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Colm O'Rourke: Lateral thinking goes missing for summer kick-off

In case you haven't noticed, the race for Sam starts in earnest today with games in all provinces. The promotion and planning of these matches is dismal in the extreme and the organisation of four championship games within a short distance of each other shows a complete lack of co-ordination between the provincial councils.

Colm O'Rourke: Crab-like passing trend squeezing life out of football

God bless Allianz. Any company which sticks with a competition that dies a death in the last few weeks deserves any publicity that is going. Today, four big teams play in Croke Park: Kildare, Tyrone, Cork and Mayo, but the pigeons won't have to abandon their nests and the crows and seagulls can pick away while the game goes on.

Colm O'Rourke: GAA should apologise to nobody when it is seeking special recognition from the Government

As I write this on the 15th of the month, I am reminded that it was on this day in 44 AD that Caesar was warned to "beware the ides of March". He did not heed the warning from the soothsayer and ended up with a few knives in the back, the last one administered by Brutus whom he thought was his friend.

Colm O'Rourke: GAA's costly punishments create another fine mess

Time for someone at the top to call a halt to this recent madness of heavy fines which are being thrown around like confetti. What is the point in all of this?

Colm O'Rourke: Champions to strut their stuff on grand stage

Today in the magical setting of Killarney we have the eighth wonder of the world. If the Colossus at Rhodes or the Hanging Gardens of Babylon were wonders of the ancient world then a Munster final between the All-Ireland champions and the Munster champions in this great amphitheatre should rank with anything.

Colm O'Rourke: Blitz defence becomes latest weapon of mass destruction

W hen it comes to the championship the GAA certainly does not believe in the big bang approach. From New York to Ballybofey, the provincial championships have cranked into gear with a build-up more resembling a whimper than a roar. There are many who don't even know the games have started, even if live TV coverage will now get their attention, and especially if the weather demands umbrellas rather than sun cream.

Colm O'Rourke: Trophy hunters need all the promotion they can get

F acing into next weekend every man and every county are equal for at least a day. Everyone is unbeaten and hopes are high, however unrealistic that may be. Before February has run its course, however, quite a few counties will have figured out that not much has changed. Same beatings, different year.

Colm O'Rourke: Taking the game to a higher level

T HE issues surrounding Gaelic football in schools reflect the entire debate about sport in general and what role it plays in society.

Colm O'Rourke: Conflict born of frustration

T here was a time and it was not that long ago when Meath GAA did its business quietly. There was a certain unity of purpose. Decisions were made for the common good and there was a sense at least that everybody rowed in the same direction.

Colm O'Rourke: Appetite for hard graft can see Dublin rise above their station

In 1968, Robert Rosenthal, a Harvard professor, and Leonore Jacobsen, a principal of an elementary school in San Francisco, conducted a study to show a correlation between teachers' expectations of pupils and their actual performance.

Colm O'Rourke: Everything in place for Lilywhites to take next step

No sooner had Sunday's games been won than the managers were playing down their significance and the players, almost half apologetically, made their exit.

Colm O'Rourke: Meath merry-go-round spinning out of control

Football affairs in Meath are beginning to resemble the film Groundhog Day, where the same thing happens over and over again. When all else fails, the solution is to sack the manager.

Colm O'Rourke: Dubs need to turn back clock after latest reality check

It was Robert Louis Stevenson who said that "to travel hopefully is a better thing than to arrive". A lot of managers and players who are preparing for do-or-die games today might agree with this assessment.

Colm O'Rourke: Bin trash talk on all sides and get on with the game

Páraic Duffy's intervention in the Armagh/Laois spat last week was indeed timely as it appeared that a lot of kettles were calling the pot black. It is obvious from the statement released on Thursday that Duffy told everybody to back off as the allegations made were untrue.

Colm O'Rourke: It's easier for managers to play a patient hand when they've already put their name on the trophy

It may only be March, but the importance of league form as a pointer to the championship is already evident. The big counties have cleaned their guns and it is no surprise that the teams who look best at this stage are Dublin, Kerry, Tyrone and Mayo.

Colm O'Rourke: Penny-pinching on expenses will cost more than cash

We live in strange and uncertain times. Many of the old certainties have collapsed but tax is ever-present and an increasing burden.

Colm O'Rourke: Ireland can come top of the class again

The old Chinese proverb said that if you give a man a fish he will eat for a day, but if you teach a man how to fish he will eat for the rest of his life. Karl Marx is supposed to have adapted this in jest by saying that if you teach a man to fish you lose a great business opportunity.

Colm O'Rourke: Vote on payments another exercise in GAA hypocrisy

The votes are counted and managers are not going to be paid. Did anyone seriously think it would be any other way?

Colm O'Rourke: Modern-day football's about more than gym stats

Last week between Friday and Wednesday I saw seven Gaelic football matches, four in the flesh and three on television.

Colm O'Rourke: Basement battlers prove that winning isn't everything

The phoney war is over and hostilities can resume. Maybe hostilities is a bad word after events in Portlaoise, but it is quite amazing how exercised some people get over a melee in a game.

National News Video

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Dublin Sightseeing Reaches New Heights

Ireland’s most iconic venue, Croke Park Stadium, announced the opening of the much anticipated Etihad Skyline tour on the roof of the historic ground. Sponsored by Etihad Airways and opening to the public on Friday 1st June, the tour offers access to a unique Croke Park rooftop walkway and spectacular panoramic views of Dublin city.

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McAreavey suspect accuses police

Avinash Treebhoowoon, 30, confessed to police about his involvement in strangling Michaela McAreavey, but now insists he was forced to sign the statement.Treebhoowoon and co-accused Sandip Moneea, 42, deny murdering the 27-year-old teacher on her honeymoon at the Legends Hotel.

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