recruiting from the GAA

Morning fellas and girls,

I've been reading the boards for a while now and have really started to become more and more interested in Rugby and coming from a strong GAA background I've been thinking of a few things in my head. *t least 2 of the starting Ireland team have came from a GAA background in Kearney and Bowe (I'm not sure about any other players). Is the skillset of the Gaelic sports similair enough to Rugby to make a smooth enough transition? Granted I know the level of training and bulking up would have to be serious.

A position that I've been thinking about mostly is 10. In Gaelic Football either the centre half forward or centre half back is generally seen as the play maker. They're the go to guys with the ball to set up attacks, often with long range passing. They have vision which would be required of a Rugby playing fly half. Although obviously would be lacking in other parts of the game even if Gaelic Football is a contact sport.

I've just been thinking of this in comparison to the recent exodus and poaching of some of the more talented footballers who have been lured to Australia by the bright lights and money of a professional game there. The Australian Football would be more similair to rugby in that there is a higher level of contact, a closer technique in tackling and the professional players just seem to be more athletic. There are a few Gaelic players who have made this transitoon quite successfully having been recruited in their late teens and 20s.

So my question is; Do you think realistically that a Rugby club could lure a talented Gaelic Footballer to them to coach him to be a 10?

Or is there any chance of this experiment being successful?

Cheers

The Boss wrote: *t least 2 of the starting Ireland team have came from a GAA background in Kearney and Bowe (I'm not sure about any other players).
Cheers

There's a lot more than that Boss: Kearney, Bowe, O'Brien, Leamy, Earls, Shane Horgan, Geordan Murphy spring to mind - I'm sure there are tonnes more, certainly loads of the Munster lads.

I don't know much about GAA personally but certainly the skill set there seems to translate well to rugby, which isn't surprising given the ball skills and spacial awareness required for Gaelic football in particular seem to really help.

Sean O'Brien said something recently about Ireland producing some of the most skillful forwards in the world because they come from GAA backgrounds.

Cheers rodders.

Knew there was a couple more but didn't want to name any for fear of causing embarassment. Remember when I was younger I heard an interview saying George Best had played underage Gaelic football so I promptly told my teacher in school. Ended up fairly embarassed

Another thing I forgot to mention was the shape of the ball in Australian rules is oval and GAA players have to be taught to use it also.

Having played several sports in my time with the same bunch of guys I think it's fair to say that the individual will find their natural position. For example in GAA I played corner back, in football I played right back, in rugby I enjoyed centre.
In football and GAA I played with a very skillful guy who played corner forward in GAA and centre midfield in soccer. When he eventually came to play rugby with us at 17 he played his first game on the wing and thereafter was our starting 10.
I think these guys just naturally gravitate to the more skillfull positions. You know the type, naturally talented. The kind of guy who plays snooker twice a year and can knock in a 40 break. Plays golf offf a single digit handicap. To most other blokes he has very litttle personality but women seem to flock to him. You know the type. Bacstards

Certainly the GAA background seems to really help the back 3 players specifically I'd cite the examples of Rob Kearneys ability under the high ball as well as Horgan and Bowes ability to score tries of cross field kicks.

These skills come directly from GAA I think.

I'm not sure how useful GAA is for traditional orthodox rugby skills but certainly players who've come from GAA backgrounds do seem to have a unique and valuable skill set.

Certainly guys who've come to rugby early enough to learn the skills seem to have excelled.

Thats my opinion anyway but I've never played GAA.

Submachine ya just described me to a tee haha. I see what you mean though some people just have the natural athleticism and talent to succeed. Recruiting more talented players would be a complete gamble but could be worth it.

Yeah Kearney, Bowe and Horgan seem to really be using the skills they picked up and then added to in Rugby. How early is early enough do you think rodders? I'd imagine the tackle technique could be the hardest thing to coach?

The Boss wrote: How early is early enough do you think rodders? I'd imagine the tackle technique could be the hardest thing to coach?

Aw man thats a loaded question! No idea, I'd say it depends very much on the player and what level they aspire to play to and what position they want to play?

At amateur level I suppose any age but if you are talking elite levels I'd imagine anyone with serious aspirations would need to be exposed to rugby at a very young age.

I suppose the obvious answer is the earlier the better.

Thanks, as I've said I've only became really interested in rugby in the last year or so and I'm still not 100 percent with all the rules and loopholes so I've no idea how much work it would take to successfully make the transition to a high standard although I'd love to chance my arm at a low level.

