The Friday night flight from Brussels to Dublin could easily double as a live Gift Grub recording with all the politicos heading home for the weekend. I’m often surprised how little discretion they exert when they are discussing the issues of the day. There was one particularly comical moment involving Enda Kenny on Friday.
I think he must have intentionally boarded last and booked a seat in the back row so he could make the most of the meet and greet opportunity. There were handshakes, smiles, good luck wishes and pats on the back. In response to one well wisher, he clasped his fist and delivered a steely ‘it’s championship time’. ‘Jaysus, we know what that means’ came the reply. With Mayo’s recent record, it probably wasn’t the most reassuring proclamation.
Anyway, about four hours later I pulled into the Glenavon Hotel in Cookstown, Co. Tyrone. I’d been to the town before to receive an almighty hiding from the home side in the Irish Senior Cup (hockey) back in the early noughties. The name Andy Barbour will be forever lodged in my memory, as will the fact that the cans of Bud were 5%.
The idea of travelling was suggested by a buddy before Christmas and when I took a look at the list of speakers, it was a no brainer. Down All-Ireland winning manager Pete McGrath, referee Pat McEnaney, European Boxing champ Paul McCloskey, 4 time Derry All-Star Tony Scullion, former Tyrone and current Down coach Paddy Tally as well as a host of others.
Some mentioned a figure of up to 400 attendees and the event was impeccably organised. The cost was €25 and that included a morning snack and buffet lunch as well as a few freebies. My expectations of such events have been managed though. I used to attend expecting to come away with a whole new direction or catalogue of ideas but I soon realised, if you have an active interest in the fields of fitness and coaching, you actually already know a lot of what they tell you. What you get out of it is a confirmation that you are generally on the right road but more importantly some better ideas on how to put it all together.
In the morning you had to select two workshops from five. The first I attended was with Paul Murphy who has worked as Antrim Hurling and Down Football conditioning coach. His focus mixed the theory and practical application of core work. I found it very beneficial as it’s a hot topic for me at the moment. How to progress your team through a core programme was the key learning.
Next up was Paddy Tally. I’d remembered reading something about a fall out between him and Mickey Harte in Harte’s book so I had a preconceived idea about him. He is a confident guy, coming in from more of a science background and I couldn’t find an easy connection with him. I’d have liked more practical examples but his focus was on structure of a season’s training. Less sexy maybe but still, it was very useful.
The afternoon workshop I attended was about developing high intensity football and was led by Tony Scullion, Terence McWilliams and Kevin McGuigan. It’s another topic I’ve a big interest in. As a player I get frustrated when we play games in training where there simply isn’t enough intensity or touches of the ball. As a trainer, I constantly tinker with numbers and pitch sizes to try and get the balance right. Scullion turned out to be a total nutter. He’s a huge man who could nearly kill you by just looking at you. I can only imagine what he’d get out of you as a player though. He struck me as an awe inspiring character.
The workshop mixed talk about heart rate and practical examples. They talked about what the target heart rates should be for training and how to maintain it. It’s a method they use to track how hard players are working at training. Of course, they have all the equipment so can track it better than we could imagine but the principle doesn’t change. Actually a player can buy their own heart rate monitor fairly cheap these days so if they were motivated, they could easily do it themselves.
It was definitely worth the trip and to see the work going on in Ulster is incredible. Munster is certainly lagging way behind. The coaching structures in place are enviable and the hunger to learn was clear from the large attendance. I’d certainly recommend such conference to anyone with an interest in developing themselves as a coach.
Sunday, January 30, 2011
Friday, January 28, 2011
Blue Revolution
My hands were blue from the cold and the new management team was all kitted out in blue, full of the energy and optimism that only a couple of Dubs, in lofty preseason expectation mode, could generate on a bitterly cold Brussels night.
Our new home has the grandeur one only dreams of when they start out on the road to forming a G.A.A. club in Europe. A huge pitch, quality surface, top of the range lights and excellent changing facilities. All we needed was players and they came in their droves, something like 30 in all with the lads and the bones of 20 girls down the other end.
Eoin was all about business and for the 35 or so minutes I lasted in the cold, there was no standing around. The drills were different and the voice was different but I’d be lying if I said I was overly enthusiastic. I said in the last entry that I thought fellas should turn up to training even if they are injured but I learned last night that observing training in Europe is a lonely exercise, especially in the depths of winter.
There was simply no-one to talk to! At home, there’d be loads of fellas pottering around, doing jobs, commenting on players and giving their opinions about anything and everything else. Last night there was no Paddy Joe or Tom Quigley or anyone else.
Eoin’s approach is considerably different to mine and that will hopefully mean he will be able to contain his frustration levels. He didn’t react as Cowan & Co arrived in late or as lads floundered around trying to figure out how to manage an object otherwise referred to as a football.
We're up and running now though and the most immediate objective is a tournament in Dublin against Cuala, Kilmacud and Hudson’s old club in Dublin on February 19th.
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
New Master Takes Reigns
And so the new chapter starts. No more control, no more dictating. I become a mere minion to a new master. Dad doesn't think I'll be able to fill the void whilst my buddies doubt I can slip quietly into the pack. It's a bit like one night going home owning the company and the next morning finding yourself beavering away many rungs from the top of it.
Training the team had become a burden and when that happens, the enjoyment goes and the decision to step back is an easy one. Now the sensations change. I return to being a player, wondering what training holds in store and fretting about my selection and what position I may be playing. However, you appreciate this so much more when you've previously worried about planning and organising trainings as well managing relationships with your buddies.
