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Below is an article from today's Irish Independent, I would tend to agree that the skill levels of our players are not great, and never have been, but I do think they are over stating it a bit. I also went to a good few Limerick sessions and they used the ball a lot of the time, even preseason, so I'm not sure where Stephen Kelly is coming from. Maybe the fact he wasn't there might explain it. Still though we don't practice the technical aspects of the game enough and we have no appreciation of hoe difficult it is to master the skills of the game. Anyway, here's the article for lads to make up their own minds.


The switch from Gaelic to rugby is not as simple as it appears, writes Damian Lawlor
   

Sunday November 21 2010

I T'S not often that a rugby autobiography creates a stir in the GAA world, but Bernard Jackman's Blue Blood has achieved just that.

Jackman's just-published account of life with Leinster and Ireland revealed that Carlow footballer Brendan Murphy, then with the Sydney Swans, was offered a €30,000-a-year contract by Leinster despite having never played the game. Jackman, also from Carlow, helped broker the deal, believing it would only take Murphy -- who ultimately declined the offer -- a couple of years to master rugby's complexities.

He also claimed that targeting Murphy was only the start. "They might even pass out some of the young rugby stars of the future," Jackman wrote. "Most of the best athletes in Ireland play Gaelic games and I have always been amazed at how the IRFU never aggressively tried to convert football and hurling stars to our game.

"I also wonder why Leinster, Munster and Connacht are not trying to convert at least one Gaelic footballer or hurler to our game each season. The top young GAA players are outstanding athletes who possess brilliant hand-to-eye co-ordination."

Galway footballer Sean Armstrong is currently playing with Shannon in the AIL and scored a try in his recent debut against Cork Con. He says it is a temporary switch, but it's bound to give others food for thought, particularly with GAA players struggling to find work in this worsening economic climate. The GPA has already helped 230 unemployed GAA players financially, while over 200 hurlers and footballers have left Kerry in the past six months alone to seek work.

But former IRFU fitness coach and current Armagh team trainer Mike McGurn maintains that changing codes is beyond most GAA players right now.

"I can see Bernard's view but a lot of young Gaelic footballers who try rugby will come back with their tails between their legs," he says. "The gap between Gaelic football and professional rugby has grown even wider. Bernard was talking about Brendan Murphy making it with Leinster but I don't think Brendan would have the skill set needed for a rugby career. And it's not just him; that applies to a lot of GAA players at the moment."

Kieran McGeeney said last week that the standard of Gaelic football has never been higher, but McGurn, who was conditioning coach with Anthony Tohill's International Rules team, has a different view.

"We had the cream of Gaelic football talent at our disposal, but our shooting and kicking was very poor and our lads didn't have enough skills. It was clear county teams have put way too much emphasis on fitness and conditioning and not enough on the basic skills.

"Anthony was then expected to work miracles but it doesn't happen like that. Guys couldn't kick the ball accurately over 40 yards and teams are obviously too caught up with fitness training. They're obsessed with weights and most of them are doing the wrong type of weight training anyway. Their skill set is shocking and it's endemic of Gaelic football right now. I don't think many of our lads would cut it at rugby. If they did, they could only play in the back three -- at full-back or on the wings. The GAA guys would struggle with the tackle as well. We tried to implement it with the International Rules but it was alien to them.

"So those are the challenges. Take Sonny Bill Williams of the All Blacks. Offensively, he is awesome; a huge star. But he was a rugby league player before and hasn't a clue in the rucks and mauls. The game of rugby is so technical now that GAA players would struggle just as badly and unfortunately, they wouldn't be as skilful as they were in the past. They wouldn't have the evasion skills or the muscle mass either, so I think Bernard's comments in his book are wishful thinking."

Limerick footballer Stephen Kelly has spent the past four seasons combining Gaelic football and rugby with Shannon. He came late to rugby but with his speed and tenacity he was shoved straight onto the Shannon first team. He has played for Munster A against Ulster, won an AIL title and also enjoyed cup success.

"It's down to every individual," Kelly says. "I was thrown straight in and ironed out my early problems -- that was good. Once the body got used to taking hits, I could make progress. With the economy the way it is, I wouldn't blame lads for giving it a try full-time. They'd feel they have the weight training base and the skills, so why not?

"But the way Gaelic football is heading, it wouldn't be conducive to a lot of lads leaving for rugby. With Shannon, we train way more with the ball than with Limerick and I'd say that would apply to Gaelic teams all over the country.

"With inter-county football there's a template. Get your fitness level right to play a match and a half on any given day, build up your physical strength and tackling, focus on handpassing and ball retention and then work on the kicking side of things. That's the order now -- despite the fact that it's supposed to be 'foot-ball'. It's actually desperate to watch football on TV these days; I'd sooner watch a hurling game."

