National Football League 2015

Sport
501

[QUOTE=“Julio Geordio, post: 1098772, member: 332”]Not exactly the right spot, but interesting none the less

http://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/columnists/paddy-heaney/kingdoms-unique-structure-keeps-them-well-ahead-of-all-pretenders-314760.html

When outfoxed by superior coaching methods or tactics, Kerry have been swift to absorb lessons and make the necessary changes, writes Paddy Heaney.

This is a bold claim, but I am going to make it anyway. In today’s column, I am going to reveal the secret of Kerry football.

With 37 All-Ireland titles, Kerry is the most successful county in the land. Take Dublin (24 titles) out of the equation, and no other county else even comes near them.

Why are Kerry so good? Unlike some other counties, they don’t have ultra-successful senior club teams. Kerry’s record in the All-Ireland Club senior competition certainly doesn’t compare with their achievements at county level. The same is true of their county U21 and minor teams. And yet Kerry senior football teams continue to succeed.

How do they do it? Apart from an all-consuming football culture which has been developed over the past century, Kerry’s domination is based on two key factors.

  1. They play more football than anyone else

  2. They develop more county footballers from intermediate and junior teams.

Yes, it’s not rocket science. But before leaping to any conclusions, consider some of the evidence. Following all the debate that has been stoked up about the amount of weight training being conducted by Gaelic footballers, it’s worth highlighting the thoughts of Dan John.

As one of the most revered strength and conditioning trainers in America, it’s no surprise John believes almost all sportsmen and athletes will reap huge rewards from resistance based training.

However, in his book Intervention, John makes an interesting observation. He writes: “People often comment on the way I train athletes – my throwers throw. For the record, my jumpers jump and my sprinters sprint.”

John adheres to what he calls his ‘80:20 Rule’. If he’s coaching a thrower, 80% of their training will involve throwing. Only 20% of their time will be allocated to strength training.

The logic is simple. To perfect a particular skill, a person needs to practise that particular skill. So, the more often someone plays competitive football, the better they will become at playing competitive football.

And in Kerry, they play a serious amount of competitive football. In Ulster, most counties operate a county championship and a county league. A senior club player could typically expect about 14 to 16 League games per year, and a minimum of one championship game.

In Kerry, they have a county championship (which involves divisional teams) and a county league. They have also have a club championship (exclusively for clubs), a district league and a district championship. At the bare minimum, the average club footballer in Kerry will play 21 games per year. And that’s an absolute minimum.

It’s worth noting all the aforementioned competitions are replicated at U21 level. An U21 player, who is also on his club’s senior team will play at least 30 matches. And, let’s not forget the player who is on a strong team. If a player was on a club team that reached the club and county championship finals, he would also be playing more than 30 matches per year.

Not only does the Kerryman play more often, the structure of the county’s championship allows players from weaker clubs to compete on an equal footing. Is it any coincidence Kerry enjoys such incredible success at developing players from their intermediate, junior and novice clubs?

Cast your eyes over this veritable Hall of Fame: Mick O’Connell (Valentia), Jack O’Shea (St Mary’s Cahirciveen), Maurice Fitzgerald (St Mary’s Cahirciveen), Declan O’Sullivan (Dromid Pearses), Mick O’Dwyer (Waterville), and John Egan (Sneem). Everyone of those legends came from the lower divisions of Kerry football.

However, the divisional system enabled all those men to play for South Kerry, a consortium of St Mary’s Cahirciveen, Renard, St Michael’s/Foilmore, Skellig Rangers, Valentia, Derrynane, Dromid Pearses, Waterville and Sneem.

Before entering a county squad, the experience of playing for South Kerry informs talented players from junior clubs that they have no reason to feel inferior. Contrast that scenario with the experience faced by the junior footballer from an Ulster club who is called for a trial game with the county squad.

The Kerry team which won last year’s All-Ireland title provides further proof the structure of the county championship promotes the development of players from unheralded clubs. Six players from the starting team came from Rathmore, Renard, Duagh, Kenmare and Cromane.

All but two of Donegal’s starting line-up came from Division One clubs. The exceptions were Frank McGlynn (Glenfin) and Darach O’Connor (Buncrana).

