Aidan O'Rourke

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

"It is a myth that our players are the only amateurs exposed to Sport Ireland testing"

Ignorance and amateurism no defence in doping battle

The deterrent of a drug test should be vastly outweighed by the loss of pride, community and self-worth that a shortcut on the road could bring, writes Aidan O'Rourke

GAA • 02 May 20

'Innovation will be the buzzword in terms of finding ways to creep important individual attributes forward.'

Right now we need to have dreams, plans and aspirations

In the grand scheme of priorities football will have dropped significantly down the list for many in recent days, but we still need to have dreams and aspirations in these difficult times.

GAA • 20 Mar 20

Donegal's development into a potent force is evident

Hidden in the mid-table anonymity of Division 1 of the Allianz National Football League is the team-building success story of the season so far.

GAA • 03 Mar 20

"The next phase of development for Galway will begin over the last three rounds of the league as opponents attempt to take away their preferred style"

Joyce's Galway emboldened by new opportunities

So far in this year's Allianz Football League, Galway a forged a new identity through their play and it's certainly easy on the eye.

GAA • 25 Feb 20

Aidan O'Rourke: The problem with the officiating of the Tyrone-Kerry game was that it descended into farce almost immediately after throw-in.

Want a better game? Create structure that empowers refs

If we want quality officiating delivered consistently then we have a duty to create an environment that empowers referees to challenge and improve each other.

GAA • 11 Feb 20

"Leaving emotion and tradition to one side, the future of championship football is a junior, intermediate and senior structure that mimics but expands on the league"

Why Seán O'Shea could be Kerry's answer at centre-back

The most compelling aspect of the leagues is to watch the building and developing of game-plans and patterns of play and analysing the clash of Kerry and Galway was a perfect example of that, writes Aidan O'Rourke.

GAA • 04 Feb 20

'The advanced mark can positively influence how football is played if teams get enough time on the pitch to streamline the patterns that best suit their game'

Coaches yet to adapt to attacking mark possibilities

If week one's games are an indicator, there has not yet been much thought invested into how to utilise the mark as an offensive weapon, writes Aidan O'Rourke

GAA • 28 Jan 20

Fitzsimons is 'a once in a generation talent'

The importance of Mick Fitzsimons to Dublin was clearly emphasised in those two battles with Kerry - without him there would have been no five-in-a-row

GAA • 16 Sep 19

Toughness beats talent - Dubs' resilience an edge

Dublin's resilience in the face of so much going wrong the first day points to a mental toughness that could be decisive in today's replay.

GAA • 14 Sep 19

Replays are always about who has learned most and if the learnings can be implemented

Both teams would have agonised over epic first battle

The fact that Sunday last produced one of the great Irish sporting contests of the last ten years will not matter one iota to the people who were in the dressing room in the aftermath. There was lots to pore over and more to correct.

GAA • 09 Sep 19