Kelly added that Shannon's policy, apart from one night's conditioning, is to work every drill with the ball. "So this assumption that GAA players have more natural ball talent is fading," he adds. "I think you could see that in the International Rules, where we had to resort to soccer touches at times. It was poor. The test in Limerick was a disaster because it demonstrated that counties have lost sight of what Gaelic football is about.

"Most inter-county players are afraid to kick the ball for fear of losing possession and the basic skills are not being produced anymore. If a guy has enough talent, I'm sure rugby coaches could work with him alright, and any young lad would have to seriously consider an offer of a professional lifestyle, but I don't think the switch would be as simple as it's made out to be."

Taken from today's independent;

ANY lingering fears that the Gaelic Players Association (GPA) harbour a secret desire to turn Gaelic games professional were firmly laid to rest at their AGM yesterday, when they introduced a strong amateur clause into their constitution.

A proposal from the GPA's national executive was passed that stresses: "The GPA is committed to the maintenance and protection of the amateur status of the Gaelic Athletic Association and the pursuit by the GPA of its objectives shall at all times be subject to that commitment."

This significant move vindicates the GAA's decision earlier this year to enter an interim agreement to recognise the GPA as the players' official representative body, a long-term version of which CEO Dessie Farrell said was expected to be concluded before the New Year.

He told his members yesterday that 2010 "will be remembered as the year when suspicion was replaced by trust, when conflict was replaced by consensus, when animosity was replaced by agreement and when division was replaced with unity."

The players also called upon the government and Sports Council to maintain the player grants scheme -- which was reduced by 70 pc this season -- and intend to make public a study next week claiming that the performances of inter-county players contribute €200m to the economy annually.

The players stated their support "for the introduction of video technology in senior inter-county matches where venues can accommodate same" and proposed that match time-keeping "becomes the responsibility of a designated time-keeper other than the match referee."

Dara O hAnnaidh (Wicklow) stepped down as secretary and was replaced by Kildare's Ronan Sweeney, but Offaly's Brian Whelahan and Cork's Donal Og Cusack were returned as president and chairman respectively.

- Cliona Foley

Irish Independent

I'll probably have to keep this thread on page one myself but this is the tie of the round by some distance in my view. Limerick would have beaten any of the other teams the could have drawn and Cork would have been certs against anyone bar Limerick. However, Cork even in the GG's will probably be a bridge too far for this criminally underrated team. From 1-9 Limerick are as good as any in the country and although they have improved in the forward line they still don't have enough class forwards to beat the best. In saying that Limerick have a better midfield and have the size and strength to match Cork, I'd expect the biggest Limerick crowd ever at a qualifier this Saturday and the sense of injustice they will feel about the past two or three years may propel them to a major shock.

I'm gutted that these teams were drawn together as I'd love to see Limerick play a big match in CP and I'd like to see Cork win the AI. I'd probably prefer to see Limerick win except for the fact it would hand the AI to Kerry or Tyrone and as a neutral I'd like to see a new winner this year. So heart is leaning towards Limerick and the head towards Cork.

Cork it is so by 2-3 points.

From today's Irish Independent

By Martin Breheny


Wednesday April 14 2010

IT was, they claimed, impossible to differentiate between legal and illicit. It had turned Gaelic football into Gaelic basketball, removed the primacy of boot from the sport and promoted running more than kicking.

Having vilified the hand pass for 30 minutes, they voted to retain it anyway.

Sounds like an account of the debate on the hand pass v the fist pass at next weekend's GAA Congress. Not so. Actually, it's a report from the 1980 Congress!

The irony is completed by the venue for that Congress which, same as this year, was the Slieve Donard Hotel in Newcastle, Down. I haven't been back in the hotel since then but I certainly never thought at the end of the 1980 session that if it returned to the Slieve Donard 30 years later the hand pass would still be problematical for Gaelic football.

Actually, it's far worse now, having corrupted the game to a degree where calling it Gaelic football violates the Trades Description Act. Tinkering with the pass in the experimental rules so that a player has to use a closed fist as opposed to an open hand has done nothing to reduce the number of dodgy transfers or make life easier for referees.

And it most certainly hasn't led to an increase in foot passes. Former All-Ireland referee PJ McGrath (Mayo) has carried out detailed studies of NFL games this season and reports that the fist-to-kick pass ratio is four to one in favour of the fist. And they call it Gaelic football!

