SC1 Sports

Luis Suarez - I Just Can't Get Enough

Uruguay have just won the 2011 Copa America, beating Paraguay in the final 3-0. I was so impressed with their work rate on and off the ball, to levels that have made people drool over Barcelona. A real team, they play together, and have such an understanding of each other. Diego Lugano and Sebastian Coates (named Young Player of the Tournament) at the back are so dominant in the air, strong in the tackle. Arevalo Rios reminded me of Javier Mascherano, harassing the opponent in midfield and not giving them a second on the ball, chasing every lost cause. Alvaro Perreira surged down the left wing like a stallion, supporting the forwards in every attack. Diego Forlan was on a 13 international game drought and ended that in style in the final with two sublime finishes. I’m sure he could still do a great job for someone in the Premiership, and I bet he would love to prove some people wrong after his spell at Man United. That brings me to one man. A man who’s attitude and mentality epitomizes the mantra of Uruguay. He led the team to success in this tournament, finishing second top scorer, with one goal and one assist in the final…and I am delighted he is a Red! Take a bow Luis Suarez.

It is often thought that foreign imports to the English Premier League take some time to adjust to the frantic pace, the hard-hitting style of the English game. When #LFC sold their golden boy, Fernando Torres, to Chelsea for £50 million in January 2011, the arrival of Luis Suarez from Ajax was slightly forgotten. Now, I think it is safe to say, and I speak on behalf of all #LFC fans here when I say…”Fernando who?!”. In the 2010 World Cup, ‘Lil Luis’ blocked a Ghana shot on the line and Uruguay ended up victorious with a place in the semi-final. He was lambasted, called a cheat, every name under the sun. But that is how much of a winner Suarez is, he will do anything to win for his team. Luis Suarez arrived from Holland with an excellent record of 81 goals in 110 games, and an impressive number of assists too for the buck-toothed assasin. After half a season at Anfield, he has wowed the English audience with his movement, his close control (like his twists and turns inside the box against #MUFC) and moreso, his work rate. He is a winner. His work rate sets the tome for all of his Uruguayan teammates, he is a leader, and gets the fans on their feet. His touch inside the defender for his Copa America Final goal was incredible, his knock down to Forlan to kill off Paraguay was genius, and extremely generous.

Liverpool fans must be licking their lips for the season ahead. And the rest of the league should beware. This little Uruguayan is on his game, and with his winning mentality, The Kop are sure to see some South American magic from ‘El Pistolero’ in 2011/2012. Playing under Kenny Dalglish’s free-flowing attacking system suits Suarez to the ground. ‘The rebel’ likes to roam. He played in all 3 attacking positions at Ajax and can fit into each position easily. Now that Stewart Downing has been added to the ranks at Merseyside, and with spells on the left and right side of midfield at Aston Villa, the two attackers will hope to bamboozle defenders. Suarez has said recently how Dalglish gives him confidence: “The biggest thing is the trust he puts in his players. He trusts us 100 per cent and that makes you want to return that trust and pay it back.” King Kenny allows Suarez to express himself on the field, and that is exactly what he needs. His movement would be wasted if he was stuck on the wing, or in a rigid formation (a la Woy Hodgson).

Again I say, take a bow Luis Suarez, Copa America 2011 champion and Player of the Tournament.

I Just Can’t Get Enough!

Derry vs Donegal (Preview)

 

I remember leaving the Creighton Hotel bar, in Clones, during extra-time of Ireland’s World Cup Second Round encounter against Spain back in 2002. Robbie Keane had done it again: a 90^th minute equaliser put another 30 minutes on the clock at a stage in which the Republic were beginning to dominate against the 10 man Spaniards. We, as a country, were headed towards one of the most exciting, nerve-racking moments in our sporting history. I, as an individual, was headed towards St. Tiernach’s Park on the unforgiving incline of Church Hill to take my unsheltered seat in miserable conditions.

I watched a tight, yet lifeless, match unfold before a meek 7,000 crowd through the pouring rain as Derry were sent packing by an underwhelming Donegal outfit. I remember the bangs on our umbrella from the classless west coast man behind us every time the magnificently overrated Brendan Devenney did anything of note. I remember the obscenities I directed towards him and his entire county (forgetting that half my family are from Tír Chonaill). I left, a broken man (I later heard that Ireland were defeated on penalties).

