August 2011

The System

Negative, disgusting, anti-football. We’ve heard it all. Some people say they wouldn’t waste their money, their time, their eyesight going to watch the newest defensive rave that’s sweeping the country. Some critics blame the northerners, Armagh and Tyrone, for ruining Gaelic Football with the introduction of that dreaded blanket defence in the early stages of the new millennium. Others say that winning ugly is still winning. Without doubt, “the system” has divided the country. It’s true, I rarely hear talk of clubs and counties trying to emulate the Kerry “system”. Kerry have won 36 All-Ireland titles but there are no managers studying DVDs or old video tapes trying to perfect the most … Continue reading →

Kinesio Taping: Injury Treatment

Have you ever watched your favourite sport to see an athlete with a black strip of tape on their leg, or somewhere on their body? Well I can tell you what it is…it’s Kinesiology Tape. Kinesio Taping began in 1979 by Dr. Kenzo Kase and it has gone on to become a worldwide treatment by medical and sports professionals. But what does it do exactly? The official Kinesio Taping website tells us it is used to “facilitate the body’s natural healing process while allowing support and stability to muscles and joints without restricting the body’s range of motion.” The elastic tape is meant to be close in texture to human skin. This … Continue reading →

#Winning in Extra Time

In sport, there is no better feeling than walking off the field victorious, especially when you (and your team) have worked as hard as you possibly can. It makes the hard runs on a stinking Sunday morning pre-season session worthwhile, and the extra drop of water you decided to take in the night before to prepare yourself for the energy zapping battle ahead seem valuable. When two athletes, or two teams, cannot be separated after regular match time, there is usually added time to decide the winner. Be it a tie break in tennis, extra time in a football cup game or over-time in basketball, athletes need to find something inside of … Continue reading →

#RaiseYourGame – Aston Villa

After years of relative hardship as a staunch Villa supporter, I’m worried that the Birmingham club are in danger of falling off the wagon again after our mini-recovery. Another summer of selling our best players (this time, three-fold), Aston Villa are at a dangerous crossroads and now must either sink or swim in a crucial season where their fate for the next 5 years could possibly be decided. What will it be: Midtable apathy or top 6 competitors? McLeish and his boys are in serious need of stepping up so my rally cry is simple, “Raise your game”.

#RaiseYourGame – Arsenal

The Barclay’s Premier League starts this weekend, and with their competitors spending heavily in the transfer market, Arsenal need to keep up with the pack and compete for a trophy that has yet to reach The Emirates. How will they cope with the impending loses of Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri, should their moves away go through? Will Kieran Gibbs make the breakthrough after the departure of Gael Clichy? How important a role will Gervinho play for The Gunners? Can Arsenal prove Alan Hansen wrong again and win things with kids? Will Wenger use the money from his sales to sign more French and German league elites? Will Arsene and his men … Continue reading →

TRX: Injury Prevention

Next week sees the start of a new Premiership season, and I’m sure I can speak on behalf of you all when I say we can’t wait. Unfortunately, we have to sit through international friendlies and hope our players can avoid injury for the opening fixtures. This is the most idiotic time for international football matches, and if I remember hearing correctly, they plan arranging more friendlies throughout the season. Genius. Last summer Liverpool FC brought in a new Sports Science team, considered top of the area. Dr. Peter Brukner is Head of the Department and oversees all thing Sports Science at the club. Another Ozzy, Darren Burgess, is the Fitness and … Continue reading →

2011 Ulster All-Stars

It’s the moment they’ve all been waiting for. The climax of the season. The culmination of every rain-soaked session; every tight hamstring; every episode of Coronation Street missed in the sometimes thankless commitment of intercounty football. It’s the realisation of the biggest dreams of every footballer since the first time they pulled on their “togs”. The SC1 Sports Ulster All-Star awards have finally been chosen. Forget about your dinner-dances, your county championships, even your All-Ireland titles – today, 15 outstanding Gaelic Footballers will gain the recognition they deserve as the first entrants into the SC1 Sports Hall of Fame and as worthy recipients of the coveted All-Star awards. Of course it was … Continue reading →

Lerner Profiting On Villa’s Demise

I remember it like it was yesterday. The worn Doug Ellis reign had come to an end and the enthusiastic American came charging into Villa Park ready to splash his billions quicker than Charlie would throw a silver coin at an infamous Wonka Bar. The ingenuity of Martin O’Neill had his hands on the wheel ready to steer the ship in the right direction. The Ulster man transformed the Villains from a 16th place outfit into a top 6 club for three consecutive seasons. Their bangs on the Champions League door were growing louder and louder by the year – Aston Villa were not deterred in the face of Spurs and Man … Continue reading →