Irish Runner: Running Shoe Review

Posted on June 1, 2021 at 4:33 pm.

Expert and trustworthy advice can be difficult to come by, but when it comes to Killian Byrne of the Irish Runner magazine, it doesn’t come much better in the world of running.

That’s why we recently entrusted Killian with reviewing eight of our best-selling running shoes, from which he will share his experts tips and advice to help you before you buy.

He will be looking at the women’s Brooks Glycerin 19, adidas Ultraboost 21, ON Running Cloudswift, Hoka Mach 4, Under Armour Hovr Machina 2, women’s Asics Gel Cumulus 23, women’s Puma Velocity Nitro, Nike Pegasus Trail 2.

Here’s what he said.

Irish Runner on the Brooks Glycerin 19 (Women)

Fit & Comfort

The Glycerin 19 is the max cushioned shoe in the Brooks range and with the withdrawal of a number of lines in their stable, this trainer now stands out as the frontrunner in a neutral stability shoe. Formerly super comfortable but considerably ‘clunky’, this new version goes some way to fixing what many considered was a boxy and unresponsive design.

The tweaking of the DNA Loft foam has gone a long way to transforming the Glycerin 19 into a smooth and cushioned ride, almost ‘bouncy’. This moves the lycerin into a category that you’d be comfortable chasing your speedwork, but they feel light and comfortable enough to also throw on for long runs.

We felt these were a little tight in initial testing and a very firm heel and supported ankle actually might make you consider buying a size up before you head out on the road. When you’re buying, make sure you try these shoes when in your running socks and check with your retailer if they’ll accept a return if the fit isn’t quite right before making a final decision. Many will be happy to exchange within a specific timeframe.

If you’re a Ghost wearer then the Glycerin 19 might suit you too. You’ll get a soft, balanced stable run and it’s a shoe that might just suit you for that everyday work the summer will bring.

Technical

Slightly unremarkable when out of the box, the Glycerin 19 is a neutral, cushioned trainer with a 10mm drop. A double mesh upper can make things very plush and there is plenty of ventilation to offset any excess heat. The heel cup is super firm and padded giving a very secure fit. The ubiquitous Brooks DNA Loft foam that allows good cushioning but isn’t too soft to affect your run.

Conclusion

A shoe that is on the expensive side but worth it for the plush feel. We’d have some concerns about the longevity as wear and tear might take its toll sooner than hoped.

Irish Runner on the Adidas Ultraboost 21

Fit & Comfort

The Ultraboost is one of the most popular shoes in the Adidas range and it has jumped the fence to sit very comfortably between technical running shoe and fashionable trainer. But the Ultraboost 21 is working very hard with a complete redesign to make its way back to being a leading performance running shoe.

If it’s possible for a running shoe to look both clunky and fast then Adidas have made it. The Ultraboost aren’t light, and a simple 8k ‘out of the box’ run around the park wasn’t the best of experiences. The snug elastic-like upper allowed for too much movement for your reviewer to feel comfortable on fast corners and no matter how tight we tied the laces there was still plenty of reticence to ‘open up’ on any kind of technical running terrain.

If you’re an Ultraboost wearer you know how plush and comfortable these shoes are and a redesigned midsole foam provides great cushioning and energy return because there is 6% more boost ‘capsules’ and they all seem packed into the heel.

The tongue-less sock design means laces thread through a stiff plastic ‘cage’. This hugs the mid-food while anchoring things in place, but we felt this just serves to enhance the loose and roomy toe box. The runner’s ankle and heel are well boxed in with extra cushioning but things still seemed loose, and in fact, there was some uncomfortable chafing two or three runs into our testing. One real bonus we liked was what adidas call their ‘LEP’ – Linear Energy Push – or the sole of the shoe to you andI. This provided stiffness and grip that allowed real push off and energy return on each step.

Technical

A completely redesigned cushioned shoe with 10mm drop that comes in a little heavy at 340g. adidas LEP system allowing 15% increase in stiffness and the addition of 6% more Boost capsules allowing a greater energy return

Conclusion

The Ultraboost still doesn’t know if it’s a running shoe or fashion trainer. 2021 updates make it better for running, but the fact that it’s available in up to 16 different colours says a lot. If you run in long straight lines at a comfortable pace then the Ultraboost might be for you, but for most people there’ll be other shoes that will do what you want without the fear of worrying about what’s on your feet.

Irish Runner on the On Running Cloudswift

Fit & Comfort

Out of the box, all the On Running shoes impress on design, which continues to draw looks from those that aren’t used to the bouncy ‘tube’ design and the Cloudswift are no different. The denim/midnight colour design we trialled impressed even more and added a style to the shoe that is hard to beat in this reviewer’s eyes.