4 years later, I trekked to Monaghan for the same fixture to witness Muldoon, one of my favourite ever footballers, being provoked and scammed by a Donegal full back who would later go on to be my club manager (I don’t think I ever forgave him). The green and gold (a disgusting combination while we’re at it) netted with just their second score of the game and Derry failed to break the three point margin for the rest of the tie. I also remember the heartbreak of Ballybofey just two years ago when young Enda Lynn missed a sure-fire opportunity to tie the game with the last kick in extra time.

Having read Gaelic Life’s Ronan Scott recently write about how Derry men recall only fond memories of Donegal beaches and pleasantries, I couldn’t help but think how wide of the posts he really was.

Of course, we all love a trip to Donegal – its coastline is one of the best in the world. And, sure, I like a holiday there as much as the next man – heck, I was there yesterday catching sunrays in the Atlantic Ocean off Ballyliffin. I love its scenery, its air, its atmosphere – and I can just about put up with my Donegal mother. But when it comes to football, these things don’t cross my mind – not even for a second. And when writers claim that these things will hinder the motivation of athletes much greater than myself, then there is something truly naïve about that.

Just like an Irish man who has holidayed in the beautiful Cornwall won’t have his motivation to beat England deterred; just like the English natives who can recall fond memories of Highland excursions won’t care less about dominating Scotland; just like the Crossmaglen family who visit Portaferry won’t surrender any easier to County Down, when it comes to sport, when it comes to Gaelic Football, we are at war and we care only for ourselves.

Those Ulster Semi Final defeats hurt – they hurt badly. Leaving Donegal with our tails between our legs in the latest Championship clash between the two counties was hard to take. Watching Daniel O’Donnel-county stroll to victory in Celtic Park this year, as if they had perfected an unbeatable formula, was unacceptable. And it is these aspects, on top of a simple longing for my own county to succeed, are what fuel the flame of desire to knock Karl Lacey back to the corner where he belongs; to treat Paul Durkan with the lack of respect in which he merits; to expose Anthony Thompson for the clumsy hellion that he is; to see how Kevin Cassidy can cope when he is on the back foot; if Rory Kavanagh has the stomach for it; to bring Colm McFadden down a peg or five; and to reinstate the belief that electing Michael Murphy as county captain at 21 was typical of Donegal to buy into the hype and set themselves up for a downfall.

Not withstanding the fact that Derry will line out on Sunday with McGuckin shielding the goals, Muldoon roaming midfield, and Deets continuing to terrorise up front – a Ballinderry-inspired spine, a solid core, a winning mentality. Men who don’t give a single thought to their childhood holidays, to their Donegal associations, when they step onto a football pitch – because their only objective as sportsmen on Sunday, like it has been for over 20 years now, is to win a game of football. Mark Lynch won’t run any less aggressively because he might have visited Buncranna once or twice; Gerard O’Kane, an All-Ireland minor and Hogan Cup winning captain, won’t lead from the back less ruthlessly because he may have spent a few nights in Bundoran; to say these men would have been better to play Tyrone because they would be more “up for it”, because they have fond thoughts about the north west of Ireland, is to disrespect them as footballers, to undermine them as winners, on every level.

Besides, this is an Ulster Final for crying out loud. It wouldn’t matter if Bellaghy were taking on Ballinderry, if Boca were playing River Plate, the primary motivation of any team is to walk away with Championship success regardless of who they are playing and that, alone, will ensure that the intensity and fire of this encounter will be as maxed and heated as the most fuel-filled derby you can imagine.

Bradleys

At first, I felt sorry for myself. I couldn’t believe that the first time in over a decade we have reached a provincial final and we are without the services of two of the most prolific forwards in the country. The problem of replacing Paddy seemed to go miraculously smoothly, but then we are faced with the gauntlet of preparing for life-after-Eoin as the man who effortlessly tallied 1-05 from play in an Ulster Semi-Final (this feat should in no way be understated) suffered a heartbreaking knee injury at the weekend. Then I realised that two of the players – Paddy in particular – who have provided years of service, endless reels of joy, and floods of sweat for their county – and they done it all in the face of blanket defences, in the cruelties of being double marked, pin-pointed, pulled, harried, punched, dragged – won’t get the opportunity to play on this stage on the 17^th July, and they won’t get the opportunity to collect Championship silverware for the first time in county colours.

