Messages

Some interesting points about the position the ball should be struck at for different occasions, hurling is so quick and fluid that it throws so many different situations at a play / on the back foot/with or against the breeze/pressure from opponents/distance they wnat the ball to go.

I wasn't at all suggesting that the strike from the shoulder is the only way and like you say some of the top players have different ways of striking -Aidan Fogarty etc.  I remember a full forward on a KK minor team a few years ago had a strange way of striking, can't remember his name but q similar to Fogarty. I was only highlighting this particular one as it is the one that most kids in our club seem to struggle with - they tend to use the U-shaped strike in all situations and so don't strike through the ball when passing a short distance, they tap it and usually doesn't reach/go quick enough to hand.

Results are the main thing - if they make the pass at a good pace/get the distance I don't think a coach should intervene, but a lot of the time they limit what they can do by poor technique - throwing the ball too close/positiong of feet/poor follow through. 

Just starting to get ready for U14s next year and so much to think about - would you to do any speed work with them at that age-  ladders etc?  Not fussed on them, as it tends to keep their heads to the ground, but if you don't teach them agility, speed etc, they sure as hell won't learn them from Xbox and Playstations!

Any good info on games situations to use?  I still believe drills have a part to play - touch etc, but people are siding with games more and more now.
I find it difficult, if you see a weakness in their team play, how to get a drill/game based scenario to help to rectify it - any suggestions?

How important do you think technique in hurling is?

I'm thinking specifically about striking out of the hand - how do you teach kids the right way to strike a ball, using the wrists, straight through the ball, not striking below the ball.  Does anyone know of any in-depth studies on the mechanics of the swing?  Is U14 too late to start on striking technique?

I read the coaching points about striking on the GAA coaching website and I thought it was brushed over so quickly for one of the fundamentals of the game.  I think if coaches are to teach the skills properly, an in-depth description should be given, even if most of this information isn't passed onto the kids for fear of information overload.  This would give the coach more confidence, perhaps to
This is one of the 4 points given:
Step forward with the lead foot and swing the Hurley downward. Strike the sliotar at knee height.
swing the hurley downward - is this right, should it the player not be striking straight through the ball?
Strike the sliotar at knee height - What?! Should it not be nearer the shoulder?

Now, I understand that different situations call for different kinds of strikes, but should the most common one not be taught on the GAA website - I try to get rid of that striking in a U-motion as much as I can.

Good drills for teaching technique?/How do you teach it?

My own club don't tend to produce many great ball strikers (either distance or speed of strike) - any good drills to help with long distance/quick striking?

The cold winds and winter snow weren't long in coming back!  Any good recommendations for a warm and long-lasting coat?!  I've been buying cheapish ones and don't tend to last or keep me all that warm.

The North Face seem to be the best, according to reviews - slightly dear though.
The North Face Evolution Triclimate Jacket is approx. £150 but you get a fleece and a coat, seems decent enough value as most reviews have given nothing but praise. 

Anyone got this coat or any other recommendations?

Problem I'd have with stocks is that if I let the money sit on stocks for a long period of time and came out with a loss, would defeat the purpose of trying to save!  I take it stocks has the higher risk-reward ratio?

Couldn't afford investing in property etc at the min, but would like a decent return for the money in my account at the min and wouldn't mind having it sit for around 5/6 years if it means that there will be a bit of an earner from it.

Certainly looks different!  From what I gather you set your own interest rate and the borrower chooses the one they most want.  It talks about bad debt being 'part of the plan' have you much experience with Zopa - any loans not paid back? 

Anyone know of good and reliable savings accounts with high interest rates to get a good return on your money?  Even if you can't touch it for a number of years.

Any money I have is in a current account with no interest at all really - didn't think of putting into a good savings account/bonds etc until a few days ago when it was suggested to me. 

Man at the bank mentioned something about bonds (equity bonds, perhaps? - no knowledge whatsoever about money issues), but didn't really know what he was talking about. 

Which is better - savings account or bonds.

Thanks.  Is that along the promenade - I take it most of the pubs are about here?  Nothing happen around Ayre Square?

Good pubs to go to?
Good nightclubs?

I suppose all the accommodation is much of a muchness?

Cheers.

Also wondering where the best pubs would be in the city -we'd be partial to the odd sing-song too so would be looking for quite relaxed places!

How dear is the drink?

Thinking of going to Galway around Hallow'een time - is there much going on - just looking for a good party. Hopefully get a good group of lads to go down.  Galway is meant to be a great city and just wondering how lively it is around this time?

Any good places to stay in Galway city - not sure if B&B's would be too welcoming to a bunch of twenty-something lads coming to visit them!

I've a piano at home, but I'm looking to sell it so that I don't annoy as many people when I'm playing as well as freeing up a bit of space around the house.  I'm thinking of buying a digital piano/keyboard so that I can stick the earphones and just listen myself, but I wouldn't know where to begin.  Any ideas on a decent/good keyboard.  It would obvioiusly have to be weighted keys as I'm used to a piano.  I wouldn't be all that great a player, so I wouldn't need a top-of-the-range one but I'd like to get one that plays well with a good reliable sound. 

I take it the difference in a digital piano and a weighted keyboard is that there are more options with the keyboard i.e. differnet instruments, background music etc, or can this come with digital pianos also?

Co. Antrim

Could anyone recommend me a decent but well-priced bike I could buy?  don't want something too dear, I'm thinking of doing a bit of cycling but don't want to buy something really good if I don't take to it all that well.

Heard a bit of a radio ad last night on Cool FM- for some alocholic beverage.  This guy tries to get his mates in the mood for a night out and gives a big, funny and half-inspirational speech.  Anyone know which beer I'm talking about it, trying to find it on youtube!

Thanks for that -appreciate the feedback and sorry for all the hassle!  The one worry I have about running is that I may lose whatever pace I have left, I'm worried that if I start doing longish but slow runs that the last remnants of my power/pace will be gone!  I've been doing 16 x 100m sprints to keep sharp and maybe shed a pound or two, but it only seems to be making my legs bigger lol!