Each year, on the Sunday preceeding St. Patricks Day, the GAA club jointy hosts an event with FC Irlande in P50, near Schuman Roundabout. It is one of the club's main fundraisers and we profit from drink/food/t-shirt sales during the day at the Parc and also in the evening at 1898.
It involves things typically Irish; namely Gaelic Games, drinking and eating. Plans had a bit of a set back this year with the news that we would not be allowed use the pitch as it has been reseeded. We assumed the games were an important part of the day in terms of attracting people so there was some concern about how things would play out.
Fortunately the sun shone for the first time this year and it helped attract a big crowd and those involved in the organisation were ready for them. It looked to be the best organised one I have seen to date. The committee improvised very well and had plenty of games and challenges set up around the perimeter of the pitch to keep the kids and adults interested. The place was hopping from mid day until early evening.
Credit must go to the girls who managed to do a trojan amount of work despite spending most of the time giving out about the lads lack of help. This is a little bit harsh considering Collie B led a team of men on Saturday and Sunday morning with the tents. On top of that, Ross was MC for the day and we rolled up for the clean up in the evening. Fergal played a big part running off the kids games too. Furthermore, Kitch, Giller and Ciaran Kelly contributed handsomely to the gig in 1898 that night.
Seeing some of the heads on the lads on Sunday morning, I think it was probably better that they weren't allowed sell anything to the public.
The amount of work that goes into the day is immense and those who contribute to it, show the club in the best possible light. Not only does it raise money, it also provides a great opportunity for Irish people to come together and celebrate St. Patricks Day. All involved deserve huge credit for not only the organisation but the fact that the event is getting better and better with each passing year.
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
Monday, March 12, 2012
Ryano Injury Casts Shadow
I'm not sure will we ever experience days like the ones in Summer 2010 when we were able to have a four team intra-club league. Maybe just as well considering how emotional that got at times!! Our numbers are not what they were but on Saturday we still managed a full game, played over four fifteen minute periods in the VUB.
It is important to set these games up in the proper manner and make sure that the players don't just treat them as a casual kick about. To facilitate that, Willie gave up his afternoon to referee and umpires were supplied by Kevin in the form of girlfriend Anay and dad, Michael. Giller was on hand to keep some basic stats and provide comment where necessary.
Actually, we ended up playing 11 v 10. Collie B spat the dummy about me picking all the Cork lads on the same team during a training game last week so I had to pick myself on the team with 10 to appease him. We rotated our keeper in each period and suffered accordingly! I think we were lobbed three times for goals and managed to lose around 80% of our kick-outs!
As I mentioned, Giller was the stat man but we actually only focused on one - turnovers, broken into those in the defending and attacking halves. This will be our focus in the coming weeks and we will work relentlessly on improving that area. The most pleasing stat was the one which said our team didn't conceed the ball once in our own half in the third quarter. However, in the quarter either side, we coughed up possession 8-10 times. The main thing for guys to take from that is we can do it when we are concentrated.
On the scoreboard we were struggling to stay within touch. Our attacking options were limited as Johnny and Dan were forced to track the spare men. Timmy was a lonely figure up front and had plenty of attention from the likes of Ross, Keary and Karl. As mentioned after The Hague, we're working the ball up the pitch too slowly so on Saturday we kicked more long balls into Tim, even though the risk factor was much higher. He fought well to feed off the scraps and felt afterwards he got a great workout because of that.
The returning Conor Aylward was the star of the show kicking five points from play for his team. Overall, they looked the more settled of the two and were very well organised. Their 4-12 to 3-7 win couldn't really be argued with.
I had a fairly brutal outing, covering a lot of ground in a fairly aimless manner, bar a five minute spell in the fourth quarter. I've no concern at the moment though. Relative to previous years, my back is in much better shape and I haven't missed a session because of it yet. The downside is that it takes the legs a good three days to feel fresh after a session!! I'd take that though and will manage my training to be fresh when it matters.
The only downside, besides losing (!), was a bigger loss in the form of Shane Ryan. He also suffers issues with his back but was regaining full fitness this year. He went for a high ball on Saturday and landed hard. The diagnosis is a herniated disk. We have no image of how long he will be out but wish him a speedy recovery.
Considering Saturday's success and the positive feedback from the lads, we've shelved the plans for a team building activity on the 24th and will now play another in-house game, in preparation for the first Benelux tournament at the end of the month. As Lynchy said afterwards, team building is hardly something we need more of so an afteroon playing football will be of much more benefit.
