hurling
Carey Faughs inspired by memory of 'Wee Joe'
By John Harrington When Carey Faughs Chairperson, Sean McBride, answers the phone he’s slightly out of breath from gathering sheep on Fair Head, the most north easterly point of Antrim. From that 660-foot mountain cliff you have sweeping coastal views all the way to Rathlin Island but it’s not just
Thursday 21 November 2024
football
Brendan Rogers' passion for Gaelic games endures
By Cian O’Connell
There is always something happening in Slaughtneil. That is just the way of life in the proud Derry outfit. An upcoming match, an occasion to embrace.
So, Saturday’s deeply satisfying AIB Ulster Club SHC Semi-Final win over Cushendall brought joy, offering another reminder of Slaughtneil’s skill and
Thursday 21 November 2024
football
Kilshannig ready for biggest day in their 140 year history
By John Harrington
Kilshannig GAA club Chairperson, John O’Riordan, makes no bones about it – this weekend is the biggest yet in the history of the north Cork GAA club.
That’s a fair statement considering they’ve been around since the birth of the Association in 1884, but you couldn’t accuse
Wednesday 20 November 2024
feature
The importance of understanding the person inside the jersey
By John Harrington
An impressive list of speakers has been assembled for the 2024 Gaelic games Coaching Conference which will take place in Croke Park on Saturday, November 23.
One of them is Chartered Psychologist Dr Ciarán Kearney, who has specialised in sport psychology with players, coaches, and teams at
Monday 18 November 2024
hurling
Clare's Conlon made of the right stuff
By John Harrington
Clare defender, John Conlon, has been named the 2024 Hurling Personality of the Year by the Gaelic Writers’ Association.
As the name of the award suggests, it’s a recognition of more than just a hurler’s ability on the field of play.
That’s part of it, of course,
Saturday 16 November 2024
football
Niall Grimley reflects on a year of triumph and tragedy
By John Harrington
This week summed up what’s been a strange year of incredible highs and devastating lows for Armagh footballer, Niall Grimley.
On Tuesday there was a one-year anniversary mass for his brother Patrick, sister-in-law Ciera, and family friend Ciara McElvanna, who all tragically died in a car accident
Friday 15 November 2024
feature
Domhnall Nugent helping others get ahead of the game
By John Harrington
When Domhnall Nugent walked into Cuan Mhuire rehab centre in Newry as a homeless alcohol and cocaine addict in 2019, his life was at rock-bottom.
At that moment he had two options. Continue down a road that could only lead to a tragic end or ask for
Thursday 14 November 2024
hurling
Daithí Hayes enjoying Martin's managerial adventure
By Cian O’Connell
For Daithí Hayes there is joy in the journey.
Managing St Martin’s is busy, but rewarding. Balancing life and sport is a constant challenge. Still, Hayes finds a way.
When a Wexford SHC title is added to the collection, it makes everything worthwhile. The nature of hurling,
Wednesday 13 November 2024
football
Noel Tierney fondly remembered in the west
By Cian O’Connell
Noel Tierney will always be spoken about fondly in Galway.
The celebrated three-in-a-row team remain cherished in the west. Silverware was attained at Croke Park during a glittering era for the maroon and white outfit.
There was a gathering last week for Tierney, a totemic figure in
Wednesday 13 November 2024
feature
Professor Ian Jeffreys bringing 'Gamespeed' to Gaelic games
By John Harrington
An impressive list of speakers has been assembled for the 2024 Gaelic games Coaching Conference which will take place in Croke Park on Saturday, November 23.
One of them is world-renowned coach and educator, Professor Ian Jeffreys, who is President of the National Strength and Conditioning Association.
Wednesday 13 November 2024
feature
Cavan GAA put Health and Wellbeing to the fore
By John Harrington
Outstanding work tends to get its due recognition, and that has certainly been the case for Cavan GAA’s Health and Wellbeing Committee.
In 2023 they won the GAA National Health & Wellbeing Committee of the Year award and an Ulster GAA Award for their work in the
Friday 8 November 2024
feature
ICOACHKIDS approach to coaching puts children first
By John Harrington
An impressive list of speakers has been assembled for the 2024 Gaelic games Coaching Conference which will take place in Croke Park on Saturday, November 23.
One of them is Sergio Lara-Bercial, Professor of Sport Coaching at Leeds Beckett University and co-founder of ICOACHKIDS, a global coaching
Tuesday 12 November 2024
feature
Ciana Ní Churraoin revels in World Open Singles handball success
By Paul Fitzpatrick
The road to Croker, regardless of the code, is never a straightforward one. For each milestone along the way, there are a few diversions but perseverance and dedication make for the best travelling companions. Is fada an bóthar, as Seán Óg Ó hAilpín put it in his
Thursday 7 November 2024
football
Barcelona Gaels enjoying Leinster journey
By Cian O’Connell
It has been quite a 2024 European adventure for Barcelona Gaels. With one AIB Leinster Club JFC victory already collected, Barcelona Gaels head for Laois Hire O’Moore Park on Saturday afternoon heartened.
Last weekend’s win over Conahy Shamrocks at UPMC Nowlan Park highlighted Barcelona Gaels’ potential. An
Tuesday 5 November 2024
feature
Tom Ryan hails 'remarkable' 140 year history of GAA
By John Harrington
At 3pm on Saturday, 1 November 1884, in the billiards room of Hayes’ Hotel in Thurles, Michael Cusack with a small group of founding members established the Gaelic Athletic Association.
