Miscellaneous

The Development of Young Footballers

April 12th, 2011
by Weeshie Fogarty

Let me first of all preface the opinions that follow in case readers will think I am just being wise after the event. And the event I refer to is the Munster under twenty one final in Cork last Wednesday evening in which Kerry suffered one of the most comprehensive defeats in the history of the county, 2-24 to 0-8.  Now two weeks ago I previewed the game here and concluded the piece by saying and referring to Kerry as follows, "have they the all round physical strength to compete flat out with Cork for the full sixty minutes. At minor and under twenty one level in recent years I believe we have been found badly wanting in this respect". Well never in my wildest dreams did I visualize what was to unfold in Pairc Ui Riann and I was as stated very much afraid of the difference in the physical stakes between the two teams. However on this occasion the huge gulf that existed between the sides in all aspects of the game was simply stunning.  However it must also be said that our lads did not do justice to themselves and played far below what they are capable of. Why? The county board must answer this.

Now before I go any further let me say I fully appreciate I might be in the majority of one in relation to my views concerning underage football in the county nevertheless a number of comprehensive defeats in recent years of our minors and under twenty ones have for me set the danger signals flashing.  And let's not forget that one of our premier colleges in Hogan cup football St Brendan's were literally played of the field in Croke Park last year by the Down College St Colman's Newry. And the failure of our minors to win an All Ireland title since 1994 is being constantly referred to. And then we saw Colaiste Christ Ri come to Killarney and take the Munster Cup recently.  Of course some will say that Kerry will always bounce back and that the players will always be coming through and that under age football in the county is in a healthy state. Well everyone is entitled to their opinion and the choices are simple. Be of the view that things will improve and the wheel will turn or on the other hand sit back question and ponder if we are falling behind rapidly in relation to how our under age footballers are being helped to develop.

And for me here is where the argument arises, "the development of young footballers". Last Wednesday evening the massive difference in my eyes was the size, strength, stamina, and total fitness of this Cork team.  But most importantly was their superb football skill. Each one was so comfortable on the ball, their kicking and score taking a joy to behold and the only way I can sum all of that up is to describe them as a younger Kerry senior team in full flow.  They won fifty fifty balls most of the time, easily broke the tackles coming at them from the Kerry lads and played a superb brand of football from defense up and the scores kicked from all angles, near and far were of the highest quality.  Now all of this did not develop since Christmas, this team did not reach those great heights by just coming together for a few months. It goes far deeper than that in my view and a young man I fell into conversation with on the way to the game gave me a little insight as to why these players were capable of producing such a devastating display against our young men.

His brother was a substitute last Wednesday and has been on a development panel since he was under sixteen.  He was told that he had two choices, join the development squad and live life as a footballer/athlete or just opt out and forget it. He and a squad would then come together once a month in CIT where they would receive advice/coaching on their diet, core exercise, weight work (not weight lifting, a huge difference here) and the importance of the squad ethic was emphasized hightly. All this was conducted under a Cork High Performance Director. Everything was planned and each player followed their own specialized training programme to the letter of the law. This was never more evident than last Wednesday and whether we like it or not Cork and Tyrone in particular appear to be producing under age players bigger in size and quality than Kerry.  It is my opinion that it would have made little difference if Jack o Connor, Johnny Culloty, Eamon Fitzmaurice Ger o Keeffe or any other proven experts were on the line last week. John Kennedy and his men only have their players for a few months before the season begins.

Now I don't know if the same procedures or something similar are available in Kerry. No doubt the people responsible are doing what they consider their very best nevertheless it appears to me now that some counties are developing their players the very same as Jack o Connor is doing with his seniors, all year round training, devotion to the coming season and living life as a near professional athlete. Of course one can say that young men are entitled to enjoy life, sow their wild oats, spread their wings, and peruse their studies without the burden of this new GAA under age programme. Are those under age defeats I referred to earlier just a passing phase and will the wheel turn full circle back to Kerry dominance? OR on the other hand is what we saw last Wednesday evening a new era in under age football in Munster?

Now Cork might not go on and win the under 21 All Ireland, only time will tell but Kerry must look after its own corner one way or the other. One thing is certain as far as I am concerned and that is Cork are going to draw some superb footballers for their seniors from this squad. Just two of this under 21 team are on their senior panel at present, Kerry have six on their senior team, Cork have now won seven of the last ten under 21 meetings with Kerry while nine of this Cork team helped UCC win the recent Sigerson Cup helped by three Kerrymen. And finally one name got special mention as Kanturk's Aidan Walsh accepted the cup, that was the late Rory o Connor the young Cork footballer who died so tragically in a recent car accident near Mallow. His name was on many people's lips following the game and one of the best judges of Cork football a great friend, John Fintan Daly said to me, "you saw some great players out there this evening but I can tell you honestly Rory o Connor was better than any of those". Lovely tribute to an exemplary young man whom I had met had the Duhallow Cup games.

No doubt readers will draw their own conclusions from what I write, you might well say its only scare mongering and Kery will always bounce back and there is no need for panic stations, all will be well in time.  Maybe so, then on the other hand it appears Cork have better conveyer belt of young men ready to take over the mantel of their aging stars.  I have no doubt either but our lads will learn from this humiliating defeat and come back better and wiser that before. They are Kerry and that is the Kerry tradition. Win lose or draw this county always stands with total commitment behind its men (and women) in defeat. Inquest over for a while.



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