It is important to set these games up in the proper manner and make sure that the players don't just treat them as a casual kick about. To facilitate that, Willie gave up his afternoon to referee and umpires were supplied by Kevin in the form of girlfriend Anay and dad, Michael. Giller was on hand to keep some basic stats and provide comment where necessary.
Actually, we ended up playing 11 v 10. Collie B spat the dummy about me picking all the Cork lads on the same team during a training game last week so I had to pick myself on the team with 10 to appease him. We rotated our keeper in each period and suffered accordingly! I think we were lobbed three times for goals and managed to lose around 80% of our kick-outs!
As I mentioned, Giller was the stat man but we actually only focused on one - turnovers, broken into those in the defending and attacking halves. This will be our focus in the coming weeks and we will work relentlessly on improving that area. The most pleasing stat was the one which said our team didn't conceed the ball once in our own half in the third quarter. However, in the quarter either side, we coughed up possession 8-10 times. The main thing for guys to take from that is we can do it when we are concentrated.
On the scoreboard we were struggling to stay within touch. Our attacking options were limited as Johnny and Dan were forced to track the spare men. Timmy was a lonely figure up front and had plenty of attention from the likes of Ross, Keary and Karl. As mentioned after The Hague, we're working the ball up the pitch too slowly so on Saturday we kicked more long balls into Tim, even though the risk factor was much higher. He fought well to feed off the scraps and felt afterwards he got a great workout because of that.
The returning Conor Aylward was the star of the show kicking five points from play for his team. Overall, they looked the more settled of the two and were very well organised. Their 4-12 to 3-7 win couldn't really be argued with.
I had a fairly brutal outing, covering a lot of ground in a fairly aimless manner, bar a five minute spell in the fourth quarter. I've no concern at the moment though. Relative to previous years, my back is in much better shape and I haven't missed a session because of it yet. The downside is that it takes the legs a good three days to feel fresh after a session!! I'd take that though and will manage my training to be fresh when it matters.
The only downside, besides losing (!), was a bigger loss in the form of Shane Ryan. He also suffers issues with his back but was regaining full fitness this year. He went for a high ball on Saturday and landed hard. The diagnosis is a herniated disk. We have no image of how long he will be out but wish him a speedy recovery.
Considering Saturday's success and the positive feedback from the lads, we've shelved the plans for a team building activity on the 24th and will now play another in-house game, in preparation for the first Benelux tournament at the end of the month. As Lynchy said afterwards, team building is hardly something we need more of so an afteroon playing football will be of much more benefit.
Wednesday, March 7, 2012
Visible Change Providing Perspective
I wouldn’t say I’m a bad loser but I absolutely hate losing. I can only remember being visibly upset on two occasions. The first was when we lost to Fermoy in a County Minor semi-final in 1998. There were few words and many tears shed by us on the way home that evening. The other was when Erins Own beat us in a County semi-final in 2005.
The misery after the latter game was compounded by the fact that I knew it could be my last Championship game for Kinsale. As I came out the gate of the field I passed by my brother and uncle in the narrow path on the way to the dressing room. There was little to be said and there was little time in any case. I needed to get into a car and head to Dublin from where I would fly to Brussels.
I think I reacted like that on those two occasions because we had prepared so well those years. That means there is a huge investment made by you and your teammates and if you fall short, you feel devastated. In Championship it is all or nothing. If you don’t win it, there’s a long winter and spring ahead of you before you can even start back on the road.
Despite last Saturday being ‘only’ a friendly tournament, I was like a dog leaving The Hague. Someone had had a word with me that morning to suggest we use the day as a learning and not go too loopy if things don’t go our way. I was trying to drill that into myself as I left.
On the journey back and on the following day, I was trying to find perspective; we tried different things, used guys in different positions, explored a couple of different tactics – it was never all going to go to plan.
One of the big things I took from the coaching tutor course before Christmas is about how to give a coach confidence by the way you ask him questions. I started tutoring myself – “so Dave, what do you think went well today?” A standard question to put the Coach at ease.
Straight away I went from looking at it from the perspective of a player to looking at it through a coach’s eyes. I began to trace the development of some of the players on the team since they first arrived and also the style in which we play.
The importance and need to actually coach players first dawned on me in October 2010 when Eamonn Ryan visited. Having stepped back in early 2011 I didn’t get to build on it but it was very much a focus of Conan and Eoin when they took the reins. I tried to continue when I got back involved and I think from last year, there was been a greater awareness of coaching and tactics in our set-up.
