Big blow as he’s arguably Armagh’s main man now, should have enough to coast through the league though and with the likes of Rafferty, Forker, McKenna, Kernan and McVerry there then it should hopefully be enough for the early stages of the Championship.
[QUOTE=“Julio Geordio, post: 1098772, member: 332”]Not exactly the right spot, but interesting none the less
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.
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They play more football than anyone else
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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?
© 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]
A pal of mine played 53 games one year for his club in south Kerry between minor club, divisional minor, and with his clubs two adult teams.
[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]
Is it still the case in Kerry whereby minor players are not allowed to play with their club u21 teams?
[QUOTE=“Il Bomber Destro, post: 1099021, member: 2533”]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.[/QUOTE]
Most Ulster teams are shite so your argument is void.
Most Ulster teams are shite?
We’ve had 8 of our 9 counties in All Ireland quarter finals since the qualifiers were introduced. More than any other province.
We’ve had 6 of our counties in All Ireland semi finals since the qualifiers are introduced. More than any other province.
We’ve had 4 of our counties in All Ireland finals since the qualifiers were introduced. More than any other province.
We’ve had 3 different winners since the qualifiers were introduced. More than any other province.
We have had the highest proportion of our counties in All Ireland quarter finals in the past two seasons. More than any other province.
In the current league standings, 8 of the Ulster counties occupy the top 18 league positions. More than any other province.
That doesn’t tally up with most Ulster counties being shite, which would lead me to believe you suffer an inferiority complex of Ulster sides.
[QUOTE=“Il Bomber Destro, post: 1099549, member: 2533”]Most Ulster teams are shite?
We’ve had 8 of our 9 counties in All Ireland quarter finals since the qualifiers were introduced. More than any other province.
We’ve had 6 of our counties in All Ireland semi finals since the qualifiers are introduced. More than any other province.
We’ve had 4 of our counties in All Ireland finals since the qualifiers were introduced. More than any other province.
We’ve had 3 different winners since the qualifiers were introduced. More than any other province.
We have had the highest proportion of our counties in All Ireland quarter finals in the past two seasons. More than any other province.
In the current league standings, 8 of the Ulster counties occupy the top 18 league positions. More than any other province.
That doesn’t tally up with most Ulster counties being shite, which would lead me to believe you suffer an inferiority complex of Ulster sides.[/QUOTE]
How many all Ireland’s have they won in that period? Given that they are all one code counties bar Antrim their record is pathetic.
Oh great, we’re off again.
Ulster teams don’t have the same procession every year to the qf stage that they do in other provinces which makes it hard to back things up year on year which teams from the other three provinces have.
But we have won 5 in that period, spread over three different teams and we’ve had another in a final.
[QUOTE=“Il Bomber Destro, post: 1099549, member: 2533”]Most Ulster teams are shite?
We’ve had 8 of our 9 counties in All Ireland quarter finals since the qualifiers were introduced. More than any other province.
We’ve had 6 of our counties in All Ireland semi finals since the qualifiers are introduced. More than any other province.
We’ve had 4 of our counties in All Ireland finals since the qualifiers were introduced. More than any other province.
We’ve had 3 different winners since the qualifiers were introduced. More than any other province.
We have had the highest proportion of our counties in All Ireland quarter finals in the past two seasons. More than any other province.
In the current league standings, 8 of the Ulster counties occupy the top 18 league positions. More than any other province.
That doesn’t tally up with most Ulster counties being shite, which would lead me to believe you suffer an inferiority complex of Ulster sides.[/QUOTE]
Have you ever hear of loading?
I never heard if this practice? Are you talking regular club minors or county minors?
Maybe not allowed play Duhallow Cup and what-not, but other than that I don’t know. I seriously doubt it was the norm. Maybe not play with the division in 21 championship as it would be viewed that surely they can get a capable team together outside of minors.
I mean how would some clubs survive? We’re using 5 players on our senior team now FFS, we’re that depleted. The rural clubs at least will always rely on a minor or two as a minimum.
Would you also say that Munster’s record in the All Ireland Hurling Championship in the same period is pathethic? Given the likes of Tipp, Clare, Limerick and Waterford are all hurling counties primarily. They also have far larger playing bases than any of the Ulster counties. Only Donegal and possibly Tyrone would have a playing base comparable with any of the Munster counties.
Back to the topic of thread. I saw Ronan McCarthys name on the selectors list for the Cork team on Sunday. A significant return if not a typo.
Personally would prefer Cadogan and Shields switched. Resting the UCC lads seems sensible, but bringing them to Donegal isn’t really. If they go that far they should play. Dorman and Brian O Driscoll are both much superior players to Jamie Sull. Find the positioning of Donnacha O C strange as well considering how good he was as playmaker in Monaghan.