Delegates at Congress will vote on whether to retain the fist pass on a permanent basis or return to the open hand pass, either of which will do nothing to promote kicking. In fact, this debate will be about as relevant as arguing over whether to apply a sticking plaster or a bandage to a wound when the patient's main problem is a heart condition.

Imbalance

The real challenge is how to correct the imbalance between hand and boot but since it's not on the agenda it won't be discussed. Never mind, sure it can be addressed in 30 years' time!

The hand pass isn't the only issue to remain unresolved since 1980. There was unease over championship formats back then too -- indeed a few motions appeared on the Congress agenda calling for the replacement of the provincial championships with an open draw All-Ireland series.

Down and Dublin drove the open draw idea but it met with road rage from many counties and was supported by less than 20 delegates. The main opposition was led by Peter Quinn (Fermanagh), who would later become GAA President and Frank Murphy (Cork) who spoke trenchantly against "gambling with something we know nothing of".

Quinn opposed it on the basis that since Fermanagh had never won the Ulster senior title, or even qualified for the final since 1945, they wanted to continue with their pursuit of the great dream. Thirty years on, Fermanagh are still waiting for a first Ulster crown.

Still, some things have changed since 1980. Rather remarkably for a county with a reputation as free spirits, Wexford wanted any GAA member who criticised Congress decisions or the Association's leadership to be expelled.

Steady on, folks, wasn't that a bit drastic? No, argued Wexford, claiming it would control those "who liked the sound of their own voices".

Roscommon and Mayo led the opposition and Wexford eventually withdrew the proposal but demanded that the authorities take stern action against its critics. Having championed free speech, Mayo then wanted players who didn't give their first allegiance to the GAA to be penalised.

It seemed remarkably like a call for a limited reintroduction of the famous 'Ban', which had been removed nine years earlier but GAA President, Down man Paddy McFlynn -- who is still in fine fettle and will be present next weekend -- skilfully manoeuvred the debate in a less contentious direction.

Sligo proposed the deletion of the rule preventing British Army and RUC personnel from joining the GAA but it had no chance of being passed in those far more troubled times.

Mind you, there was no great mood for change in any sphere with only 31 of the 145 motions being passed. Thirty years on, will the strike rate from the 123 motions be much higher next Saturday? Probably, but Congress still won't have addressed the curse of the hand/fist pass.




While I don't get as annoyed with Martin as much as some on this board I think his obsession with the handpass is ridiculous. Why are people so hung up on handpassing, when done badly, aimlessly or too slowly it can frustrating to watch and is certainly ineffective but when done well it can be brilliant. Most of the passing in the football codes is short in nature, for Gaelic football that means a handpass, so what is the problem. I've also seen plenty of good kick passing in games over the past few years so it isn't like it has gone from the game.

This is a perfect example of an issue that needs to be addressed properly and not be fuelled by spurious 'facts and figures'. We need to decide what type of game we want and for my money it is largely fine as it is but let there be a proper debate rather than have motions or rules that try to force something that we don't need to change.

Lads does anyone know if you can see the national league games in Britian online?

Interesting interview and he makes some good points, especially about the money from soccer/rugby internationals which resulted in a good deal of criticism around here. It highlights how we often don't give enough credit to elements of the GAA through ignorance of the facts.



GAELIC GAMES/ INTERVIEW GAA DIRECTOR GENERAL PÁRAIC DUFFY : Two years into his tenure as director general of the GAA, Seán Moran gets the views of Páraic Duffy on the major tests facing the organisation

AS THE GAA faces into its next 125 years the landscape is forbidding. The recession moves into another year and with it the prospect of a greater impact on the association, as unemployment worsens. The great bonanza of Croke Park rental revenue is entering its final weeks and public funding for infrastructure projects has all but dried up.

So, ostensibly, it's surprising to find director general Páraic Duffy as unfazed as he is in the cavernous expanse of Croke Park on a gunmetal-grey January morning.

"Looking back (on 2009) you'd be reasonably happy in the circumstances. Sponsorship had been agreed through to this year and that will be better than if we'd had to renegotiate last year. Attendances held up better than expected so that's two primary areas of revenue that were steady.

"The biggest hit we took was in public funding and the halting of the capital grants. We have no major projects requiring funding at present, but in a good year we have been able to draw down €30 million in funding for approved projects.

"Sports Council funding fell slightly, but that wasn't hugely significant. But we're expecting 2010 to be every bit as difficult. We will be prioritising attendances and are conscious of the need to keep people coming to matches rather than simply maximise revenue from that source."

Recession isn't, however, just a simple calculation of how far you can reach into the public purse. The devastating effects on individuals and families as unemployment soars to levels unseen in two decades necessarily affects the GAA and its network of clubs and local communities. The director general believes the full impact of the downturn has yet to materialise.

