FORMER MAYO BOSS James Horan believes there may be too much made of the commitment required of GAA players and doesn’t agree that it is ‘a chore’ to operate at inter-county level.
“There’s an awful lot made out of how much inter-county players have to do and the amount of training and the amount of effort they put in,” stated Horan, speaking at yesterday’s launch of Sky Sports 2017 GAA coverage.
“Look at amateur athletes, young swimmers that are swimming at 6 o’clock in the morning four times a week. There’s an awful lot of sportsmen at an amateur level that are doing way more than Gaelic footballers.
“My young girl was at swimming, before I came up to Dublin today I dropped her in at half six into Castlebar swimming pool.
“When you weigh it up players love what they’re doing, it’s not a chore as some people have people believe.”
When looking at his own county – who have suffered the scars of Croke Park losses over the past few years – Horan believes those setbacks can have more of an impact on supporters at times and has backed the current Mayo squad to challenge strongly again this year.
“I don’t mean this in a bad way but the defeats and the losses have more of an impact on the county and the supporters in one way, or it’s longer lasting.
“If you’re a player, and the level that they’re at, it’s the performance they’re going to try and put in.
“If you do that as well as you can – if you win, brilliant. If you do that, and you don’t win, well it’s tougher but at least you’re trying to build on what you’re trying to do.
“Mayo I think in particular, did an awful lot right last year. There was a couple of shot selections last year that I would think they’ll look at and they’ll say when we’re in that situation, the right play was to pass it back here or that kind of thing.
“So all they’re looking for maybe is two or three more goals from kick-outs or two or three more scores from play.
“They just want to get out and play and have fun doing it. Of course for some of them those defeats might just add that little extra chunk of resilience.
“They’re in a privileged position that they can represent their county and do it in a game that they love playing, so it’s a great situation to be in.
“Time is creeping up on everyone and everything, so there’s always a shelf life but they’re still fresh (and) they’re still hungry.
“I met Andy Moran a couple of days ago and the energy radiates off of him. You can feel it when you’re talking to him. They’re ready to rock, they just want to play football in summer.”
Horan has a new role himself this summer, working with Galway senior hurling club Turloughmore.
“I’d avidly follow hurling. I played a bit underage for Castlebar, thumbing in from Ballintubber to play hurling in the old days. I always enjoyed the game.
“It’s interesting. (It’s a) different team, different motivations but a lot of the stuff is the same, trying to get teams prepared well and trying to get them ready for games.
“It’s in the middle of the championship season at the moment, one win, one loss. It’s enjoyable. Working with fellas that are trying to improve, that’s the buzz.”
Since vacating the Mayo hotseat at the end of the 2014 season, he’s been keen to still pay a close eye to what is unfolding in Gaelic football.
“I think inter-county management, it’s mad when you’ve a family and job and all that. It’s exciting and great and you’ve an energy level. I think you need to know when to get out of it and recharge.
“(I’m) certainly enjoying the punditry side of it and keeping up with what’s going on because Gaelic football is evolving quickly. You need to have your finger on the pulse or you’ll be behind the curve.”
Can he see himself returning to the inter-county sidelines in the future?
“I haven’t a clue. You don’t know. I’m certainly fascinated with coaching and everything about it and trying to work with guys to improve. (I’ll be involved) in some capacity, it might be hurling or football or whatever.”
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