Columns - Irish Examiner

Donal O'Grady

Tipp require the composure of Beckenbauer and the steel of Gentile

Inside the white lines, Kilkenny do the simple things well. They no longer have the capabilities to blow inferior teams away, as they did in 2007/08. 

Sun, 04 Sep, 2016

Big call by Brian Cody but Kilkenny’s own odd couple proves a winning combination

We were treated to two fantastic games over the weekend and all involved — players, management, and officials — deserve our deepest gratitude. 

Tue, 16 Aug, 2016

Galway must collapse Tipperary’s defensive pillars

Tipp waltzed through Munster, overwhelming each opposition. It was ‘Blitzkrieg’ Tipp-style, reminiscent of the play of their great team of the sixties.

Sun, 14 Aug, 2016

Kilkenny v Waterford - GAA Hurling All-Ireland Senior Championship Semi-Final

Waterford hurlers can’t fall prey to ‘hawks’ of Kilkenny again

It is said you learn something new every day. Last Sunday, after the stadium emptied, I saw a Harris hawk — parabuteo unicinctus — for the first time.

Tue, 09 Aug, 2016

Waterford must be proactive to inconvenience settled Kilkenny

At this stage everyone knows what you get with Kilkenny. 

Sat, 06 Aug, 2016

Fired-up Galway shut down Clare and classy Joe Canning moved in for kill

I wrote last Saturday that players are strongly motivated by comments which call their personal courage into question.

Tue, 26 Jul, 2016

Wexford v Waterford - GAA Hurling All-Ireland Senior Championship Quarter Final

Waterford’s wastefulness will worry Derek McGrath

Before this game, I wondered how Waterford would approach it. They had based their success over the last two seasons on a tight defence. In the Munster final, shortcomings under the high ball were exposed.

Mon, 25 Jul, 2016

Waterford will need aerial defences ready for blitz

Waterford will need to nullify the presence of Lee Chin in the middle to stand a chance of victory tomorrow, writes Donal O’Grady.

Sun, 24 Jul, 2016

Sensible proposals now need backing and finance

All counties are now required to have five-year development plans but I believe — and I’m open to correction Lennon this is the first time a discussion document on future planning has been produced by the Cork coaching officer.

Thu, 14 Jul, 2016

Forget the blame game and get Cork hurling into intensive care

This was a well-deserved win for Wexford and manager Liam Dunne. It was built on workrate and on playing to their strengths.

Tue, 12 Jul, 2016