"So far that hasn't had the impact on clubs that it had in the 1980s. The simple reason is that players who have lost their jobs have nowhere to go.

"That may change this year but so far there hasn't been much opportunity in the States and Britain.

"One thing that has happened is that because you have a lot of people unemployed there's definitely been an uptake in volunteering to give time to maintaining property or coaching teams. I've heard that said everywhere I go but the one concern there is that whereas that may happen in the first year of a recession, when the American and UK economies pick up then you'll really feel the impact of emigration."

Two years into his tenure he enthuses over the methodical roll-out of the Strategic Plan he initiated 14 months ago, a checklist-precise schedule of consultation, interim targets and regular review intended to identify challenges – and their possible solutions – facing the GAA in the 21st century.

There are steering groups specifically dealing with the seven urban areas: Belfast, Cork, Derry, Dublin, Galway, Limerick and Waterford. Blueprints to address the GAA's continuing vulnerabilities in these major population centres have been drawn up and are due to commence implementation.

But the plan and its 86 per cent of targets met in 2009 are, despite the long-term importance, very much below the water-line as far as the public is concerned. There are higher-profile issues such as the adjusted circumstances of the post-rugby and soccer era at Croke Park.

Duffy has always accepted that once Lansdowne Road was developed, the FAI and IRFU would have no reason to return across the river once they had concluded commercial contracts.

A year ago he said he didn't expect rugby and soccer to be played again in Croke Park during his term of office, which is due to end in early 2015.

"That's the reality," he reiterates. "We have the money (the final figure from the four seasons of leasing the stadium is expected to be €35.6 million) for investment but soccer and rugby will not be at Croke Park for the next 10 years at least and probably beyond so that revenue is gone.

"This is also a challenging time for the stadium, which has been an income generator through rugby, soccer and concerts.

"I'm confident that Peter McKenna (stadium director) and his staff will continue to do well but the days of it being a cash cow are over. It will still be a valuable, profit-making vehicle but nothing like before."

That reduction in earning power comes at the same time as the sudden impoverishment of the State coffers. Furthermore, although attendances and gate receipts remained buoyant in 2009, the expectation is that reduced spending power caused by unemployment and pay cuts will make this year even more challenging.

"The priority will be to protect investment in coaching and games development and tailor infrastructure investment to reduced revenue," he says.

"We're fortunate that we decided to wait before allocating the Croke Park rental money."

That rental income has been ring-fenced for investment in local projects that have already raised some funds.

It is specifically not for major stadium developments, an activity with which the association has made reasonable progress in the past decade, overseeing major work on Fitzgerald Stadium, Killarney, the Gaelic Grounds in Limerick, Semple Stadium in Thurles, O'Moore Park in Portlaoise, Pearse Stadium in Galway and Castlebar's McHale Park.

"There are a couple of areas that need to be addressed," he says about the national stadium infrastructure, "Cork is one and Belfast is one. In terms of big stadia Páirc Uí­ Chaoimh and Casement Park clearly need to be looked at. Other than that, the provinces are reasonably well-catered for."

In respect of the games, Duffy has been associated, both before and after he took over as director general, with initiatives that failed to find acceptance – restricting participation in the All-Ireland qualifiers, abolishing the under-21 football championship to counter burn-out, last year's disciplinary reforms.

This year sees the five-yearly season for rules experimentation in the national leagues and already there have been grumbles about the introduction of a mark and restrictions on the hand-pass. He is frustrated by the lack of open-mindedness on such issues.

"What does annoy me somewhat is that we go through this cycle every single time. Changes are proposed and changes are accepted on an experimental basis and before the trial process has even started we have people – and I have to say managers in particular – expressing views on what's wrong with them.

"The whole idea of trialling changes, which I think is the right way to do it, is that you see them in action, see how they work and then make a decision. We have the same this year: the mark won't work, let's keep the hand pass and so on – let's look at it and see what the effect is before leaping to judgement."

Duffy believes that the rationale behind last year's package on discipline (which narrowly failed to secure the necessary two-thirds majority at Congress) remains valid even though a championship considered less wild-west than usual in 2009 was sufficient to persuade many, including the GAA's management committee, that there was no need to resubmit the proposals.

"I still think there are issues around football. In my opinion there are too many fouls in a football game and players who foul can get away with it if they're cute enough. That problem is still there and it may well be that we will have to go back to it.

"If you look at the norm in a championship match, to have 45 frees and add in all of the other restarts, there are too many stoppages. The challenge is still there to find a balance between an open, attractive game and one that retains the physical element. I don't think we've addressed it yet."