I welcome the hardship of winter training. Steam rising from you as you are hunched over heaving for breath in some dark corner of a field. The silence only broken by the trudging and spluttering of your team-mates. My return this year is slightly delayed due to my back but I'll still be there doing a few exercises. It will be a few weeks before I can run and twist and turn without hindrance. I always took it as a given that a guy should be at training even when they are injured but most guys don't seem to share that.
We start tomorrow night in the VUB. The novelty of having a changing facilities and a bar will be long lasting I suspect. Dressing room banter is under appreciated as a tool to build team spirit. Gone for now are the days of togging out in the rain and hurrying out the gate after training in case hypothermia sets in. Also, the sports centre has a bar which could be viewed as being good or bad. It's proximity to the student bars of Brussels can only be a good thing though!
My removal from the trainer position also challenges the existence of the blog! Now I will have to be more considerate in my topics and my ranting and raving will have to be curtailed somewhat. Still, as a 'senior' player in any group should do, there will still be plenty of scope to cajole and harass anyone dragging their arse.
Roll on 2011.
Training the team had become a burden and when that happens, the enjoyment goes and the decision to step back is an easy one. Now the sensations change. I return to being a player, wondering what training holds in store and fretting about my selection and what position I may be playing. However, you appreciate this so much more when you've previously worried about planning and organising trainings as well managing relationships with your buddies.
I welcome the hardship of winter training. Steam rising from you as you are hunched over heaving for breath in some dark corner of a field. The silence only broken by the trudging and spluttering of your team-mates. My return this year is slightly delayed due to my back but I'll still be there doing a few exercises. It will be a few weeks before I can run and twist and turn without hindrance. I always took it as a given that a guy should be at training even when they are injured but most guys don't seem to share that.
We start tomorrow night in the VUB. The novelty of having a changing facilities and a bar will be long lasting I suspect. Dressing room banter is under appreciated as a tool to build team spirit. Gone for now are the days of togging out in the rain and hurrying out the gate after training in case hypothermia sets in. Also, the sports centre has a bar which could be viewed as being good or bad. It's proximity to the student bars of Brussels can only be a good thing though!
My removal from the trainer position also challenges the existence of the blog! Now I will have to be more considerate in my topics and my ranting and raving will have to be curtailed somewhat. Still, as a 'senior' player in any group should do, there will still be plenty of scope to cajole and harass anyone dragging their arse.
Roll on 2011.
Sunday, January 23, 2011
Byrno's Big Bailout
Brian Cowan is in his final days fulfilling whatever role it is that he is occupying now and with the Belgium AGM on Tuesday night, our Chairman Kevin Keary has one of his committee to thank for getting him out of an awkward issue.
Our pitch situation has long been a problem. Parc50 has a place in our hearts as it is where the club has really grown. However, to some extent, we have outgrown it, mainly due to our player numbers. In addition, it is hard to continually ignore its other problems, such as the surface and lack of fencing around the pitch which makes it particularly difficult for hurling. Not to mention the lack of dressing rooms and lights. As for the BSB, it is just too far out of town and difficult/nearly impossible to get there for 19h.
Everyone appointed to a committee has a generally defined role or at least some scope to make up its definition if they show the initiative to do so. They are responsible for running the day to day business but should also be responsible for looking for avenues to bring the club forward. The main one in this case, in my opinion, has been to find a new home. As far as I could see, only token action was taken until last week.
On Monday, Collie B took some initiative, ignored the usual declaration that the VUB (University in Brussels) was unavailable and took a trip out there. Indeed, it is unavailable for soccer but when he explained that Gaelic Football was more like rugby (grrr), they became quite open to the idea. And there you have it; we now have a pitch, 15mins from Schuman by foot and metro, at the primetime of 20h on Tuesday and Thursday.
It’s a massive boost ahead of the recommencement of training on Thursday night. We have an attractive, floodlit facility with dressing rooms, to help us attract more players. The time is more suitable from a work point of view so it could hardly be better. The only downside is that it closes in June, July and August but there is time to solve that problem.
As for the rest of the AGM, my main gripe is relating to the timing of the meeting itself. I’m open to correction but I’m pretty sure every GAA club in the world has its AGM prior to its County convention. This allows its members time to debate motions to propose at that meeting rather than a small group i.e. the committee, deciding themselves.
This year, I attended the County Convention without having had any explanation of the motions which our club proposed. I was a delegate of the County Board rather than the club on that occasion so had no problem voting against them.
Adding to my frustration was the nature of them. I thought they focused on rules and regulation type of things which weren’t really going to benefit any of us. I had sent a mail with two proposals back in October or November. One was to get rid of the post tournament dinner and instead just have the host club have a do in a pub. The two main reasons were the hassle in organising it and the cost for players which could be eliminated. Very few clubs actually use their sponsor’s premises for it so that is not an issue.
My other suggestion was to amend the yellow card rule. Conchur de Barra received two yellow cards in two games in a tournament last year and as a result could not play for the rest of the day. It’s a ridiculous ruling. Of course, discipline is an issue but to punish someone who may have travelled half way across Europe, by ruling them out for two yellows in two games is ridiculous. Frustration is enhanced by the inconsistency of the refereeing too.
These are practical, simple changes which would actually benefit our members but I don’t think I even got a response to my mail. And without a properly timed AGM, the motions could not be properly proposed.
There was one major initiative kicked off and sustained. That was the Newsletter which Steph and Sylvia so brilliantly produce. However, we have also fallen back in one aspect of promotion. When we got the football going, Conan had us everywhere, regularly featuring on hoganstand.com. We didn’t appear anywhere last year but I saw plenty about Den Hague, Stockholm and Warsaw. Creating awareness is important.
