I can understand that it is very difficult to find enough to fill a paper every week but the feeling I get, if I ever read it, is that they have done just that, filled the pages with words, lots of pointless words. In fairness it could be just me, there was a time when I would have read anything about Gaelic even if I had written it meself!!
I find that’s a very harsh summary.
First of all you’re right. Three staff filling 40 pages a week is extremely tough especially when one is on holiday.
However I feel we do an excellent job for variation.
In a standard 40 page edition you’ll generally find nine pages of club - given voices, interviews and team news from Crossmaglen to Corrinshego.
One of the best stable of columnists about in Joe Brolly, Kevin Cassidy, Gerard O’Kane, Cahal Carvill and Shane Elliott.
Also, a hugely-popular training zone offering advice on everything from strength and conditioning, mindsets and, recently following the arrival of Patrick Morrison, goalkeeping.
Then you’ll have an in focus interview getting a deep insight from that week’s guest. Next week for example I have a long interview with Alan Davidson. May seem a strange choice but it’s a cracking read - because of his honesty rather than any good writing I hasten to add.
Also, a club focus looking at a particular club in Ulster or afar.
On top of that you have regular county preview and news (nobody has broken more Armagh exclusives in the last five years than GL).
Then the paper is broken up with your take a break pages, your fantasy football.
I disagree strongly with the filling in with pointless words assessment and I find it hard to believe that any Ulster GAA fans wouldn’t find the product value for money given it’s very modest cost. (Papers are massively underpriced.). Hopefully you give it another go and enjoy it more!