Despite the economic downturn and consequent deflation, new figures for last year show that spending on county teams climbed by five per cent in 2009 to €21 million. Duffy is alarmed at the trend. "I don't believe that level of costs can be sustained going forward. I think there's an amount of waste involved in that I believe you can look after players very, very well and still reduce those costs."

He also suggests reviewing the number of representative competitions being squeezed into the GAA calendar at present (see details in panel).

Asked if such rationalisation, especially in relation to weaker hurling counties, would not run counter to the expressed wishes of the Gaelic Players Association, the now official body with which Croke Park reached agreement last November, Duffy says that this is just one area which will benefit from the new relationship.

"One of the great advantages of the agreement with the GPA is that we can sit down and talk about these things and come to better decisions than we did in the past when we weren't talking to players."

This is a challenging era for Gaelic games. Rugby has never been so successful and there are widespread anxieties about how this will impact on the GAA and, if the soccer team missed out narrowly on qualification for South Africa the imminence of the World Cup poses difficulties.

Looking at the year ahead, Duffy is aware of the challenges, but remains confident they can be met, as he spells out his priorities.

"The first concern for us will be to maintain the popularity of the games and attendances. This is a challenging year because it's a World Cup year and it can be difficult to get your voice heard, particularly in the early months of the championship.

"I know it would be more daunting had Ireland qualified, but attracting crowds would still be the biggest thing for me because the media focus during a World Cup is hard to shift.

"There's no doubt that rugby has become more popular and the national team in particular. In certain areas of the country rugby has had a big impact. In other areas it has had no discernible impact on us, Ulster for example.

"In measurable terms our participation rates remain high. The summer camps for instance attract 80,000 children. We have black spots where the challenge of either rugby or soccer is not being met . . . but I still believe that generally speaking we're in there in a very competitive way."

Duffy on . . . Competitions

"I think we've got to look at the number of intercounty competitions because every time a county panel is in training there are costs involved. The interprovincials are another example, but there are also issues in hurling at the lower levels.

"What I'm questioning is an intercounty programme that runs from January to July and incurs significant training costs. I would question the value of the National Hurling League to these counties and would prefer to see their intercounty competition structured around the Nicky Rackard and Lory Meagher Cups. The competitions would be played from April to June. It would mean playing in better conditions, reduce costs and the money saved could be invested in trying to raise participation figures and raise standards in these counties.

"It would not be unusual for hurling counties at that level to spend over €100,000 a year and you have to ask if that's money well spent. You have a season that runs from the league straight into the Rackard and Meagher Cups so from January to July or August you're running a county hurling team in a county that has a handful of clubs.

"In other words, between seven or eight of the weakest hurling counties, you're probably spending €1 million on preparing teams. You have to ask would you not be better off confining it to the championships in the summer months and invest the money in greater participation.

"I think we need to look at all competitions and ask – are they fulfilling a promotional need or a developmental need? If they don't do either of those things why are we playing them? It seems to me that there is no evidence that the huge investment in county teams at the lower level is promoting the playing of the games within those counties.

"I would also still question the benefit of the under-21 football championship in terms of the cost, in terms of its contribution to player burn-out. I still hold that it's a competition we should have done away with. It only serves very elite players. I would argue that there's a case for retaining under-21 hurling because there are fewer hurling counties and fewer promotional opportunities. It also draws bigger crowds."

Kilmacud are out of the Dublin championship after their semi final with Ballyboden went to extra time again before they were finally seen off by four points. FT Ballyboden St. Enda's 0-19 Kilmacud Crokes 1-12

I'm in Edinburgh for the match, does anyone know where is the best place to watch it and will they show the minor game? Thanks.

......bar none.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BmgZpNW4mtw&feature=related

I thought I'd post this here as it should be of interest to many posters, it is the report from Cork GAA clubs after the fall out from the players strike, I actually haven't read it all yet myself so I have no comment to make on it, enjoy!!


http://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/snqlojgbid/rss2/

Has anyone else joined this fantasy football competition, you've €100 million to spend but very few players that would be worth buying (i.e. good chance of making a semi at least) are available. Anyway it's only starting this weekend so you aren't starting from behind anyone else. I've joined and a mini league can be set up for posters here if we want, here's the link.

www.ireland.com/fantasygaa

P.S. sorry if this has been put up already but I couldn't find it if there was.