This is not to say the club is not running well, just that a committee’s job is not just to carry out normal business (which was done) but also make meaningful changes that can drive the club on and benefit the members. The pitch is a good step and already the fundraising is becoming more alive.
Over the last few months, a load of people have asked what they can do to help out and the enthusiasm to contribute is magnificent. With good people committed to leading our teams for the coming year, we maintain our healthy condition and the outlook is good for 2011.
Unfortunately I can’t be in attendance to discuss in more detail on Tuesday night.
Our pitch situation has long been a problem. Parc50 has a place in our hearts as it is where the club has really grown. However, to some extent, we have outgrown it, mainly due to our player numbers. In addition, it is hard to continually ignore its other problems, such as the surface and lack of fencing around the pitch which makes it particularly difficult for hurling. Not to mention the lack of dressing rooms and lights. As for the BSB, it is just too far out of town and difficult/nearly impossible to get there for 19h.
Everyone appointed to a committee has a generally defined role or at least some scope to make up its definition if they show the initiative to do so. They are responsible for running the day to day business but should also be responsible for looking for avenues to bring the club forward. The main one in this case, in my opinion, has been to find a new home. As far as I could see, only token action was taken until last week.
On Monday, Collie B took some initiative, ignored the usual declaration that the VUB (University in Brussels) was unavailable and took a trip out there. Indeed, it is unavailable for soccer but when he explained that Gaelic Football was more like rugby (grrr), they became quite open to the idea. And there you have it; we now have a pitch, 15mins from Schuman by foot and metro, at the primetime of 20h on Tuesday and Thursday.
It’s a massive boost ahead of the recommencement of training on Thursday night. We have an attractive, floodlit facility with dressing rooms, to help us attract more players. The time is more suitable from a work point of view so it could hardly be better. The only downside is that it closes in June, July and August but there is time to solve that problem.
As for the rest of the AGM, my main gripe is relating to the timing of the meeting itself. I’m open to correction but I’m pretty sure every GAA club in the world has its AGM prior to its County convention. This allows its members time to debate motions to propose at that meeting rather than a small group i.e. the committee, deciding themselves.
This year, I attended the County Convention without having had any explanation of the motions which our club proposed. I was a delegate of the County Board rather than the club on that occasion so had no problem voting against them.
Adding to my frustration was the nature of them. I thought they focused on rules and regulation type of things which weren’t really going to benefit any of us. I had sent a mail with two proposals back in October or November. One was to get rid of the post tournament dinner and instead just have the host club have a do in a pub. The two main reasons were the hassle in organising it and the cost for players which could be eliminated. Very few clubs actually use their sponsor’s premises for it so that is not an issue.
My other suggestion was to amend the yellow card rule. Conchur de Barra received two yellow cards in two games in a tournament last year and as a result could not play for the rest of the day. It’s a ridiculous ruling. Of course, discipline is an issue but to punish someone who may have travelled half way across Europe, by ruling them out for two yellows in two games is ridiculous. Frustration is enhanced by the inconsistency of the refereeing too.
These are practical, simple changes which would actually benefit our members but I don’t think I even got a response to my mail. And without a properly timed AGM, the motions could not be properly proposed.
There was one major initiative kicked off and sustained. That was the Newsletter which Steph and Sylvia so brilliantly produce. However, we have also fallen back in one aspect of promotion. When we got the football going, Conan had us everywhere, regularly featuring on hoganstand.com. We didn’t appear anywhere last year but I saw plenty about Den Hague, Stockholm and Warsaw. Creating awareness is important.
This is not to say the club is not running well, just that a committee’s job is not just to carry out normal business (which was done) but also make meaningful changes that can drive the club on and benefit the members. The pitch is a good step and already the fundraising is becoming more alive.
Over the last few months, a load of people have asked what they can do to help out and the enthusiasm to contribute is magnificent. With good people committed to leading our teams for the coming year, we maintain our healthy condition and the outlook is good for 2011.
Unfortunately I can’t be in attendance to discuss in more detail on Tuesday night.
Friday, January 21, 2011
Signing Off
There were a few fellas on the recruitment list back in the winter of 2007. Enda Rice was one of them. He fitted the criteria; active sportsman, good attitude and gaelic football on his CV. He was a regular in the heart of the FC Irlande first team defence as well as being a 'ranked' squash player in Belgium. The fact he was in his mid-thirties was ignored.
Enda balanced all these commitments well and always kept me in the loop regarding his whereabouts. If he wasn’t training with us you could be sure he was training with someone else and he balanced his commitments well. He thought about the game too and countered my sometimes frenzied rants well at times. If I needed one at a tournament I'd navigate towards him and he'd put sense on it.
He married a Belgian girl and their holidays were intertwined with G.A.A. tournaments in recent summers. 'Hiking' would have a pit stop in Munich for football and Saturday nights were often spent at G.A.A. dinners. An unexpected education I'm sure.
He was instrumental at midfield in 2008. Switching the play is something I like banging on about and you'd often find Enda in the pocket ready to receive and change the direction of the play. He'd kick points too and scored an absolute screamer of a goal against Den Hague in November 2008.
Last year it was clear he was overly stretched with all his commitments. He suffered a good bit of injury during the G.A.A. season and that didn't help his cause. Down in Luxembourg in June was the first time there was no place for him on the Championship panel. We had too many players, training well, who had to be rewarded. Despite always looking like he couldn't be ruffled, he was p1ssed off that day. We had a brief exchange in the dressing rooms but he gave me his thoughts in more details early the following week.