In the early Belgium G.A.A. days, we had a relatively generous sprinkling of experienced footballers. I was more abrasive as a trainer and didn’t flew off the handle more than I do now. An experienced player needs confidence of course but can be told a few home truths without having it broken as easily.
Currently, we have more guys who are a little behind on the learning curve because they would not have played as much football or even other sports. Being aggressive with this type of player could do more harm than good. More patience is required.
On Saturday, I noticed visible change in a lot of the performances of the lads. You could see guys were trying to put into action what they have picked up. They have become more composed on the ball and the decision making has improved. We’re not there yet but it is a difficult process to go through. If you could turn it on and off like a switch then top notch players would be ten a penny.
It doesn’t work like that so you have to be patient whilst the player develops the skills, the mindset, and an understanding of the bigger picture and his role within it. If I look at our panel on Saturday I would say nearly every player has improved since they first put on a Belgium G.A.A. jersey for the first time. That is a great thing to be able to say.
The different guys involved in training the team and the more experienced players we have had have contributed to that greatly. It all comes down to the player himself though; is he listening, watching, learning? On Saturday, I saw guys learning new things and improving even during the course of the day. That is very positive.
I maybe haven’t found that sense of perspective before and instead became twisted up in the frustration of defeat. That would carry into training. The players and ultimately, the team, would suffer. Conan would try to balance it but one could not always offset the other.
So when I reflect on Saturday and more broadly speaking, where we are coming from, there is a lot to be positive about. However, as the famous slogan goes, it’s a case of ‘a lot done, a lot more to do’. And this leads nicely to the tutor’s next question...
“So Dave, what do you think could have gone better on Saturday?”
The misery after the latter game was compounded by the fact that I knew it could be my last Championship game for Kinsale. As I came out the gate of the field I passed by my brother and uncle in the narrow path on the way to the dressing room. There was little to be said and there was little time in any case. I needed to get into a car and head to Dublin from where I would fly to Brussels.
I think I reacted like that on those two occasions because we had prepared so well those years. That means there is a huge investment made by you and your teammates and if you fall short, you feel devastated. In Championship it is all or nothing. If you don’t win it, there’s a long winter and spring ahead of you before you can even start back on the road.
Despite last Saturday being ‘only’ a friendly tournament, I was like a dog leaving The Hague. Someone had had a word with me that morning to suggest we use the day as a learning and not go too loopy if things don’t go our way. I was trying to drill that into myself as I left.
On the journey back and on the following day, I was trying to find perspective; we tried different things, used guys in different positions, explored a couple of different tactics – it was never all going to go to plan.
One of the big things I took from the coaching tutor course before Christmas is about how to give a coach confidence by the way you ask him questions. I started tutoring myself – “so Dave, what do you think went well today?” A standard question to put the Coach at ease.
Straight away I went from looking at it from the perspective of a player to looking at it through a coach’s eyes. I began to trace the development of some of the players on the team since they first arrived and also the style in which we play.
The importance and need to actually coach players first dawned on me in October 2010 when Eamonn Ryan visited. Having stepped back in early 2011 I didn’t get to build on it but it was very much a focus of Conan and Eoin when they took the reins. I tried to continue when I got back involved and I think from last year, there was been a greater awareness of coaching and tactics in our set-up.
In the early Belgium G.A.A. days, we had a relatively generous sprinkling of experienced footballers. I was more abrasive as a trainer and didn’t flew off the handle more than I do now. An experienced player needs confidence of course but can be told a few home truths without having it broken as easily.
Currently, we have more guys who are a little behind on the learning curve because they would not have played as much football or even other sports. Being aggressive with this type of player could do more harm than good. More patience is required.
On Saturday, I noticed visible change in a lot of the performances of the lads. You could see guys were trying to put into action what they have picked up. They have become more composed on the ball and the decision making has improved. We’re not there yet but it is a difficult process to go through. If you could turn it on and off like a switch then top notch players would be ten a penny.
It doesn’t work like that so you have to be patient whilst the player develops the skills, the mindset, and an understanding of the bigger picture and his role within it. If I look at our panel on Saturday I would say nearly every player has improved since they first put on a Belgium G.A.A. jersey for the first time. That is a great thing to be able to say.
The different guys involved in training the team and the more experienced players we have had have contributed to that greatly. It all comes down to the player himself though; is he listening, watching, learning? On Saturday, I saw guys learning new things and improving even during the course of the day. That is very positive.
