GAA

Derry vs UUJ: Analysis

Having witnessed a lifeless, error-ridden encounter last week, I travelled to Celtic Park on Saturday night interested to see if Derry had learned from what was a sub-standard opening performance rescued by individual ingenuity. Of course, in the first week of January, it would be cruel to be too harsh but, registering just 5 shots from play and being turned over in 57% of our attacks, there were some pressing matters which needed urgent attention. This attention was granted. Taking a total of 27 shots (22 from play) and going straight for the jugular with direct, fluid football, Oak Leaf natives who braved the cold were treated to some superb, open entertainment. … Continue reading →

Derry Beat Cavan: Are We On The Right Track?

With 2011 well and truly behind us, why don’t we all come out and say it (this is going to hurt). Derry came up short last season; they came up well short. Reaching an Ulster Final for just the second time this century was always going to paper over any kind of crack at Owenbeg because every Oak Leafer – including myself – was simply happy to be competing again. Yes, we were missing two of the best full forwards in Ireland for the provincial decider but Donegal had us tied in knots at Clones. Indeed, our only “scalp” last year was a terrific attacking performance against a tactically inept Armagh side … Continue reading →

Who is SC1 Sports GAA Personality of the Year?

As stated in our soccer-ball poll, we are conducting a number of surveys from various sporting fields to determine who the most worthy nominees are to enter SC1 Sports’ Personality of the Year grand final. Selecting just 5 GAA personalities, Stephen had to unfortunately be omitted – despite his best efforts: Stephen Cleary Raising His Game It also broke my heart to turn a blind eye to Kerry’s Colm Cooper whose legend will continue to grow until the day will come when kids will question whether he was real or just another Irish myth. Michael Fennelly, hurler of the year, was completely ignored because there was no way I was going to … Continue reading →

Pre-Season and the Suunto M5

One torn hamstring, one ridiculous text message and almost 2 years later I finally return to Steelstown Brian Óg’s. There were a number of factors that led me to become disillusioned, but every player at some point knows this feeling. Nonetheless I have returned to the club that I started out with, and I have no intentions of leaving it. Although the season has just finished there is a long, tough pre-season ahead and to be honest I’m relishing every minute of it. For the next 3 months the training will be intense, the eating will be clean and the hunger for next season will be insatiable. Myself and fellow teammates have … Continue reading →

Conan’s Bites

On Friday past, I picked up a copy of a lesser-known local newspaper and witnessed a respected barrister, a peerless football analyst, a 42 year old quick-witted raconteur emulate the naiveties of a school kid showing off to his immature friends. For all the respect and admiration I have for Joe Brolly, entitling a piece of writing ‘I Must Have Booze’ was a cringe-worthy attempt to earn some juvenile “cool points” and it was reminiscent of a drunkard Has Been prowling the Holylands of Belfast spouting these same words as an alternative chat-up line. As ever, the article was humorous and well-written but, unfortunately, it lacked any real thought; any sort of … Continue reading →

Proposed Fixture List Change for GAA Season

I wanted to cut the club league in half – but how could I take so many games away from the salt of our sport; from the competition in which the biggest numbers participate? I even wanted to begin the season in September and have it end in June/July and I still think this is a very viable option but for this coming season, it clearly wouldn’t be an alternative and is probably too drastic to consider at this current stage. Nonetheless, something needs to change so we can properly address player burnout and so our sport can have more cohesion and communication about it – the winter training ban is in … Continue reading →

Winter Training Ban Solves Nothing

Has anyone ever caught Brian O’Driscoll sporting an Ireland or Leinster jersey in June, July, or August? Usain Bolt last competed in September and has nothing on his winter schedule for the remainder of the year. Every sport has an off-season: a chance for players to recuperate, coaches to reorganise, organisations to refresh. They call it the “silly season” across in the English Premier League because their summer downtime consists of nothing more than ludicrous transfer rumours and crass gossip of infidelity. On this island, however, it is difficult to decipher a unanimous close season within the GAA – in fact, it is impossible. Rule 6.43 was devised to outlaw any communal … Continue reading →

GAA Undermining International Rules

Who is in charge? I am calling you out. Yes, yes, I keep hearing the same old grumps complain about this “farcical” game that is the International Rules Series but, let’s be honest, too many people in our sport are much too ignorant and lightning quick to reject absolutely anything that is not purely GAA and GAA only. If it is not written as Gaeilge, then they do not want to know. The International Rules should represent an enthralling culmination to the end of both Australia and Ireland’s respective seasons where only the very best 24 players in our sport get the chance to emerge from the intercounty scene. It is a … Continue reading →

Ireland vs Australia: International Revenge

Tomorrow, Ireland can level the scales. They can bridge that frighteningly tight 13 point margin which divides ours and Australia’s aggregate score over the entire 15 International Rules series. They can take one step closer to tying the all-time standings which currently resides 8-7 in favour of our cousins in the southern hemisphere. More importantly though, they have the opportunity to set the nation on its way to our first legitimate Compromise Rules victory over Australia in 7 years (I don’t count the 2008 campaign which was blatantly designed to ease the tensions and appease an unhappy Irish contingent after they had withdrawn from the competition following the violent and humbling 2006 … Continue reading →

2011 All-Ireland All-Star Awards

Having helped 15 lucky footballers reach the pinnacle of their careers with our Ulster All-Star Awards, SC1 Sports have decided to now recognise the outstanding players of this year’s Championship throughout the whole of the island – and, in doing so, give them a memory and an honour to outlast them all. Sure, Vodafone try to buy the affection of their All-Star recipients with silverware and television coverage but, in truth, the SC1 Sports gong needs little back-up or hype to couple its merit. So, congratulations to the following 15 players as the first All-Ireland All-Star winners on this site. We may not have a trophy as such – just a respected … Continue reading →