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I saw the thread and thought someone had hacked my account. I haven't posted anything here in quite a while. Impressive that someone could find the thread...... I'd long forgotten even writing it.

The years when the final was played in Parnell Park you might get a few hundred at the game, but that woudl include the other squads (or those that could be bothered to turn up). The last year it was staged the final was played in Naomh Mearnog and there were only a handful of people there, and a few big-hitters from Croke Park who were obliged to be there and that was about that.

One year our entourage consisted of our manager and that was all. We had fifteen players and a manager. As I say, it was hard to get lads to commit to a whole week of football away from work business and families.... that and the fact that at the time London were always rubbish at planning in advance and as a result would be ringing lads a week before the tournament asking them if they wanted to go.

In fairness to Croke Park they always treated us very well and as the the years went by things improved. We received All Ireland tickets at the end of the week (to be paid for) and also there was a welcome dinner at the start in Croke Park and then an end of tournament function.

The press never showed much interest in it mind you.... but it woudl have meant some of them getting off their arses

The competition was also played in 1994, that was the start of it. The teams involved at various stages over the years were London, Rest of Britain, NY, North American Board, Canada, Europe, Scotland, Australasia. A women's element was also introduced in 2000 and 2002 and I think the ladies one carried on for another year or so after the men's one finished.

The first one was hosted at DCU, the second at Ballyboden, the third at St Vincents, and the last two at Naomh Mearnog. The final was generally played in Parnell Park, although the last ever final was played at Naomh Mearnog.

The first two were great craic socially and all the teams practically lived in Copper Faced Jacks and no one took them very seriously, but the later ones tended to get a bit more competitive.
I played in the first four and was a selector in the final one.

It was a great concept but the reality was it was impossible to get strong teams there. The Aussies had the issue of the time away from home. Each time they travelled they came a week early to get some games in Ireland. The Americans had the problem with the illegal guys living in the States.

For these guys and everyone else, it was also difficult to get guys to take a week off work to go to play football in Dublin.

The London team of September 1994 contained just two players from the Championship team of three months earlier. It just wasn't possible for a lot of guys to drop everything, especially those with businesses or families.

What makes these people the "National" athlete development academy?

That's the company name they have traded under for the past six years.

The National Athlete Development Academy in Blanchardstown, headed by Dublin senior football coach Martin Kennedy, is offering a great mid-term activity for 11-18 year olds interested in finding out more about how the top players train and prepare for competition.

The two day course will cover the following key points.

•   Acceleration Technique - increasing your speed off the mark
•   Top Speed Technique -maintaining efficient top speed
•   Efficient Deceleration- the key to changing direction, also important in injury prevention
•   Foundational Strength and Power - to support optimal speed
•   Learning about recovery lifestyle and regeneration.

The course takes place on Tuesday Feb 12th and Wednesday Feb 13th and runs from 9.45am to 3pm. The cost of the two day course is €50.

There are a limited number of places still available. More details can be found on our website www.nada.ie  and on-line registration can be completed at www.nada.ie/academy 

Any other queries can be directed to Mairead on 087 9301354 or email mairead@nada.ie

NADA GAA Mentorship Programme


The National Athlete Development Academy (NADA), headed by renowned strength and conditioning coach Martin Kennedy, are delighted to offer the opportunity to register for their second Mentorship Programme for aspiring coaches.
Following on from the huge success of the first courseS, there promises to be much interest in this second offering.


The courses are as follows:

• Youth Coach Mentorship
• Certificate in Conditioning for Gaelic Games



(i) Youth Coach Mentorship

The course is directed initially towards underage coaches, mentors, sports/games development officers and physical education teachers who have prior experiential knowledge in athlete and player development coaching.
The programme will present an opportunity for participants to develop a theoretical, practical, and academic foundation in the area of athlete/ player development.

Course Aims
This course aims to develop the learner's skills and expertise in areas such as:
• Athlete/Player Development (AD/PD) Theory and Concepts
• Coaching Styles for AD/PD with Young Athletes
• Roles and Responsibilities of the Youth Coach
• Sport Science Concepts for Youth Coaches
• Assessment/Correction of Functional Movement Skills
• Practical Application of AD/PD with Young Athletes

Each participant will be provided with the opportunity to develop a theoretical, practical, and academic foundation in the area of athlete/ player development. They will also gain an insight into how we present design, coach and monitor our programmes at NADA.

