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Steven McDonnell pictured with fellow GAA.ie columnist, Cork hurler Donal Óg Cusack. INPHO/Cathal Noonan
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McDonnell - "Proper coaching is key to the future of our games."

The 2002 All-Ireland winning attacker believes improved coaching standards are essential in Gaelic Football.

FORMER ARMAGH ATTACKING great Steven McDonnell has questioned the methods being employed by some Gaelic Football coaches and believes a separation of the roles of a manager and coach is essential to clubs becoming successful.

Writing in his column ‘Point Taken’ for the GAA’s official website, McDonnell has stressed the importance of improving coaching standards.

“Proper coaching is key to the future of our games. Even our top inter county players need proper coaching. This can be the difference in success and failure. I have been asked to take many training sessions over the years in many parts of Ireland and it amazes me the lack of actual coaching that is going on.

“This is the big area where a lot of clubs fall short. In most cases the manager is required to carry out the duties of both manager and the coach. He is doing everything, so how could he be expected to get the best out of his team when he can’t actually see everything that is going on around him.”

McDonnell highlighted the use of cones at training sessions as an example of how the focus on replicating matches scenarios can be lost.

“I laugh when I look at the amount of cones laid out at some sessions by some so-called coaches. Do they just want to make their session look sexy or do they actually want to improve the skill levels? Are they thinking of their players and their team? Every drill or exercise done in training must relate to what should be done in a match.Football is a simple game, complicated by too many people. Keep it that way.”

To read more of Steven McDonnell’s ‘Point Taken’ column, see www.gaa.ie