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, … GAA • 17 Nov 20
A lack of initiative cost Kerry dearly on Sunday If the video review ever comes, above all other questions, the Kerry players will wonder what they were waiting for in that last ten minutes, … GAA • 10 Nov 20
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
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 … GAA • 27 Oct 20
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 … GAA • 16 Oct 20
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
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 … GAA • 02 May 20
Deliberate practice required to truly master skill sets Aidan O'Rourke says technical coaching, as well as a players own passion and persistance, is crucial if a player is to truly master their skill … Football • 26 Mar 20
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 … 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
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
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
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 … GAA • 04 Feb 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
Fenton will be out to erase afternoon of frustration Keeping Dublin's Brian Fenton under wraps was one of the many things Kerry did well in the drawn All-Ireland final and their efforts in doing … GAA • 13 Sep 19
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 … GAA • 09 Sep 19
Unleashing mayhem Kerry's only chance of toppling Dubs Aidan O'Rourke says Kerry need to adopt the French template from the 2007 World Cup quarter-final shock of New Zealand if they are to stand … GAA • 26 Aug 19
Mayo got almost everything right against Dublin Mayo had to get almost everything right in planning to give themselves a chance to knock Dublin out of their stride and they did get … GAA • 12 Aug 19
Character and collective the key as final 4 do battle All four semi-finalists have shown their strengths this summer, but the ability to produce a performance on the most pressurised of occasions will be key … Football • 10 Aug 19
Mayo like a challenge - they've got a big one in Dublin The Dublin juggernaut looks insurmountable, just the way Mayo like it, writes Aidan O'Rourke. GAA • 05 Aug 19
Contenders for Dublin's throne have puncher's chance Completely bridging the gap in a one-off battle might need some stars to align but the contenders for Dublin's throne have the capacity to do … GAA • 03 Aug 19
Qualifiers can offer a better path than provincial wins In his latest RTÉ coaching column, Aidan O'Rourke argues that teams forged in the battle of the qualifiers are often better prepared for the later … Football • 08 Jul 19
Time almost up for pretenders still ironing out flaws There was an expectation that the fog gathered around the form guide for the last eight might begin to lift after the weekend's action. Instead, … GAA • 26 Jun 19
Galway suffering from loss of tactical direction The loss of direction tactically that has crept into Galway's approach has fundamentally left the team without a structure or an identity writes Aidan O'Rourke GAA • 18 Jun 19
Styles make fights as Tyrone walk into Donegal trap Do Tyrone stay focused on the brilliant football they produced so far this season or does Mickey Harte's pragmatic nature prevail? GAA • 10 Jun 19