Start Date:       Wednesday March 6th- April 2013 (tbc)
Times:       7pm - 9.30pm Weds, 9am - 3pm Sats (times may vary)
Location:       NADA HQ (Rosemount Business Park, Blanchardstown)
Price:          €550
How to Register:    http://www.nada.ie/mentorship   (€200 deposit required)


(ii) Adult Coach Mentorship

The course is directed towards current mentors, coaches and managers of adult Gaelic Games squads who are interested in improving their ability to develop appropriate athlete and player development programmes (including strength and conditioning / sports science) for adult teams.
It will focus on the theoretical and practical aspects of coaching and sports science interventions for Gaelic Games.
Ideally, applicants should be current members of a GAA Club, be working with a squad and/or have an interest in and passion for working with adult teams (desirable, not essential).


Course Aims
This course aims to develop the learner's skills and expertise in areas such as:
• The Physical Demands of Gaelic Games
• Conditioning for Gaelic Games
• Functional Performance in Field Sports
• Training Principles and Planning
• Power and Strength Training
• Speed Development
• Nutrition
• Athlete Profiling/Fitness Testing

The Mentorship courses are an opportunity to learn from the NADA coaches who use the same theories and systems to help top GAA players, at club and county level, to achieve their performance goals.
We will share with each participant the theories behind our practices at NADA as well as anecdotes, insights and best practice from international experts in the area of coaching and sports science.
Every effort has been made to ensure the content of this GAA specific course is as practical and coach-friendly as possible.
While there will be a sound theoretical basis for every concept presented, the key aim of the course is to arm each participant with a 'toolkit' they can bring back to their squads and GAA clubs. And ultimately the athletes and players they work with on a weekly basis.

Start Date:       Saturday March 9th - April 2013 (tbc)
Times:       7pm - 9.30pm Mons, 9am - 3pm Sats (times may vary)
Location:       NADA HQ (Blanchardstown)
Price:          €550
How to Register:    http://www.nada.ie/mentorship   (€200 deposit required)


With the first course almost complete, here are the feelings of some of those who have participated already.

"NADA staff were very professional and really knew their stuff.  They were very friendly and always ready to give advice.  They explained everything in simple English and their demonstrations were excellent.  It certainly gives an insight into what is required to prepare players for the modern game." – Donal Ryan

 

"As a coach, I have been training teams in the same manner that I would have been trained in the past.  Passing on the same phrases/terms and using the same exercises and drills repeatedly – It's just what we do!
I jumped at the opportunity to get involved with a coaching course in NADA and have found it to be a very pleasant and enlightening experience.  It's funny how you sometimes find out that you have been doing the right things without really knowing why..  this course has helped me both understand the reason behind a lot of the things I have been doing but it has also given me a framework and tools to enhance that knowledge." – Barry Bonar



For further details about these courses, please contact either:

Mairead Kennedy on mairead@nada.ie or tel. 087-9301354

Dr Crokes 3-12 TCG 0-6 today. What good is it asking provincial champions to extend their season an extra 2 weeks to play an AI qf that they always win. Have the British champions ever actually won any of these games? Would make more sense to have them compete in the Connacht club c'ship.

Whatever the ins and outs of it Dr Crokes gave TCG a right good going over on Sunday. They exchanged the first couple of points but after that..............nasty business. Three first half goals saw the contest won before the break.

From a personnel point of view it was good to get to see Colm Cooper, who strolled through the match dropping in the occasional classy touch, as it's unlikely London are will run into Kerry anytime soon! The DC front three  (Brady, Cooper, Doolan???) were very good.

Decent crowd will a good showing from Kerry.

TCG put in a shift but were simply outclassed.

In fairness to TCG, who over the last twenty years have played in this fixture 13 times, they would prefer to enter the competition at Connacht Club stage and if good enough, be well prepared for the AI QF should they reach it.

They recognise that the quality of the London Championship and the resulting two or three month break does them (or any other London team) no good at all. However there doesn't seem to be an appetite at Board level in London for this change as the annual AI QF in London is a good money maker for them.

There is of course always the option of delaying the London SF Championship a few months to accommodate the ambition of whoever wins the title, but that would be totally unfair on every other team in London.

