Irish & International Sports News, Fixtures & Results

CBC take long road back to Harty Cup final

Hurling anoraks are always on the lookout for something unique but intrigue invariably defines that search.

Half-forward engine room powering teams to success

Limerick's half-forwards set the template last year - big, athletic, rangy, strong, powerful, pacy players and all well able to score - and Clare are following suit.

GAA • 05 Feb 19

'Kilkenny came back to haunt Tipperary again six weeks later but Ryan had no regrets about that decision in February'

2020 vision leaves hurling league picture blurry

The parable of Tipperary's spring campaign last year may not be repeated because of the impending change in format.

GAA • 21 Jan 19

"In a society so heavily defined and dominated by technology, any amount of texts, or emoji's, can't get that message across"

Smartphone distraction restricting natural ability

The average attention span of a human is decreasing and many players are not able to take in massive amounts of information, writes Christy O'Connor.

GAA • 20 Aug 18

"Those ground battles have become an intrinsic part of hurling now"

Hurling's 'mullicking' issue is a challenge for coaches

Repeated rucks around the ball results in hurling losing some of its aesthetic beauty, writes Christy O'Connor.

GAA • 14 Aug 18

'Goals have never been harder to come by but there are still times when forwards need to adopt more of an assassin mindset.'

The art of the 'assassin' & the lust for green flags

In his latest column, Christy O'Connor discusses the importance of goalscorers using an 'assassin mindset' to find the net in the modern game.

GAA • 06 Aug 18

'Limerick gave an exhibition of brilliant point taking on the greatest 24 hours of scoring in the GAA's history'

Limerick hold nerve as scoring stats hit new heights

There was just over one shot per minute at Croke Park this weekend, as hurling's recent transformation into a shootout game of accuracy took another quantum leap forward.

GAA • 30 Jul 18

'Intricate tactics and gameplans, many of which had their origins rooted more in football than hurling, have also become a key part of the new hurling template'

Hurling coaches have embraced a new culture

Christy O'Connor examines the influence football coaching is having on hurling.

Hurling • 23 Jul 18

'In hurling now, the goalkeeper is the main quarter-back but much of the modern game is now heavily defined by American football principles'

Limerick's space creation project is serving them well

Limerick's style is designed to give their forwards the best advantage possible but it places a high premium on space creation, and the quality of delivery into that space, writes Christy O'Connor.

GAA • 16 Jul 18

'Increased strength and conditioning levels, along with a lighter sliotar, has further expanded the striking range, but with players aggressively running at defenders a lot more now, there are more frees conceded. And scored'

Elite free-taker essential for success in modern game

Hurling's marksmen have become even more vital thanks to the introduction of free-taking competitions and a greater number of fouls being awarded, writes Christy O'Connor.

GAA • 09 Jul 18

'Conlon's move to full-forward has given Clare a massive focal point and scoring threat'

Fancy drills have a place, but high ball is still key

Hurling as a game has changed, but the team that dominates the air still gives themselves and advantage.

Hurling • 02 Jul 18

'Similar to football, much of modern hurling has been bound up by talk of tactics and systems but there is still always that greater scope for expression with hurling'

Always room for individuality in hurling's hothouse

Tactics and gameplans should be reducing hurlers' opportunities for free expression, but the speed of the game is forcing individuals to experiment and improvise.

GAA • 25 Jun 18

"That absolute honesty and unwavering commitment to the cause framed everything about the essence of Walsh's character"

'Brick Flick' - another addition to the skill amalgam

Having a skilled called after you is no doubt fitting to Michael 'Brick' Walsh after reaching a career milestone against Cork

GAA • 18 Jun 18

'Kilkenny have clearly adapted to the whole culture this year but they had to because they lost two championship games last summer to teams which played defined sweepers – Waterford and Wexford'

Hurling sweeper isn't new, but Cats prove it's evolving

Waterford's system and season broke down due to a spate of injuries, but Joey Holden's point against Wexford is proof even Kilkenny are disciples of the sweeper tactic.

Hurling • 11 Jun 18

Penalty takers have honed their craft so well that it's becoming impossible for goalkeepers to stop the best

Art of penalty-taking changing in the blink of an eye

Christy O'Connor dissects the fine art of penalty-taking, and explains why the power has swung back in favour of the taker.

GAA • 29 May 18

'In a possession dominated game now, where the tactics of denying possession are dominating how the game is largely evolving, speed has never been more important'

Speed merchants like O'Keeffe key to possession game

It is difficult to coach speed but it can be developed and sourcing ever faster hurlers is central to how most teams now approach the game - just look at the Wexford wing-back's contribution against Dublin.

GAA • 21 May 18

'They also may not have the confidence to try it but practising it outside of collective training has a number of advantages, especially in a ball alley'

Modern hurlers missing a stroke by ignoring ground game

Fergal Whitely's spectacular goal was a reminder of days gone by but modern players should not neglect the ground stroke - particularly when close to goal.

GAA • 18 May 18

Christy O'Connor