Waterford trainer urges GAA coaches not to flog players

Running up sand dunes, through woods or into frozen rivers like elite soldiers preparing for some Hollywood battle used to be standard practice for GAA teams up and down the country.

But in an era when doing more training than the opposition has become the obsession of managers, Waterford physical trainer Pat Flanagan believes the GAA will one day look back on these activities as the “dark ages”.

The former Kerry trainer has seen the game change beyond recognition in recent years and believes the few managers and trainers still practising the more-is-better approach should not be allowed run the rule over players.