Cahair O’Kane
@cahairokane.bsky.social
Pinned
Cahair O’Kane: New rules incubating a sport whose environment was failing it
WHEN Galway were chasing an equaliser in stoppage time of last year’s All-Ireland final, they kept the ball for two minutes and 46 seconds.
www.irishnews.com
Column: In stoppage time of last year’s All-Ireland final, Galway kept the ball for 2 mins 46 secs. If they had been from Ulster and played the football they played last year they’d have been kicked from pillar to post. Nobody will ever play that way again
Where once the Donegal team was strongly concentrated on the south of the county, they’ve broadened their base significantly since the late 90s. Spreading beyond their traditional base is something Derry have struggled with
Donegal’s changing concentration gives Derry food for thought
THE biggest call Brian McEniff had to make leading into the 1992 All-Ireland final was whether to give Tommy Ryan’s place to Manus Boyle.
www.irishnews.com
February 27, 2025 at 7:39 PM
Where once the Donegal team was strongly concentrated on the south of the county, they’ve broadened their base significantly since the late 90s. Spreading beyond their traditional base is something Derry have struggled with
Column: Closed loop thinking led me to kid myself the rules were close to perfect. They’re great and they’ve added so much but there is one major problem. The goalkeeper having the ball in open play simply has to be banned, or none of it works #GAA
Cahair O’Kane: Banning goalkeepers creating 12v11 is the last remaining barrier to the great game we crave
IN Matthew Syed’s acclaimed book Black Box Thinking, the author spends a lot of time examining a closed loop mindset.
www.irishnews.com
February 17, 2025 at 10:05 PM
Column: Closed loop thinking led me to kid myself the rules were close to perfect. They’re great and they’ve added so much but there is one major problem. The goalkeeper having the ball in open play simply has to be banned, or none of it works #GAA
Column: In stoppage time of last year’s All-Ireland final, Galway kept the ball for 2 mins 46 secs. If they had been from Ulster and played the football they played last year they’d have been kicked from pillar to post. Nobody will ever play that way again
Cahair O’Kane: New rules incubating a sport whose environment was failing it
WHEN Galway were chasing an equaliser in stoppage time of last year’s All-Ireland final, they kept the ball for two minutes and 46 seconds.
www.irishnews.com
February 4, 2025 at 9:26 AM
Column: In stoppage time of last year’s All-Ireland final, Galway kept the ball for 2 mins 46 secs. If they had been from Ulster and played the football they played last year they’d have been kicked from pillar to post. Nobody will ever play that way again
Giveaway: Win one of 5 copies of the 2025 Gaelic Football Coaching planner.
All you have to do is retweet this post.
Available to buy below (full colour, B&W version at £16.99 also available) or drop me a DM 🙌🏻
ROI: amazon.co.uk/2025-Gaelic-fo…
NI: amazon.co.uk/Gaelic-footbal���
All you have to do is retweet this post.
Available to buy below (full colour, B&W version at £16.99 also available) or drop me a DM 🙌🏻
ROI: amazon.co.uk/2025-Gaelic-fo…
NI: amazon.co.uk/Gaelic-footbal���
January 18, 2025 at 1:46 PM
Giveaway: Win one of 5 copies of the 2025 Gaelic Football Coaching planner.
All you have to do is retweet this post.
Available to buy below (full colour, B&W version at £16.99 also available) or drop me a DM 🙌🏻
ROI: amazon.co.uk/2025-Gaelic-fo…
NI: amazon.co.uk/Gaelic-footbal���
All you have to do is retweet this post.
Available to buy below (full colour, B&W version at £16.99 also available) or drop me a DM 🙌🏻
ROI: amazon.co.uk/2025-Gaelic-fo…
NI: amazon.co.uk/Gaelic-footbal���
Are you even really a coach if you don't have a planner with the new arc drawn in it?
These proved far more popular last year than I'd imagined. So here's the 2025 version. Available from Amazon (below) or via DM
amazon.co.uk/2025-Gaelic-fo… (North)
amazon.de/dp/B0DS9F9FK1 (ROI)
These proved far more popular last year than I'd imagined. So here's the 2025 version. Available from Amazon (below) or via DM
amazon.co.uk/2025-Gaelic-fo… (North)
amazon.de/dp/B0DS9F9FK1 (ROI)
January 7, 2025 at 9:40 PM
Are you even really a coach if you don't have a planner with the new arc drawn in it?
