Search Results for 'Martin Carney'

With the All Ireland final not to long away now, there’s not much else being talked about around the county. If you’re someone who is looking for some expert opinion on the game over the next week, there’s plenty of opportunities to hear some expert views.

I sent a brief text to Liam McHale and Kevin McStay last Sunday evening congratulating them on guiding St Brigid’s of Roscommon to a Connacht title. These two lads were brought in by the Roscommon club to launch a serious bid for All-Ireland, an honour which, understandably, placed and places them under huge pressure. Had they not managed to at least achieve a provincial title, they would have been perceived as failures. On the evidence of last Sunday, I believe they have a fantastic chance of going all the way with this team.

The Ulster Bank GAA Force Roadshow travelled to Castlebar Mitchels GAA Club on Wednesday night, where some 250 Mayo GAA fans took part in the evening’s activities. The event featured a panel discussion and questions and answers session with RTÉ pundit and Kerry GAA legend Pat Spillane, former Mayo players Liam McHale and Martin Carney, and current Galway stars Joe Bergin and Finian Hanley. The event was MC’d by Newstalk sports commentator David McIntyre.

I noticed in a post match interview that Sligo’s wing back, Charlie Harrison is credited with saying that they (Sligo) had no doubt whatsoever that they were going to win last weekends game in Salthill. I didn’t believe they would. In fact few did. I did, however, chat in the press room prior to the game with a few former Sligo players and they really did believe they were in with a great chance of pulling off a coup! It was quite remarkable because after the opening 20 minutes Galway were so much in control all over the field that I had a feeling then that they would stroll into a Connacht final largely untested after two games. Ha, how foolish of me! I completely underestimated the mindset of Charlie Harrison and the rest of his team mates. And consequently I had greatly overestimated the mindset of the Galway team after their first round victory over Roscommon.

I have so little energy this evening. I am wrecked after a tough session in the gym. The penny hasn’t dropped with me yet that the body isn’t able for the kind of punishment I once subjected it to. Earlier this evening, I was happily plodding along in the gym doing my thing, when I was invited to join in with the spinning class taking place in an adjoining room. The instructor pushed us hard for almost an hour. It was an eye opener and I can now admit to myself that the old body is not what it once was. However I comforted myself when I realised that there is no point in peaking this time of year! That is not the situation however for any new potential inter-county footballer wanting to impress new managers around the country. The reality is many of those players wil not have kicked a ball in months, yet they are expected to make an impression at these trial games. That’s the way it is, and until there is a better solution it will continue that way. I had a text from Ian Rowland from Crossmolina earlier this week announcing that he was invited on to the Mayo football panel for the FBD league. Ian had a wonderful year with Crossmolina, impressing in lots of games in both the league and championship. He is a player who has improved enormously this year and I expect there is more to come from this young student. Ian was one of the players invited to participate in a trial match last Saturday morning in McHale Park. I heard he played well in the trial, kicking a number of monster points that clearly caught the eye. Incidentally, I have rarely witnessed a player anywhere in the country who can kick the ball as far as this man can. Understandably, he is thrilled to be presented with this opportunity and I am quite confident he will do well.

One week after James Horan’s appointment as Mayo senior manager, I think it is fair to say that his appointment, and that of his back room team, has been warmly received by Mayo supporters. The immediate objection from some quarters might be that he is without senior inter county experience. In the current situation in which we find ourselves, I doubt that the GAA public in Mayo regard inexperience as an insurmountable issue after the summer we have just had. Horan will bring a fresh approach to proceedings, something that is needed right now. The players will trust and respect him. The younger players will remember his terrific talents on the field and will be looking forward to new training methods and a new mantra. I hear that no member of the new management team has travelled with the footballers to New York for this Sunday’s FBD final. I think that is a smart move. This weekend’s match in the Big Apple can best be described as a fun game with nothing of any significance at stake. A number of players playing out there this weekend will not be part of the new squad, and with a type of party atmosphere circulating about the place, it is best that a new manager meets his panel of players in a different environment.

Athletics

With less than week to go to the GAA Coaching and Team Performance seminar taking place in Diamond Coast Hotel, Enniscrone, now is the time to reserve your ticket. Interest in the event is already very high from local and regional clubs and individuals. The excellent line up of speakers including Mickey Harte, Martin Carney, Mick Galway, Darragh Ó Sé, Mickey McGeehin, and John Maughan is a first for Connacht.

At this time of year it can be difficult to know what to buy for people at Christmas time. When you are 15, 20 years married, or more and your collective libido may not be what it used to be (this column is not autobiographical in anyway), there is always a temptation for a female to buy her partner a good book which might stop him bothering her, trying all night to do what he used to do all night.

At this time of year it can be very difficult to know what to get for people at Christmas. When you are 15 or 20 years married or more and the collective libido may not be what it used to be; there is always a temptation for a female to buy her partner a good book which might stop him bothering her, trying all night to do what he used to do all night.