DEFENDER HUGH GILL has revealed how AIB Leinster club football title hopefuls St Vincent’s turned to MMA training at Conor McGregor’s gym to energise their squad.
The reigning All-Ireland champions have been in regular competitive action since early last year so turned to ‘a bit of wrestling and a bit of grappling’ to spice up training.
They trained as a group at the famous Straight Blast Gym which launched the career of UFC star McGregor and Cathal Pendred while MMA enthusiast Kieran McGeeney is also a regular.
Advertisement
McGeeney spoke in September about the benefits of MMA training for Gaelic footballers, describing cage fighting as ‘like chess’ and insisting ‘there’s a lot of good aspects to it that can cross over into our sport.’
Former Dublin corner-back Gill said it was more to do with simply keeping the Vins players interested in training.
“It was just about changing our training slightly, a fresh approach with the bit of MMA,” said Gill.
“It was great, really good. We were in SBG, McGregor’s gym, so we went in there and did a bit of wrestling and a bit of grappling.
McGregor sparring in Straight Blast Gym, owned and run by his coach John Kavanagh. Cathal Noonan / INPHO
Cathal Noonan / INPHO / INPHO
“We did some circuits too, just to keep it fresh. A few lads did well, Eoin Brady is particularly good, Shane Carthy is a bit of an animal.
“I think Mossy (Quinn) fancied himself at it! No, it was very good and it was just great to see a different angle to different types of training.
“I personally would have a lot of respect for the MMA guys. The training is insane.
“I would have followed McGregor from his early career and mentally, how he approaches things, is quite impressive. I would try to take a few tips and tricks from the way he does things.”
St Vincent's tried MMA training in McGregor's gym to help their All-Ireland defence
DEFENDER HUGH GILL has revealed how AIB Leinster club football title hopefuls St Vincent’s turned to MMA training at Conor McGregor’s gym to energise their squad.
The reigning All-Ireland champions have been in regular competitive action since early last year so turned to ‘a bit of wrestling and a bit of grappling’ to spice up training.
They trained as a group at the famous Straight Blast Gym which launched the career of UFC star McGregor and Cathal Pendred while MMA enthusiast Kieran McGeeney is also a regular.
McGeeney spoke in September about the benefits of MMA training for Gaelic footballers, describing cage fighting as ‘like chess’ and insisting ‘there’s a lot of good aspects to it that can cross over into our sport.’
Former Dublin corner-back Gill said it was more to do with simply keeping the Vins players interested in training.
“It was just about changing our training slightly, a fresh approach with the bit of MMA,” said Gill.
“It was great, really good. We were in SBG, McGregor’s gym, so we went in there and did a bit of wrestling and a bit of grappling.
“We did some circuits too, just to keep it fresh. A few lads did well, Eoin Brady is particularly good, Shane Carthy is a bit of an animal.
“I think Mossy (Quinn) fancied himself at it! No, it was very good and it was just great to see a different angle to different types of training.
“I personally would have a lot of respect for the MMA guys. The training is insane.
“I would have followed McGregor from his early career and mentally, how he approaches things, is quite impressive. I would try to take a few tips and tricks from the way he does things.”
‘I’ve given it as much as I can’: James Kavanagh calls time on Galway career after one season
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
Club Action Conor McGregor GAA GAA 2014 Hugh Gill MMA Rhode GAA St Vincent's GAA Straight Blast Gym the toughest