Aidan O'Rourke

Former Armagh footballer, All Star and 2002 All-Ireland winner and current GAA Performance Manager with Queen's University

'Built on a consistent defence and midfield, Banty and his coaches have injected considerable pace and movement into the final third'

Farney bright sparks in championship yet to catch fire

In a weekend of few notable results, Monaghan quietly posted a performance that should have made anyone in Ulster with notions to sit up, writes our football columnist.

GAA • 05 Jul 21

Donegal flaws evident despite win over Down

Aidan O'Rourke assesses the performances of All-Ireland SFC contenders Donegal, Kerry and Mayo at the weekend.

GAA • 28 Jun 21

O'Rourke: 'Gaelic Games are our national sport and should have a platform that showcases the entertainment they provide'

Upsets less likely as 2021 augurs poorly for outsiders

Aidan O'Rourke is backing Dublin, Kerry, Mayo and Donegal to land provincial honours in 2021, with Kerry the most likely team to ask serious questions of seven-in-a-row Dublin.

Football • 26 Jun 21

'After nearly three years of trying to address their defensive weaknesses, it is somewhat ironic that the solution might be external. Dublin's defence no longer dominate and that becomes a game change'

Kerry edging closer to finally toppling Dublin

Aidan O'Rourke looks at the statistics behind the rise of Kerry this season, and why Dublin may be showing signs of losing their grip on the number one position in the country.

GAA • 14 Jun 21

Pragmatism has been a feature for the successful teams in the league

Defence will have its day now that safety net removed

Despite the constrained nature of this season's Allianz National Football League there have still been lessons for teams to learn and as we head into the All-Ireland campaign, we might see some benefits of the full throttle nature of the league.

GAA • 31 May 21

'Kerry are still searching for both of those individual and collective solutions to their defensive frailties'

Defensive frailties still undermining Kerry's prospects

The concession of four goals against Dublin further underlines the frustration that little progress has been made in sorting out Kerry's defensive woes, says Aidan O'Rourke

GAA • 24 May 21

"There will be no revolution in 2021 - the most we can hope for is noticeable evolution"

No changing of the guard as football returns

As football made a welcome return at the weekend, Aidan O'Rourke did not see any reason to believe that things are going to be in anyway different than they were last season, with the same big guns set to dominate once more.

GAA • 17 May 21

'As was the case in 2020, if Dublin are exactly where they were last year in terms of performance standards when the key games come around in 2021, then they will likely win the All-Ireland title again'

Deep pools and established game plans needed for league

Our columnist details the challenges posed by such a brief pre-season and asks who the unusual run-in will best suit among the Allianz League's top-flight contenders.

GAA • 15 May 21

'In not giving a voice to the young people of our association since last autumn, the leadership within the GAA has abdicated on their primary responsibility'

The GAA's Covid approach is failing our youth

A year on from the start of the first Covid-19 lockdown, Aidan O'Rourke examines the GAA's response to the pandemic and finds it lacking when it comes to the young of the organisation.

GAA • 15 Mar 21

Dublin are undoubtedly the best equipped team in the history of the game

Numbers game means Dublin dominance inevitable

Dublin will continue to dominate Gaelic football and the likes of Mayo will have to adapt their style to dethrone the champions.

GAA • 22 Dec 20