Dr Crokes, Laune Rangers, Austin Stacks, and Kerins O’Rahilly’s might grab all the headlines, but it’s the intermediate and junior clubs which provide the bedrock of Kerry’s success.

Again, the evidence is staring us in the face. On the weekend when Austin Stacks failed to reach the St Patrick’s Day showpiece in Croke Park, Ardfert and Brosna secured the All-Ireland Intermediate and Junior titles.

Since the Intermediate and Junior All-Ireland competitions were started in 2004, Kerry clubs have enjoyed the most success. Ardfert (2007 and 2015), Milltown-Castlemaine and St Michael’s Foilmore have all won the All-Ireland Intermediate competition. Kerry clubs have won eight of the last 10 Munster Intermediate club championships.

The success of Kerry’s clubs is even more pronounced in the junior grade. Finuge (2005), Ardfert (2006), Skellig Rangers (2009), Castlegregory (2010) and Brosna (2015) have all won All-Ireland titles. And Kerry’s junior clubs have won nine of the last 10 Munster Championships.

With a total of 73 clubs, Kerry has less resources than Cork and Dublin.

With regard to Ulster, it’s best to let the figures speak for themselves. (see panel)

And yet, Kerry are often accused of being arrogant. But nothing could be further from the truth. When outfoxed by superior coaching methods or tactics, Kerry have been swift to absorb lessons and make the necessary changes.

In contrast, no-one copies Kerry. With 37 All-Ireland titles, they have a policy of playing more games than anyone else. And to accommodate their packed fixtures list they have a totally unique structure. Kerry insist on learning from others. Meanwhile, everyone else refuses to learn from Kerry. Who is being arrogant?

Š Irish Examiner Ltd. All rights reserved

Not sure about the matches claim, but the divisional sides and the integral part the divisional sides play, the esteem they are held in etc. is the key for me.[/QUOTE]
What about the matches are you unsure of?
I actually think that’s a bit high on the match front in terms of quality.
They a are struggling on the ground though and lots of kids have lost out on games in recent years and they have lost swathes of players in rural areas where combined teams were rejected.
The Minor team last year was pretty unique and just a great collection. They were also seen as far back. As 15/16 and had great coaching at school and JOC then spent 2 intense years with them. However it’s the schools and not the club system that has retained the cream.
It’s fine having great systems, but population is vital as well and many Kerrymen will still tell you last year papered quite large gaping holes.

It’s a good point on the arrogance of other counties, but it’s bollix to say Kerry adjust with the times. It took them an awful long time to change.

502

A strong County Board would do it, get the backing of the Leinster Council, incentvise it for Portlaoise (you could, say for example, bail the Club out of a hole they’re in on the basis that they agree to the split, oh wait…) and force it through. But thats unlikely.

503

i agree mate but its not really the fault of the GAA, it cant control human nature and what we ( well that’s who make up the organisation) live our daily lives.

504

[QUOTE=“caoimhaoin, post: 1098797, member: 273”]What about the matches are you unsure of?
I actually think that’s a bit high on the match front in terms of quality.
They a are struggling on the ground though and lots of kids have lost out on games in recent years and they have lost swathes of players in rural areas where combined teams were rejected.
The Minor team last year was pretty unique and just a great collection. They were also seen as far back. As 15/16 and had great coaching at school and JOC then spent 2 intense years with them. However it’s the schools and not the club system that has retained the cream.
It’s fine having great systems, but population is vital as well and many Kerrymen will still tell you last year papered quite large gaping holes.

It’s a good point on the arrogance of other counties, but it’s bollix to say Kerry adjust with the times. It took them an awful long time to change.[/QUOTE]

Some of the games are just volume for the sake of it, I know in the North Kerry Football for example the final in recent years has been on Stephens Day and New Years day. Which is obviously retarded and of little benefit or attraction to anyone.

505

Well I think that’s a huge advantage actually. Those championships have great sentimental value and are taken seriously. They are also great family and social get-together’s. A lot of the teams do minimal or no training, but it sets them up well for the following year. I would say the district leagues are the least valuable. County league should be enough with divisional and county league games.

506

Pointless to look past the last 10-15 years as things have changed dramatically in that time. The reason Kerry have been so successful is that they have been pretty much guaranteed a place in the quarter finals year on year without having to burst themselves. Had they to come through a competitive province ever year they would have been nowhere near as successful, I think you’d have to be an idiot to disagree.