It is interesting though, that we opened this review with commentary on colour, style and looks, as outside of that the technical aspects of the Cloudswift are so understated as to be almost unnoticed outside of the still revolutionary ‘cloud’ design across the soles of the On Running range.

Let’s deal with that first.

We’ve reviewed On Running before at Irish Runner and while they’ve been comfortable, we still can’t get over the design of the sole that continues to gather the detritus of Ireland’s roads and parklands in the ridges. making the shoes grip much less effective. To their credit, On Running have addressed this and the issue is less of a concern today.

Thankfully, right?

On the flipside, the spring of the cloud design provides a smooth ride on hard surfaces and for a trainer that is the very opposite of plush this provides great comfort and a super energy return on each step. The design of the sole allows for both horizontal and vertical flex, allowing for multi-directional cushioning no matter how you run.

The double mesh layer is very soft but durable and while On Running recommend you look at a half size up when buying, we found it roomy. You know your feet better than anyone, if you think you need extra space in a running shoe then bear this in mind. The Mid-foot strap holding the lacing system is very firm and at times we felt the laces were ‘digging in’ – loosening them just made our foot slip a little more.

Technical

A 7mm drop with a very rocker like sole on a shoe that can’t really be designated as a ‘stability’ shoe. Luxury double mesh upper provides a lot of comfort and room.

Conclusion

The CloudTec sole design and lack of deep cushioning makes the foot, shoe and ground almost act as one unit. You feel every step on a good way and that makes for an enjoyable experience when out on the road, you are always in control.

Irish Runner on the Hoka Mach 4

Fit & Comfort

We are HOKA fans and were very happy to see a pair of the new Mach 4 come through the letterbox for testing. HOKA, despite their reputation for unusual design, make great shoes for different runners and the Mach4 didn’t do anything to dampen our enthusiasm for the brand.

Comfort, cushioning, stability, smooth – all words we associate with the brand and depending on the shoe, they’re all there in every design. With the Mach 4, we seem to have dialled back on the extreme cushioning to ensure that the run is a lot more responsive than previous versions of the trainer.

I’ve described HOKA shoes in the past as being great for long comfortable runs, but I’ll flip that on its head for the Mach 4s and call these for quick, responsive racing and training. There is more feel between runner and ground than you would expect, making for a very reactive run. The firm mesh upper doesn’t allow for any slip or elasticity meaning your foot stays in place in comfortable surroundings. The solid but wide heel cup allows plenty of room and whether you feel the high back is to protect the achilles or provide a pull tab when putting on your shoes it does both with aplomb.

Technical

The Hoka ProFly cushioning does its job very well, like the bowl of porridge for Goldilocks, it is just right, allowing comfort but enough feel for the runner to control the movement rather than constantly sinking into the foam.

Conclusion

Are these the best HOKA shoes ever?

Possibly.

HOKA themselves call the Mach 4 a ‘soft and lively up-tempo daily flyer’ and I couldn’t have put it better myself.

Irish Runner on the Under Armour Hovr Machina 2

Fit & Comfort

Many years ago Nike linked up with Apple and we were all wearing ‘footpods’ embedded in a little compartment hidden under the insole of our shoes. The idea died out with the emergence of the fitness ‘wearable’ and now we get all the metrics under the sun from a wristwatch.

But fast forward a few years and Under Armour have persisted with the technology, fine tuning things for it to be a real threat to the computer on our wrist. Straight out of the box I had to connect to my phone and update my trainers – a new experience for me I’ll admit! But it works. Connecting to the Under Armour owned ‘MyFitnessPal’, you will get all the running metrics you need broadcast from a chip in your shoes.

As a trainer, the Machina 2 is a comfortable ride. Solid energy return and cushioning form the UA Hovr foam allows for a responsive run and the now obligatory internal ‘plate’ gives enough spring to propel, without you actually feeling your stability affected like some other brands. The engineered mesh upper allows for plenty of breathability without things feeling too stretchy, but I really felt the overall design was unremarkable.

Technical

Technically, this shoe is all about the technology. The manufacture and design makes for a reasonable trainer but this shoe is all about connectivity. It shines.

Don’t want to bring your phone?

Then connect and upload when you get home. Bring your phone and the shoe will train you when out on the run with personalised coaching tips. According to UA, runners go 3% further and 7% faster using this technology.

Conclusion

It’s hard to see past the fact that UA have hung their hat on chip technology rather than faster shoe design. I’m certainly not naïve in thinking everyone cares about % drop and foam density, but it matters. For a beginner with no interest in these things, then an embedded chip might just swing your decision to these shoes.

Here’s the kicker.

If your shoes know all about how well you run, how far you run and where you run then Under Armour and Map My Run know it too. Be careful with your data.

Irish Runner on the Asics Gel Cumulus 23 (Women’s)

Fit & Comfort

‘Hello old friend, it’s good to see you again’ is what you’d say to these shoes if you could talk to them.