In general though the London SFC does not measure up in any way to a Provincial winner... and that's just common sense. Ultimately, with the group stage system in London and just 8 senior teams in total (2 groups of four), it is possible to win just four Championship matches and find yourself in a AI QF.... it's a pretty easy passage. A team can lose a group game and still get through to the semi final, and in some instances even lose one and draw one and still get through. In that scenario they would have won just 3 matches to be playing in an AI QF. That's a pretty easy jog into AI territory and it leaves little mystery as to why the London champs struggle against the big hitters.

Also it must be noted that there is a world of difference between what the likes of St Brigids, Cross and Crokes will but up to a London team and what the Intermediate Championship winners of any Irish Province will put up to a Provincial winners from Britain. These senior teams are serious organisations and as Gooch said a few weeks ago, the likes of Cross could survive in the Nat League at Div 3. They are formidable teams.

Since this concept was introduced in the 1980s, no team from Britain has won this senior fixture.

An awful lot of shilling goes on here. No offense to this one in particular but it's incredibly annoying in the first place but when the topic title is also misleading it just engenders absolutely no confidence or hope of support from me.

Not quite sure how you can say it is misleading. It is a perfectly acceptable gift for a kid who has an interest in sports science I would imagine and also gives the kids a couple of days of useful activity over the school holidays.

Certainly no intention to mislead, apologies if you have been. NADA is a highly reputable organisation with highly qualified and respected coaches. The organisation has a real interest and passion in the education of athletes and coaches.

Following on from the tremendous success of their initial "Train Like a Professional" workshop in October, The National Athlete Development Academy (NADA) is delighted to announce a second two-day workshop at their Blanchardstown headquarters for young athletes and players between the ages of 11 and 18.

The workshop has been designed to give the opportunity for all participants to "train like a pro" over the two days, and could prove to be the perfect Christmas gift for any young aspiring athletes or coaches.

During the sessions, the young athletes and players will be advised on a wide range of athlete testing, training and preparation techniques by NADA's highly qualified and experienced staff.

Topics covered over the two days will include: learning how to best prepare your body for your sport; maximising your athletic potential by improving movement skills and running mechanics; improving jumping and landing technique; as well as increasing explosive power and reaction times. So there promises to be some very useful information and techniques shared over the two days.

The course will provide a brilliant insight into the work that sports scientist do with their athletes /players, as well as helping young athletes to understand more about what they need to be doing in order to be the best they can be.

The event will take place at NADA's excellent new venue at Unit 11, Rosemount Business Park, Dublin 15 and the cost of the two day workshop is €50 per person.

The workshop takes place between 9.45am and 3pm on Thursday January 3rd 2013and Friday January 4th 2013.

To register email Mairead on Mairead@nada.ie, call her on 087 9301354 or register on-line at www.nada.ie/academy

The team at NADA look forward to welcoming you on January 3rd 2013.

NADA launch GAA Mentorship Programme


The National Athlete Development Academy (NADA) headed by renowned strength and conditioning coach Martin Kennedy, are delighted to offer two new exciting and interactive courses for aspiring coaches.


The courses are as follows:

• Youth Coach Mentorship
• Certificate in Conditioning for Gaelic Games



(i) Youth Coach Mentorship

The course is directed initially towards underage coaches, mentors, sports/games development officers and physical education teachers who have prior experiential knowledge in athlete and player development coaching.
The programme will present an opportunity for participants to develop a theoretical, practical, and academic foundation in the area of athlete/ player development.

Course Aims
This course aims to develop the learner's skills and expertise in areas such as:
• Athlete/Player Development (AD/PD) Theory and Concepts
• Coaching Styles for AD/PD with Young Athletes
• Roles and Responsibilities of the Youth Coach
• Sport Science Concepts for Youth Coaches
• Assessment/Correction of Functional Movement Skills
• Practical Application of AD/PD with Young Athletes

Each participant will be provided with the opportunity to develop a theoretical, practical, and academic foundation in the area of athlete/ player development. They will also gain an insight into how we present design, coach and monitor our programmes at NADA.

