Seizing your Inter-County Opportunity

The new GAA season provides new managers, new trainers and new players. It can be a daunting experience for a young player trying to make the grade. Each year, we see four or five new faces securing their place in the panel but many more will fail. The object of this blog post is to identify small things players can do to make the grade. It looks at players who are training with their county for the first time, players still in their initial years on the squad and players who haven’t got a chance to show what they can do yet. Some might take guidance from it and I’m sure other players can provide further advice. Alot of these tips are applicable to players trying to make a step up at all levels in GAA as well as other sports.

 

You’ve been selected for the training squad:

·     Ask the manager which position he would like you to play in – if you are versatile it’s important to know what the manager thinks your best position is.

·     Interact with other players and slowly try to build relationships – being part of the group is important – being the person in the dressing room people avoid is fatal.

·     Work hard and keep the head down – push yourself in fitness work and don’t hide in drills or games – it doesn’t go unnoticed. Managers look for commitment and hard work as much as skill and natural ability.

·     Ask for advice from older members of the squad regarding improving aspects of your game – experience is invaluable.

·     If a more experienced player makes a comment to you regarding something you’re doing or not doing in training, listen to him, he’s doing it because he believes you’re worth encouraging.

·     After a few weeks, ask the manager what improvements you need to make to guarantee your place in the squad – don’t just ask, work on what he tells you.

·     Don’t miss training unless it’s unavoidable - attendance is important. If you find it easy to make excuses to the team and yourself you’re not cut out for this level of commitment.

·     Be positive. Negativity is obvious and it has an unwelcome presence in a dressing room. No one likes a sulk.

·     Commit to the gym work whether you’re a regular in the gym or a newbie – there’s no hiding place once the gym test results come back. Missing gym sessions is viewed in the same light as missing field sessions these days.

 

You’re on the panel for a year:

·     Most players get little or no game time in their first year – there are always exceptions.

·     Getting game time in your first season doesn’t guarantee it in your second year - you only play if you perform.

·     Accept that you have to be patient and remain positive.

·     Ask the manager what you need to do to get into the team – whether you agree with his point of view or not, he’s the one picking the team so concentrate on his advice. Spend extra time away from training working on areas you need to approve if needs be.

·     Don’t become a number in the squad - if you don’t believe you are good enough to contribute to the team you’re wasting your time. Stay positive and keep trying to improve.

·     You still have a lot to learn from more experienced players.

·     Make sure you are in good condition - fitness is a basic requirement and achieved with hard work. You can be the most talented player in the panel but if you are unfit you won’t get into the team.

·     Successful players are obsessive - if you get injured, make sure you do all you can to get back as quickly as you can. Don’t let an injury keep you out for longer than it should.
 

You haven’t been selected for the training squad:

·     Some club players believe that they have the ability to be part of an inter-county training squad. They may be correct. Players, particularly from weaker clubs generally end up playing in central positions for their local sides while realistically their best position may be a less central role. It is very hard to get noticed in club games when you are playing out of your most natural position. Generally, managers will give players opportunities if they feel they deserve one. Pick up the phone and call him, ask can you train with the team for a month. That shows hunger, belief in your own ability and commitment. The manager has nothing to lose by bringing you in for a trial period. How else are you going to get your chance?