If there was a template for a dependable, middle of the road, everyday running shoe then the Asics Gel-Cumulus are it.

That’s not a bad thing.i

In fact, it’s probably the best recommendation you can get for a trainer because where some shoes excel in parts, they fall short in others. As a beginner or experienced runner that’s not what you want. You want a shoe that will bring you around the park for a walk or a run, one that will bring you on your couch to 5k or see you through your marathon plan or a shoe that will sit in the wardrobe while your motivation wanes, but be there ready and waiting when you find that mojo again.

Priced very competitively, the Gel-Cumulus have all the technology you can get with the might of Asics design team behind them.

The Cumulus are light enough and not too narrow but the mesh upper adds support in targeted areas and is firm without being constricting. If you feel you need a wide shoe for more room or have wide feet then try a half size up. You’ll not swim in the larger size but it will benefit your comfort.

Talking about comfort, the shoe really benefits from both the Asics FliteFoam and its Lite rubber improves durability. Every step is both cushioned and secure. The Gel cup in the heel works impeccably and with both male and female specific design the shoe works with the mechanics of all types of feet.

Technical

A stable and neutral runner with a low 7mm drop. But really this isn’t a shoe about the technology, it is about comfort, fit and just getting out running.

Conclusion

Theses trainers will do what you want when you want it without causing a fuss. They’ll easily get you to a marathon but are probably best suited to someone that enjoys their running and likes to go long one day but grabs 20mins on another.

They are probably the ‘best in class’ everyday running shoe.

Irish Runner on the Puma Velocity Nitro (Women’s)

Fit & Comfort

Puma have launched five new running-shoe styles this year, all with their new Nitro foam technology for increased comfort and running efficiency. I was really interested to try them; Puma used to be a very popular choice with runners but I haven’t seen them on a start line in years.

These are neutral, cushioned shoes and I was pleasantly surprised at how comfortable they were. They felt very cushy underfoot – like wearing slippers – but at the same time you can feel the road. Though they’re lighter, they have a similar feel to the Saucony ride – soft, but still responsive and bouncy.

The sizing is similar to other well-known brands, and the fit comfortable, with enough space in the toe box. I found I had to experiment with lacing to get the shoe to fit snugly around my ankle, but after that they felt good on the run. The knit upper has a silver puma leaping majestically across the big toe, which I liked, and a comfortably padded tongue that doesn’t slip out of place (thanks to an elastic link to the shoes’ sides).

Puma also design their male and female shoes on separate lasts for a more specific fit.

I haven’t tried them in the wet – thanks in part to our run of fine weather and in part because they are such a light colour that they’re unsuitable for rain and muck! But on paths and park trails the grip was good.

My only con was the colour: I trialled electro peach/silver, and while I loved their box-fresh, springtime look, they are just impossible to keep clean in Irish weather!

Technical

Neutral, cushioned and light with a 10mm drop

Conclusion

At €120 these are priced at the mid-range for road running shoes, which represents good value for money. I’ll definitely keep using these as neutral, everyday runners across a range of distances

Irish Runner on the Nike Pegasus Trail 2

Fit & Comfort

The Pegasus 2 is built to take on the best of what the trails have to offer.

We brought them to the Wicklow mountains to see how they performed.

These shoes are good to go out of the box, they are very comfortable, the React foam provides excellent cushioning and they feel like the type of shoe you would be happy in for long easy days out on moderate trails. There is room in the forefoot and the mesh upper is accommodating and the React foam provides plushness. On more rocky sections, I did find that I could still feel some rocks through the foam but for those who still like some ground feel in their cushioned shoes this is no bad thing.

It is a big shoe and on the heavier end of the scale weighing in at 343g for a size 10.

On rolling moderate hills, road sections and forest paths, this shoe is in its element. However, in my opinion, this is not a shoe for more technical mountain trails. I tried different lacing set ups, but I just could not find one that kept my foot feeling supported and secure.

Despite the plushness of the React foam and the flexibility of the upper material. I would describe the feeling on all surfaces as running ‘on’ the shoe as opposed to ‘in’ it.

The shoes performed well on a wide variety of surfaces and I only felt a little slippage on a wet rock section that challenges all shoes I have worn. The lugs are small enough that these shoes are also perfectly at home on tarmac roads. After 80+ km there is no visible signs of wear and the outsole looks to be very durable. I like the cushioning and comfort on easy to moderate trails, and I found the grip to be good on all but the wettest of rock.

Technical

With a 10mm drop this enters the territory of a ‘maximalist’ shoe. There is a full NikeReact foam midsole and a full rubber outsole with a lug design that resembles a mountain bike tyre tread.

Conclusion

If you already like Nike, their fit, and you run a mix of both road, parkland, trail, forest, or easy hills, this could be your shoe.

