If only Santa delivered All-Ireland medals under the Christmas tree every December 25th.
Unfortunately not even the great man himself can get his hands on the most precious prize in Irish sport.
Christmas is meant to be relaxing, but for some GAA players and clubs, the quest for success does not even stop for the birth of Christ as they look ahead to the next stage in the AIB Club Championships.
For those involved in the All-Ireland series, the elation of provincial glory soon gives way to the dread of facing extra training over the last few weeks of December
The dilemma facing those still left at junior, intermediate and senior is to whether try and maintain momentum after a short break, or allow players and weary bodies some rest with an extended period away from the dressing room and heavy pitches.
We asked some of those who have been achieved success and those who are on the road to glory if players were allowed indulge in the festive season, or were told to step away from the turkey and ham after December 25th.
Ballyboden St Enda’s (All-Ireland senior club football semi-finalists 2016) – Andy McEntee (Manager)
“We took a week off after the Leinster final win and then we just did maybe two or three boxing classes to get a sweat up with the lads since. We know the lads enjoyed the Leinster win so when the weather was bad we don’t need to be running.”
“It’s our first time experiencing this so we had to sit down and think about it, but we ended up playing four games in five weeks in Dublin and I think after that we got a break until the provincial series. I know we will have come off a bit fitness wise over the Christmas period but a mental break is good too.”
“We don’t have our own pitch under lights here so with the weather we’re looking to another club to help us out so it’s not easy.”
“It’s a first time for us so I don’t think the training is an issue. If this was every year maybe, but everybody is excited for it and this is a once in a lifetime opportunity, so I think my main issue is nearly trying to stop lads training.”
Ballyhale Shamrocks (All-Ireland Club Hurling Champions 2015) – Colm Bonner (Joint-manager)
“I think we gave the lads about six weeks off or so and that included over Christmas too. When we came back then in the end of 2014 we had a five-week lead in to the All-Ireland semi final.
“We didn’t know what the club had done before we took over, or how they approached the previous All-Ireland semi finals, but we just looked at the dates and took it from there.
“We felt the fitness levels were good after the Leinster final win in early December and we got them in around the end of the month and the lead in was good for us.
“I think it worked out well for us because how hard the Leinster final proved to be. We went to extra time against Kilcormac-Killoughey and that stood to us and the semi-final against the Galway champions Gort really was a tough game too.
“We had full confidence that the players had a good base of fitness and they had the time they needed to recover and to get going again.
“The conditions this year would be next to impossible to get players onto a pitch so I think a break is good. I’m with WIT and I can’t get the lads out onto a pitch because games are just being cancelled all the time. It’s a hard time for players if you do have games coming up alright.”
Milford (All-Ireland senior club camogie semi finalits 2016) – Ashling Thompson
“It’s not the hardest time for us to stay sharp as we’ve been in action week after week since the All-Ireland final (with Cork) and so a small break for us was welcome. I think girls are more anxious than anything to get back into it and we’ve already had fitness programs to keep us going, well, that we were meant to be doing anyway!
“I normally do it myself, as it’s hard to meet up with people with work and things. I prefer to push my own limits and I’ve gone to the gym. I haven’t done as much running so I kept the running to a certain amount and kept up the strength and conditioning work.
“We’ve always taken a break, but you’re never fully off. You can enjoy all the nights you want but you are always given a program to do. We’re never just left off on our own.
“We are used to it, but you’re entitled to enjoy Christmas too even if you feel guilty for that extra slice of turkey. Eat what you want and drink what you want but you know you’re going to pay for it later.”
Mount Leinster Rangers (All-Ireland club hurling finalists 2014) – John Coleman (Selector)
“We stopped maybe for a week at Christmas but we definitely didn’t stop for a month or anything like that. We did mostly field training because we felt for the All-Ireland senior you were supposing the semi final was at the end of January.
“We stayed outdoors because what would be the good in trying to get ready for an All-Ireland semi final indoors. We tried to stay as regular as possible but I don’t think any team could really afford to take a long break to be honest.
“I don’t think trying to keep lads away from the drink was even a problem as such. They may have had a few drinks Stephens Night but we went for a 5k run the day after and if you were drinking that would soon knock it out of you.
“The day of taking a break is nearly gone and it’s probably gone too far in terms of constant preparation now to be honest because there is a fear of burnout for managers and players.”
