Have you ever wondered about the effect a manager can have on a group of footballers? Let me highlight just one example of how a single individual has transformed the fortunes and the mood of a club in the space of a week. We are witnessing an astonishing turnaround in the fortunes of Spurs in a matter of days, since the arrival of new manager, Harry Redknapp. I take a casual interest in the fortunes of this particular team as my wife Audrey is a lifelong supporter of the Spurs. In the last few months we witnessed one of the biggest clubs in England with big star players struggling in the relegation zone of the Premier League and facing relegation if the fortunes of the club didn’t improve immediately. Harry arrives on the scene and within days these underperforming stars are like men inspired. They grabbed their second thrilling comeback in five days last weekend, this time against table toppers Liverpool. I am perplexed and slightly intrigued as to how Harry has got them into a team of believers, with the mood of the club changed considerably in the space of a few days. People within the club have suggested that the fun has returned to the training ground and now everyone feels part of the team. Another suggested that they are now treated with respect. Harry apparently told them they were good players! This would suggest that previous management didn’t tell them that! Under previous manager Ramos a number of first team regulars were banished to the reserves without explanation, in the process undermining the morale and camaraderie within the whole group. There is a lesson here for all managers. If you lose the dressing room, in other words the very people you are expected to inspire and develop into a winning team, they will lose confidence in your ability to lead them. This should be the signal for you to walk.
Who’ll blink first in Cork
If this criterion were to be strictly applied in every situation, then Gerald McCarthy would obviously jump ship in Cork. But there is something unique and different about the scenario that has developed here. When I see a player like Sean Og O’hAilpin call for his manager to step down from his post, I am inclined to explore a little deeper to establish just what is the root cause of the present embargo in Cork hurling? I recall being introduced to a powerful man in the GAA over 25 years ago when I arrived in Cork as a newly commissioned army officer. Frank Murphy was, and still is, the full-time administrator of the GAA in Cork and, arguably, the most powerful broker in GAA business down there. He is revered by some, loathed by others, but has maintained a vice like grip on everything that happens in GAA circles in Cork over that time. Some would suggest that he had the same grip on national GAA affairs over the last 20 years. I have heard stories of inexperienced delegates from around the country arriving at national congress with lofty ideas on GAA affairs often ending up being ridiculed by the pompous, arrogant Cork official. He has an encyclopaedic knowledge of the rule book and bye -laws and has often manipulated and flaouted these rules to his own and, it must be said, to Cork’s advantage. I am now led to believe he is one of the primary reasons the Cork hurlers are now so intent on creating upheaval. Frank has concreted himself into a lifetime position as Cork County secretary and after the number of crises involving Cork teams this past decade he, more than most, is intent on bringing the players to heel. It will be interesting to see who will take a step back on this one as, I fear, it has the potential to run for quite a distance yet. The GAA needs strong respected leadership from the executive in every county. In fairness most county officials do a wonderful job in leading the affairs of Gaelic games within their counties. One issue continues to trouble most however. It now appears that this single biggest issue is the appointment of managers to take charge of inter- county sides. Perhaps this is something that needs to be addressed before our organisation does irreparable damage to lots of fine people.
O’Connor to step back into the breach
This time last year Jack O’Connor released a book primarily focusing on his couple of years managing the Kerry footballers. In Keys to the Kingdom he spoke openly about his three years in charge. Jack was never afforded the hero status given to those before him in Kerry after landing two All Irelands and a national league title. His appointment as Kerry senior football manager in 2003 surprised many in the Kingdom, as he hadn’t played with any great distinction, never having featured with the Kerry side that won so many titles in the mid-70s and 80s. He didn’t hold back when he decided to go to print and, in the process, I believe, upset a few of the old establishment. But it now seems all is rosy in the garden again and it looks increasingly likely that Jack will be back in the hot seat. O’Connor is an astute, competent manager and, while in charge, he produced a Kerry football team that were well disciplined and always up for the contest. I am sure that when he put pen to paper to convey his thoughts and forthright opinions two years ago, he believed he would never be asked to manage Kerry again. Now, with the passing of time, those charged with the responsibility of selecting the best manager for the Kerry job realise O’Connor has got what it takes.
Getting the word out
As some of you might be aware I have been involved with the Civil Defence for the past 9 years. My primary role as a civil defence officer is to recruit, train and manage Civil Defence volunteers to respond to a crisis or emergency. We train volunteers in search and rescue, (land and water ), communications, welfare, radiation monitoring and Casualty first aid. In the past I often felt slightly inadequate in my years training football teams if and when a player was injured during training. I was discussing our shaky first-aid knowledge recently with a colleague. Both of us felt that it would be particularly useful for young Transition Year kids to learn how to save lives before being taught about sex. Our instructors are requested by some schools to deliver first aid training to students but I would strongly urge all schools, particularly those with a TY programme, to introduce first aid training into their learning cycle.
A little word of advice for any GAA person locked into any bit of controversy within their respective counties; always remember the real art of conversation is not only to say the right thing at the right time, but also to leave unsaid the wrong thing at the tempting moment.
To be the best in the world at anything means you are something special. World champion, Ray Moylette, produced the goods when it mattered most and in so doing has put Islandeady on the world stage. A fantastic achievement not alone for Ray, but for his family, his coaches and his very proud club St Anne’s, of Westport.