He knew the score and was able to look at it objectively, something most of us struggle to do. He said he was fully committed to winning his place back and I knew we needed him going well to succeed later in the year. He missed Munich and he didn't see enough game time in Budapest. In Maastricht he was a key man in the Shield squad that did so well and came so close to achieving the unachievable (others perception) by winning the Shield. His positive attitude never waned despite the season not panning out the way we had both planned.
He also proved a great clubman, even lining out with the hurlers on occasion when the need was there. He'd volunteer to do just about anything from picking up water to driving the bus to whatever else. Totally reliable.
He informed Eoin last week and then let me know a couple of days later. Of course, knowing his situation, I wasn't surprised. Playing G.A.A. is a huge commitment due to the length of the season and all the travel. Also, Enda is in his late thirties and the stop start nature of tournaments play havoc with his body.
He'll leave his share of inspiration with the older crew though. As our bodies ache in mysterious ways, we only need to look at him and see how he has maintained his fitness and been able to continually contribute on the pitch in his sporting endeavours.
Enda balanced all these commitments well and always kept me in the loop regarding his whereabouts. If he wasn’t training with us you could be sure he was training with someone else and he balanced his commitments well. He thought about the game too and countered my sometimes frenzied rants well at times. If I needed one at a tournament I'd navigate towards him and he'd put sense on it.
He married a Belgian girl and their holidays were intertwined with G.A.A. tournaments in recent summers. 'Hiking' would have a pit stop in Munich for football and Saturday nights were often spent at G.A.A. dinners. An unexpected education I'm sure.
He was instrumental at midfield in 2008. Switching the play is something I like banging on about and you'd often find Enda in the pocket ready to receive and change the direction of the play. He'd kick points too and scored an absolute screamer of a goal against Den Hague in November 2008.
Last year it was clear he was overly stretched with all his commitments. He suffered a good bit of injury during the G.A.A. season and that didn't help his cause. Down in Luxembourg in June was the first time there was no place for him on the Championship panel. We had too many players, training well, who had to be rewarded. Despite always looking like he couldn't be ruffled, he was p1ssed off that day. We had a brief exchange in the dressing rooms but he gave me his thoughts in more details early the following week.
He knew the score and was able to look at it objectively, something most of us struggle to do. He said he was fully committed to winning his place back and I knew we needed him going well to succeed later in the year. He missed Munich and he didn't see enough game time in Budapest. In Maastricht he was a key man in the Shield squad that did so well and came so close to achieving the unachievable (others perception) by winning the Shield. His positive attitude never waned despite the season not panning out the way we had both planned.
He also proved a great clubman, even lining out with the hurlers on occasion when the need was there. He'd volunteer to do just about anything from picking up water to driving the bus to whatever else. Totally reliable.
He informed Eoin last week and then let me know a couple of days later. Of course, knowing his situation, I wasn't surprised. Playing G.A.A. is a huge commitment due to the length of the season and all the travel. Also, Enda is in his late thirties and the stop start nature of tournaments play havoc with his body.
He'll leave his share of inspiration with the older crew though. As our bodies ache in mysterious ways, we only need to look at him and see how he has maintained his fitness and been able to continually contribute on the pitch in his sporting endeavours.
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Genchi Genbutsu
This is one of the key principles of Toyota. It essentially translates as ‘go and see’. When you encounter a problem in your work, go to the source, listen, see, touch. Gather facts. Then make your decision based on these facts. It means don’t rely on second hand or third hand evidence i.e phone, email etc. We are expected to live this principle every day.
Sometimes we even take it home with us. Tonight I decided to do a bit of Genchi Genbutsu myself. Through our club deal with the gym, they will put on one class a week for just Belgium GAA members who have joined the gym. It’s a free hand really and could be spinning, yoga, power box or whatever.
The previously mentioned spinning psycho, Carmen, is the lady I deal with on this. We were talking about it the other day and agreed a stretching class would be beneficial. So she suggested I join one of her scheduled classes and see what it was like. She further enticed me with her references to all the lovely ladies.
As per usual, in I marched; club socks, stolen European GAA shorts and a training top. Fortunately for everyone, I have dispensed of the old soggy runners and upgraded. My mind instantly shot back to the time when myself and Johnny Phelan were at a similar class and he turned up in shorter than short shorts. The Belfast man spent most of the time tucking himself in!
In they came, one lady after another, each more immaculately turned out than the previous. I positioned myself to the side, towards the back so as not to be too conspicuous. It was fairly tough to buy in at the start with the cheesy music and dance-esque movements into the stretch.
The ladies threw me some puzzled looks, either thinking I was gay or some loser on the prowl! I forgot to mention, of the 19 participants, I was the only male. I’d recommend it to all single men though. Their curiosity was clearly pricked as it was the first time anyone (multiple persons) spoke to me in there!!
The class was good, especially the stretches where you were actively encouraged to look over your shoulder whilst holding them. Anyway, Genchi done, I liked what I saw and will be back with or without the lads.
Stretching class may be the new going out. No numbers tonight though. Will bring Timmy next time.
Sometimes we even take it home with us. Tonight I decided to do a bit of Genchi Genbutsu myself. Through our club deal with the gym, they will put on one class a week for just Belgium GAA members who have joined the gym. It’s a free hand really and could be spinning, yoga, power box or whatever.
The previously mentioned spinning psycho, Carmen, is the lady I deal with on this. We were talking about it the other day and agreed a stretching class would be beneficial. So she suggested I join one of her scheduled classes and see what it was like. She further enticed me with her references to all the lovely ladies.
As per usual, in I marched; club socks, stolen European GAA shorts and a training top. Fortunately for everyone, I have dispensed of the old soggy runners and upgraded. My mind instantly shot back to the time when myself and Johnny Phelan were at a similar class and he turned up in shorter than short shorts. The Belfast man spent most of the time tucking himself in!
