According to Gordon D’Arcy, professional sport is a constant cycle of “review, evaluate, and improve,” and that applies to coaches as well as players. In that regard, he believes Ireland’s selection for the game against Italy – “six changes to the starting XI and five more on the bench” – suggests a “slightly different tack than before”. . Previously it has been “stable and comfortable”, particularly at the World Cup, but this rotation creates more competition within the squad and “underlines that Ireland continue to evolve and we look forward to the future.” “It bodes well for the tough challenges ahead,” Darcy said.
Gerry Thornley continues that theme in a conversation with Jack Connan, who has had 12 of his last 16 caps off the bench. But gone are the days when substitutes were treated as secondary to starters, and the Irish team has long cultivated a one-for-all, all-for-one mentality.
In the Gaelic match, Gordon Manning spoke to Austin Gleeson, who is set to take a year off from Waterford’s hurling preparations, and although he insists he has no intention of changing his mind about the decision, he said when he played the match I realized how much I missed that decision. He didn’t feel like going to the league match at Walsh Park last Sunday. “It was probably the hardest day I’ve ever had since leaving,” he said, adding that he ended up watching the game on TV.
The players’ packed schedules were one of the reasons Gleason concluded he needed a break. “Maybe some guys can go on the road four years in a row with just a week or two off here and there,” he says. “You really don’t have a life.” This is an issue that Sean Moran touches on in an article about the many challenges facing the GAA, with the cost of funding inter-county teams topping the list. It is being And those costs have risen as seasons have been condensed into shorter time frames, increasing the need for injury management and larger panels.
In swimming, Ian O’Riordan hears from Mona McSharry, who was left “dejected” after finishing fifth in the 100m breaststroke final at the World Championships on Tuesday, when medal hopes were high. Of course, Sligo women are looking forward to the Olympics and Swim Ireland is one of the many beneficiaries of the record-breaking investment announced by Sport Ireland on Tuesday. Ian reports that the total investment in the Paris Olympic cycle has increased to 89 million euros. “Things have come a long way in the past 20 years,” he writes. The total funding for his cycle in Athens 2004 was ?5.3 million euros. That’s inflation for you.
watch tv: UCD and Ulster University meet in Tralee this evening in the Sigerson Cup final (TG4, 7.30pm), while Lazio v Bayern Munich in the Champions League (Virgin Media Two and TNT Sport 1, 8pm) More matches between PSG and Real Sociedad (TNT Sports 2, 8pm). Daniel Wiffen will be chasing a medal in the 800m freestyle at the World Aquatics Championships this afternoon (watch the livestream here).
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