140 years on from that day, we talk to GAA Director General, Tom Ryan, about the journey
Friday 1 November 2024
feature
McKays to complete great GAA DNA journey on Association's 140th birthday
By Donal McAnallen
November 1st has held several deep cultural meaning to Irish people for many centuries. The old Celtic feast of Samhain, being the start of the winter season, and reputedly when portals opened to the otherworld, gave way to All Saints’ Day, a holy day of reflection on
Thursday 31 October 2024
feature
Psychology Informed Coaching develops people as well as players
By John Harrington
An impressive list of speakers has been assembled for the 2024 Gaelic games Coaching Conference which will take place in Croke Park on Saturday, November 23.
One of them is former Waterford camogie star, Dr. Trish Jackman, now an Associate Professor in Sport and Exercise Psychology at
Tuesday 29 October 2024
feature
Molly Dunne's journey from playing to coaching
By John Harrington
An impressive list of speakers has been assembled for the 2024 Gaelic games Coaching Conference which will take place in Croke Park on Saturday, November 23.
One of them is former Galway Camogie star, Molly Dunne, who will contribute to the topic 'Transitioning from the Player to
Friday 25 October 2024
football
Cathal Clancy enjoying Maigh Cuilinn adventure
By Cian O’Connell
Cathal Clancy smiles about the madness and relentlessness of it all. That Maigh Cuilinn have remained relevant is a source of considerable pride.
On Sunday, Maigh Cuilinn contest a fourth Bon Secours Galway SFC Final in five years against Corofin. Consistency has been attained, but out west
Thursday 24 October 2024
feature
Healthy Clubs Programme attracting new volunteers in Oram
By Cian O’Connell
The Irish Life Healthy Clubs Programme is helping to forge meaningful connections in Oram Sarsfields.
With approximately 300 members football matters deeply in the Monaghan club. Recently, though, the Healthy Clubs initiatives being carried out has opened all sorts of possibilities.
Six of the eight Healthy Club
Tuesday 22 October 2024
football
Jason Leonard delighted to be back in action with Corofin
By Cian O’Connell
Jason Leonard was in the Philippines when the 2023 Bon Secours Galway SFC Final took place.
Football has always occupied a central role in Leonard’s life, but being away from the Corofin camp for a spell was different. “Sometimes, when you take a year away, it helps
Monday 21 October 2024
feature
Colin Gaels' Dads & Lads providing valuable outlet
By Cian O’Connell
Something is stirring in Colin Gaels. Numbers are increasing at underage level, where the club has teams from U6 to U16. Fielding at adult level is the ambition, but significant joy has been derived from the Dads & Lads and Mothers & Others sections in the club.
Thursday 17 October 2024
feature
Kevin McGuigan's journey from Down to Olympic high
By John Harrington
Kevin McGuigan has regrets about how his time as a Down senior inter-county footballer panned out, but when life gave him lemons he made lemonade.
That experience of not realising his own full potential has been a source of motivation throughout his successful career has a Performance
Friday 11 October 2024
hurling
Toomevara's greyhounds have found their stride again
By John Harrinton
This 1990s revival shows no sign of slowing down any time soon.
Hot on the heels of the Oasis reunion, Toomevara are back in a Tipperary Senior Club Hurling Championship Final.
That was very much a staple of life in the Premier County in the 1990s and
Saturday 12 October 2024
football
Community ethos driving Portglenone to new heights
By John Harrington
Bunting and flags ripple in the breeze wherever you look in Portglenone and there’s even a car painted in the club colours of black and saffron.
The small village on the banks of the Bann is buzzing ahead of Sunday’s Antrim Senior Football Championship Final against Cargin
Wednesday 9 October 2024
feature
The joy of six adult county finals in one year for Carnew Emmets
By John Harrington
Located in the south-western ‘finger’ of County Wicklow, Carnew Emmets are their own little Gaelic games peninsula.
The county border with Wexford is little more than a kilometre from the eastern edge of the village, the Carlow border is nine kilometres to the west, and Shillelagh-Coolboy GAA
Thursday 3 October 2024
hurling
Eoghan Ruadh, Dungannon go the extra mile for hurling
By John Harrington
If you want to grow hurling in the developing counties, then no better people to ask than those who have built thriving hurling clubs in them.
Eoghan Ruadh, Dungannon, who contest Sunday’s Tyrone Senior Hurling Championship Final against Éire Óg, Carrickmore, are one such club.
Their proud
Wednesday 2 October 2024
feature
Hurling and Camogie to help each other grow
By John Harrington
Camogie President, Brian Molloy, hopes the blueprint for growth the GAA’s Hurling Development Committee are drawing up will prove to be equally beneficial for Camogie as it will Hurling.
He anticipates a hand-in-hand approach where camogie will be included alongside hurling in any strategy to develop the
Tuesday 1 October 2024
hurling
Kilmessan's hurlers are on the rise again
By John Harrington
It’s going to be a very busy weekend for the hurlers of Kilmessan.
Their senior team play Ratoath in the Meath Senior Hurling Championship semi-final and both their Junior A and Junior B teams contest county finals.
It’s a serious achievement for a small rural club, which
Friday 27 September 2024
hurling
St Dominic's hope to upset the odds in Roscommon SHC Final
By John Harrington
A cursory glance at the tale of the tape might make you think that Sunday’s Roscommon SHC Final between Four Roads and St. Dominic’s will be a predictable affair.
In one corner you have the dominant force of Roscommon hurling, Four Roads, who are looking to win
Friday 27 September 2024