If you want a shoe capable of carrying you in comfort for anything from a short run up to a marathon or ultramarathon, then this is a shoe to check out.

Final Thoughts

There’s plenty of food for thought in Killian’s shoe reviews, after his extensive testing of each product.

Make sure to let us know if you found this helpful when you’re trying to pick a new running shoe.

You can shop Running right here.

Your Essential Guide for Kids’ Summer Camps

Posted on May 25, 2021 at 1:55 pm.

Written by Ger Flanagan

Summer Camps are the absolute highlight of the season for parents and children, and that time of year is nearly upon us once again!

With so many options to choose from – FAI Summer Camps, GAA Camps, rugby camps, or whatever your child is into – finding the right camp that will help your child make new friends, enjoy new experiences and develop new skills, is easy.

So, while we’ll let you decide on what camp to send your kids to, we’ll do the hard work and help ensure they have everything they need to make their experience as fun and enjoyable as possible with our essential guide.

Sound good?

If you’re a parent new to summer camps, or a veteran, read on to make sure your kid is ready for what could be the best experience of their lives.

Summer Camps Backpack

Probably the most important item for your child’s summer camp week.

Why?

Well, it’s going to need to store all their essential items, which might include football boots, wet clothes, money, food and whatever else.

And don’t forget:

– kids get excited, so it will probably get its fair share of abuse. That means their current school bag might not fit the bill either!

So, consider these three key aspects:

Compartments: Multiple storage areas are the best. You want compartments big enough to fit clothes, shoes, a towel at the very least. Then smaller exterior pockets for essentials like money, hand sanitiser, sunscreen, tissues, mobile phone and charger.
Durability: a week at a summer camp will test even the toughest backpack, so one made of a sturdy fabric or nylon with tough zippers will make it through the week
Bottle holder: hydration is so important when kids are active in the sun all day, so you want to make their access to their water as easy as possible. An exterior bottle holder is a huge help

Waterproof jacket

We don’t need reminding that a standard day in Ireland can experience four seasons of weather in a matter of hours.

So, while the forecast might predict sunshine for the week, don’t forget that the weather experts can often be wrong and it’s super important to be prepared for a washout.

Fail to prepare and all that.

A light, durable and waterproof jacket is an essential piece of clothing for the backpack.

Change of clothes

Speaking of clothing…

Even with a jacket, there’s no guarantee your child will stay clean and dry – kids will be kids!

So don’t forget to pack an extra set of clothing, plenty of socks and underwear and a spare towel, so if things do get a bit messy, you will have no concerns.

Running shoes

Your child will be clocking up quite the mileage throughout the week, so a comfy pair of running shoes is a must.

The likes of Nike, ASICS, Skechers and adidas have a wide variety of running shoes and trainers that will be able to handle the thrills and spills of an Irish summer camp.

It’s always a good idea to back two pairs as well!

Backpack essentials

Don’t forget these items either – you’ll thank us later!

Sun protection: the Factor 50 and a pair of sunglasses will help for the endless hours your child will spend in direct sunlight
Insect repellent: the midges love summer time, so either wipes, spray or an insect repellent wristband will save your child of stress
Toiletries: a basic first-aid kit, hand sanitizers and mask, tissues and wet wipes may all come in useful
Water: at least two bottles, and freeze one the night before so it can melt throughout the day. And try and avoid surgery drinks
Lunch and snacks: if the camp doesn’t provide food, high energy, nutritious bites that your child enjoys will keep them fuelled.
A plastic bag: this is crucial to put wet clothes or dirty shoes into

And don’t forget to label all your kids’ items too with permanent marker!

Conclusion Summer Camps Fun

We really hope this guide to Irish summer camps will give your child the best experience they can have and make the experience more relaxing and enjoyable for you too.

If we’ve let anything out that you think should be included, let us know in the comments section, we’d love to hear from you.

Make sure to check out our website to shop all things kids and ensure your child has everything they need for camp

Retro GAA Jerseys: A look back in time

Posted on April 26, 2021 at 4:34 pm.

Written by Ger Flanagan

Nothing beats seeing some classic retro GAA jerseys to provoke those emotions deep inside of you of those great days that piece of cloth represents.

There’s no doubt about it, donning a classic GAA jersey from your county will make you stand out from the crowd, whether you’re in the Hogan Stand in Croke Park, MacHale Park, Páirc uí Chaoimh, Semple Stadium or Gaelic Park in New York City.

Unfortunately, getting your hands on vintage GAA jerseys was once as difficult as predicting the lotto numbers.

Until now.

So, to celebrate the release of the new Retro GAA Jerseys range at Intersport Elverys, we’re looking back on some of the most iconic moments of which each of the jerseys represent.

We’ll have memorable moments, and some not so memorable, from Mayo GAA, Dublin GAA, Galway GAA, Clare GAA, Tipperary GAA and Cork GAA.