I maybe haven’t found that sense of perspective before and instead became twisted up in the frustration of defeat. That would carry into training. The players and ultimately, the team, would suffer. Conan would try to balance it but one could not always offset the other.
So when I reflect on Saturday and more broadly speaking, where we are coming from, there is a lot to be positive about. However, as the famous slogan goes, it’s a case of ‘a lot done, a lot more to do’. And this leads nicely to the tutor’s next question...
“So Dave, what do you think could have gone better on Saturday?”
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
Testing Times
Last Saturday's spin up to The Hague provided a good opportunity to see where we are at. Our travelling team included around 5 regular A team players, a few more who have flirted between both panels and some more looking to stake a claim to step up. At this early stage, its not clear who we will have and how long we will have them so its important that our entire playing pool gets up to speed.
Last year there was no hiding the fact that our mindset was defensive in nature. We found a style that suited us in August and stuck with it through the Championship. In the end we fell short and we are aware that this year we need to find alternate ways to play so we can be more adaptable to situations in games and to the players at our disposal.
With that in mind, Saturday was used to test a few new things out. In our opening two games, we played a more traditional man to man style, not looking to defend so deeply. The first game against Hague B was a sluggish affair and there was little to be taken from a 3-5 to 0-3 win except an acceptance that the early season rust needed to be knocked off.
Next up was Hague A and again we decided not to retreat into our own half so much. The opening exchanges were characterised by needless fouls and poor tracking of runners, leaving us 0-6 to 0-1 behind at the break. However, a good half-time chat helped change things around and we at least won the second half dual. We may have claimed a draw if Timmy was awarded what looked like a cast iron penalty in the final minute when he was sandwiched by two Hague defenders.
Duneaden Gaels were next up and we needed a win to get back on track. This was our best performance of the day, against a team with some dangerous forwards. We reverted to a more defensive approach and Crusher was in his element, carrying his good form through the day. Having trailed at half-time we regrouped well and won a tight game by a point.
Amsterdam came next. The way the group had panned out, they needed to beat us to draw level with Duneaden and ourselves for second place and a shot at the final. The opening minutes were a horror show as the 'Dam split our defence at will to race away into a 1-2 to 0-0 lead. We recovered well and started to play some of our better football of the day, retaking the lead in the second half before a late burst from them put us on the back foot again. We had a free at the death to draw level but couldn't convert.
In the end it wasn't enough for Amsterdam to make the final as a scoring blitz by Duneadon propelled them above both of us to take the spot..
All in all, it was a useful exercise. At the back, I'd put some pressure on our defence to be able to mind their own patch and not need guys filtering back to support. The lads did well and their main problem was dealing with runners coming through.
That highlights the need to get a balance between attacking minded midfielders and more defensive ones in the panel. On Saturday it was only when Ger went in there that we had someone holding that area. Our forward play continues to improve but has a bit to go yet. We bunched in the scoring areas and have a tendency to just think one pass ahead rather than anticpate how a play will unfold further down the line. With that said, the forwards suffered from the lack of quick ball in and our habit of carrying the ball forward into their space.
They say you learn more in defeat than victory and in that sense, we got a lot out of Saturday. We saw good improvements but were also reminded of our shortcomings. The attitude is currently good and the committment also so hopefully we come progress in the coming month.
Last year there was no hiding the fact that our mindset was defensive in nature. We found a style that suited us in August and stuck with it through the Championship. In the end we fell short and we are aware that this year we need to find alternate ways to play so we can be more adaptable to situations in games and to the players at our disposal.
With that in mind, Saturday was used to test a few new things out. In our opening two games, we played a more traditional man to man style, not looking to defend so deeply. The first game against Hague B was a sluggish affair and there was little to be taken from a 3-5 to 0-3 win except an acceptance that the early season rust needed to be knocked off.
Next up was Hague A and again we decided not to retreat into our own half so much. The opening exchanges were characterised by needless fouls and poor tracking of runners, leaving us 0-6 to 0-1 behind at the break. However, a good half-time chat helped change things around and we at least won the second half dual. We may have claimed a draw if Timmy was awarded what looked like a cast iron penalty in the final minute when he was sandwiched by two Hague defenders.
Duneaden Gaels were next up and we needed a win to get back on track. This was our best performance of the day, against a team with some dangerous forwards. We reverted to a more defensive approach and Crusher was in his element, carrying his good form through the day. Having trailed at half-time we regrouped well and won a tight game by a point.