In they came, one lady after another, each more immaculately turned out than the previous. I positioned myself to the side, towards the back so as not to be too conspicuous. It was fairly tough to buy in at the start with the cheesy music and dance-esque movements into the stretch.
The ladies threw me some puzzled looks, either thinking I was gay or some loser on the prowl! I forgot to mention, of the 19 participants, I was the only male. I’d recommend it to all single men though. Their curiosity was clearly pricked as it was the first time anyone (multiple persons) spoke to me in there!!
The class was good, especially the stretches where you were actively encouraged to look over your shoulder whilst holding them. Anyway, Genchi done, I liked what I saw and will be back with or without the lads.
Stretching class may be the new going out. No numbers tonight though. Will bring Timmy next time.
Monday, January 17, 2011
Battling The Demons
The gym I go to is in Place Lux, home of the Eurobrats. It’s about a ten minute walk from where I live in Schuman. Normally, I’d walk it as it allows me rub shoulders with so many important people from the ‘Institutions’ and also admire all the lovely ladies who spend their days having long lunches and coffee breaks in there, as well as being harassed by some of the brutes in our club.
We had a bit of rain for a few days so I hopped in the car the last few times. Parking is a nightmare over there but not on these visits. I got the exact same spot on three different occasions right bang in the middle of the square. In fact, it was right outside one of my favourite pizza places in Brussels. It was a ridiculous challenge to my once a week commitment. I passed though....just.
Others have been easier. No more Coke. Check. Actually, once you give up something for a while you lose the want for it. I’ve stuck to the water all of January, not even deviating for an OJ. I did buy a box of green tea but it remains unopened. Baby steps.
Another ‘demon’ on the hit list is chocolate/biscuits. This is a nightmare. Initial target was to cut down, primarily by boycotting my twice daily visit to the sweet machine at work. However, I found a loophole in this as the coffee shop type place at work sells a mean brownie. Report card currently reads ‘could do better’. I did manage to give up the animal biscuits. The lad in the corner shop is devastated that he can’t charge me €3.50 for something that actually has 90p printed on the box anymore.
The purpose of all of these measures is not to lose weight, it’s just to live a little healthier and get a bit fitter. Although it is in some way linked. One of the ‘goals’ I referred to but didn’t detail in an entry last week, due to some vain form of embarrassment, was about body fat. This is my new thing. There is a link between that and general fitness as I understand. I sit too comfortably in the average category, around 20%, and want to reduce it. 13% is a suitable target for the next two months. Mind you, after week 2, minimal progress has been made.
Sidelining the demons requires strict routine. I’m currently working through the Kinsale lads’ gym programme and also starting to do the core work and flexibility stuff more diligently. Actually, the flexibility is something which I’ve actually seen some quick results from and this is definitely something we should all be doing and can be done with no equipment and while you are watching tv. Anyway, I read this week that if you break your routine once, the chances of getting back into it are slim. It is indeed a challenge.
From a workout point of view, it hasn’t been such a problem. January and February are laid out with a clear plan but continuing to eat well is a challenge for a number of reasons. Firstly, you need to be organised and have the right food in the house to make sure you don’t take the easy option and eat out. Living where I do, that would be easy as the streets are laden with restaurants.
Secondly, you need to expand your recipe book. Man can only eat so many chicken fajitas (with nothing except chicken!), salmon or lasagne. Actually, when you get into it, cooking isn’t so bad but it’s time consuming and if you’ve had a long day at the office, it’s the last thing you want to do. Still, as our friend McGurn tells us, you can train all you want but it’s not worth a toss unless you’re filling your body with the right things.
Thirdly, snacking is problematic. When you train more you get hungrier so you’ll often be sitting at your desk and need a snack. Of course, the easy option would be to head down to the machine. To avert this, a constant supply of fruit occupies my desk. Sometimes I eat it, sometimes I eat the brownie but it’s getting better.
Anyway, Monday night now means spinning. I absolutely hate that class but you sweat like a maniac in there so it must be good. Still, I quite like the instructor Carmen, in her I can’t quite figure out which kind of foreign accent, berating me for not putting enough tension on the bike. I certainly never expected to be accused of not creating enough tension. So, whilst bopping away and feeling the legs burning I was wondering why the hell I was bothering with all this crap.
Of course, I kept repeating the stuff about being fitter, healthier and injury free. Then I came home and turned on Sky Sports News and I see Gavin Henson is out with a torn calf muscle for three weeks. So, I started thinking, fellas like him have world class trainers and facilities but still suffer injuries. I wondered, if you took a team at the top of its sport and a team down at amateur level, would you observe a noticeable difference in the numbers or types of injuries? I’m not sure you would.
So what’s the point of it all? Jesus!
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Tea, Cake & Drills
Sometimes I worry about the nature of the activity which most occupies my spare time! My interest, borderline obsession, with G.A.A. causes me this concern. For instance, the impact it has on my social adaptability; most people struggle to find alternative topics to talk to me about. When they do talk to me about other things, my head is nodding but inside it's playing out some different type of scenario in some G.A.A. related activity.
My parents in particular are very accommodating. Over Christmas, we had three days down in Killarney. I'd be trying my best not to direct every conversation towards G.A.A. but inevitably we'd land on it. My mother would not be a G.A.A. woman (she once attended a Dublin-Kerry game in the 70's and asked which team was Kerry). However, she does a masterful job of feigning interested. Only a mother could.
