Skills of the Game: The High Catch with Kieran Donaghy

Skills of the Game: The High Catch with Kieran Donaghy

It is often bemoaned that the high catch is a skill that is not prominent in modern Gaelic football. However, when performed correctly, the high catch is one of the key methods of gaining possession, for example to break up an opposition attack or set up a scoring opportunity.

The high catch is often used to devastating effect by Kerry, with Kieran Donaghy their primary exponent in attack. This video clip provides two examples of how the high catch was used in last year's Munster GAA Championship quarter-final clash between Kerry and Tipperary to set up scores, resulting in Kerry scoring 1-2 at crucial parts of the game.

From a coaching point of view, the use of the long ball and high catch are very good examples of effective attacking play. Many teams organise themselves to reduce the amount of space available to forwards by positioning some of their own forwards or midfield players as additional defenders. This results in opposing teams having great difficulty in playing a running game. Therefore, if you can't run through them, go over them!

Kieran Donaghy was likened to a 'gazelle' by Tipperary manager John Evans after his acrobatic display in vaulting over the opposition defence to fetch clean high ball in last year's Munster Championship clash in Thurles. Here, the Kerry full forward talks to www.gaa.ie about the art of high fielding and reveals some of his top tips and secrets ahead of Sunday's renewal of rivalries with the Premier County.

Timing

Timing is a huge factor. That is why I think getting down to a field and getting fellas to kick in ball to you is important. If you are a midfielder try and get a fella to kick it off the ground so you can catch the flight of the ball. Timing is the most important factor and I think that is what made Darragh Ó Se such a great high fielder. His timing was top notch and he knew when to get off the ground.

Keep your eye on the ball

I see a lot of kids closing their eyes when the ball is coming in. You are just never going to catch it in that case. Keep your eyes open and get your timing right and if you are that bit older get working on the leg weights to try and get your jump higher.

Practice

It's a crucial part of the game that needs to be taught correctly to kids at underage level. It's a skill that can be worked on. If it is worked on at a young age you are going to see it coming through. It comes down to kids being out practicing every day. That's what makes the inter-county footballer stand out from the Club footballer - the guy who is at it every day.

What helped me was more of a basketball thing, trying to dunk it, jumping and trying to dunk the basketball. When I started with the Kerry Minors when I was 18, all of a sudden I was jumping higher because of the work I was doing.

Not just for midfielders

Even for wing backs these days there can be kick-outs dropping down on top of you. In the modern game, short kick-outs are being used more, so even if you aren't the tallest of guys you can still work on your timing and jumping. You can make yourself an option for your team for a kick-out as a target. I think it is something players in any position can work on.