Amsterdam came next. The way the group had panned out, they needed to beat us to draw level with Duneaden and ourselves for second place and a shot at the final. The opening minutes were a horror show as the 'Dam split our defence at will to race away into a 1-2 to 0-0 lead. We recovered well and started to play some of our better football of the day, retaking the lead in the second half before a late burst from them put us on the back foot again. We had a free at the death to draw level but couldn't convert.
In the end it wasn't enough for Amsterdam to make the final as a scoring blitz by Duneadon propelled them above both of us to take the spot..
All in all, it was a useful exercise. At the back, I'd put some pressure on our defence to be able to mind their own patch and not need guys filtering back to support. The lads did well and their main problem was dealing with runners coming through.
That highlights the need to get a balance between attacking minded midfielders and more defensive ones in the panel. On Saturday it was only when Ger went in there that we had someone holding that area. Our forward play continues to improve but has a bit to go yet. We bunched in the scoring areas and have a tendency to just think one pass ahead rather than anticpate how a play will unfold further down the line. With that said, the forwards suffered from the lack of quick ball in and our habit of carrying the ball forward into their space.
They say you learn more in defeat than victory and in that sense, we got a lot out of Saturday. We saw good improvements but were also reminded of our shortcomings. The attitude is currently good and the committment also so hopefully we come progress in the coming month.
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Sleepless Nights
The root cause of these can be one of two things. One is if a session goes particularly badly. I’ll be rolling around in bed for hours, frustrated at why it wasn’t up to scratch. The other is if it goes particularly well. In that case I’ll come home buzzing and won’t be able to relax sufficiently to drift off to sleep.
The last two nights of training have left me sleepless for the right reasons. As I mentioned already, Diarmuid Laffan has joined myself and Conan in leading training. With each passing session we are beginning to gel and land on the same wavelength. That combined with the lads’ application has contributed to a very positive start.
Mainly due to our work commitments, we have yet to sit together to lay out the plan. Instead, we have been relying on text, emails and phone calls for planning purposes. It has meant there have been a few bumps but nothing that the players would have picked up on.
In terms of our manner at training, I would normally be more on the grumpy side. It takes a bit more to push Conan over the edge but his frustration has come out from time to time too. That’s why getting Laffan on board is so important as it brings enthusiasm and a fresh voice.
Coming mainly from a rugby background, I’m hoping he can bring guys out of their shells. The group is the quietest team I have ever been involved with but that’s not to say the lads don’t work hard or have a lot to offer. I’ve always been impressed with how in rugby, they are very good at creating a supportive environment for the players. We’re looking to Laffan to try and bring a bit of that.
So far, Conan and himself have put together some excellent sessions. I’m involved in the planning but more on the periphery and that’s ideal for me as I can focus on my fitness.
We’ve tried different approaches to pre-season in previous years. 2008 and 2011 would have heavily focused on ball/skill work whilst 2009 and 2010 would have been more running. This year, we want to get a tough five or six weeks under our belt to lay solid foundations for the year. We need to train at a higher tempo and to do that the roadwork needs doing.
Everyone has access to a google spreadsheet where they can log their own attendance and also times for some of the runs we are doing. This is optional but I’d like to see everyone buy into it.
One of the things we have been doing at training is a 1.6km run at the start. It’s been good to see lads logging their times afterwards. Sometimes there may be a tendency not to bother if your time wasn’t impressive but that hasn’t been the case. No-one is being judged at this stage but I think by putting your time against everyone else’s, it says you are challenging yourself. I certainly feel that way and was pissed off when I had to put down a time on Monday which was six seconds slower than Thursday. I don’t want to have to do that again.
So far the attitude of everyone has been top notch. That will give us something extra this year but I’m under no illusions that we have to improve our football if we are to bridge the gap in quality that existed last year.
On Saturday we go to The Hague to play in their annual invitational and that will give us a good indication where we are at. It will also allow us try out different players and tactics which we would be too cautious to do in a competitive tournament. We will then have a month to improve the fitness and tune the football before returning to The Hague for the first Benelux round.
The last two nights of training have left me sleepless for the right reasons. As I mentioned already, Diarmuid Laffan has joined myself and Conan in leading training. With each passing session we are beginning to gel and land on the same wavelength. That combined with the lads’ application has contributed to a very positive start.