There is a flip side though.

I look at some like Earls and think that he has flaws in his game that I would directly attribute to his GAA background.

For example when he makes a break his first instinct is to chip the ball ahead rather than look for support players. His awareness of space in behind defenders is exceptional but his awareness of support runners is very poor.

Is this down to GAA? I think maybe it is.

The Boss wrote:Thanks, as I've said I've only became really interested in rugby in the last year or so and I'm still not 100 percent with all the rules and loopholes so I've no idea how much work it would take to successfully make the transition to a high standard although I'd love to chance my arm at a low level.

Good man! Get down the to your local rugby club and give it a bash! I'm sure you'll do great man!

I see what you mean, as Gaelic is a more look forward game to exploit the space altough we do get coached a lot to look for the support runners off the shoulder but some are more skilled than others at this.

Been contemplating it but at the minute I've just returned to Gaelic from 6 months out injured and I'm not sure if my knees would hold up to rugby.

I think generally the players in rugby who have benefited most from GAA backgrounds are our back three lads, the full back and wingers. Guys like Rob Kearney and Tommy Bowe have exceptional fielding and close control with the boot/

Hi Boss

I think Tomas O'Leary was a hurler wasn't he? Not sure how that helped him, mind...

The close control with the boot Notch is the reason I thought 10 would be the easiest position to make the transition to. 2 of the back 3 are the best examples in the current team.

Boss my comment about Earls was aimed at the very elite level and was a specific point about him. Don't let that put you off. Clearly the benefits outway the negatives and many of Irelands best players in recent years have GAA backgrounds.

Get down there and give it a go!

Think I have heard that Cari. Mind you, before I started really watching games and reading the forum I couldn't see any problems with him so maybe I'm the wrong man to talk haha

I know rodders, dont be thinking I threw the toys out there haha. Portadown would be my nearest club and we do a bit of gaelic pre season there so can't see the harm in trying it out.

The Boss wrote:Think I have heard that Cari. Mind you, before I started really watching games and reading the forum I couldn't see any problems with him so maybe I'm the wrong man to talk haha

Apparently TOL was a decent hurler too. I've only just started following GAA in the last couple of years, so I'm no expert on these things. Watching Chilli (Kearney) though and the kicks he does from all angles, you can see how his football training has benefitted him. He's very confident with the drop goal attempts.

The Boss wrote:The close control with the boot Notch is the reason I thought 10 would be the easiest position to make the transition to. 2 of the back 3 are the best examples in the current team.

I'd say 10 would be the hardest as you need to really understand the game and be able to play instinctively.

Playing on the wing initially before maybe moving to 15 or centre as you learn the game is probably your best bet. I'm sure the coaches will put you where you are best suited.

I'd say get down to preseason training and get that under your belt before playing any games.

The drop goal attemp was unbelievable last week! Although for the drop goals I'd have to give the credit to his rugby training. As a Leinster man, kearney seems to have that in built confidence (arrogance) anyway I joke.

The Boss wrote:I know rodders, dont be thinking I threw the toys out there haha. Portadown would be my nearest club and we do a bit of gaelic pre season there so can't see the harm in trying it out.

None at all mate. Brilliant, get out there and give it a blast. Best of luck .

Aye definitely rodders. I'd need a lot of training to be anywhere near able to play any sort of rugby. See I still don't know enough to understand the intricacies of playing 10. Would you say it qould be a similair role mentally to that of a QB in American Footballv

Hmm not really as QB's work off set plays mainly. Its very specialist and certainly I never had the skills to play there so couldn't really say.

I would imagine it would be the hardest position to learn because you are the main guy and everyone else plays off you.

I'm not saying you couldn't play there but there are easier positions if you don't fully understand the rules.

Wing is certainly the easiest position to slot into, followed by 13, 15 and 12.... the closer you are to the scrum the more involved you are and the more the people outside depend on you.

Thats my view anyways.

Hi Boss,

I’d say the OH and QB comparison is a fair one. For the most part, the Outhalf is the general, calling the plays and imposing his team on the game. One notable exception being Ulster, where the scrum half (Ruan Pienaar) fills that role. Depending on what age a GAA player is he could go on to play in these technical positions but is generally more suited to the back 3.