Whilst down in Killarney, I gave Eamonn Ryan a call. When he visited Brussels he had said to do so when I was home and he'd give me some stuff. Of course, I followed up. I had a concern as I navigated my way through the mountains to Ballingeary though. As per tradition in any Irish household, there was the likelihood of being offered tea and possibly even cake. I'm not a big fan of either and have actually never drunk a cup of tea. An awkward moment lay in wait.
Naturally, one of the first questions I was asked was if I’d have a drink of something. I said I'd have water. Eamonn said I'd have tea. So I had tea. I pretended to know exactly how much milk I liked and declined sugar. Then out came the Christmas cake. Christ, I've looked with suspicion at Christmas cakes for 29 years. Of course I'll have it, especially as his wife had made it. Eamonn was a primary school teacher and retains the streak of any 'master' worth his salt. I drank the tea and ate the cake and may even have enjoyed both.
As always, he was generous with his time. I spent the bones of three hours down there, getting names of authors and books, mapping out training drills and even making a few suggestions to him! Conversation with him is one story after another and he would surely have enough material for a decent book. It would certainly top any of the shallow autobiographies currently selling well.
One thing which he has repeated both times I have met him in the last few months is that he only has one interest; the G.A.A. Why would the recession and the impact on his pension bother him? He's happy as long as there is a team to train and a match to go to. He doesn't want for much else. It's reassuring that you can be into your seventies and still buoyed by such an interest. He was fortunate in some ways. His career choice as a teacher provided him daily access to G.A.A. activity though Sciath na Scoil and activities like that. His talent allowed him play for Cork and coach some of the biggest names in Cork G.A.A. subsequently. He finished off in UCC as Games Development Officer, working with the likes of Paul Galvin and Tommy Walsh. His chosen path in life fuelled the obsession.
I consider the impact the G.A.A. has on my life and what will become of the interest. I used think I should become more interested in different things, to make myself easier to engage with. I think of how it has been the prickly thorn in one or two relationships. I wonder how living in Belgium and working for Toyota will harm it.
I'll never be an Eamonn Ryan because circumstances and talent will not allow. I look at Dad and think his involvement and interest probably exceeded mine when he was in his teens and late twenties. He retired, stepped back and didn't become involved again until John was U-16 and then when we were both playing with the Junior hurlers. Then one March evening in 2002 he got p1ssed off with fellas commitment and walked away for the last time. Now he is interested but not involved.
My latest meeting with Eamonn gave me some comfort. There are like minded people out there!! It’s ok not to be overly concerned by the slimy world of politics or spending money on fancy dan accessories. I don’t know why I needed confirmation or was surprised though. Any cult only grows because of the strength of its like minded activists.
My parents in particular are very accommodating. Over Christmas, we had three days down in Killarney. I'd be trying my best not to direct every conversation towards G.A.A. but inevitably we'd land on it. My mother would not be a G.A.A. woman (she once attended a Dublin-Kerry game in the 70's and asked which team was Kerry). However, she does a masterful job of feigning interested. Only a mother could.
Whilst down in Killarney, I gave Eamonn Ryan a call. When he visited Brussels he had said to do so when I was home and he'd give me some stuff. Of course, I followed up. I had a concern as I navigated my way through the mountains to Ballingeary though. As per tradition in any Irish household, there was the likelihood of being offered tea and possibly even cake. I'm not a big fan of either and have actually never drunk a cup of tea. An awkward moment lay in wait.
Naturally, one of the first questions I was asked was if I’d have a drink of something. I said I'd have water. Eamonn said I'd have tea. So I had tea. I pretended to know exactly how much milk I liked and declined sugar. Then out came the Christmas cake. Christ, I've looked with suspicion at Christmas cakes for 29 years. Of course I'll have it, especially as his wife had made it. Eamonn was a primary school teacher and retains the streak of any 'master' worth his salt. I drank the tea and ate the cake and may even have enjoyed both.
As always, he was generous with his time. I spent the bones of three hours down there, getting names of authors and books, mapping out training drills and even making a few suggestions to him! Conversation with him is one story after another and he would surely have enough material for a decent book. It would certainly top any of the shallow autobiographies currently selling well.
One thing which he has repeated both times I have met him in the last few months is that he only has one interest; the G.A.A. Why would the recession and the impact on his pension bother him? He's happy as long as there is a team to train and a match to go to. He doesn't want for much else. It's reassuring that you can be into your seventies and still buoyed by such an interest. He was fortunate in some ways. His career choice as a teacher provided him daily access to G.A.A. activity though Sciath na Scoil and activities like that. His talent allowed him play for Cork and coach some of the biggest names in Cork G.A.A. subsequently. He finished off in UCC as Games Development Officer, working with the likes of Paul Galvin and Tommy Walsh. His chosen path in life fuelled the obsession.
I consider the impact the G.A.A. has on my life and what will become of the interest. I used think I should become more interested in different things, to make myself easier to engage with. I think of how it has been the prickly thorn in one or two relationships. I wonder how living in Belgium and working for Toyota will harm it.
I'll never be an Eamonn Ryan because circumstances and talent will not allow. I look at Dad and think his involvement and interest probably exceeded mine when he was in his teens and late twenties. He retired, stepped back and didn't become involved again until John was U-16 and then when we were both playing with the Junior hurlers. Then one March evening in 2002 he got p1ssed off with fellas commitment and walked away for the last time. Now he is interested but not involved.
My latest meeting with Eamonn gave me some comfort. There are like minded people out there!! It’s ok not to be overly concerned by the slimy world of politics or spending money on fancy dan accessories. I don’t know why I needed confirmation or was surprised though. Any cult only grows because of the strength of its like minded activists.
