‘Sell it that this will suit us’ – How does a team prepare when a game is postponed?

HOW TO PREPARE: The first response is frustration. The second is to check with players, then it is on to finding a pitch. Every year GAA matches suffer because of the weather. Every year managers scramble for an appropriate response. Picture: Brendan Moran/Sportsfile

The first response is frustration. The second is to check with players, then it is on to finding a pitch. Every year GAA matches suffer because of the weather. Every year managers scramble for an appropriate response.

Dr Crokes, Errigal Ciarán, Coolera-Strandhill and Cuala have had an extra week to prepare for their All-Ireland club semi-finals after the initial fixture was rescheduled. The clash of the Kerry kingpins and Tyrone champions was already scheduled for Portlaoise but on Wednesday it was moved to Newbridge. Errigal Ciarán boss Enda McGinley said he was glad it was sorted early. That can otherwise form part of the initial irritation.

Former Donegal boss Declan Bonner led Erne Gaels to their first Fermanagh SFC title in 43 years last November. That tie was originally scheduled for the middle of October until Stom Ashley wreaked havoc. At the time, Bonner said the game could have been moved back a day to avoid the worst of the weather. Players had made plans; supporters had flown in from around the world. Despite all of that, there was still a final to be eventually won.

“We had a few cancellations in Fermanagh when lads had actually already taken times off work,” explains Bonner.

“You need to check with them. I can’t understand why we want to play so much football and hurling in January, to be honest. It always brings bad weather.

“But you get going. You have all the work done on Friday evening, say you do a walk-through and the prep, that will be the exact same for the next week. The first thing is can we get a training session? If a game is off there is a possibility that there is no pitch available to train. It is not easy, but it is the same for both teams.” 

On top of that, Enniskillen and Erne Gaels played out a draw when the decider finally occurred. It took a replay for Bonner’s outfit to eventually claim the New York Cup.

Every manager will respond differently. The day before the club finals were due to be played, Tipperary were due to face Clare in a hurling challenge. Liam Cahill was happy with the condition of the field. Brian Lohan wasn’t. The game was called off and Tipperary trained for 90 minutes instead.

Games at all levels were affected this week, from Harty Cup to Sigerson to club to intercounty challenges. That brought a range of inconvenience. UCD were in Fermoy when they heard their Sigerson Cup first round fixture was not going ahead. Young Dr Crokes followers went from preparing for the bus trip to dressing up snowmen in the black and amber.

As the last of the weather warnings lift, fixture-makers are keen to avoid further delays. Croke Park confirmed that there were contingency plans in place should this weekend’s club semi-final venues be unavailable. UCD and UCC was rescheduled for Friday in Fethard Park only for that field to still be unplayable. It was eventually moved to Enniscorthy.

For Bonner, it is vital that the prospect of a postponement isn’t discussed with players prior to a game. Stay ready until the call comes.

“You have to be wary. If you say to the group that this game might not take place now, lads suddenly aren’t as tuned in as required. Even if you know in your heart of hearts there is a chance, you have to tell them it is 100% going ahead. You prepare them fully. Ultimately until you get the call it is off; you plan that all is well. Ready to go. At the same time, you have work done behind the scenes in case, because a week is short.” 

There is no more cramming to be done. Any opposition analysis will already have been carried out and disseminated. There is always work to do. Coolera-Strandhill took a week off after their stunning Connacht final triumph over Pádraig Pearses. That break combined with an extra week’s prep should prove an added bonus as they bid for another upset.

But the matchups and gameplan should not be a concern. A postponement will bring enough issues without unnecessarily adding to it.

“That does not change,” stresses Bonner. “It is just reiterating those points to make sure they are prepared. Sometimes it can be to your advantage, if you are coming in undercooked or whatever. The big one I find is you have to keep it positive. Otherwise, that negativity can seep in quickly.

“It is not easy and it can be a downer when games are off, but you don’t show that frustration. Sell it that this will suit us. You want everyone in a positive frame of mind whenever that match does take place. The most important thing is that you are still ready to rock. ”