Was only saying to another poster on here last week that Kearney’s drop goal was Brian Dooheresque, he leaned back and struck it so effortlessly. A perfect marriage of GAA and Rugby skills.

Cheers rodders. Completely see where you're coming from!

Mickado don't be bring the name of that Tyrone ****** in front of me! Joking. Fantastic footballer he was! The vision Kearney had was exceptional and the skill ised to convert were outstanding. Rob really is a freakk in some of the things he does as I've never even seen a gaelic player with hands like his.

The Boss wrote:Cheers rodders. Completely see where you're coming from!

Mickado don't be bring the name of that Tyrone ****** in front of me! Joking. Fantastic footballer he was! The vision Kearney had was exceptional and the skill ised to convert were outstanding. Rob really is a freakk in some of the things he does as I've never even seen a gaelic player with hands like his.

I'm a Dub, he broke my heart many times too.

I'm an Armagh man. Says it all really!

Cari wrote:Hi Boss

I think Tomas O'Leary was a hurler wasn't he? Not sure how that helped him, mind...

That at least explains his passing

Geoff, give him a hurl to whack the rugby ball with and those passes will be into the bread basket every time!

Hello there The Boss, a fellow Armagh man I see.

Get yourself along to Armagh Rugby Club and give it a whirl. There was always a crossover between Armagh and the local GAA so I am sure you won't be all on your own. I'm not sure if your skillset would automatically slot you in at 10 but who knows. There's one thing for sure, there's a place for you somewhere on the rugby pitch whatever shape or size you are or whatever way you read the game.

Give it a lash fella !!!!

Leo Cullen MUST be of GAA stock ? Face only a blind Mother could love.

Leamy played hurling didn't he? I am fairly certain he did before making the move to rugby.

Keith Wood,Alan Quinlan and Ian Dowling were good hurlers and I think Devin Toner played football to a decent level underage.PoC played football but I'm pretty sure I read an interview where he said he was only okay and would never have made it very far in the game.

Cheers Pete. I'm from further up north of the county. No I wouldn't expect myself to slot in at 10 just its the position I'd have thought was closest to the GAA but it seems it wouldn't exactly be the same haha. Its definitely something I'm considering but I'm going to have to get myself fit for gaelic 1st.

munkian wrote:Leo Cullen MUST be of GAA stock ? Face only a blind Mother could love.

Looks he's bit battered in the face with a few hurls or something. God bless Pug.

Finally a thread I can be useful in! First of all, the comparison between an outhalf and a QB is a decent one. A QB is always looking for holes in coverage much like a OH is looking for gaps in the defence, and both adjust the play to suit.


On to the GAA, I played Gaelic Football until I was 15, hurling until 14, and still involved in rugby. From my experience as a player and observer, there are some transferable skills. While Rodders uses the Earls example of not being aware of those around you I think GAA helps these skills. If you play the game more like Cork/Dublin as oppose to Donegal i.e. passing and moving like soccer and guys running off the man with the ball. This should make it easier for you to offload and choose the correct time for offloading. If you were a decent footballer you should have good vision. I would hope you have good hands as a result. I played soccer as well and I think a mix of sports helps you in many different ways, I was a midfielder there so that helped a lot fro mthe fitness aspect of things.


You're a half forward right? I was a half forward myself. The position you're suited to in rugby mightn't have a lot to do with your GAA background. I'm a flanker/hooker (incredbily light for a hooker though). It really depends on the person. I know full backs in GAA who have played centre for Munster and forwards who play in the backrow. All these guys are athletic so it depends on you really. I have a great engine but I like the physical side, if your like that the backrow could be suited to you, but having very good levels of fitness is essential. While I have played outhalf in underage, I think other backline positions would be better suited to you starting off.

Centre/full back is a good spot, you have responsibility as a decent kicker without all the pressure of outhalf plus it allows you to adjust to the game and at full back you will gradually become introduced to the physical side of the game. Tackling is a relatively easy thing to learn, you need to remember to aim low, and hit hard. It's about wrapping the arms around the player, focus on getting the tackle at first. The "hit" comes as you develop your technique and strength. Even if you're not a big hitter that's fine, getting the guy down is all you have to do. Youtube will help you out with some rugby tackling drills like this one.

Spoiler:

Best of luck, enjoy playing Gaelic Football, Rugby, Ultimate Frisbee what ever sport you play.

P.S. This post probably makes me sound like an arrogant langer, but I'm really not that bad!

