Every second counts for Grant

One of the other developments brought in by Director of Football Brian McIver has been the skills testing component.  A group of coaches have finalised the structure and will now roll it out across all squads.

The test is based on the same concept U14 players encounter at the National Feile competition every summer.  Players are timed completing a range of skills laid out over a pitch.  All squads are going to be tested as part of a new initiative aimed at bringing the skill element back into our games.

One of those involved in the testing is Ballinderry man and Derry Minor coach Killian Conlan.  "We did the test a few weeks back but we tweaked a few things to make it more game specific.  The  U21's were the first squad to complete it and there was a great response from both the players and their management team.  The players enjoyed the exercise and you could see the competitive edge in them."

At last Friday night's test Barry Grant of Ballinascreen and Swatragh’s Paul McAtamney were joint on points but Grant was one second faster.

Conlan pointed out the need for a high skill level. "At county level the skill level needs to be higher and this is a great exercise for testing and improvement.  We look forward to other squads doing the test."

The results over the next few weeks and months will get plenty of debate going across the county.

LEADERBOARD 

1. Barry Grant (Ballinascreen) 110 points / 65 seconds
2. Paul McAtamney (Swatragh) 110 points / 66 seconds
3. Odhran McGlone (Newbridge) 100 points / 68 seconds
4. Niall Keenan (Castledawson) 100 points / 78 seconds
5. Michael McAvoy (Magherafelt) 90 points / 65 seconds