I just saw this on AFR and if you follow the link you can vote for Micheal Cusack's GAA, the team with the most votes gets $5000 in sponsorship. They're leading the way at the moment and you can re-vote everyday as far as I know.


http://wwww.tasteforsport.com.au

It seems this game has slipped under the radar but we will have our first provincial champions after this weekend and this game will be a lot closer than many people think. Limerick are a decent team, much better than their league form suggests and will put it up to Cork for long periods IMO. You'd still have to fancy Cork to win and they'll go on to knock Tyrone out in the semi's on their way to the AI but I suspect they'll get one of their tougher games of the year this Sunday.

[Send for the Aussies]

Taken from todays Independent, some very dubious points made IMO but also some valid ones I think and it does provide food for thought.


Send for the Aussies

Don't blame the format for the lack of quality in this year's football championship. It's down to poor execution of the basic skills and tactical failures by the coaches, claims Martin Breheny

Saturday June 27 2009

LAST Sunday a Derry team that had finished runners-up in the National League and beaten Monaghan in the first round of the Ulster championship, scored just three points from play -- and seven in all -- against Tyrone.

Roscommon managed four of seven points from play against Mayo as they suffered their biggest Connacht championship defeat for 80 years. A week earlier, Donegal, who had spent last spring battling with the big boys in Division 1, failed to beat Antrim who had been in Division 4. The fact that the game was in Ballybofey made it all the more deflating for Donegal.

On the same weekend, Wexford, 2008 All-Ireland semi-finalists, scored just 0-5 from play in a dismal display against Kildare.

On June 8, Dublin and Meath shot as many wides as scores in a Croke Park error-fest while Leitrim lost by four points to a Roscommon team that would lose to Mayo by 20.

Adding to that mediocrity list would be very easy in what, by any standards, has been a disappointing football championship so far. The argument that it lacks a real cutting edge because all beaten teams have a second chance doesn't stand up, because the problem isn't a lack of will or desire but a blatant absence of basic skill.

Combine that with an increasingly defensively-minded approach by coaches, most of whom lay huge emphasis on the absolute imperative to smother the opposition, and the inevitable result is a sub-standard product. So far, the public have largely accepted it as they continue to flock to the games in numbers which defy the recession.

And now that we're approaching the provincial finals and the sudden-death All-Ireland qualifiers, it's likely that the '09 attendance figures will remain high and may actually beat the '08 returns. That's very encouraging for the GAA, but it doesn't alter the reality that some of the football on offer this year has been quite awful.

ALARMING

It's alarming that in an era when a record amount of time and money is being put into preparing teams -- many of whom travel overseas for training camps -- executing the basics effectively appears beyond the reach of a growing number of inter-county players.

How many times this season have players been penalised for picking the ball off the ground and not always while under pressure either? Whether or not you agree with the pick-up rule is not the point -- it's there at present and has to be done properly. It's a very simple skill, yet you can expect at least five frees per game to be awarded for illegal pick-ups.

How many misplaced foot passes have you seen? Again, it's a routine skill which should come as second nature yet it continues to be beyond the capacity range of many players.

And when it comes to shooting for goal, the standard is desperately disappointing. But then it seems that coaches devote their time to devising ways of stopping the opposition rather than working on creative strategies. Keep the concession rate down and a team always has a decent chance of winning.

One of the clearest testaments to the lack of coaching imagination is the near-redundancy of goalkeepers. Many of them go through entire games without being called on to make a single save, which is an indictment of the attacking forces.

Only Mayo have managed three goals in a championship game so far and that was against a Roscommon defence that couldn't have played worse if they despised each other. Six Ulster games have produced the grand total of six goals; two games produced none while four produced one goal each.

The goal-rate has been higher in Leinster (12 in seven games) but still isn't exactly a monument to lethal snipers.

The decline in basic standards has been with us for some time but seems to be gathering worrying momentum as the first decade of the new millennium draws to a close. Those closest to the action -- especially the managers -- become very defensive when that allegation is laid before them.

They take it as a slur on what they grandiosely perceive as highly-sophisticated systems and attempt to explain to the rest of us sceptical cretins that we really don't understand what's going on. Besides, what do we want -- a return to catch-and-kick? Actually yes, if the catching and kicking is done well.

Sean Boylan said on RTE radio last Sunday that he was concerned about the modern-day emphasis on bulking up Gaelic footballers. He inferred that it was being done at the expense of other training, notably ball work.

Coaches will deny that but the evidence of the weights programmes is there for all to see. We're also told that there's no shortage of ball work in modern training regimes. Why then is the standard of kicking so poor?

If pre-match warm-ups are anything to go by, the balance between ball work and physical grind has become totally imbalanced. The emphasis in pre-match routines has switched from shooting at goal, practising mid-to-long-range foot passing and fielding to drills which involve players hand-passing the ball to each other from a few yards away. That's followed with a jostling session which looks as idiotic as it's pointless. Never mind, it creates the impression that some sharp mind is at work and has a novel plan which is about to be unleashed on the hapless opposition.