These proved far more popular last year than I'd imagined. So here's the 2025 version. Available from Amazon (below) or via DM
amazon.co.uk/2025-Gaelic-fo… (North)
amazon.de/dp/B0DS9F9FK1 (ROI)
These proved far more popular last year than I'd imagined. So here's the 2025 version. Available from Amazon (below) or via DM
amazon.co.uk/2025-Gaelic-fo… (North)
amazon.de/dp/B0DS9F9FK1 (ROI)
Column: Before a ball is kicked, Malachy O’Rourke has a dilemma to start sorting. Get it right and Tyrone could be in for a big summer. They have been so much less than the sum of their parts since 2021. They are now where Donegal were 12 months ago with the potential to chart the same path.
Cahair O’Kane: Malachy O’Rourke managing Tyrone’s growing frontline riches better is key to a potentially successful summer
WHEN Eddie O’Sullivan was coaching the US Eagles in the late ‘90s, a holidaying young Ronan O’Gara met him for a meal in San Francisco.
www.irishnews.com
January 6, 2025 at 9:32 PM
Column: Before a ball is kicked, Malachy O’Rourke has a dilemma to start sorting. Get it right and Tyrone could be in for a big summer. They have been so much less than the sum of their parts since 2021. They are now where Donegal were 12 months ago with the potential to chart the same path.
I watched Mayo v Monaghan so you don't have to. There's no point in offering definitive judgement on January 4 but there are fragments of trends forming already. Old habits will not be easily extracted. These were my thoughts from the warmth of the house.
Football’s shape-shift will be measured in months, not weeks
IF there’s anything to be learned from the friendliest of Saturday evening friendlies, it is that the measurement of football’s shape-shift will be over months and years rather than days and weeks.
www.irishnews.com
January 5, 2025 at 7:37 AM
I watched Mayo v Monaghan so you don't have to. There's no point in offering definitive judgement on January 4 but there are fragments of trends forming already. Old habits will not be easily extracted. These were my thoughts from the warmth of the house.
February 1994. Errigal Ciaran players are in a Dublin hotel, ready to depart for their first All-Ireland semi-final. Supporters travelling down hear on the radio the match is off and call the hotel's front desk.
History could repeat itself and delay what is a glorious opportunity for Errigal.
History could repeat itself and delay what is a glorious opportunity for Errigal.
Weather could put a glorious opportunity for Errigal Ciaran on hold
WHEN Errigal Ciaran first journeyed into an All-Ireland semi-final, the weather played havoc.
www.irishnews.com
January 3, 2025 at 11:06 PM
February 1994. Errigal Ciaran players are in a Dublin hotel, ready to depart for their first All-Ireland semi-final. Supporters travelling down hear on the radio the match is off and call the hotel's front desk.
History could repeat itself and delay what is a glorious opportunity for Errigal.
History could repeat itself and delay what is a glorious opportunity for Errigal.
Austin Stacks will be the last "ninth best team" from Kerry to play in an All-Ireland intermediate semi-final. The county's position has distorted and skewed the whole grade, driving other counties to bend themselves out of shape.
Piece below.
Piece below.
Kerry’s internal compromise could ease their distortion of intermediate and junior grades
IN the long and decorated history of post-match plámas, Billy Lee’s interview after Austin Stacks had won the Munster intermediate title was a real doozy.
www.irishnews.com
January 1, 2025 at 5:08 PM
Austin Stacks will be the last "ninth best team" from Kerry to play in an All-Ireland intermediate semi-final. The county's position has distorted and skewed the whole grade, driving other counties to bend themselves out of shape.
Piece below.
Piece below.
🗣️ Never spent as much time in one day on the phone. The topic was this pretty comprehensive round-up of who’s managing most of the major clubs in Ulster in 2025. Info on 70-odd clubs. Please don’t be offended if your club is not included, the clock won.
