The Sports
Psychology Blog
Today's Sports Psychology blog comes after the Galway Hurling Board Chairman, Mike Ryan, publicly criticises coach Ger Loughnane for a 'disastrous' first year at the helm.
GAA: Galway - A County Divided
Both
Mike Ryan and County Secretary Bernie O'Connor have been direct in their
criticism of Ger Loughnane's first year in charge of The Tribesmen.
And they may be right. But after all, Loughnane did ask to be judged after
two years in charge. And one has to question the strategy of openly
questioning the coach's work via the press. It is hardly a vote of confidence.
If the Board have questions to ask of Loughnane, then they should do so in private. With the coach. Straight questions. Straight answers. Then everyone is clear. And working together. United in the one cause.
Criticism of the coach through the press opens the way for division. And disunity. It festers doubts and uncertainty. Both in the minds of the players. And fans. In expressing their discontent, the Board have become part of the problem.
Only a frank and direct exchange between Coach and Board can effectively clear the air and reset the tone. Failure to do so, will leave an unhealthy sense of tension, lingering in the county air. And with it, almost inevitable under-achievement.
Loughnane can of course, use the Boards words against them. Create an enemy for his team to focus on. A powerful THEM. And it's a strategy that can have mileage. But how much mileage? How long before the tensions manifest themselves in disruptive acts. Acts that self-sabotage the construction of Ger Loughnane's Galway success machine.