Replacing the Bradleys: Impossible. Winning without them: Doable.

All the talk seems to be aimed at who is coming off the bench to replace the Glenuilin sharp-shooter. Will Emmet McGuckin get the nod? Could the lively Decky Mullan be recalled once more? The favourite tag seems to reside with Lavey’s Cailean O’Boyle who could come in and out of full-forward more naturally than the other two.

But, for me, the solution is simple. Gerard O’Kane is back and raring to go and should be included without hesitation. Introducing the former skipper into the back line would allow Sean Leo McGoldrick to be freed from his defensive duties (granted that Brennan uses Ciaran Mullan and not Gerard to replace McAlary from the starting 15). Why don’t we utilise Sean Leo in the half forward line where he has been in devastating form this year, where he forced the first half substitution of Conor Gormley, where he wants to be played; and then opt for Mark Lynch at the edge of the square?

Yes, Lynch had an absolute stormer the last day; allowed to roam the half forward line, running from deep and playing delightful balls in front of our full forwards. But he was also inside for periods of the game and whichever position he is selected in, he is still Mark Lynch. The Banagher man’s quality is the only one which can be deemed worthy to fill Skinner’s void.

Blanket Defence

If I was to pick on the Gaelic Life writers even further, I would point to the fact that some of them explained that Derry would find it more difficult against Donegal than they would Tyrone because of the numbers the Ballybofey men get behind the ball. But don’t Brian Dooher and Peter Harte pop up on the 13 yard line for Tyrone? Doesn’t McGuigan come deep? Hughes, Penrose, Cavanagh? Tyrone have mastered that system long before any of us copped on and they used this to their advantage claiming three All-Ireland titles in just 6 campaigns. Besides, this is 2011, and every player in Ireland has, at some stage, come against a “blanket defence”.

Experts say you need to kick long range scores – like I seen Philip Jordan, Davy Harte and Sean Cavanagh all do in the Semi-Final against Donegal – that’s fine, we have Lynch, Muldoon, Charlie and James Kielt: next.

Anyone who watched the Tyrone semi will easily agree that the reigning Ulster champions kicked themselves out of the game. Peter Harte missed a handful of routine free kicks and some of the open play chances which went wasted were incredible. I honestly was gobsmacked when Donegal grabbed those two timely goals that they so desperately, desperately needed because they should have been dead and buried. Indeed, it was only in the last ten minutes that the Dún na nGall defence looked strong when a tired and frantic Tyrone outfit foolishly started running the ball into the fleets of gold and green – playing right into their hands.

The ball must go in early or you can forget about attacking at all. This can come from direct runners once the ball is turned over and when you consider the likes of Diver, Lynch and hopefully Sean Leo, we’re laughing. More importantly though, for large periods of the game, there will be only a small window through which Derry can score – a timed phase to work a score before the numbers flock back and the window closes. With some of the best long range passers in the province in Gerard, the Kielts, Muldoon and Gilligan, this window can be opened to Derry much more times than Donegal would like.

And with a vibrant attack who have enough creativity to mix things up, a strong midfield and a tight defence, the Oak Leaf county have enough artillery to paralyse their wanderlust neighbours, overcome injuries and defy history. Derry can finally put to bed this myth of Donegal’s “system”. They can finally show the rest of the country, in the absence of some recent legends, what a ridiculously talented county we are. They can leave Clones on Sunday as the first Derry team to deliver Championship success in this millennium – and in doing so, leave behind a lasting legacy.

The Benefit of Sports Drinks

It has been well documented that the ingestion of “sports drinks” has a positive impact on exercise performance. Global products such as Powerade and Lucozade have dominated sporting preparation this century, with similar drinks such as Gatorade having been introduced as early as 46 years ago. But to what extent do these isotonic fluids benefit an athlete? And can drinking a bottle of Lucozade actually help sport-specific skills?

After all, there are as many as 8,000 indigenous sports and sporting games on this planet – it is difficult to believe that just one drink can improve performers in each of these, simply due to the introduction of 6–8 grams of carbohydrates. Besides, how many tips have we been given down through the years about how to prepare for match day? Personally, as a team-sport, endurance based player, I’ve heard it all:

- The caffeine in tea is great for mental energy… But don’t drink tea – it’s a diuretic and causes dehydration

- Alan Shearer feasted on chicken and beans prior to every match… But shouldn’t football players eat more carbs and lighter portions?