507

You’d have to be a moron to not see there is a lot more to it and that’s a different disscussion anyway. The article is about how they produce so much quality and particularly from Junior B & Junior A clubs.

Their grading system does muddy the waters a bit and many of these Junior clubs would be a much higher grade in other counties. However that doesn’t take away from the work done in those sometimes tiny clubs.

The more important thing is actually the minor & u21competitions. Their set up is arguably as influential as adult.

But you are a moron so what am I at.

508

[QUOTE=“caoimhaoin, post: 1098861, member: 273”]You’d have to be a moron to not see there is a lot more to it and that’s a different disscussion anyway. The article is about how they produce so much quality and particularly from Junior B & Junior A clubs.

Their grading system does muddy the waters a bit and many of these Junior clubs would be a much higher grade in other counties. However that doesn’t take away from the work done in those sometimes tiny clubs.

The more important thing is actually the minor & u21competitions. Their set up is arguably as influential as adult.

But you are a moron so what am I at.[/QUOTE]

Every year they can coast through to a quarter final spot without bother. They have no problems beating teams outside of Ulster and Dublin in knockout games but their record against Ulster sides and Dublin pales in significance. Of course they have been a great side but they are only out there on their own over the past 15 years due to the favourable set up of the Championship to them.

509

This is the 15th season of the revamped All Ireland series since the qualifiers came into effect.

Kerry have won 5 of those. A team from Munster or Connacht has never eliminated Kerry from the Championship since the qualifiers came into effect. Meath and Dublin (2) have got the better of them and Tyrone (3), Armagh, Donegal and Down have done it in Ulster.

510

Tipperary booked into a hotel in Dungarven for a week long training camp before the All Ireland final… in 1918

511

Are league positions decided on head to head if teams are tied on points?

512

if two teams, yes. Three ormore and it goes to points difference

513

Fermanagh Tipperary game will be of huge significance this weekend so with the winner likely to go up with Armagh. If Fermanagh win then two wins from their last four will guarantee promotion.

514

They coast thru cos they are very good, no other reason. And that coasting thru has done themselves not dublin much good on quite a few occasions like Dublin last year and Kerry in '10.
When Ulster was a decent championship back along in knock out days it was a disadvantage for sure. I’m thinking 1990-96/97 kinda range.
But with a back door the extra games would only be an advantage to ulster sides to get decent competition early on. It gave them a good barometer of where they are and excellent practice for all Ireland series, and an advantage over the likes of cork and Kerry.
However ulster is shite now so it’s neither here nor there.

515

[QUOTE=“caoimhaoin, post: 1099010, member: 273”]They coast thru cos they are very good, no other reason. And that coasting thru has done themselves not dublin much good on quite a few occasions like Dublin last year and Kerry in '10.
When Ulster was a decent championship back along in knock out days it was a disadvantage for sure. I’m thinking 1990-96/97 kinda range.
But with a back door the extra games would only be an advantage to ulster sides to get decent competition early on. It gave them a good barometer of where they are and excellent practice for all Ireland series, and an advantage over the likes of cork and Kerry.
However ulster is shite now so it’s neither here nor there.[/QUOTE]

They coast through because they have it easy, they are not subjected to the perilous and arduous campaigns that Ulster teams have.

They are good but they have a lot of circumstances heavily in their favour. The Championship is skewed and Kerry, along with others are benefactors of this.

As for Ulster being shit now, that’s a very ignorant and factually incorrect statement. We have four teams in Div 1, 8 of the 9 Ulster counties are currently ranked in the top 18 league positions. In the last two Championships Ulster counties have had the highest proportion of quarter finalists, 4 in 2013 and 3 in 2014. It is the premier province and to argue contrary is flawed in facts and logic, it is the ramblings of a bitter and inferior man.

516

Can’t have this argument too many times I find :clap:

517

518

Here we go again.

519

Did you enjoy the book mate? I thought it was a great read but petered off a bit in the end.

520

Soupy’s goosed

ARMAGH have been dealt a huge injury blow with the news that Stefan Campbell faces up to three months on the sidelines with an ankle injury.

The Clan na Gael attacker suffered a freak accident at training and now faces a race against time to be fit for the Ulster Championship opener against Tyrone or Donegal on June 14