Determinants of successful possession in Elite Gaelic Football

Abstract

Game demands of Elite Men’s Gaelic Football (GF) are understudied and far from clear. This first study to investigate the performance outcomes for winners and losers in a complete Senior Inter-county championship (SFC) will analyse which characteristics of possession were more likely to lead to score. Possessions (n = 6,174) from all games in the 2016 SFC (n = 64) were analysed using Dartfish ConnectPlus 7.0. Wilcoxon signed-rank test identified statistical differences (p < 0.05) between 20 performance indicators for winning versus losing teams, while a binary logistic regression was used to model shot outcome in terms of process indicators; method of gaining possession, area possession is gained, number of passes and duration of each possession, on the outcome of the possession. Findings reveal winning teams had significantly more possessions, higher productivity and lower turnover rates than losers. Logistic regression highlighted that opposition kickouts, possession duration and area where possession commenced were associated with possession outcome.