Before you start, you also might enjoy our Top National League Moments Blog.

Sit back, relax and enjoy a trip down memory lane.

The Rebels ambush Mayo (1989 Mayo GAA Retro Jersey)

Cork 0-17 Mayo 1-11

The year 1989 signalled a first All-Ireland Final for Mayo GAA since the winning Sundays of 1950 and 1951.

A young John O’Mahoney was at the helm for the Green and Red and oversaw an unexpected victory over Tyrone in the All-Ireland semi-final.

A game made famous by that iconic photo of the great Willie Joe Padden, looking bloodied but unbowed with a bandage strapped around his head, when he produced one of his best ever displays.

Who can forget it?

Mayo were back in the showpiece event in the GAA calendar and every man, woman and child made the trip to the capital to see the likes of Liam McHale, TJ Kilgallon, WJ Padden, Jimmy Burke, Dermot Flanagan and Kevin McStay strut their stuff on the sacred Croke Park turf.

And when substitute Anthony Finnerty struck the net four minutes into the second half to put Mayo ahead for the first time in the game, the 65,000 people packed into Croke Park were rocking.

The Mayo faithful dared to dream.

When Finnerty lined up a kick for what looked a certain goal soon after, the writing looked on the wall.

However, Mayo dreams were short lived as the experienced Cork side, driven on by Larry Tompkins, Teddy McCarthy and Co, kicked their way to the Sam Maguire and Mayo were left pondering the ‘what ifs’.

It would be the start of a storied journey in Mayo GAA history.

Magical Mayo end Galway’s reign (1999 Mayo GAA Retro Jersey)

Mayo 1-14 Galway 1-10

AN incredible 31,000 plus supporters crammed into every nook and cranny of Tuam Stadium for this blockbuster showdown between the reigning All-Ireland champions, Galway, and their old-rivals Mayo in 1999.

They weren’t left disappointed either.

Well, that’s if you’re from Mayo, because on that rainy day in Tuam John Maughan’s side beat the reigning All-Ireland champions for the first time 32 years to write a memorable chapter in Mayo GAA history.

Galway boasted talented forwards like Padraig Joyce, Ja Fallon and Michael Donnellan, but they faltered badly against a spirited Mayo who would not be beaten.

Future Mayo manager James Horan produced a display for the ages and hit five huge points, Ciaran McDonald and Pat Fallon were sprung from the bench and changed the game, while David Nestor hit the deadly blow with a 28th minute goal.

This was Mayo versus Galway, and Connacht Championship football, at its very best.

The Rebels do the impossible (1990 Cork GAA Retro Jersey)

The year 1990 will go down in history as the greatest year ever in Cork GAA history after its footballers and hurlers won All-Ireland titles.

Despite being five points down to Galway at half time in the All-Ireland Hurling Final on September 3, the Rebels would rally in the second half, thanks in part to some inspiring half-time words by their hurling-mad coach, Fr Michael O’Brien.

Were they effective?

Well, led by the likes of John Fitzgibbon, Tony O’Sullivan, Tomás Mulcahy and Kevin Hennessy, Cork ran out 5-15 to 2-21 winners and put the county on a cusp of immortality.

Two weeks later it was the footballers turn, who themselves were looking to make it back-to-back Sam Maguires.

They couldn’t?

Despite being a man down after Colm O’Neill was sent off just before half time in the All-Ireland Football Final, Cork would go on to beat Meath by 0-11 to 0-9 in what was their third meeting in the final in four years.

Larry Tompkins would lift the Sam Maguire for the Páirc uí Chaoimh side that day, where Niall Cahalane would produce a marvellous man-marking role on Meath dangerman Colm O’Rourke.

Few can forget their drubbing of rivals Kerry in the Munster Final that year too.

The victory completed what most deemed ‘The Impossible’ – a county winning both football and hurling titles in the one year.

It is an achievement that is likely never to be repeated again.

Dublin and the 12 Apostles (1983 Dublin GAA Retro Jersey)

Dublin 1-10 Galway 1-8

Known as one of the worst, but one of the most remarkable All-Ireland Finals ever, where a 12-man Dublin defeated Galway in Croke Park.

It was the 21st All-Ireland title for Dublin GAA and probably one of their hardest earned. Especially considering they played with only 12 men against 14 and a gale-force wind in the second half.

That gave the team of heroes the apt name of Dublin’s Dirty Dozen.

With tensions running high in the first half, what unfolded on the pitch were dubbed as disgraceful scenes with the spectacle marred by off-the-ball incidents.

Kevin Heffernan’s Dubs led by 1-5 to 0-2 at half time, but faced the Tribesmen and the conditions at the turn of ends. However, they held strong against the onslaught.

Barney Rock was in inspired form that day and hit 1-6, Anton O’Toole lead the line, while Tommy Drumm would scoop the Player of the Year award.

