranting an experiment during league matches or preseason events. Some teams are already employing this strategy, however, codifying it might encourage more kick passes. Though it could mean waiting on the pitch a bit longer, I believe the scoring pace would accelerate with no more than 13 players behind the ball and reduced ball possession time.
My son Dean, a talented 14-year-old sportsman, was chosen for multiple teams this year, which is commendable, yet the child’s wellbeing remains a concern. Over the past month, he has participated in 22 full games or training sessions without counting additional secondary school matches. His non-stop activity forced us to let him rest for three days due to exhaustion. Where does one draw the line to ensure the safety of the child? Might this be the cause of many children abandoning sport upon entering secondary school?
In my experience, as a child, I indulged in as many sports as possible, from Gaelic football to soccer and rugby. I thoroughly believe it’s essential for children to explore an array of sports to their heart’s content. This is something I continued into my late teens, even though the demands weren’t as stringent then compared to now. Regrettably, these expectations have escalated across all sports and age groups.”
For effective management of the game, transparency and open discourse between the player and manager are crucial. Holding frequent discussions about the player’s schedule for various sports is significantly important. One might be playing rugby, Gaelic football, soccer, and hurling all within one week, which could be an unknown fact for the rugby coach. However, a situation involving 22 matches or training within a span of 28 days is clearly not viable and can result in burnout.
Whilst it’s important not to entirely discourage your kids from participating, there needs to be a sustainable balance. By the time they reach 15 or 16, it’s advisable to start limiting their participation to one or two sports. Back in the day, when I was a minor in Dublin and playing rugby at senior cup level, I maintained open communication with my coaches. I was fairly transparent about my activities from an early age.
An additional burden players tend to carry is the stress of potentially letting people down, which needs to be communicated to them that it’s okay. Parents play a key role here and may need to advocate for their child, provided it’s done in a transparent manner.
Consider this, Dean, as an experienced intercounty player and a current club member, you understand the need to divide the season. The All-Ireland finals tradition used to occur every third Sunday of September and the club final on St Patrick’s Day, leaving a six-month gap between the two events. Does a six-month split seem manageable for club players, or should the intercounty championship be compacted into three months as per the current calendar? Jim Barry, Dublin
Having experienced the traditional September All-Ireland final and then the more recent July final, I realise the struggle faced by GAA for balancing the split-season. In my early days, championship games often had three, four or even five-week gaps in between, which most players disliked, although I was indifferent. Nevertheless, the prolonged wait between games often became problematic. The current scheduling seems perfect, with matches separated by two weeks, and occasional consecutive play adds an interesting twist.
This month alone is jam-packed with great games that GAA is competing with these, missing a chance to shine, especially against the conclusion of the Premier League and the European rugby cup. This backlog also means that mixing football with hurling is inevitable. Moreover, there’s a clash between the love for All-Ireland club finals on St Patrick’s Day, with its alluring large audience at Croke Park, and club players’ preference to play earlier.
An idea worth exploring might be to reschedule everything towards the end of August, thereby avoiding the rush to wrap up finals in July. If the club championship began in September, it would probably be seen as perfect by most, and GAA should use its influence to make this happen. Nonetheless, the excitement leading up to the All-Ireland felt a bit anticlimactic last year, a loss from the fans’ viewpoint.
As for the ongoing debate about a potential overhaul of the GAA football championship and the viability of the provincial championship, especially with the situation in Leinster and Munster as examples, I have to concur. Attempts at restructuring the championship through the round-robin format, although commendable, likely won’t succeed. Might a more efficient All-Ireland championship, using Division One and Two rankings, be an answer? A harsh take, possibly, but it offers a realistic alternative. This is a change we’ve been advocating in Kerry for ages and welcome warmly.
Speaking from my own viewpoint, I’ve stated publicly that the Leinster football championship seems defunct. However, the recent Connacht football final brought tremendous joy to Galway. Moreover, the Munster final, the match between Kerry and Clare, had an undeniable buzz to it, with Clare bringing a decent challenge. The Ulster bracket is known for its competitiveness, as always.
“The main problem lies with Leinster, primarily due to the dominance of Dublin over the past ten years or so, which has led to a decline in interest. However, this isn’t sufficient to do away with the provincial championship, as they still hold relevance, but smarter steps could be taken to rejuvenate the event. This could certainly include hosting more games on provincial grounds, at unbiased venues, and stepping away from the ongoing reliance on Croke Park.
Indeed, the Dublin players themselves have publicly expressed a desire to travel further afield more frequently, possibly even revisiting the idea of a Friday night match to inject a bit of novelty. While the outcomes might continue on the same trajectory for a while longer, there’s no telling when the fortunes may flip.
Subsequently, the issue with the round-robin format is the progression of three teams. The competitiveness of the games would likely increase immediately if only two teams progressed, which in turn would boost viewer demand. In reality, it’s fairly easy to predict which three teams will advance, so the real excitement won’t begin until the quarter or semi-finals.
This is the system that the GAA have designed for themselves, but I believe some adjustments are necessary.”