Dublin GAA Coaching & Games Development Update - July 2026

St Mark’s Coaches Explore Game Sense and Decision Making

St Mark’s GAA coaches recently took part in an interactive coach education workshop led by Ger O’Connor, focusing on Observing and Developing Decision Makers in Gaelic games. The workshop introduced coaches to a Game Sense approach, highlighting how players learn through solving problems and how coaches can enhance learning by observing decisions rather than simply correcting skills.

Using a series of modified games, coaches examined attacking, defensive and transition principles while recording evidence of player decision making. They worked collaboratively to identify effective behaviours, discuss tactical problems and practise using questioning techniques to create learning opportunities rather than providing answers.

A key theme throughout the evening was that games create problems, players learn through solving those problems, and coaches learn through observing those solutions. Coaches also reflected on their own coaching behaviours and developed action plans to implement in their next training sessions.

The workshop provided a practical framework for helping St Mark’s players become better thinkers and decision makers, reinforcing the club’s commitment to player-centred coaching and long-term development.

Inspiring Two Days with the Dublin U16 Football Development Squads

Two excellent days with the Dublin U16 Football Development Squads, working alongside a fantastic group of players and coaches.

Across the two days, we focused on the five pillars of performance—Technical, Tactical, Physical, Mental, and Lifestyle—creating an environment where players could learn, challenge themselves, and continue their development.

There were lots of learning opportunities, great positivity, and excellent engagement throughout the two days. It was also fantastic to have so many clubs represented, with players and coaches coming together to share ideas, challenge one another, and learn in a high-performance environment.

A huge thank you to all the players, coaches, and clubs for their commitment, enthusiasm, and willingness to improve. Experiences like these are invaluable in helping develop not only better footballers, but better young people.

Summer Camp Visits

With Summer 2026 now in full swing our annual Cul Camps, club camps and advanced camps are taking place all across the county. These camps give children the opportunity to hone their football, hurling and camogie skills in a safe fun-filled environment. With every club in Dublin running at least one camp many coaches have also had the chance to develop their coaching skills ensuring the future of our games is in safe hands.

Over the past 2 months Dublin clubs have ran the following number of camps:

49 Cul Camps

58 Club Summer Camps

16 Advanced Camps

Well done to all clubs, staff and volunteer coaches involved in the organising and running of these events, without your commitment and support this level of activity would not be possible.

Africa Trip

In July we were delighted to support two Dublin based primary school teachers, Lisa & Katie, who volunteered this summer in Zanzibar in local schools and communities. Take a read of what Katie had to say about the experience:

“Working at the Seeds of Light School in Zanzibar was such an amazing experience. We were kindly donated lots of bibs and schoolbags, which meant we could play all sorts of fun games with the children. They were so excited to wear the bibs and had the best time taking part in all the games. We also gave schoolbags to children who didn’t have one of their own, and it was lovely to see how much it meant to them, they were so grateful! A special thank you for the bibs and schoolbags. They brought so much excitement and joy to the children!”