Managerial merry-go-round turning unusually softly
NORMALLY the club management merry-go-round would be ready to come off its rails at this stage but this has been a winter season notably devoid of moving and shaking.
www.irishnews.com
December 22, 2024 at 7:52 PM
🗣️ Never spent as much time in one day on the phone. The topic was this pretty comprehensive round-up of who’s managing most of the major clubs in Ulster in 2025. Info on 70-odd clubs. Please don’t be offended if your club is not included, the clock won.
Shane Lennon will be the first ever outside manager of Crossmaglen Rangers.
Louth’s former Games Development Officer and ex-player will be assisted by former Dublin minor Gerry Seaver, who was with Longford minors this year.
They take over from Anthony Cunningham.
Louth’s former Games Development Officer and ex-player will be assisted by former Dublin minor Gerry Seaver, who was with Longford minors this year.
They take over from Anthony Cunningham.
December 11, 2024 at 9:43 PM
Shane Lennon will be the first ever outside manager of Crossmaglen Rangers.
Louth’s former Games Development Officer and ex-player will be assisted by former Dublin minor Gerry Seaver, who was with Longford minors this year.
They take over from Anthony Cunningham.
Louth’s former Games Development Officer and ex-player will be assisted by former Dublin minor Gerry Seaver, who was with Longford minors this year.
They take over from Anthony Cunningham.
Column: Urban Meyer, Jeff Bezos, imbalance, retirement, greatness and sacrifice. One never came without the other. The juice is worth the squeeze when you win, or when you’re paid millions even if you don’t. Is it still worth it for everyone else?
Cahair O’Kane: The juice is only worth the squeeze if you win
URBAN Meyer has won three NCAA championships.
www.irishnews.com
December 10, 2024 at 11:22 AM
Column: Urban Meyer, Jeff Bezos, imbalance, retirement, greatness and sacrifice. One never came without the other. The juice is worth the squeeze when you win, or when you’re paid millions even if you don’t. Is it still worth it for everyone else?
Errigal have operated through a lot of this run with a really aggressive high press. It has served them well. Scotstown’s had worked well until a fortnight ago. Kilcoo have that ability to make you doubt yourself and then be right about those doubts
Errigal Ciaran’s quandary is how much they bend to Kilcoo’s will
LET’S do brass tacks here.
www.irishnews.com
December 8, 2024 at 2:06 PM
Errigal have operated through a lot of this run with a really aggressive high press. It has served them well. Scotstown’s had worked well until a fortnight ago. Kilcoo have that ability to make you doubt yourself and then be right about those doubts
Cavan’s sensory room is more than just a room. It is a cornerstone of a family’s relationship, a connection, a crumb of normality.
The brainchild of Cavan boss Raymond Galligan, it is brilliant. The impact on families like the Gilsenans is incredible
The brainchild of Cavan boss Raymond Galligan, it is brilliant. The impact on families like the Gilsenans is incredible
Cavan’s sensory room is more than a room. It is a cornerstone of a family’s relationship, a connection, a crumb of normality
MARK Gilsenan is loathed to reach for the word ‘normal’. Hates it.
www.irishnews.com
December 5, 2024 at 1:22 PM
Cavan’s sensory room is more than just a room. It is a cornerstone of a family’s relationship, a connection, a crumb of normality.
The brainchild of Cavan boss Raymond Galligan, it is brilliant. The impact on families like the Gilsenans is incredible
The brainchild of Cavan boss Raymond Galligan, it is brilliant. The impact on families like the Gilsenans is incredible
Reposted by Cahair O’Kane
Pretty sure my first tweet was with you too @cahairokane.bsky.social
a woman with a white mask on her face is saying hello
ALT: a woman with a white mask on her face is saying hello
media.tenor.com
December 3, 2024 at 4:35 PM
Pretty sure my first tweet was with you too @cahairokane.bsky.social
The characterisation of Kilcoo, and to a lesser extent Errigal Ciaran, as defensive teams is baffling. Their commitment to attack means they’re already well set for the new-look game. If your club coach starts off crying about rules, you’re in trouble #GAA
Cahair O’Kane: Kilcoo and Errigal’s commitment to attack says they’ll both be even harder to beat in next year’s new game
THE public perception of Kilcoo’s style of football is baffling.
www.irishnews.com
December 3, 2024 at 5:13 PM
The characterisation of Kilcoo, and to a lesser extent Errigal Ciaran, as defensive teams is baffling. Their commitment to attack means they’re already well set for the new-look game. If your club coach starts off crying about rules, you’re in trouble #GAA
Having looked gone, Sleacht Néill hit 2-9 from 15 attacks in the last 19 minutes. Shane McGuigan lit the fire.