- Recovery sessions: Ice baths are the way to go… As long as you’re not ingesting protein and other recovery diets… What about jacuzzis?

- Always drink as much water as you can… But you don’t want to over-hydrate of course

Sadly, most sportspeople – amateur or pro – are interested to know what they are putting into their bodies - especially if their nutritional habits can give them an advantage for physical and mental performance - but with so many conflicting ideas on so many hot topics, it’s hard for us to be exact and to establish a reliable routine. I was genuinely baffled when, just a few days ago, someone asked me, “So this Lucozade nonsense: Do you recommend it?” Things have got that bad.

Now I know (hope) that the majority of readers realise the benefits of such fluid intakes like Coca Cola’s Powerade, but it does no harm to be exact and unanimous – words which are unfortunately missing in a sportsperson’s language these days. As already stated, a “sports drink” contains between 6-8 grams of carbohydrates. Crucially, as well, the likes of Lucozade contain electrolytes that enable a working body to take on-board more fluid vital for the rehydration process which we are constantly inundated about.

As most people are aware, carbohydrates are essential to help prolong exercise performance. Many published papers in the field have already identified that the depletion of your body’s glycogen stores can result in fatigue and reduced performance – it is therefore an absolute necessity that an athlete is taking his/her carbs which can be used as glucose to continually replenish your energy stores. But, I know from my own past experiences, that it is easy for a consensus to emerge that the carbohydrates available in a fluid solution could hardly be adequate to sustain energy levels.

Thankfully, I have had my own opportunity to study the effects of Powerade (carbohydrate-electrolyte: CHO-E) on team-sport players.

The above table highlights how the ingestion of one bottle of Powerade (500ml) can have an important impact on the level of glucose within a player’s blood. The experiment which we carried out at undergraduate level involved a Gaelic player, a Footballer, a Rugby player, and a Volleyball player taking the “sports drink” 20 minutes before a tested exercise. Already, from the post-drink results, it is clear that isotonic solutions have massive nutritional benefits to be taken within the last hour of match preparation – a time in which I, personally, find it almost impossible to eat anything solid.

The unpublished study also concluded that the intake of a carbohydrate-electrolyte solution such as Lucozade was absolutely vital for maintaining blood glucose levels during exercise.

The CHO-E based drink allowed athletes who were running at 70% of their V02 Max to start with greater glucose availability which was then evidently used a lot in the first 10 minutes of exercise – such energy which wasn’t available to runners who drank the water solution. Drinking an isotonic drink before exercise also proved pivotal for the exercising body to replenish energy during exercise – and after 30 minutes, the available glucose for athletes was still significantly on the rise.

Interestingly, too, after 30 minutes of exercise your body will naturally lose its efficiency to use carbohydrates as an energy source. The ingestion of a “sports drink” is vital then for sports where topping up energy stores during a match are not possible. The 30 minute window, however, is perfect for a sport like Gaelic Football where players can literally refuel at half time and sustain their glucose levels.

Lucozade has also been proven to directly maintain central nervous system functions. This helps maintain actual technical performance. I’ve been there – when you’re tired, when energy is sapped, out goes your concentration and out goes your skills. But when your physical and mental energy can be sustained, as provided by Powerade or Lucozade, then your passing ability, ball control, and all-round technical proficiency is also upheld.

With all the uncertainties, all the divided opinions, all the techniques associated with improving modern day sporting performance, it is refreshing to know for certain that there is one solution that can sustain our physical, mental and technical abilities and not let the treacheries of fatigue drag us down too much. It is good to know that, as a sportsperson, there is something out there which will solve my problems of eating before and after games – and do this in an effective manner. It is good to know that we are at long last on our way to certainty when it comes to nutrition, performance maintenance, and recovery. It is good to know that we are finally eliminating unnecessary questions like whether or not we support this “Lucozade nonsense”. It is good to know that we are now demystifying the age-old questions of what makes our bodies tick.

Top 10 Unusual Sports (Part Two)

This is the second in our two part feature (view Part One here) from SC1 Sports, bringing you 10 of the most outrageous and unusual sports played around the world. Concluding this feature, we bring you some sports consisting of holding your breath, blowing your breath, and even science explained through sport.