While a litany of bans were handed down by the GAA afterwards too.

Galway’s Day of Deliverance (1980 Galway GAA Retro GAA Jersey)

Galway 2-15 Limerick 3-9

For more than half a century Galway sought the breakthrough in winning the Liam McCarty before it finally arrived on September 7, 1980.

Cyril Farrell’s men were gallant in victory and some inspiring goalkeeping by Michael Conneely, who seemed invincible on the day, gave the Tribespeople the day they yearned for for so long.

Before that, the Galway hurlers had lost nine All-Ireland Finals since 1923, with many suggesting a curse hung over them long before the Mayo footballers gained that unwanted-tagline.
Galway captain Joe Connolly gave a stirring speech on the Hogan Stand – ás Gaeilge – after producing a momentous performance. His brother, John, was equally as influential and Bernie Forde was another stand-out performer.

The West was well and truly awake.

A Year ‘Til Sunday (1998 Galway GAA Retro GAA Jersey)

Galway 1-14 Kildare 1-10

After years of near misses and a barren spell that stretched back to the days of the famous three in-a-row 32 years previous, the Tribesmen landed that elusive Sam Maguire against Mick O’Dwyer’s Lilywhites.

John O’Mahoney, in his first year in charge of Galway, wrote his name in the Galway GAA history books and was widely praised for the expansive style of football he had his team playing.

A team before their time.

That’s easier too, when you incorporate the standard of footballer O’Mahoney had at his disposal.

Can you remember them?

The Galway supporters lucky enough to make it into Croke Park that day will remember Padraig Joyce’s stunning second half solo goal, Ray Silke and Séan Óg de Paor’s leadership from the half back line, Kevin Walsh and Ja Fallon’s inspirational second half displays and a man of the match performance from Michael Donnellan.

The football faithful in Galway waited a long time for that day to come and, amazingly, the next arrived much sooner than expected.

English shines in Croker (1989 Tipperary GAA Retro GAA Jersey)

Tipperary 4-24 Antrim 3-9

One man stood out among many in Croke on All-Ireland Hurling Final day of 1989 and that is Nicky English.

The Tipperary hurler was simply unstoppable that day, hitting a record of 2-12 on his way to winning his first Celtic Cross and Tipperary’s first since 1971.

Remember their opponents?

Antrim, appearing in only their second All-Ireland Hurling Final in their history, were coming in on the back of one of the biggest shocks in championship history after defeating Offaly in the All-Ireland semi-final.

English reinforced his name as one of the all-time greats that day, while midfielder Declan Carr was also heroic in defeating a spirited Saffron side, who can feel unlucky to score 3-9 in an All-Ireland Final and still lose.

Tipp’ captain Bobby Ryan then gave a rousing and emotional speech, where he thanked the management of Michael ‘Babs’ Keating, Donie Nealon and Theo English.

The famine in Tipperary was over.

Clare lay the ghost at last (1995 Clare GAA Retro GAA Jersey)

Clare 1-13 Offaly 2-8

“There’s been a missing person in Clare for 81 long years. Well today that person has been found alive and well and that person’s name is Liam McCarthy.”

The words of Clare captain Anthony Daly after the Banner county defeated Offaly in the All-Ireland Hurling Final are as iconic as winning speeches in the GAA come.

That was a real silverware famine.

Under Ger Loughnane’s regime, the Clare hurlers brought a different edge to their game in 1995 and players like Davie Fitzgerald, Brian Lohan, Seanie McMahon and Co became household names.

They also recorded a famous Munster Final win that year, their first in 63 long years.

The Summer of 1995 will live long in the memories of Clare GAA people around the world and two years later the same crew returned to Croke Park and beat their neighbours, Tipperary.

Winning is a habit, they say.

Conclusion

Of course, we’re not forgetting about the great days of Donegal GAA, Kerry GAA, Kilkenny GAA and Limerick GAA too, because we’ve also got retro GAA jerseys ranges from their most memorable eras.

If you want to check them out, make sure you head over to Elverys.ie, where you can reminisce on the bygone days, or click on the following links…

We’d also love to hear your memories of all the retro GAA jerseys, so let us know in the comments below.

Intersport Elverys, the heart of GAA.

Guide to finding the best smartwatch for women

Posted on April 13, 2021 at 4:01 pm.

Written by Ger Flanagan

Ladies, if you think a smartwatch is designed solely for exercising, then read on and we’ll prove you wrong.

In fact, modern features on smartwatches make them just as beneficial to your general health and wellbeing than for exercising alone.

The newest generation of smartwatches can give you all the technology you need or want, along with all the panache that will make you stand out from the crowd, with slim profiles for smaller wrists, sleek designs and bold colour palettes.

With that in mind, this blog will take the hassle out of buying and help you find the best smartwatch for women, whatever your lifestyle or goals.