Thomond, thanks that's really helpful. Suppose I'll just have to wait and see when I go to start training. Suppose itd be better to start off in preseason.

Yes, I've generally been a centre half forward/3rd midfielder for as long as I can remember. Would like to think I wouldn't shirk the responsibility for the hits and wouldn't be the smallest. Suppose I'll just have to get myself to a few training sessions and see what the coach thinks. Have to start somewhere and really appreciate all the advice! Although to start it was just a general question as to how trasnferrable the skills are. Hope to start posting abit on the Rugby as I'm a keen watcher of games but just wouldn't have the knowledge or understanding of the rest here.

Some are transferrable, when I was an underage player we had 10+ on the local GAA team and Rugby team. We were a side with good hands and had a few good kickers in the side even in the forwards. I think the fitness required in GAA helps in rugby. You still see a lot of heavy involvement between the GAA/Rugby sides here and the local side are the U-17 Cork Champions. Were it not for some poor refereeing they could have gone further (some poor mistakes and a lack of luck on the day too). Positioning of GAA can help with things like organising the defence and fielding kicks is you're a winger.

Sure post your opinions anyway. Most people on here talk shoite anyway.

Well then I'll fit right in! Don't say yas weren't warned but

Id say the greatest Rugby Player with a GAA backround are probably Zinzan and Robin Brooke and probably Moss Keane

I thought Zinzan took an interest after he stopped playing rugby? Moss Keane, Mick Galwey and even Tomás O'Leary are up there (due to his great GAA ability and decent rugby skills)

Top post Thom.

Eric Miller played football for Dublin (at minor I think) before he turned pro. Played local football afterwards too.

Thomond wrote:I thought Zinzan took an interest after he stopped playing rugby? Moss Keane, Mick Galwey and even Tomás O'Leary are up there (due to his great GAA ability and decent rugby skills)

no he actually nearly missed the new zeland trials as he had been playing gaa the day before. http://www.independent.ie/sport/rugby/world-cup/other-news/all-blacks-dual-star-2871650.html 'Ask him who his most combative opponent was on a sports field and he’s liable to mention Ballyboden’s Jim Stynes rather than Bay of Plenty’s ‘Buck’ Shelford. Bernie McCahill, a former All Black and subsequently his best man – and also a brother of Irish international Sean – had first introduced Brooke to Gaelic football at the Marists club back in Auckland; within a few years Brooke and Stynes would be picked on the Australasian equivalent of the All Stars in centrefield.'

I can't add anything more helpful than the guys have already said, except that I hope you give the rugby a go.

We (cooke) have been blessed with quite a few new players who have joined directly from playing GAA and many have flourished in all sorts of positions. None at 10 yet, it is the probably the toughest position to learn quickly, you are bound to be told to start at wing and learn the game from there initially, but be patient and you'll soon find your natural place.

Good luck and hope you enjoy it

Thomond wrote: While Rodders uses the Earls example of not being aware of those around you I think GAA helps these skills.

I stand corrected! Great posts Thomond! ..... you know your stuff on this alright.... I'll have to give you a buzz for advice if I ever decide to take up GAA!

Cheers logie. Just getting myself fit for the GAA again and then see if I can join in a bit of pre season at the nearest rugby team (portadown I think) Not sure if Lurgan has a team.

Lurgan does have a team, Portadown is a good club mind, and if you fancy heading to belfast you'd be made more than welcome at Cooke!

Don't think Earls played much GAA - certainly not seriously. There would not be much gaelic football played in Limerick. Unless they are from Kerry, all the Munster lads that have played gaa would have played hurling. Mick Galwey (won an all-ireland with Kerry). Keith Wood played minor hurling for Clare. I think Tomas O'Leary is the only top class hurler to make the change (captained Cork minors to an All-Ireland). Conor Murray is a hurler as well. Hurling would be exceptionally good for eye/hand co-ordination (as well as being mentally strong about sticking your head anywhere)!

Donncha Ryan is very much a late convert to rugby (18) - he went winter training with the local rugby club to try and get an edge and get onto the Tipperary (hurling) panel, liked rugby and stayed with it. He made Ireland youths the following year, so he must have been exceptionally good. Bull Hayes is another one who played hurling until he was about 18.

Logie I'm living down in Belfast at the minute but the lifestyle isn't one for training. Typical student drinking the well dry.

Sin, so you're saying I could make the Ireland squad yet?