This sport is common in Thailand, Malaysia and Philippines and other countries in the Far East. It is basically foot-volleyball and translates in Thai and Malaysian as ‘kick woven ball’. Players use their feet, knee, chest and head to get the rattan ball over the net to score. The game can date back as far as the 15th century and is played in the Asian Games, in which it made its debut in the 1990 Games in Beijing. There are two types of games; regu and double regu. Regu has three members in each team, and double regu has two players in a team.

Kabaddi is an ancient Indian sport played by two teams of seven players on a field half the size of a basketball court. A member of a team is sent to the opponents end to tag members of the other team. If you get tagged, you are out. Sounds simple so far right? But hold on….literally. The player tagging the opponents have to hold their breath and prove it by chanting “kabaddi”. It was played at the 1936 Olympic Games at Berlin.

Did anyone ever have a table-tennis table, and got a bit bored of playing table-tennis, and then made up their own games? Just me? Well blo-ball seems like that. It is basically table-tennis without the paddles, and the table is netless and has sides. Players blow the ball and score a point by blowing it past their opponent. Scoring is similar to volleyball in that it is first to 11 and players can only score on their serve. Bizarre!

Danish artist Asger Jorn invented this game to explain his notion of triolectics. It is played on a hexagonal pitch and the team that wins is the team that concedes the least goals (not who scores the most). The game was first played in 1993 and a few games have been played since. It would be interesting to see some Premiership teams take part in this, especially if defense is the key to victory.

Skin kicking is a game played in England in the Cotswold Olimpicks. The aim of the game is to kick your opponent as hard as possible on the shins, and each time they hit the ground you get a point. The winner is the person who has the most points after three rounds. Players can pad their shins with as much straw as they want.

Podcast - July 2011

SC1 Sports-July

In this podcast we talk about Stewart Downing's potential move to #LFC, and if Liverpool's plan of signing British players will pay dividends. Chelsea's new manager André Villas-Boas will bring a new style to Stamford Bridge, but who will he sign? We also discuss our favourite goals of all time.

GP Sports: Tracking Technology

Today saw a lot of the Premiership teams put through their paces back at their training grounds as the first day of pre-season began. Being an #LFC fan, I was eager to check up on my teams progress on their first day, and also to see what kind of shape Big Andy Carroll was in after his Ibiza and ‘Glasto’ adventures. Apart from the excitement of Christian Poulsen and Paul Konchesky being back at Melwood, I noticed each player wearing a black bra-type bib.

So what is GP Sports? According to their site (http://gpsports.com/gpsports_website/), GP Sports Tracking and Analysis Technologies are being used to improve the performance of elite team sport. They have revolutionised how team sport athletes prepare and manage themselves. For decreased injuries, weekly planning, allowing more time to be spent on speed and power activities, and more game specific programming. As well as Liverpool, their clients include Man Utd, Chelsea, Inter Milan, Real Madrid and Barcelona. It is used by teams from other sports as well, with the South African Cricket team using it, and Australian rugby team St George Illawarra Dragons Football Club. A full client list is given here.

The most common product used is the SPI Pro X. This offers more in-game analysis. An impressive feature is showing the work load of each athlete, and how close an athlete is to injury. This means, if you have a target for training, for example, a body load score of 980, they can train until they hit exactly that point. This means feedback can be given on workload throughout training. There is an iPhone app for collecting the information.

I know from experience in tough training, certain people are quick to call the bluffers and say who isn’t ‘putting it in’. This technology would be great to try out. Also, playing an amateur sport (Gaelic Football) and having gone through the rehabilitation stage of injury, it would have been brilliant to be aware of my limits when attempting to strengthen my injury. I must have re-torn my quad muscle 3 times after the initial tear. It would also get rid of this "it'll tighten ye" attitude, where people are pressured to play through pain at their highest level when they only make an injury worse. However, do not...i repeat...DO NOT...tell the world for weeks you are in fighting shape, the fittest you have ever been, and then when you crumble, stand on the table at your press conference and show the world your injury.

#RaiseYourGame - Wladimir Klitschko

Whilst Steve has opted to create a video to inspire David Haye, I have taken the opposite approach and am hoping that Klitschko can raise his game enough to knock some manners and sense into the English man.