Cork Senior Football to play Donegal in Ballyshannon on Sunday lines out as follows -
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Ken O’Halloran (Bishopstown)
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Tom Clancy (Clonakilty)
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Michael Shields (St Finbarrs)
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James Loughrey (Mallow)
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Jamie O’Sullivan (Bishopstown)
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Eoin Cadogan (Douglas)
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Tomás Clancy (Fermoy)
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Fintan Goold (Macroom)
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Mark Collins (Castlehaven)
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Colm O’Driscoll (Tadhg MacCarthaigh)
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John O’Rourke (Carbery Rangers)
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Kevin O’Driscoll (Tadhg MacCarthaigh)
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Colm O’Neill (Ballyclough)
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Donncha O’Connor (Ballydesmond)
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Brian Hurley (Castlehaven)
Subs:
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Michael Martin (Nemo Rangers)
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Stephen O’Donoghue (Ballincollig)
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Conor Dorman (Bishopstown)
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Noel Galvin (Ballincollig)
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Kevin Crowley (Millstreet)
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Patrick Kelly (Ballincollig)
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Paul Kerrigan (Nemo Rangers)
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John Hayes (Carbery Rangers)
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Daniel Goulding (Éire Óg)
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Barry O’Driscoll (Nemo Rangers)
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Donal Óg Hodnett (O’Donovan Rossa)
Note: Brian O’Driscoll, Ian Maguire and Ruairi Deane were not considered for selection due to injury.
Selectors: Brian Cuthbert (Bishopstown) - Manager, Don Davis (O’Donovan Rossa), Owen Sexton (Kilbrittain), Ciaran O’Sullivan (Urhan), Ronan McCarthy (Douglas)
Medical Officer: Dr. Con Murphy (UCC)
Currie; Culligan O’Carroll Daly; Cooper Small McCaffrey; Bastick O Conghaile; Brady Rock Kilkenny; McMenamin O’Gara Costello.
Gavin obviously throwing this one, @TreatyStones knew the score.
[QUOTE=“myboyblue, post: 1099569, member: 180”]Currie; Culligan O’Carroll Daly; Cooper Small McCaffrey; Bastick O Conghaile; Brady Rock Kilkenny; McMenamin O’Gara Costello.
Gavin obviously throwing this one, @TreatyStones knew the score.[/QUOTE]
Would be interested to see the bench however, the attack still looks very strong and 3 of the defence are likely starters. How many of that team are available for the u21s? I would hesitate to guess that this could be their last involvement in the league until that has been decided.
[QUOTE=“caoimhaoin, post: 1099567, member: 273”]Back to the topic of thread. I saw Ronan McCarthys name on the selectors list for the Cork team on Sunday. A significant return if not a typo.
Personally would prefer Cadogan and Shields switched. Resting the UCC lads seems sensible, but bringing them to Donegal isn’t really. If they go that far they should play. Dorman and Brian O Driscoll are both much superior players to Jamie Sull. Find the positioning of Donnacha O C strange as well considering how good he was as playmaker in Monaghan.
Cork Senior Football to play Donegal in Ballyshannon on Sunday lines out as follows -
-
Ken O’Halloran (Bishopstown)
-
Tom Clancy (Clonakilty)
-
Michael Shields (St Finbarrs)
-
James Loughrey (Mallow)
-
Jamie O’Sullivan (Bishopstown)
-
Eoin Cadogan (Douglas)
-
Tomás Clancy (Fermoy)
-
Fintan Goold (Macroom)
-
Mark Collins (Castlehaven)
-
Colm O’Driscoll (Tadhg MacCarthaigh)
-
John O’Rourke (Carbery Rangers)
-
Kevin O’Driscoll (Tadhg MacCarthaigh)
-
Colm O’Neill (Ballyclough)
-
Donncha O’Connor (Ballydesmond)
-
Brian Hurley (Castlehaven)
Subs:
-
Michael Martin (Nemo Rangers)
-
Stephen O’Donoghue (Ballincollig)
-
Conor Dorman (Bishopstown)
-
Noel Galvin (Ballincollig)
-
Kevin Crowley (Millstreet)
-
Patrick Kelly (Ballincollig)
-
Paul Kerrigan (Nemo Rangers)
-
John Hayes (Carbery Rangers)
-
Daniel Goulding (Éire Óg)
-
Barry O’Driscoll (Nemo Rangers)
-
Donal Óg Hodnett (O’Donovan Rossa)
Note: Brian O’Driscoll, Ian Maguire and Ruairi Deane were not considered for selection due to injury.
Selectors: Brian Cuthbert (Bishopstown) - Manager, Don Davis (O’Donovan Rossa), Owen Sexton (Kilbrittain), Ciaran O’Sullivan (Urhan), Ronan McCarthy (Douglas)
Medical Officer: Dr. Con Murphy (UCC)[/QUOTE]
Dr con Murphy must have the greatest involvement with inter county teams in GAA history at this stage.
[QUOTE=“caoimhaoin, post: 1099567, member: 273”]Back to the topic of thread. I saw Ronan McCarthys name on the selectors list for the Cork team on Sunday. A significant return if not a typo.
[/QUOTE]
Not a typo. He’s back alright.
Costello only.
Great news for Cork, not for me or our club. Was hoping to get him out a few times. Great coach who gets great respect from players.
Unbelievable. Nice man.
An absolute gent.