There will be a new name on the Tommy Moore Cup in January - why wouldn't it be theirs?
Report from Armagh as gallant Portaferry fall
There will be a new name on the Tommy Moore Cup in January - why wouldn't it be theirs?
Report from Armagh as gallant Portaferry fall
Shane McGuigan lights fire under Sleacht Néill to lift them into wide-open All-Ireland race
AS Cushendall rowed gradually clear of them in Newry twelve months ago, it almost felt like the sun was setting on Sleacht Néill’s dream of an All-Ireland club title. It has never been more alive than...
www.irishnews.com
December 1, 2024 at 9:31 PM
Having looked gone, Sleacht Néill hit 2-9 from 15 attacks in the last 19 minutes. Shane McGuigan lit the fire.
There will be a new name on the Tommy Moore Cup in January - why wouldn't it be theirs?
Report from Armagh as gallant Portaferry fall
There will be a new name on the Tommy Moore Cup in January - why wouldn't it be theirs?
Report from Armagh as gallant Portaferry fall
“The game’s always changing. In the ‘70s people were giving out about the handpasses. They’ve always gave out about Donegal. In many respects people in Donegal don’t care. The same way they don’t care the motorway stops…We’re cut off, we’re isolated.”
Sat down with Jim McGuinness
Sat down with Jim McGuinness
Jim McGuinness: “The game’s always changing. In the ‘70s people were giving out about the handpasses. They’ve always gave out about Donegal. In many respects people in Donegal don’t care. The same way...
THERE’S almost nobody in the restaurant. The tall, lean, unmistakable figure of Jim McGuinness sweeps through the door, searching past a blissfully unaware elderly couple.
www.irishnews.com
November 30, 2024 at 9:12 AM
“The game’s always changing. In the ‘70s people were giving out about the handpasses. They’ve always gave out about Donegal. In many respects people in Donegal don’t care. The same way they don’t care the motorway stops…We’re cut off, we’re isolated.”
Sat down with Jim McGuinness
Sat down with Jim McGuinness
Not sure why the #GAA hasn’t published this document as yet. As a public service, I’ll do it for them. Thread below on the rules that are being proposed at Special Congress on Saturday and a bit about what each means. You can pay me via Revolut or any major banking app 🧵😄
November 27, 2024 at 8:45 PM
Not sure why the #GAA hasn’t published this document as yet. As a public service, I’ll do it for them. Thread below on the rules that are being proposed at Special Congress on Saturday and a bit about what each means. You can pay me via Revolut or any major banking app 🧵😄
Ulster says yes.
Good news for the FRC and fans of the proposed rule changes. Ulster counties set to almost unanimously back the new proposals at Special Congress.
Also, no sign on the clár of any motions relating to the payment of managers, as was claimed by Pat Gilroy last week.
Story below ⬇️
Good news for the FRC and fans of the proposed rule changes. Ulster counties set to almost unanimously back the new proposals at Special Congress.
Also, no sign on the clár of any motions relating to the payment of managers, as was claimed by Pat Gilroy last week.
Story below ⬇️
Ulster says yes: Northern counties set to back football’s rule changes
ULSTER will say yes to Gaelic football’s proposed new playing rules, paving the way for their introduction at this weekend’s Special Congress.
www.irishnews.com
November 27, 2024 at 5:21 PM
Ulster says yes.
Good news for the FRC and fans of the proposed rule changes. Ulster counties set to almost unanimously back the new proposals at Special Congress.
Also, no sign on the clár of any motions relating to the payment of managers, as was claimed by Pat Gilroy last week.
Story below ⬇️
Good news for the FRC and fans of the proposed rule changes. Ulster counties set to almost unanimously back the new proposals at Special Congress.
