Joique Bell’s arms stretch behind his head as if pulled by an individual rope.

Fitness and conditioning guru Mike McGurn warns Carlow’s disappointing Leinster championship opener shows no amount of gym work will compensate for a shortage of skills.

MUNSTER SFC FINAL:

Irish rugby international Eoin Reddan believes Mike McGurn can play a key role in revolutionising the strength and fitness culture around Irish soccer as he begins a new role as the FAI’s conditioning guru.

Although a deal had still not been signed off as of last night, the FAI are entirely happy that Martin O’Neill will be unveiled as the manager of the Republic of Ireland this week.

County champions Tempo crashed out of the Fermanagh SFC last night after a narrow 1-13 to 3-6 quarter-final defeat by Ederney in Irvinestown.

Raith Rovers 0 Celtic 3

Celtic 4 Raith Rovers 1

MANAGERS who break the training ban are acting in the best interests of their players’ welfare as they face pre-season action, according to Ireland International Rules fitness coach Mike McGurn.

BERNARD BROGAN faces a club versus country dilemma ahead of Ireland’s International Rules opener in Limerick.

CLARE senior football boss Michéal McDermott has secured the services of renowned fitness coach Mike McGurn for the 2011 season.

LEADING strength and conditioning coach Mike McGurn has questioned the wisdom of Henry Shefflin playing in the All-Ireland SHC final four weeks after the Kilkenny legend suffered a cruciate knee ligament injury.

DIVISION TWO league finals tend to leave little in the way of a lasting impression but yesterday’s footprint dug a little deeper, if only for another entry into the catalogue of memorable displays from Steven McDonnell.

TRAINER Mike McGurn says the Armagh players are so psyched up for next month’s Ulster SFC clash with Derry that they’ve hardly said a word about Sunday’s Allianz league Division 2 final.

WEXFORD football manager Jason Ryan accepts that the GAA is trying to address the burnout issue but reckons that there is no ‘one-size fits all’ solution.

MAGNERS LEAGUE winning coach Tony McGahan yesterday denied that Irish rugby is fixated with producing gymnasium robots rather than skilful rugby players.

DIRECTOR GENERAL Paraic Duffy has rejected claims that the GAA’s closed season rule is ‘crazy’ – and warned of harsh financial penalties for counties that break it.

ONE of the country’s leading strength and conditioning experts believes that the GAA is “missing the point” by banning collective training in November and December to address issues of burnout.

THE IRFU’s former fitness and conditioning coach Mike McGurn has blasted rugby’s obsession with bulking up and claimed that academy systems were producing ‘robots’ who ‘have no game management skills.’

MICHAEL CARRUTH believes that more inter-county football teams could benefit enormously by welcoming an influx of expertise from various other sporting backgrounds.

IT seemed like a routine assignment at first. Arrangements had been made, the editor explained, to meet the renowned strength and conditioning coach Mike McGurn at Dublin Airport at 9am the next day.

THE Canterbury Crusaders are turning to Gaelic football in an effort to reclaim their place at the summit of the Super 14 pile.

FORMER Ireland fitness coach Mike McGurn has stepped down from his role with the Ospreys due to family reasons.

WHILE Ireland celebrated Super Saturday, fitness expert Mick McGurn was handed further evidence that his Midas touch was in operation.

FORMER Ireland rugby fitness coach Mike McGurn has joined the Cork senior hurling backroom team.

THE IRFU have reinstated Mike McGurn as fitness coach to the Irish team with immediate effect following a stand-off of almost four months.

A KEY member of the Irish coaching staff has indicated he will resign in protest if fitness coach Mike McGurn is sacked following comments he made in a newspaper interview this week.