Mainly due to our work commitments, we have yet to sit together to lay out the plan. Instead, we have been relying on text, emails and phone calls for planning purposes. It has meant there have been a few bumps but nothing that the players would have picked up on.
In terms of our manner at training, I would normally be more on the grumpy side. It takes a bit more to push Conan over the edge but his frustration has come out from time to time too. That’s why getting Laffan on board is so important as it brings enthusiasm and a fresh voice.
Coming mainly from a rugby background, I’m hoping he can bring guys out of their shells. The group is the quietest team I have ever been involved with but that’s not to say the lads don’t work hard or have a lot to offer. I’ve always been impressed with how in rugby, they are very good at creating a supportive environment for the players. We’re looking to Laffan to try and bring a bit of that.
So far, Conan and himself have put together some excellent sessions. I’m involved in the planning but more on the periphery and that’s ideal for me as I can focus on my fitness.
We’ve tried different approaches to pre-season in previous years. 2008 and 2011 would have heavily focused on ball/skill work whilst 2009 and 2010 would have been more running. This year, we want to get a tough five or six weeks under our belt to lay solid foundations for the year. We need to train at a higher tempo and to do that the roadwork needs doing.
Everyone has access to a google spreadsheet where they can log their own attendance and also times for some of the runs we are doing. This is optional but I’d like to see everyone buy into it.
One of the things we have been doing at training is a 1.6km run at the start. It’s been good to see lads logging their times afterwards. Sometimes there may be a tendency not to bother if your time wasn’t impressive but that hasn’t been the case. No-one is being judged at this stage but I think by putting your time against everyone else’s, it says you are challenging yourself. I certainly feel that way and was pissed off when I had to put down a time on Monday which was six seconds slower than Thursday. I don’t want to have to do that again.
So far the attitude of everyone has been top notch. That will give us something extra this year but I’m under no illusions that we have to improve our football if we are to bridge the gap in quality that existed last year.
On Saturday we go to The Hague to play in their annual invitational and that will give us a good indication where we are at. It will also allow us try out different players and tactics which we would be too cautious to do in a competitive tournament. We will then have a month to improve the fitness and tune the football before returning to The Hague for the first Benelux round.
Sunday, February 19, 2012
Barntown Win Shoot-Out
Belgium 3-18 Glynn Barntown 7-15
Things have fallen well for us this preseason with a challenge game against Glynn Barntown and a trip Den Hague for their invitational slotting nicely into our schedule.
First up were the Wexford men of Glynn Barntown in the Liam Kehoe Memorial Cup. Liam was a former member of their club who passed away in recent years. The lads chose their annual tour to honour him and it gave both teams a greater incentive to win.
We picked a panel of 16 and it consisted of a mix of what would be our Championship and Shield team. We resisted the temptation to add any additional players as they became available and also the soccer lads who had their games cancelled on Saturday. After last year, I’m content as long as we have guys who understand how we want to play and buy into it. In that sense, I was comfortable with the 16 for Saturday.
However, I did have some concern about where the scores would come from. No Giller, O’Dowd, Cillian, Laffan etc. We had Timmy in his usual post and opted for Paddy as his foil. I expected to be heavily reliant on them.
As it turned out, our display threw up the unexpected. Our defending was way below par while our attacking play was some of the best I have seen from us in recent times. The lads joked afterwards that we scored more in this one game (3-18) than we did in most Pan-Euro tournaments last year. There was a good spread too with Johnny O, Johnny P, Pierce, Paddy, Timmy, Griff and myself all raising a flag. One or two more may have done likewise but my memory fails me.
At the other end, we conceded 7-15. I reckon six of the seven goals came from blatant errors in our defence. There were a couple of contributing factors; our line across half back was very flat leaving us exposed to ball over the top, communication could always be better, choosing more complicated options over the simple one, general rustiness. In defence of the defence though, the amount of switches we made was very disruptive and I expected some consequence before the game.
Since last year, we use our full ‘rotation’ to keep freshness on the pitch and it has worked well. However, this would focus on midfield and half forward in particular whilst we would tinker a lot less at the back. They say 90% of successful teams win because they have the best defence. You will rarely see those teams tinker much with these players in the course of a game, no matter what sport. Of all areas on the pitch, you need consistency in those positions.
I’m not overly concerned at this point as this was the strongest aspect of our play last year. It was the forward display that leaves me buzzing this morning. As Crusher said of the football on show at training Thursday, ‘it was utter sh1te’. I didn’t have high expectations. It was a different story yesterday though and we showed great composure in attack, waiting for the right shot and moving well off the ball.