Monday, January 10, 2011
Now Or Never
It might be a bit of an overstatement but I think this year is a make or break one for the lads at home. My buddy Gearoid has led the club to two Minors and an U-21 in the last three years. He’s in his second year over the Intermediates and needs to capitalise on the momentum and make some progress with them this year.
They have been doing a lot of core and conditioning work since November and he’s given them easy to follow weights, core and flexibility programmes to follow in their own time. Mark McManus, physical trainer with the Cork footballers carried out fitness tests a few weeks ago and all the structures are in place for fellas to progress.
However, it seems already that some young fellas may be getting a bit big for their boots and that is not a good sign early in the year. Fellas missing training because of study, turning up and not being able to complete a session or just disappearing off the radar all together. By all accounts, the numbers at U-21 training so far this year don’t match what they were last year which would be a worrying sign.
It baffles me how fellas can go AWOL like that but still go around talking a good game and b1tching and moaning when they do show up. Rich Sull has stepped away from the Cork panel this year which makes him available more for Kinsale. His attendance is just short of 100%. If it’s good enough for him it is surely good enough for everyone else!
I met Tony Griffin and a couple of others up in the field on Stephens Day and when the discussion turned to lads who were missing training he was dumfounded. Schooled in Nemo he was clear on the subject. It isn’t about whether you will go training or not on a given night, it is about whether you are in or out. If you are in then there is no question, you are there.
I was down in Killarney over Christmas and went into a bar called Jimmy O’Briens with Dad. There is not a GAA man either side of the County bounds with whom Jimmy is not acquainted. He was talking about the issue of top level players not having social lives but he said when he talks to any of the Kerry lads they say they have the best social life of them all. They get to train, play and spend time with their friends the majority of nights in every week. Fellas too often link social life with drinking.
The whole thing frustrated me when I was playing at home because it was affecting our chances to be successful. Now it frustrates me because fellas don’t know how easy they have it. The pitch is up the road, the programmes are given to them, the gym deal is sorted. They couldn’t ask for any more but it still doesn’t get the right response out of everyone.
When we train in Tervuren, it can take some lads an hour to get there. When we train in the Parc, fellas have to make the trek home saturated some nights because we don’t even have a roof to get changed under. It is rare Kinsale would have to travel more than an hour to play a match, not alone train. And we were getting nearly 30 out there at the end of last year.
For the students on the Kinsale panel, they should realise this is the best opportunity they will ever get to train properly and commit fully to teams. Exams and study are rubbish excuses. You can’t study 24/7 and there is no healthier way to relieve tension than to go up to training.
I would say virtually every one of our panel is working and the nature of the work is different too. At home, it seems most of the lads have fairly fixed working times and I can never remember too many lads missing training because they were working late. A fair chunk of our fellas work long hours, get caught with business dinners and work trips. Getting out in time to get to training can often be a big problem.
I suppose the issue with a lot of fellas at home is that they take it for granted that it will always be there and it will always come easy for them. Hopefully as the season gets going they’ll realise the value of it and turn their potential into success in 2010.
They have been doing a lot of core and conditioning work since November and he’s given them easy to follow weights, core and flexibility programmes to follow in their own time. Mark McManus, physical trainer with the Cork footballers carried out fitness tests a few weeks ago and all the structures are in place for fellas to progress.
However, it seems already that some young fellas may be getting a bit big for their boots and that is not a good sign early in the year. Fellas missing training because of study, turning up and not being able to complete a session or just disappearing off the radar all together. By all accounts, the numbers at U-21 training so far this year don’t match what they were last year which would be a worrying sign.
It baffles me how fellas can go AWOL like that but still go around talking a good game and b1tching and moaning when they do show up. Rich Sull has stepped away from the Cork panel this year which makes him available more for Kinsale. His attendance is just short of 100%. If it’s good enough for him it is surely good enough for everyone else!
I met Tony Griffin and a couple of others up in the field on Stephens Day and when the discussion turned to lads who were missing training he was dumfounded. Schooled in Nemo he was clear on the subject. It isn’t about whether you will go training or not on a given night, it is about whether you are in or out. If you are in then there is no question, you are there.
I was down in Killarney over Christmas and went into a bar called Jimmy O’Briens with Dad. There is not a GAA man either side of the County bounds with whom Jimmy is not acquainted. He was talking about the issue of top level players not having social lives but he said when he talks to any of the Kerry lads they say they have the best social life of them all. They get to train, play and spend time with their friends the majority of nights in every week. Fellas too often link social life with drinking.
The whole thing frustrated me when I was playing at home because it was affecting our chances to be successful. Now it frustrates me because fellas don’t know how easy they have it. The pitch is up the road, the programmes are given to them, the gym deal is sorted. They couldn’t ask for any more but it still doesn’t get the right response out of everyone.
When we train in Tervuren, it can take some lads an hour to get there. When we train in the Parc, fellas have to make the trek home saturated some nights because we don’t even have a roof to get changed under. It is rare Kinsale would have to travel more than an hour to play a match, not alone train. And we were getting nearly 30 out there at the end of last year.
For the students on the Kinsale panel, they should realise this is the best opportunity they will ever get to train properly and commit fully to teams. Exams and study are rubbish excuses. You can’t study 24/7 and there is no healthier way to relieve tension than to go up to training.
I would say virtually every one of our panel is working and the nature of the work is different too. At home, it seems most of the lads have fairly fixed working times and I can never remember too many lads missing training because they were working late. A fair chunk of our fellas work long hours, get caught with business dinners and work trips. Getting out in time to get to training can often be a big problem.
I suppose the issue with a lot of fellas at home is that they take it for granted that it will always be there and it will always come easy for them. Hopefully as the season gets going they’ll realise the value of it and turn their potential into success in 2010.
