SPÓ IRT
October 20 2020
31
Some sports given go ahead for return By Oisín Bradley Sports Editor Some sports clubs in NUIG will be given the goahead to return to action next week, according to Clubs’ Captain Kirsty Moran. Moran, who represents all clubs on the Students’ Union Executive, revealed on Wednesday evening that under specific constraints and regulations, that clubs which train outdoors and in pods of 15 could be given clearance to return to training starting next Monday. Speaking to SIN, 2nd-Year Computer Science student Moran expressed her relief at the decision. “The bottom line is clubs will be allowed to use the NUIG sports grounds, which before this was a no-go, so it’s great to get progress! “The clubs have to fill out return to practice applications which are up for approval in the Sports
Office for risk assessment. Any of the clubs which have the forms filled out and submitted and have them approved will be allowed to return to sport on the 12th of October,” Moran revealed. “The sports that are allowed to go back are clubs that train outdoors in pods of 15 or under with no contact. They are permitted to go back as long as they adhere to Level Three sporting guidelines and all Covid-19 regulations.” There was also great news for any of the colleges high-level athletes, who will be permitted to actively compete. However, it’s bad news for anyone looking to compete in any indoor sports. “Teams who fall under elite, high-performance or Senior Championship within their respective sport can also compete in National governing bodyapproved leagues and competitions, allowing them to partake in competition,” Moran stated. “There’s no indoor training allowed, unless it’s
signed off by the sports unit, however there is specific case-by-case bases where it may be possible for certain individuals or teams in the ‘elite’ bracket.” While this may be a tough time for many of the students of the University, Moran believes that the return of training will be something to build on. “It was hard for people who were up here who aren’t on campus. They’re not allowed to go out drinking, and there’s been no societies or clubs so it is very draining for people. Obviously, we are still very limited and there’ll be lots of issues with time slots and the like. “But the fact that we’re allowed to go back to training is a start and we can work from here.” We’ve gotten the go-ahead that, under certain constraints and very specific scenarios, clubs can go back to training. The news is somewhat of a surprise for students, however it is a welcome one amid all the uncertainty, given the current crisis.
Across the water: Galway’s Football interests explored Greg Cunningham – Cardiff City:
By Oisín Bradley The top leagues of English football are back, and despite the fact that only a few games have been played, the objectives of many sides have been made clear. Many men from the banks of the Corrib will be looking to make their mark as sides gear up for title or promotion tilts, or indeed the battle to avoid the dreaded drop into the lower leagues. Here, we detail how they have fared in the opening few fixtures of their respective league and League Cup seasons.
Aaron Connolly – Brighton and Hove Albion: The Oranmore youngster enjoyed a strong breakout season at the Amex Stadium, making himself a fixture in the Seagulls side and notching thrice in the Premier League as well as netting in the League Cup in a 2-1 win over Bristol Rovers. Connolly will be looking to cement himself as a first name on Graham Potter’s team-sheet, and has made a good start to the 2020-21 campaign, scoring the third goal as Brighton romped to a 3-0 win over Newcastle United on the road at St James’ Park.
Cunningham is entering his third season in South Wales, and will be looking to put some torrid injury struggles behind him as he faces into Cardiff City’s second successive season in England’s second tier. Cunningham has it all to do to make it back into the squad, despite starting in a home match vs Reading before the international break. The full-back, formerly of Mervue United, played 90 minutes before being subbed off in a 2-1 defeat. 29-year-old Cunningham will be looking to impress potential suitors as he reaches the end of his contract with The Bluebirds next Summer. Cunningham also featured in a 2-1 Carabao Cup defeat against Northampton Town.
Daryl Horgan - Wycombe Wanderers: Wycombe are up there as one of the most intriguing side’s in the Championship this season, and Galwegian Daryl Horgan is a recent addition to the side from Adams Park. Horgan joined Wycombe off the back of a stint in the Scottish Premier League with Hibernian, and has been a regular starter for Wycombe in their historic first season following promotion from League One.
It’s been a difficult start to Horgan’s second spell in the Championship, with neither himself nor his side managing to find the net in their opening four fixtures. Horgan was the sole Wycombe scorer in their Carabao Cup clash vs Brentford, which the men in sky blue lost on penalties.
Ryan Manning – Queen’s Park Rangers The youthful Manning had a decent spell at QPR last season, chipping in with five goals in 44 appearances last season as his side finished slap bang in the middle of the league table. R’s manager Mark Warburton has strengthened the midfield in the transfer window however, with the likes of George Thomas and Luke Amos coming in the door from the Premier League. Unfortunately, budding prospect Manning has found game time hard to come by so far, with his only appearance coming in the Carabao Cup loss against Plymouth Argyle. Manning netted in that game however, and will be hoping to build on his good performance as he bids to earn his stripes this season in West London. Cregmore man Manning secured a move to promotion hunting Swansea City at the close of the English domestic Transfer Window.
Ryan Manning(Left) Daryl Horgan (Centre) and Aaron Connolly (Right) represented the Galway contingent in the Ireland squad over a disappointing International break for the Boys in Green Credit FAI
Mental Toughness During Covid-19 By Louise Toal When it comes to elite players and athletes there is usually a professional team behind them from nutrition to psychology. Sport psychologists are becoming even more valuable for elite players and athletes as they train under Covid19 guidelines ahead of the Tokyo 2021 Olympics. Lecturer in Psychology at NUI Galway, Dr. Jane Walsh tells SIN, “it’s not so much the long legs or arms that wins the race. The most important characteristics for athletes are learning and practicing coping strategies that would make a big difference.” Mental toughness is a term she shares as one of the most important findings from researching into sports psychology, Dr. Walsh explains. “It’s distinctive among sporting elites, the idea really is to be able to come over obstacles and go over them or around them and find ways to do that by digging deep would be a key factor”. She mentions one of the main characteristics would be bouncing back from failure. Seeing it as a learning experience rather than something that defines you. “Rather than seeing yourself as a failure, say that was a valuable lesson learnt, that I didn’t know before and I’m going to use that moving forward. It’s impossible to win if you don’t have your foot on the start line, only being prepared to lose, while having the belief you can win, can you overcome failure”. Dr. Walsh goes on to say sporting elites should look at criticism as constructive and something you can use to your strength. A belief in yourself is a corner stone in mental toughness. “I think what they really need to do is learn how to cope with success. How to cope with failure. How to control the mind.”