Start Date:       Wednesday November 21st - Jan 2013 (tbc)
Times:               7pm - 9.30pm Weds, 9am - 3pm Sats (times may vary)
Location:               NADA HQ (Rosemount Business Park, Blanchardstown)
Price:          €550
How to Register:    http://www.nada.ie/mentorship (€200 deposit required)


(ii) Adult Coach Mentorship

The course is directed towards current mentors, coaches and managers of adult Gaelic Games squads who are interested in improving their ability to develop appropriate athlete and player development programmes (including strength and conditioning / sports science) for adult teams.
It will focus on the theoretical and practical aspects of coaching and sports science interventions for Gaelic Games.
Ideally, applicants should be current members of a GAA Club, be working with a squad and/or have an interest in and passion for working with adult teams (desirable, not essential).


Course Aims
This course aims to develop the learner's skills and expertise in areas such as:
• The Physical Demands of Gaelic Games
• Conditioning for Gaelic Games
• Functional Performance in Field Sports
• Training Principles and Planning
• Power and Strength Training
• Speed Development
• Nutrition
• Athlete Profiling/Fitness Testing

The Mentorship courses are an opportunity to learn from the NADA coaches who use the same theories and systems to help top GAA players, at club and county level, to achieve their performance goals.
We will share with each participant the theories behind our practices at NADA as well as anecdotes, insights and best practice from international experts in the area of coaching and sports science.
Every effort has been made to ensure the content of this GAA specific course is as practical and coach-friendly as possible.
While there will be a sound theoretical basis for every concept presented, the key aim of the course is to arm each participant with a 'toolkit' they can bring back to their squads and GAA clubs. And ultimately the athletes and players they work with on a weekly basis.

Start Date:       Saturday November 24th - Jan 2013 (tbc)
Times:               7pm - 9.30pm Mons, 9am - 3pm Sats (times may vary)
Location:               NADA HQ (Blanchardstown)
Price:          €550
How to Register:    http://www.nada.ie/mentorship (€200 deposit required)


For further details about these courses, please contact either:

Mairead Kennedy on mairead@nada.ie or tel. 087-9301354

[Train like a professional, with the professionals.]

Train like a professional, with the professionals.


The National Athlete Development Academy (NADA) is pleased to announce a special two-day workshop at their Blanchardstown headquarters for young athletes and players between the ages of 11 and 18.

The workshop has been designed to give the opportunity for all participants to "Train like a pro" over the two days.

During the sessions, the young athletes and players will be advised on a wide range of athlete testing, training and preparation techniques by NADA's highly qualified and experienced staff.

Topics covered will include testing the power and strength of the young athletes / players taking part; creating the athlete's personal scorecards; learning about developing their speed strength and power; being advised on good practice for lifestyle, recovery and regeneration; as well as getting the opportunity to attend training and running mechanics workshops.

The course will provide a brilliant insight into the work that sports scientist do with their athletes /players, as well as helping young athletes to understand more about what they need to be doing in order to be the best they can be.

The event will take place at NADA's excellent new venue at Unit 11, Rosemount Business Park, Dublin 15 and the cost of the two day workshop is €50 per person.

The workshop takes place between 9.45 and 3pm on Tuesday October 30th and Wednesday October 31st.

To register email Mairead on Mairead@nada.ie, call her on 087 9301354 or register on-line at http://nada.ie/academy

The team at NADA look forward to seeing you on October 30th.

Accredited GAA related courses at NADA headquarters


The National Athlete Development Academy (NADA) in conjunction with the Department of Business at the Institute of Technology Blanchardstown (ITB) and the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA), in particular the Dublin County Board of the GAA, have been working together to develop two Special Purpose Awards in sport.

The awards are as follows:

• Certificate in Athlete / Player Development for Youth Coaches
• Certificate in Conditioning for Gaelic Games

Both these courses will be conducted in NADA's recently opened facility in Rosemount Business Park in Blanchardstown and carry 15 ECTS credit Special Purpose Awards at Level 6 on the National Framework of Qualifications.



Certificate in Athlete / Player Development for Youth Coaches

The main driver for this programme was a request by the Dublin County Board of the GAA for a recognised coach development programme for games development officers and club coaches in the Dublin area. However, it is suitable for coaches from all sports.
NADA are leaders in the area of long term athlete and player development in Ireland and have worked with ITB in developing this innovative course.
The course is directed initially towards underage coaches, mentors, sports/games development officers and physical education teachers who have prior experiential knowledge in athlete and player development coaching.
The programme will present an opportunity for participants to develop a theoretical, practical, and academic foundation in the area of athlete/ player development.