Plus, as well as all the exercise-focused features covered in our best smartwatch for running blog, our recommended watches boast useful features like:

Menstrual tracking
Stress, heart rate and sleep monitoring
Breathing exercises
ECH sensors and skin temperature readers
Electrodermal activity sensors

Interested?

As you might have read in our ultimate guide to choosing the best smartwatch blog, Garmin and Fitbits are a bit like Facebook and Instagram, built for the same purpose but appeal to two very different people.

At Intersport Elverys, we believe that Fitbits might just be the best smartwatch for women, but hey, that’s just our opinion.

If you value it, here’s why:

Best smartwatch for women (overall): Fitbit Versa

The Fitbit Versa is elegant, beautiful and packed full of wellness and exercise features to suit every budget and every need.

It’s also available in a variety of colours with interchangeable bands to match whatever outfit you choose – so don’t worry about your style being cramped!

And with a multi-day battery life, you won’t be wasting loads of time searching the house top to bottom for the charger on a regular basis!

Versatility is the name of the game when it comes to the Versa; catering for your athlete with plenty of sports features, but really coming into its own with its wellness options:

Guided breathing sessions to help you find moments of calm throughout your busy day
Female health tracking to log periods, track your cycle and gauge ovulation
24/7 heart rate tracking
Google Assistant, and Amazon Alexa Built In plus built in music experience
Interchangeable straps allowing you to find a colour that suits your outfit
Fitbit Pay, allowing quick and easy contactless payments

Best smartwatch for women (premium): Fitbit Sense

While the Fitbit Sense is the most expensive watch of the brand’s range, it offers the best options for both fitness tracking and health and wellbeing features.

Not only does it have an FDA-approved ECG sensor and blood oxygen reading, but the Sense can also measure electrodermal activity and skin temperature too – amazing!

Plus, it has a built-in GPS if you decide to go for a spontaneous run and it’s waterproof if you decide to venture for a dip.

There’s more too:

Stress management tools give a more holistic approach to your lifestyle
Your skin temperature sensors logs and tracks your results each night
Heart rate notifications to inform you when your heart rate is high or low
Sleep Stage and Sleep Score to give in-depth sleep analysis
Notifications for calls, texts, calendar events and apps
Voice assistant software and hands-free calling

Best smartwatch for women for value: Fitbit Inspire

While not packed with the top-tech like its big sisters, the Fitbit Inspire is still punching way above its weight in terms of what it offers.

As well as tracking steps, sleep and heart rate using the built in PurePulse sensor, it has accurate lifestyle features like menstrual and sleep tracking and a whopping 10-day battery life.

Plus, it has the neat little feature where it doesn’t have to be worn on your wrist and can be clipped onto your clothes instead.

What about these:

Menstrual health tracking
Guided breathing sessions for daily mindfulness sessions
Friendly reminders to get up and move throughout the day
Smartphone notifications
All day activity tracker, sleep score and swim tracker

Final thoughts

We hope you found this blog informative and goes to helping you pick the right smartwatch for you.

We’re also eager to hear your thoughts on what you think is the best smartwatch for women. So let us know if you’ve taken the plunge and purchased a smartwatch on Elverys.ie.

There’s a whole range of leading brands to choose from, and they’re almost guaranteed to change your life. So check them on the graphic below and find one that works for you.

The best smartwatch for running?

Posted on April 2, 2021 at 11:16 am.

Written by Ger Flanagan

Finding the best smartwatch for running will help you achieve that PB you’ve been aiming for all season. Or, it will help you get back on your fitness journey if you’ve fallen off the horse in recent months (don’t be worrying, it happens to us all!).

So, whether you’re that seasoned runner chasing those fine margins, or the person who enjoys a leisurely run just to clear the head, we hope this blog will help you and your fitness journey.

As discussed in our previous blog – our guide to finding the best smartwatch for you – Fibit and Garmin smartwatches cater for different people, with the latter being the preferred option for sportspeople.

If you’re wondering why, read on:

- - Highly accurate GPS monitors
  - Heart rate monitors that even work underwater
  - Water and swim resistant, if you want to cool down after a run
  - Lightweight
  - Long-lasting battery life
  - Access to lots of running data, like VO2 Max

Here’s the kicker:

Garmin smartwatches might not have the aesthetic appeal of their Fitbit counterparts, but that’s not what they’re trying to do. These are all about arming you with the right features, be it pre-run, during your run, or post-run.

We know that running can benefit your health in so many ways, but you might not have know that a smartwatch can benefit your running.

So here’s our picks.

The best smartwatch for running: Garmin Forerunner 45

Simple, elegant and affordable, the Garmin Forerunner can satisfy the beginners, bargain hunters and the more experienced runners.

For less than €200, you get a sleek design with all the frills and spills needed for your running, as well as some neat features to help off the track or trails.

