Aidan O'Rourke

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

How to defeat Dublin in three (not-so-easy) steps

Mayo will need the perfect strategy to shock Dublin in Saturday's All-Ireland SFC final at Croke Park, with Aidan O'Rourke suggesting three key areas worthy of the underdogs' focus.

GAA • 18 Dec 20

Winning teams average a productivity rating (points scored per 10 possessions) of 4.7 but Mayo produced a productivity of 8.57 in the first half of their victory over Tipperary

Mayo gameplan requires finessing to sink Dublin

In a year like no other, there's a jarring sense of inevitability about the All-Ireland SFC final outcome, unless Mayo can implement fundamental changes to their gameplan.

GAA • 08 Dec 20

'The romance of how this championship has unfolded has whetted appetites for the possibility of even greater drama across semi-final weekend. For that to happen, Dublin or Mayo will be required to play significant roles in their own undoing'

Cavan and Tipp seek opportunity that should not appear

You can never rule out an underdog that is prepared to take any opportunity but, for Cavan and Tipperary, they are faced with experienced, quality foes who should not give them a glimmer, writes Aidan O'Rourke

GAA • 05 Dec 20

O'Rourke: 'At a time when the modern game has slipped into a rut of conservatism based on the effectiveness of possession, Mickey Graham's Cavan have been a breath of fresh air'

Cavan prove direct football can prevail in new world

At a time when the modern game has slipped into a rut of conservatism based on the effectiveness of possession, Mickey Graham's Cavan have been a breath of fresh air.

GAA • 24 Nov 20

'To win the biggest matches you have to do what is required and that isn't always comfortable'

Swashbuckling Mayo need gentle lean towards pragmatism

Mayo's narrow one-point victory over Galway at Pearse Stadium gave them their 47th Connacht title and keeps them very much in the All-Ireland hope alive, but if they're to go all the way this year, they may need to find a new pragmatic streak.

GAA • 17 Nov 20

'Weather is always a factor but we may potentially have extremes through November and December'

Weather adds extra element to unique championship

In an already challenging environment for players, developing the capacity to adapt to the conditions could become one of this championship's defining elements.

GAA • 03 Nov 20

'Pádraic Joyce will do well to re-establish the confidence of spring in such a short space of time, but an extra week and a relatively straightforward opener with Sligo will help with the rehabilitation'

Mayo were relegated, but Galway have most work to do

Ahead of the start of the championship, Aidan O'Rourke believes league form may concern Galway, give Mayo hope despite relegation, instill more belief in Donegal and have Kerry primed for a shot at Sam Maguire.

GAA • 27 Oct 20

"The experimentation of the spring time was banished."

Kerry sharpening their claws for Christmas crack at Sam

We're in the early stages of rising to the task of championship intensity but Kerry have made tweaks to their system that might be the missing ingredients when they meet Dublin closer to Christmas.

GAA • 20 Oct 20

'The chances of a wildcard from the pack are longer than ever'

Uncertainty can only benefit the most developed teams

The returning inter-county season has had a lead-in like no other and with preparations severely disrupted, Aidan O'Rourke believes it will be Gaelic football's most established teams who prevail

GAA • 16 Oct 20

'Club and county are both equal and valuable parts of our identity and at any point where priority or ownership of a player is claimed by anyone other than that player, the claimant should lose all rights to contribute to the debate'

GAA's tiresome culture war insults and ignores players

Players deserve better than the emotional pressure piled on from both sides of the club and county debate, writes Aidan O'Rourke.

Football • 11 Jul 20