Because they’re appy — players embrace technology

If you don’t know about WhatsApp already, then maybe you should. It mightn’t have been the driving force behind Kerry and Kilkenny’s All-Ireland triumphs this year but it was part of their glue.

It’s no secret ingredient. Most GAA teams have a group conversation going, but then they do so for a reason. This past week, TJ Reid extolled its virtues after Henry Shefflin had mentioned he had to learn how to use the smartphone app, which allows people to message each other in a closed group environment.

“There was a lot of new guys on the panel and a lot of lads didn’t know him so David Herity got the Whatsapp going,” Reid said. “It was a bit of craic and Brian [Cody] always talks about spirit. When you have a group just having the craic on WhatsApp it’s a great place to be as well because everyone is enjoying each other’s company and nobody’s saying, ‘ah, who’s this lad?’ It was a way of getting to know each other.”