Horan: ‘Pressing is one of the key parts of the game tactically, technically, and psychologically’

PRESSSING: One of the most pleasing aspects of the new Gaelic football rules is the increase in pressing, according to former Mayo manager and current Football Review Committee member James Horan.  Pic: Dáire Brennan/Sportsfile

One of the most pleasing aspects of the new Gaelic football rules is the increase in pressing, according to former Mayo manager and current Football Review Committee member James Horan.

Across the recent rounds of the 2025 inter-county championship, there have been numerous examples of teams pressing high from kick-outs and from play. It resulted in a host of turnovers on Sunday in the Galway versus Derry game and Dublin’s defeat against Armagh.

Speaking on the Irish Examiner Gaelic football show, Horan welcomed this development.

“The pressing, I think it is one of the key parts of the game, tactically, technically, and psychologically. A team that goes out and presses aggressively, they have talked about it during the week. They have prepared that way. They are going out with that mind-set. I just think it is completely different.

“If you go back to last year, the amount of uncontested kick-outs given up short, out to a corner-back and they could mess around with the ball, stand and solo, walk out. The other team were set up. That is not so long ago.

“You could hear the groans from the ground when a team dropped off to set up and compress while another team strolled up the field. I can remember, through the FRC, looking at clips of that happening. We looked at hundreds of games. It was just incredible. If you compare where we are now on the kick-outs, the majority of teams are pressing.” 

He continued: “I think teams are seeing the benefits of it now. What it does, the impact it has. If you continually press a team, you psychologically wear them down and put pressure on them.” 

This was particularly evident in Celtic Park. Derry hounded Galway whenever they could. Niall Loughlin set the tone with an early strip tackle on Liam Silke.

For Derry boss Paddy Tally, this was one of the significant changes from their previous loss away to All-Ireland champions Armagh. He said as much during his post-match interview.

“I think we approached the game differently today. I think last week we were passive a bit. We stood off a wee bit and were disappointed because we hadn't planned to be passive.

“There were times last week we looked grand, but it wasn't until late in the game. In fairness, I think Armagh in the Athletic grounds are very, very good in there. We just couldn't get our hands on the ball.

“Today our midfield was much better. When you win midfield, the game looks different. I think when you're losing, like we were last year, a period of the game, it's just very difficult. But there was also energy, real energy today. There was a great bite in the team.”