Course Aims
This course aims to develop the learner's skills and expertise in areas such as:
• Athlete/Player Development (AD/PD) Theory and Concepts
• Coaching Styles for AD/PD with Young Athletes
• Roles and Responsibilities of the Youth Coach
• Sport Science Concepts for Youth Coaches
• Assessment/Correction of Functional Movement Skills
• Practical Application of AD/PD with Young Athletes


Certificate in Conditioning for Gaelic Games

The course is directed initially towards mentors interested in improving their ability to
develop appropriate conditioning programs for adult teams.
It will focus on the theoretical and practical aspects of conditioning for Gaelic Games and presumes no prior knowledge of science or physiology.
Applicants must be a current member of a GAA club and have an interest in working with adult teams.

Course Aims
This course aims to develop the learner's skills and expertise in areas such as:
• The Physical Demands of Gaelic Games
• Conditioning for Gaelic Games
• Functional Performance in Field Sports
• Training Principles and Planning
• Power and Strength Training
• Speed Development
• Nutrition
• Athlete Profiling/Fitness Testing




For further details about these courses, please contact either:

Mairead Kennedy on Mairead@nada.ie or tel. 087-9301354

Aileen Connolly on aileen@dublingaa.ie  or tel. 01 805 8205

Article regarding the above.

http://hoganstand.com/Derry/ArticleForm.aspx?ID=176952

If anyone is interested in a new service for player profiling in Ulster, carried out by top sports scientists IM me and I will forward contact details.

Top performance coaches will carry out a range of physiological tests, assessing player's speed, power, strength and endurance as well as physical competency and functional movement screens and assessments.

St Clarets GFC London, club notes April 9th 2012

The senior team took part in the Tir Chonaill Gaels 7-a-side tournament on Saturday and exited the competition in the group stage. It was a great performance from the club and thanks to the players who made themselves available for the day. The players to represent us were: John Hickey Michael Hickey, Conor Healy, Matthew Healy, Paddy Donaghy, Aidan Donaghy, Luke Kelly, Gary Stewart, Tomas Gilmore, Barry Lynch and John McDermott.

Next Sunday, April 15th, we have our second game in the 2012 Murphy Cup when we take on Moindearg at Greenford, throw-in time 2pm. All support greatly appreciated. More details for players at senior training, which continues this week on Tuesday and Thursday at Hayes Rugby Club, both with an 8pm start.

There will be a Mass said on the evening of Friday April 20th at 7.30pm in Botwell Church, Hayes for all club members as well as in memory of all our deceased members. After the Mass there will be a social evening in Botwell Club. All club members and supporters are invited. Music by Barry Coyle.

A fundraising evening will take place on Friday 27th April at the Botwell Club, Botwell Lane, Hayes, in aid of the Douay Martyrs School who will be sending a Gaelic football team to County Wicklow in July of this year. Tickets are £5 and are available in advance or at the door. The evening starts at 8.30pm and music will provided be by O'Hare and Chambers. Raffle prizes include tickets to a Premier League game. Many St Clarets players will be on this team so your support will be greatly appreciated.

Well done to club member Eamonn Colleran and the other members of the St Josephs GFC who completed their charity cycle to Mayo last week. We're looking forward to Mossie returning to us, once he's cycled back!

We are always on the look-out for new players of all levels. For further details about the club, go to our website www.stclarets.co.uk or check out our Facebook page St Clarets GAA. Help with work and accommodation is always available. Further details about the club can also be obtained from John Kelly on 07884 473672 or via email at stclarets@hotmail.com.

Our U-14 and U-16 teams begin training on Tuesday April 17th and the U-8, U-10 and U-12 teams begins on Wednesday April 18th. For information on our club's under-8 and under-10 teams contact Denis McCarthy on 07973287256. Steve McElroy will be looking after our under-12s and can be contacted on 07872188791 and for all matters relating to the club's under-14s and under-16s, please contact Colm Lynott on 07761 785260. All players, regardless of experience are welcome.

This week's pause for sporting thought is an anonymous offering: "To dream of the person you would like to be, is to waste the person you are."

St Clarets GFC – it's like a good soap on the telly, you can't afford to miss a week..