It’s surprisingly easy to get into my good books and there are a few lads who have laid down an early marker. Griff continues to strengthen his position as a key man in the team. Pearce is showing a good appetite (he even had the right gear!). Up front, Ger fits our play perfectly; selfless and dogged running and he rarely coughs up possession. Timmy is bossing the forwards now and we need such leadership up front.
Paddy Cassidy was the star of the show yesterday in my book though. We’ve asked him to play many unfamiliar roles but he has never shirked the challenge. He empties it every day, whether at training or in matches. I thought he was magnificent yesterday and capped his display with a healthy return on the scorers list, both from play and dead balls.
My excitement is mainly linked to our efficiency in front of goal but we still have lots to work on. There are plenty of aspects of our defence that needs working on. Our fielding and contesting of breaking ball was poor also. With all that said, after just one proper training (which lads were still struggling to shake off), the attitude and application was spot on.
The mood in the camp is as good as I’ve seen in a while and it will need to be as we face into some tough grind in the coming weeks.
Finally, thanks to Willie Cashin who did an excellent job with the whistle.
Panel: S Ryan, C Mescall, K Keary, D Barrett, D Lynch, P Quinn, P Cushen, P O’Caoimh, S Griffen, J O’Riordan, J Phelan, G McMahon, A Rowan, D Keohane, P Cassidy, T Donovan
Things have fallen well for us this preseason with a challenge game against Glynn Barntown and a trip Den Hague for their invitational slotting nicely into our schedule.
First up were the Wexford men of Glynn Barntown in the Liam Kehoe Memorial Cup. Liam was a former member of their club who passed away in recent years. The lads chose their annual tour to honour him and it gave both teams a greater incentive to win.
We picked a panel of 16 and it consisted of a mix of what would be our Championship and Shield team. We resisted the temptation to add any additional players as they became available and also the soccer lads who had their games cancelled on Saturday. After last year, I’m content as long as we have guys who understand how we want to play and buy into it. In that sense, I was comfortable with the 16 for Saturday.
However, I did have some concern about where the scores would come from. No Giller, O’Dowd, Cillian, Laffan etc. We had Timmy in his usual post and opted for Paddy as his foil. I expected to be heavily reliant on them.
As it turned out, our display threw up the unexpected. Our defending was way below par while our attacking play was some of the best I have seen from us in recent times. The lads joked afterwards that we scored more in this one game (3-18) than we did in most Pan-Euro tournaments last year. There was a good spread too with Johnny O, Johnny P, Pierce, Paddy, Timmy, Griff and myself all raising a flag. One or two more may have done likewise but my memory fails me.
At the other end, we conceded 7-15. I reckon six of the seven goals came from blatant errors in our defence. There were a couple of contributing factors; our line across half back was very flat leaving us exposed to ball over the top, communication could always be better, choosing more complicated options over the simple one, general rustiness. In defence of the defence though, the amount of switches we made was very disruptive and I expected some consequence before the game.
Since last year, we use our full ‘rotation’ to keep freshness on the pitch and it has worked well. However, this would focus on midfield and half forward in particular whilst we would tinker a lot less at the back. They say 90% of successful teams win because they have the best defence. You will rarely see those teams tinker much with these players in the course of a game, no matter what sport. Of all areas on the pitch, you need consistency in those positions.
I’m not overly concerned at this point as this was the strongest aspect of our play last year. It was the forward display that leaves me buzzing this morning. As Crusher said of the football on show at training Thursday, ‘it was utter sh1te’. I didn’t have high expectations. It was a different story yesterday though and we showed great composure in attack, waiting for the right shot and moving well off the ball.
It’s surprisingly easy to get into my good books and there are a few lads who have laid down an early marker. Griff continues to strengthen his position as a key man in the team. Pearce is showing a good appetite (he even had the right gear!). Up front, Ger fits our play perfectly; selfless and dogged running and he rarely coughs up possession. Timmy is bossing the forwards now and we need such leadership up front.
Paddy Cassidy was the star of the show yesterday in my book though. We’ve asked him to play many unfamiliar roles but he has never shirked the challenge. He empties it every day, whether at training or in matches. I thought he was magnificent yesterday and capped his display with a healthy return on the scorers list, both from play and dead balls.
My excitement is mainly linked to our efficiency in front of goal but we still have lots to work on. There are plenty of aspects of our defence that needs working on. Our fielding and contesting of breaking ball was poor also. With all that said, after just one proper training (which lads were still struggling to shake off), the attitude and application was spot on.
