O'Rourke highlights rise in players blaming others for shortcomings

Colm O'Rourke

Colm O’Rourke has hit out at what he sees as a growing trend of club players not taking responsibility for their own performances.

The Meath legend claims some are using anonymous player surveys to blame everyone but themselves for their shortcomings.

“I have heard of so many clubs that have had anonymous player surveys and a common element in them is the lack of responsibility players seem to take for their own performance,” he wrote in his Sunday Independent column.

“A serious lack of self-awareness is evident. I’m not exactly sure when this started, but since Covid there appears to be a very insular approach from a lot of players.

“The responses indicate that the problems are the manager, the club in general, the lack of a strength and conditioning programme, medical back-up, physio, nutrition and / or a lack of GPS data.

“Everything bar the one thing that they have control over, themselves.”

O’Rourke continued: “Take responsibility for your own fitness, health and wellbeing and don’t blame anyone else. Show a bit of loyalty to your club.”