Goal Setting - New Years Resolutions Need Not Apply
The only worthwhile insight I got out of Paul Galvin's documentary 'Galvanised' over Christmas was the bit about him putting a reminder in his phone about what his goals were for the year. On the same date every month he'd receive a reminder in his phone stating them.
I'm all about the goal setting these days. When you read anything about sports psychology you'll quickly get to this subject. Virtually every successful person in sport or otherwise will often start their story with a piece of paper and a list of goals. They say by writing down your goals, you somehow bring them to life and if you keep them somewhere that you will be forced to see them everyday then you will be faced with your commitment and be more likely to achieve them.
Last year, we gave the lads on the football team targets before each tournament. They were linked to block downs, dispossessions, not conceding goals, winning each half etc etc. Personally, I found them excellent focus points for the day. In my head I was always chasing down the targets. I don't think they got onto anyone else's radar though as I heard no mention of them. Fellas can dismiss this type of thing too easily because it may appear a bit fluffy or whatever. The mind is a powerful tool though and if it is focused it can make the body do things you didn't think it capable of.
At this time of year, everyone is heralding in the new year with a battalion of resolutions. I think the whole thing is a load of rubbish. What bearing does January 1 have on your life? Why should this be the day to change your life? Maybe it satisfies ones conscience to come up with a few feel good commitments. I'd give these so called resolutions a week or two before they become a distant memory.
From a G.A.A. perspective however, it is the ideal timing to lay out your goals for the coming year (although most should have started back in November!!). Training re-starts on January 27th with the first Benelux tournament at the end of March. Whatever goals a lad sets need to be relevant and realistic. Mine are pretty simple. In the short term, work hard in the gym to get the back pain free by the end of February. I was slack on the core work before Christmas so the problem hasn't cleared up and the clock is ticking faster now.
More broadly speaking, more balanced performances are needed this year. Since I was 18, I'd always start the G.A.A. season very well, a little more consistently than others. I put this largely down to the fact I was playing hockey for the winter and in better shape than other fellas come the start of the league. When I moved to Belgium, it was soccer that kept me fit and that also had me in good shape. It will be different this year as I'm not playing hockey or soccer so getting up to speed will be may challenge.
There is also another point relating to the 'balancing of performances' which is linked. As a team, we did very well in Benelux last year but faded horribly come Championship. So there is a question mark over me and the rest of the group; are we just good league players or can we step up and compete in the Championship. Yes, we have won it but we all know how crucial Gearoid and Micheal were to that. Last year, we capitulated after the likes of Laffan, Fridge, Hudson etc left. Myself, Olof, Keary, Sheanon and one of two more need to show that we can be the lads to have the big impact at the business end of things this year.
For now though, the goals remain simple; improve the physical condition (with some measurable targets), get injury free and improve the diet (pizza only once a week (!!), no fizzy drinks, severely reduced chocolate/biscuit intake) by the end of February. I'll get them down on paper, save them as my screensavers on the phone, laptop etc and take it from there!
I'm all about the goal setting these days. When you read anything about sports psychology you'll quickly get to this subject. Virtually every successful person in sport or otherwise will often start their story with a piece of paper and a list of goals. They say by writing down your goals, you somehow bring them to life and if you keep them somewhere that you will be forced to see them everyday then you will be faced with your commitment and be more likely to achieve them.
Last year, we gave the lads on the football team targets before each tournament. They were linked to block downs, dispossessions, not conceding goals, winning each half etc etc. Personally, I found them excellent focus points for the day. In my head I was always chasing down the targets. I don't think they got onto anyone else's radar though as I heard no mention of them. Fellas can dismiss this type of thing too easily because it may appear a bit fluffy or whatever. The mind is a powerful tool though and if it is focused it can make the body do things you didn't think it capable of.
At this time of year, everyone is heralding in the new year with a battalion of resolutions. I think the whole thing is a load of rubbish. What bearing does January 1 have on your life? Why should this be the day to change your life? Maybe it satisfies ones conscience to come up with a few feel good commitments. I'd give these so called resolutions a week or two before they become a distant memory.
From a G.A.A. perspective however, it is the ideal timing to lay out your goals for the coming year (although most should have started back in November!!). Training re-starts on January 27th with the first Benelux tournament at the end of March. Whatever goals a lad sets need to be relevant and realistic. Mine are pretty simple. In the short term, work hard in the gym to get the back pain free by the end of February. I was slack on the core work before Christmas so the problem hasn't cleared up and the clock is ticking faster now.
More broadly speaking, more balanced performances are needed this year. Since I was 18, I'd always start the G.A.A. season very well, a little more consistently than others. I put this largely down to the fact I was playing hockey for the winter and in better shape than other fellas come the start of the league. When I moved to Belgium, it was soccer that kept me fit and that also had me in good shape. It will be different this year as I'm not playing hockey or soccer so getting up to speed will be may challenge.
There is also another point relating to the 'balancing of performances' which is linked. As a team, we did very well in Benelux last year but faded horribly come Championship. So there is a question mark over me and the rest of the group; are we just good league players or can we step up and compete in the Championship. Yes, we have won it but we all know how crucial Gearoid and Micheal were to that. Last year, we capitulated after the likes of Laffan, Fridge, Hudson etc left. Myself, Olof, Keary, Sheanon and one of two more need to show that we can be the lads to have the big impact at the business end of things this year.
For now though, the goals remain simple; improve the physical condition (with some measurable targets), get injury free and improve the diet (pizza only once a week (!!), no fizzy drinks, severely reduced chocolate/biscuit intake) by the end of February. I'll get them down on paper, save them as my screensavers on the phone, laptop etc and take it from there!
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