One of the problems with Gaelic football coaching is the lack of exposure to international trends. Because the game isn't played anywhere else, we're relying on ideas that emerge from an inbred gene pool. Our rugby coaches can draw on the best of creativity from both hemispheres which, when combined with their own experience and instincts, give them a rounded view of how to take a team on.

In Gaelic football, the manager whose team wins the All-Ireland title become the font of all knowledge, even if other panels don't necessarily have the same qualities or strengths. Besides, just because it suits the All-Ireland winners doesn't make it a fit-all size.

Recall how Kerry's decision -- born out of desperation by the way -- to switch Kieran Donaghy to full-forward in '06 led to a spate of copycat tactics at county and club level. Prior to then we were told the days of the big full-forward were over, but suddenly every manager was scouring the landscape for a giant to post on the edge of the opposition square.

It would be a very interesting experiment to put a top Australian Rules coach in charge of an inter-county team here. He would be drawing from a different culture, mind-set and tactical data base which, when applied to Gaelic football, could produce a very exciting mix.

Frankly, the game needs it because it's pretty static right now. With skill levels dropping, hand-passing increasing and coaches becoming more negative, Gaelic football is in serious need of a lift. And if you doubt that, cast your mind back to the games you've seen so far in this year's championship.

Better still, take a look at one of this weekend's four provincial semi-finals.

- Martin Breheny

Dublin V Kerry in Thurles 2001 now on TG4 and it's a good un.

Hoganstand and AFR are reporting the Conor Mort and Kevin Reilly were attacked by a gang in Ballymun and Reilly was hospitalised, any truth to this and if so are the injuries being reported exaggerated?

Two good uns to start and they're counting down to No. 1 for the next hour.......enjoy.

I can't see this anywhere else but the case below reflects very badly on the GAA and follows on a similar case in Kildare a year or two ago, now maybe there is more to this than meets the eye but if young lads really want to transfer then they should be allowed to do so. Certainly dragging this out for 5 years is pure nonsense and serves no purpose. Anyway here's the article from today's independent..........


Frustration leads to petition after teenage sons spend five years in the GAA wilderness as transfer saga rumbles on

A father's frustration with the GAA has led him to launch an internet petition seeking freedom for his sons to play for the club of their choice.

Aidan McKillion says his sons, Jarlath (16) and Aidan (18), are being kept out of Gaelic games by the intransigence of the Aghaloo O'Neill's club based near Aughnacloy, County Tyrone.

Aghaloo won't grant a transfer for the boys to play with their father's club of origin, Thomas Clarke's GFC of Dungannon (which is approximately 12 miles away), and the issue has been going on for five years.

Now the McKillions play soccer with Armagh City FC in the Mid-Ulster League, and are out of the GAA.

Aidan McKillion senior decided to make a last attempt to break the deadlock by launching an internet petition aimed at every club or GAA unit in the world for which he could find an email address.

intervene

He also called on GAA President Nickey Brennan to intervene, but Brennan has said he cannot interfere with the internal workings of a county.

Brennan recommended that McKillion senior should drop his petition immediately, saying it would not achieve the aim of having the boys play for the Dungannon club.

The club involved, Aghaloo, contend that they have offered the boys the chance to play Gaelic football, and that as they reside in the local parish, Aghaloo is their home club.

They also say they have dealt with the matter according to the rules of the GAA and taken it through the proper channels.

It's a bizarre and emotive situation, but the central fact remains: the McKillion boys want to play Gaelic football for Dungannon. They do not want to play for Aghaloo.

In fact, the major part of the Gaelic football they played has been in Dungannon, as a photo of Jarlath with Tyrone great Peter Canavan from an U-12 summer league proves.

So what's the point of driving them away from Gaelic games and into soccer?

Aghaloo officials have not made any further comment on the matter, but it must be said that, according to the GAA Official Guide and Tyrone bye-laws on transfers, Aghaloo is the McKillions home club, as the family reside within that parish.

An Aghaloo agreement to a transfer would bring the issue to an end and allow the boys back on the GAA playing fields.

It should be noted that between 2004 and 2008, Tyrone County Board acceded to 150 transfer requests between clubs, so movement by players in the county is not unusual.

In the email petition that McKillion senior sent out recently he says:

"A chairde, I am a Tyrone Gael reaching out to fellow Gaels worldwide, requesting your help.

"I am working on a petition on behalf of my two sons, Jarlath and Aidan McKillion.

"Please note that I will not go into what I perceive to be the injustices of this case nor my personal opinions or views, tempted though I may be.