The mood in the camp is as good as I’ve seen in a while and it will need to be as we face into some tough grind in the coming weeks.
Finally, thanks to Willie Cashin who did an excellent job with the whistle.
Panel: S Ryan, C Mescall, K Keary, D Barrett, D Lynch, P Quinn, P Cushen, P O’Caoimh, S Griffen, J O’Riordan, J Phelan, G McMahon, A Rowan, D Keohane, P Cassidy, T Donovan
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
Method To The Dubs Madness?
It is well known, that at different stages of the season, the Dubs opt for training sessions at the crack of dawn. At exam time, this is seen as a better plan for the students who can then go and focus on their studies for the day. It also cuts their panel's travel time as they do not have to deal with Dublin's rush hour traffic.
Of course, I have no delusions that Belgium's hurlers or footballers are going to be taking up such a programme a few of us are tempted to sample its delights. Since January, the gym we use has been rammed with the new years resolution crew and they have yet to lose their enthusiasm.
I usually head with Crusher and Ger but since Christmas we've all been busy at work so it has been hard to beat the evening rush. To have any kind of satisfactory session, you'd need to wait until after 8 which kills your evening. On a more pitiful point, I find the recovery from a tough session takes longer now and can impact how you feel at football/hurling training the following day.
To counter this, myself and Ger hit it early this morning, arriving shortly after 7am. The place was deserted and we could rattle through our session in 37 minutes. The quality was good and I left the place buzzing and it carried me through the day without hassle. The early morning doesn't bother me as I would normally be at work between half seven and a quarter to eight anyway. This morning I was still able to make it in before nine.
What I found must interesting was the impact it had on my behaviour. Last night I realised how important it would be to eat properly as I would need to have sufficient energy for the session. Biscuits etc were off the menu. The impact of what I ate today was even greater though. Normally, I’d have a fair bit of rubbish over the course of the day, consoling myself that I'd burn it of that evening. However, having had a good session this morning and feeling the positive benefit on the body, I couldn't look at anything sweet thing all day. Essentially, it created some badly needed self-regulation of my eating habits.
The other benefit is that it gives us around twelve hours more recovery time before tomorrow night’s session. Of course if we went tonight we would be able for the session tomorrow but I'm sure our performance would be inhibited.
It also gives a welcome free evening. With hurling and football occupying three nights a week from the end of February, it becomes difficult to fit three gym sessions in and still manage to have some free evenings to yourself. By throwing one early morning session into the mix, you can change the whole dynamic of your week.
I’m a believer. The future is bright, the future is blue!!!
Of course, I have no delusions that Belgium's hurlers or footballers are going to be taking up such a programme a few of us are tempted to sample its delights. Since January, the gym we use has been rammed with the new years resolution crew and they have yet to lose their enthusiasm.
I usually head with Crusher and Ger but since Christmas we've all been busy at work so it has been hard to beat the evening rush. To have any kind of satisfactory session, you'd need to wait until after 8 which kills your evening. On a more pitiful point, I find the recovery from a tough session takes longer now and can impact how you feel at football/hurling training the following day.
To counter this, myself and Ger hit it early this morning, arriving shortly after 7am. The place was deserted and we could rattle through our session in 37 minutes. The quality was good and I left the place buzzing and it carried me through the day without hassle. The early morning doesn't bother me as I would normally be at work between half seven and a quarter to eight anyway. This morning I was still able to make it in before nine.
What I found must interesting was the impact it had on my behaviour. Last night I realised how important it would be to eat properly as I would need to have sufficient energy for the session. Biscuits etc were off the menu. The impact of what I ate today was even greater though. Normally, I’d have a fair bit of rubbish over the course of the day, consoling myself that I'd burn it of that evening. However, having had a good session this morning and feeling the positive benefit on the body, I couldn't look at anything sweet thing all day. Essentially, it created some badly needed self-regulation of my eating habits.
The other benefit is that it gives us around twelve hours more recovery time before tomorrow night’s session. Of course if we went tonight we would be able for the session tomorrow but I'm sure our performance would be inhibited.
It also gives a welcome free evening. With hurling and football occupying three nights a week from the end of February, it becomes difficult to fit three gym sessions in and still manage to have some free evenings to yourself. By throwing one early morning session into the mix, you can change the whole dynamic of your week.
I’m a believer. The future is bright, the future is blue!!!
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