Managers eroding the very tradition they were reared on
The starting 15 for the weekend’s game could provide a multitude of topics. Before I was able to join in, I listened. Different personalities analysed the team in different ways.
The ‘agenda men’ were always looking for signs of corruption and evidence of favouritism: “Sure isn’t he doing a big job for the midfielder’s da. That’s the only reason he is playing him.”
Those of a more tactical bent would look at positions and the overall balance of the team. “Yer man is a right-footed player and he is playing him at left corner-back. It’s a recipe for disaster. He’ll run across his own goals every time he has to clear the ball.”
Unlike soccer where the first 11 aren’t released until a few hours before the kick-off, the GAA has a long tradition of declaring teams a few days before the match. It is an accepted practice.
Fear of providing too much information was never considered. The prevailing ethos was that good managers concentrated on their own team’s performance. Worrying about the opposition was a sign of weakness.
The publication of teams has also served an important function for the GAA. In the absence of any advertising campaigns, the simple strategy of announcing 15 players acted as an effective marketing tool as the team provided a talking point and generated interest in the days leading up to the game.
My first shifts as a freelance sports journalists were devoted to getting teams after training sessions on Tuesday and Thursday nights. It was often a last minute affair as some unfortunate PRO was left standing until the manager finalised his selection. Such was the importance of this news, the back page would be held until the last possible minute so that readers could see their team in the next day’s edition.
In those days, back in the last century, it was all done by phone. As most Ulster counties appear to train on the top of a mountain, poor mobile signals were the norm.
The internet has now superseded the cumbersome process of spelling strange names and unfamiliar clubs against the backdrop of a howling gale and a dodgy reception.
Yet, while information can now be transmitted more quickly and easily than ever, it has become harder and harder to get managers to release their teams.
Last week was a classic example. Of the 12 teams competing in the Dr McKenna Cup, Tyrone was the only team that e-mailed our sports desk at The Irish News.
At 8pm on Thursday night, the Tyrone side picked to play Queen’s was sent to 129 email addresses that spanned journalists at every newspaper, radio and television station in the country.
No other Ulster county publicised its team in this manner. Often criticised for his staunch and unyielding loyalty to GAA traditions, this is one example where Mickey Harte deserves credit for his willingness to honour the old ways.
By announcing his team, Harte is not currying any favour from the media. Rather, the Tyrone manager is recognising the considerable interest that resides in his native county for anything that relates to the senior team.
We learned last week that members of Club Tyrone stumped up £343,000 (€415,411) towards the county’s new £6.7m (€8,115,383m) training complex. It goes without saying that fans of this ilk would appreciate knowing which Tyrone players have been picked for the weekend. By declaring his hand, Harte is giving Tyrone fans the opportunity to dissect his selection and second guess who will replace stalwarts like Philip Jordan and Brian McGuigan in the coming year.
Perhaps just as importantly, by revealing his team, Harte provided Tyrone fans with the chance to make an informed decision on whether they should attend the game in Healy Park.
Given the experimental nature of the McKenna Cup, there are many supporters who are unwilling to shell out to watch teams that consist mostly of debutants and fringe players. By revealing their teams to the media, managers can at least allow supporters to find out what precisely they are paying to see.
Of the other Ulster counties, Derry, Antrim, Down, Armagh and Cavan didn’t confirm their selections until Friday. All of them had to be asked for the information. At least the aforementioned counties actually named a team. Donegal, Fermanagh, and Monaghan failed to afford their supporters the simple courtesy of letting them know which team would be playing at the weekend. Management, by its very nature, is a selfish business. And if any practice has no obvious benefit to his team, then most managers have zero interest in it. Unfortunately, team selection now appears to have fallen under that heading. But managers would do well to remember and respect the heritage of the game. Talking about the team is part and parcel of the culture in which they were reared. All managers will have grown up listening and taking part in the very conversations their behaviour is bringing to an end.
* Contact: p.heaney@irishnews.com