"Just the facts. My sons and I are working on this alone and independently and are contacting every GAA club possible across the globe. So, to the bare facts.

"Aidan and Jarlath played very briefly with AGHALOO GFC, Jarlath at u-12 and Aidan at u-14 though they never registered with that club.

"They preferred to go to their father's THOMAS CLARKE GFC, where they played and did register as players and club members.

"But unfortunately AGHALOO vigorously contested this, with the result that these children were denied participation in the sport they love for the past FIVE YEARS approximately.

"Apparently, for reasons unknown, this situation can only be rectified by AGHALOO granting them a transfer which they have persistently refused to do .

"If these children are guilty of any wrongdoing then this punishment is harsh .

"I am absolutely not asking you to decide who is innocent or guilty in this case.

"I am just asking if you believe that 5 years is ENOUGH punishment for these children.

"If you do then simply text the word ENOUGH to tmckillion@btinternet. com.

"If we can get ENOUGH voices then collectively we may be heard.

"We believe we may be setting a precedent with this campaign and that if successful, it may create a template, a forum, to help other children in similar circumstances.

"It may also dissuade other clubs from controlling and/or restricting children's rights of access to their heritage and culture.

"GAA HQ informed me that unfortunately, individual club practices on matters such as this are not within HQ's remit.

"Perhaps if this campaign gathers enough weight, it may prompt new legislation, thus enabling the further protection of the rights of children within our great organisation.

"Given the problems facing the youth of today, with alcohol and substance abuse prevalent in our society, it is more important than ever that we Gaels encourage the participation of our children in our national games.

"Other sporting bodies and organisations have offered both encouragement and support with our campaign and we thank them for that.

"But initially, for now, we prefer to stay within the GAA community, amongst our own people .

"A final word. In addition to emailing ENOUGH to tmckillion@btinternet.com we would warmly welcome and appreciate any suggestions, advice or help in any way with our campaign.

"Also could you please pass this petition on to all other Gaels you know.

"Is mise le meas, Aidan T McKillion."

smashing

Thomas Clarkes secretary Cathal Skeffington said: "The two young lads are smashing footballers but this is an ongoing situation.

"We would have a fairly good relationship with Aghaloo. I know they are a small rural club and they're fighting to get players and keep players, but we are not a massive club either.

"Boys come and boys go all the time in our club, and if a lad wants to transfer and leave us, then our policy is to let them go.

"We've gone a long way with this, but we can't afford the cost of taking it to the Disputes Resolution Authority (DRA).

"We appreciate that their home is in Aghaloo, but they go to school in Dungannon, their cousins are members of our club, and they regularly stay with their granny in Dungannon.

"All their father is doing is trying to get his boys football," he said.

The last time the boys played with Thomas Clarkes was two years ago, which caused problems.

Aidan was included in the Dungannon club's U-16 team which reached a final but a protest by the Strabane club resulted in the Clarkes being disqualified.

The McKillions felt they could not let anything like that happen again, and left the club, later taking up soccer.

McKillion senior added: "These two lads have suffered untold psychological anguish and despair due to this case, for almost a third of their young existences.

abandoned

"This has obviously had a detrimental effect on their sporting, social and academic lives. They feel totally abandoned and let down by the powers that be within the GAA.

"Furthermore, to president Brennan, who as recently as February 6, 2009, stated in a written correspondence to us that we will not achieve our aim and that he in fact strongly recommends we cease our petition immediately, (his own words), we respectfully say no.

"We will not stop until what we perceive to be the inhumane treatment of two young GAA players is brought to a just conclusion.

"We believe that all Gaels and, indeed, all sporting people should be made aware of what is happening to two lads who just want to participate in their national amateur sport."

- Liam Kelly

Lads, both Tipp and Waterford have now gone to Cavan in the last few years and beaten them, yet Cavan is a football county with a great tradition and while any county can go through slumps I cannot understand why Cavan are stuck in this mire. Even now they have some excellent players but they are repeatedly disappointing in both league and championship. Is there a reason for this, can any of teh Cavan lads give us an insight into why things are so bad there?

After reading the piece in the Irish Times excellent 125th anniversary magazine about the All Ireland final between Kerry and Cavan, the thought struck me that we should consider playing another AI final in the states, New York, Boston, Chicago or San Fransisco would all be possibilities. The boost it would give the games out there, the increased profile that doing so would generate here and elsewhere and the opportunity for fans to travel to the states and take in an AI final would be wonderful. Are there draw backs I'm over looking? The fact that the 47 final is one of the most famous suggests to me that it would be a great thing to repeat and something that would only add to the rich history of the GAA. Any thoughts?