DSS Coaching – 10 Lessons from the League (Round 1 – NFL 2026)

A weekly DSS Coaching piece by Dr. Ciaran Deely, using the National Football League as a lens to explore coaching, performance, tactics, and the evolving game.

This week in brief:

1. The new rules are already changing how teams must attack and defend.

2. Physical standards are extremely high from Round 1, with no real off-season anymore.

3. Kerry are already looking the team to beat…though their game shone a spotlight on some FRC new rules

1. Kerry already finding ways to ease the load on David Clifford

A really bright start by Tomás Kennedy in how he supported Kerry’s attack, particularly in winning and catching high balls around the square. Add that to David Clifford’s remarkable bilateral ability — both hands and both feet (see his near sideline kick with the left- and a funny little routine he has!) — and Kerry already look a little less dependent on everything going through one man. Anything that takes even a fraction of pressure off Clifford is a huge positive.
Kerry 2-18 Roscommon 1-20 

2. The League now starts at an extraordinary physical level

Round 1 this year again showed just how fit players are at the very start of the League. The GAA season never really ends now between club, county, and colleges football. With clubs becoming more professional, more accredited S&C coaches involved, and better planning overall from coaches, standards keep rising. Gone are the days of the burly full-forward turning up in late January two stone overweight after ‘wintering well’ like a prized bull — or a scraped bullock.

3. FRC rules still need serious tidying up

FRC new rules: hooter and 50m advancement.
It wasn’t quite ‘Hooter-Gate’, but the hooter rule continues to feel ill-thought out of and frankly unnecessary. Last season’s approach — letting the final play finish — was far better. I just don’t see the point of it- what problem does it ultimately solve? Any rule that can’t be implemented easily across age groups and local grounds I feel just does not work! Jack O’Connor’s comments on the 50-metre advancement for not handing the ball back also ring true. That rule needs toning down. Referees need to chill! And know that players will seek to take advantage in these situations.

4. Galway and Mayo look aligned with where the game is going

I’ve said it before: you won’t win an All-Ireland anymore by sitting back and defending. You have to kick, be brave, and play front-foot football. Galway and Mayo both looked like they’ve got that memo. Scores flowed, risk was accepted, and attacking intent was clear. They may fall slightly short again this year, but their approach feels right.
Galway 2-18 Mayo 3-18 

5. The Allianz issue was always moral, not financial

The sponsorship controversy largely went quiet, with the focus shifting to the faction. GAA President Jarlath Burns previously spoke about the difficulty in disentangling from certain sponsors, especially insurers who are deeply embedded in the GAA. Also, the financial hit of ending the sponsorship. But protests around alignment with (supposed and reported) Israeli-supporting companies during genocide and ongoing apartheid policies were always moral, not financial. Whether there’s a cost or not shouldn’t really be the point — and arguably, it’s the willingness to ignore those questions that got organisations into difficulty in the first place.

6. Tyrone frustration and Meath thinking long-term

Tyrone will be very disappointed not to start the League with a win in front of a passionate home crowd v Kildare — these are the games you want to bank early in a tight division. We all keep waiting for this Tyrone team to spark. It hasn’t happened yet. With all the underage success and competing over the last years, I wonder what will it take to really get the firecracker lit. When thinking of Tyrone, we think of intensity, relentlessness, desire, ability, wave after wave of attack in their pomp. Let’s hope we need more of that. I feel we need a strong Tyrone again! Meath, meanwhile, have started to use Croke Park for League games, and I think this could pay off down the line, particularly in bedding in young players and exposing them to the unique environment of Croke Park earlier in the season in front of small crowds, rather than during the white heat of championship football later in the year. It helped Dublin didn’t it!
Tyrone 2-16 Kildare 1-19
Meath 0-19 Derry 1-13 

7. Wicklow’s goalkeeper shows why defending deep won’t survive

Wicklow goalkeeper Mark Jackson kicked four 2-pointers from deadballs and from play, including a 2-pointer in injury-time to win it! It was a brilliant illustration of where the game is heading. As you go down the divisions, you simply cannot sit back and defend deep anymore — players will actively step up and go after the two-pointer if you give them space.
Wicklow 1-17 Leitrim 2-13 

8. Jim McGuinness, reflection, and who gets to have a view

This was the first time Jim McGuinness was really asked to reflect publicly on last year’s All-Ireland final loss and his zonal marking approach. His response felt tetchy, but that’s understandable. Losing an All-Ireland final is a monumental blow, and losing 2 out of 3 will sting this serial winner in Ulster. Everyone deserves an opinion — you just don’t have to listen to all of them — and perhaps that was his point. Doubt Jim will pay much heed to anyone outside the confines of Donegal Senior team.
Dublin 0-20 Donegal 1-20 

9. London continuing to show genuine League progress

London got a good draw at home to Tipperary and continue to do really well early in Division 4. They’ll be disappointed to concede a late two-pointer, but overall this still felt like another sign of growth and maturity at this level. It was also the first competitive outing where DSS Coaching consultant Barry Mullane has been involved with the Tipperary footballers, adding another layer of interest to how that season unfolds. For me personally, and many fellow-Gaels in London, it was great to see such a high-scoring quality game of football in Ruislip. Keep 'em comin’!
London 0-21 Tipperary 0-21 

10. Wexford buillding momentum

And lastly, another one close to me heart…my home county Wexford’s opening win away from home against fancied Fermangh was an excellent start to life in Division 3 and should settle nerves quickly after promotion- when many people would have thought they were one of the favourites for the drop (I personally feel they are building nicely and have a core of really hard-working, talent players who have come through the Sigerson pathway.

Fermanagh 0-12 Wexford 1-13 

See you next week!

Ciaran

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