Also, no sign on the clár of any motions relating to the payment of managers, as was claimed by Pat Gilroy last week.
Story below ⬇️
Sat down with Jim McGuinness last week for a rare in-depth interview that will be published this weekend. Piece below touches on his thoughts on the proposed new rules and the return of Michael Murphy.
Jim McGuinness on rules and Murphy’s return: “The game’s gonna speed up a multiple of what it was.”
JIM McGuinness believes that the proposed new rules for Gaelic football will speed the game up “by a multiple of what it was” if Special Congress opts to vote them in this weekend.
www.irishnews.com
November 27, 2024 at 8:22 AM
Sat down with Jim McGuinness last week for a rare in-depth interview that will be published this weekend. Piece below touches on his thoughts on the proposed new rules and the return of Michael Murphy.
Column: I admire Pat Gilroy’s stance. Fair play to him. It’s the kind of principled move we rarely see now. But it won’t make a blind bit of difference. Payments to managers have been commonplace for more than 30 years. Why bother pretending any more? #GAA
Cahair O‘Kane: Pat Gilroy’s principled stand won’t make a blind bit of difference
THIRTY-three years ago this month, the GAA found itself stood in front of the High Court.
www.irishnews.com
November 25, 2024 at 9:10 PM
Column: I admire Pat Gilroy’s stance. Fair play to him. It’s the kind of principled move we rarely see now. But it won’t make a blind bit of difference. Payments to managers have been commonplace for more than 30 years. Why bother pretending any more? #GAA
Since 1993, Tyrone clubs have won 27 games in the Ulster Club SFC.
17 of those have been Errigal Ciaran wins (not 16, forgot about their nomination to represent Tyrone in 1995).
The Tyrone champions have failed to win the first round game 15 times in 31 seasons #GAA
17 of those have been Errigal Ciaran wins (not 16, forgot about their nomination to represent Tyrone in 1995).
The Tyrone champions have failed to win the first round game 15 times in 31 seasons #GAA
November 25, 2024 at 10:28 AM
Since 1993, Tyrone clubs have won 27 games in the Ulster Club SFC.
17 of those have been Errigal Ciaran wins (not 16, forgot about their nomination to represent Tyrone in 1995).
The Tyrone champions have failed to win the first round game 15 times in 31 seasons #GAA
17 of those have been Errigal Ciaran wins (not 16, forgot about their nomination to represent Tyrone in 1995).
The Tyrone champions have failed to win the first round game 15 times in 31 seasons #GAA
How much of this 'Tyrone clubs don't do Ulster' lark is just a mindset? Of 25 games since beating Lavey in 1993, Errigal Ciaran have won 16 and drawn three. Their three wins in a month matches the county's tally since 2015. Piece on that and Ruairi Canavan
Ruairi Canavan front and centre as Errigal show why Ulster is their stage
HOW much of this ‘Tyrone clubs don’t do Ulster’ lark is just a mindset?
www.irishnews.com
November 24, 2024 at 7:38 PM
How much of this 'Tyrone clubs don't do Ulster' lark is just a mindset? Of 25 games since beating Lavey in 1993, Errigal Ciaran have won 16 and drawn three. Their three wins in a month matches the county's tally since 2015. Piece on that and Ruairi Canavan
“There’s not a doubt about it. Anything that we achieved was all down to the factory. It definitely was."
Sherry and the cabinet makers. The story of how a family furniture business turned Scotstown’s fortunes as both parish and football team #GAA
Sherry and the cabinet makers. The story of how a family furniture business turned Scotstown’s fortunes as both parish and football team #GAA
Sherry and the cabinet makers: How a family furniture business transformed Scotstown’s footballing fortunes
FURNITURE production would be slack on the floor of Sherry’s factory on Monday mornings.
www.irishnews.com
November 22, 2024 at 7:33 PM
“There’s not a doubt about it. Anything that we achieved was all down to the factory. It definitely was."
Sherry and the cabinet makers. The story of how a family furniture business turned Scotstown’s fortunes as both parish and football team #GAA
Sherry and the cabinet makers. The story of how a family furniture business turned Scotstown’s fortunes as both parish and football team #GAA