Here’s the lowdown:

- - Built in GPS with optical heart rate from your wrist
  - Adaptive training plans, VO2 max as well as activity and sleep tracking
  - Body battery energy level monitoring, stress tracking, incident detection and music controls
  - Battery life that last up to seven days
  - Waterproof up to 50 metres and swim proof

In our humble opinion, the Forerunner is the best smartwatch for running, whatever your ability.

Best smartwatch for running (Elite): Garmin Venu

If you’re willing to splash the cash, then the Garmin Venu is for you.

It has a brilliant AMOLED display, impressive battery life and a full suite of fitness features that make it one of the best all-round fitness trackers on the market.

It is definitely venturing more into the smartwatch territory, as opposed to the fitness trackers, but it’s sleek style allows it to float under the radar but still pack a massive bunch in terms of features.

Here’s what it packs:

- - Stainless steel bezel with Corning Gorilla Glass protecting its AMOLED display
  - Quick release bands
  - Water resistant up to 50m and swim proof
  - Body Battery Energy Monitoring that tracks your energy levels throughout the day and finds the optimum time for your workouts
  - Pulse Ox Sensor gauges your blood oxygen Saturday during and the day and during your sleep
  - Stress, hydration and respiration tracking as well as advanced sleep monitoring
  - Built in sports apps, Garmin Coach, custom workouts, Garmin Pay and much more

Best smartwatch for running (novice): Garmin Vivofit

This everyday wear tracker proves that Garmin doesn’t just cater for serious athletes and offers a more affordable range which gives its users an everyday option instead.

While the Vivofit lacks some of the more high-tech features its more expensive cousins offer, it still has plenty of advantages such as solid activity tracking and an unbeatable battery life. It doesn’t, however, have a built in GPS, heart-rate sensor or touch screen, but it works perfectly with the Garmin Connect app.

It’s also a band-style tracker, meaning the strap isn’t interchangeable. But because it’s small and subtle, it won’t cramp the style of your shiny timepiece that you might also want to wear.

Here’s the story:

- - Coin cell battery that last up to a year
  - Water proof and swim proof
  - Enough memory to store four weeks of activity data
  - Can track time, date, steps, distance, calories burned, weekly intensity minutes and weather through Garmin Connect
  - Boasts a ‘Find My Phone’ option

Final Word

At Intersport Elverys, we stock a full range of smartwatches, some of which you can check out in the visual below.

While we focused on an athlete’s preference in this blog, there are so many more options available to you, so do you research.

If you’re out for a run this week, make sure to let us know your thoughts on the best smartwatches for running. And don’t forget to enjoy it too!

Let us know what you think in the comment section below.

The Best Food for Swimming Advice

Posted on October 4, 2018 at 10:30 am.

Written by Ger Flanagan

What should you eat before and after a swim? What should you avoid? This blog will tell you all you need to know about the best food for swimming.

Speedo have produced this blog to include the foods and snacks that let you swim for longer and faster, as well as help if you’re swimming to lose weight.

If you’re still wondering about the health benefits of swimming, check out this blog!

The Best Food For Swimming Tips

What to eat before and after swimming

Which energy-rich foods will help you swim for longer, and which are best avoided? Here’s how to eat smart, before and after swimming.

Pre-swim foods
Post-swim foods
Healthy snacks for swimmers
Swimming for weight loss
Foods swimmers should avoid
Hydration in the pool

If you’re thinking of heading out sea swimming, then maybe this blog covering All Things Sea Swimming might help?

What should I eat before a swim?

Foods that are rich in complex carbohydrates, such as wholemeal pasta, sweet potatoes and brown rice, are a great source of energy for swimmers.

A diet that contains these slow release carbs will keep you energised and help you swim for longer but they can take time to digest.

If you need an energy boost just before a swim go for a mix of lean protein and carbs – smoothies are a great way to nourish your body with all the nutrients you need, without putting pressure on your digestive system.

Just ensure you leave plenty of time (up to an hour, ideally) before you jump in the pool to avoid feeling bloated.

And if you’re swimming to lose weight, choosing a low-fat, lower-calorie pre-swim snack, or a smaller portion instead could help you ditch the pounds quicker.

What and when to eat after swimming?

Eating after exercise is important for recovery, even if you’re aiming to lose weight.

Aim to refuel your body within 20-30 minutes of swimming with a mixture of muscle-repairing protein and glycogen-restoring carbohydrates.

For a light meal, try almond butter on oat cakes, or nut butter, banana, honey and chia seeds on toast (see below for the recipe).

A good post-swim main meal might be a baked sweet potato with some lean protein like chicken, or fish.

Healthy snacks for swimmers

Dates are a great energy boosting, pre-workout snack because they’re high in natural sugars.

They are also easy to digest, so shouldn’t feel heavy in your stomach before a swim.

After a swim session, protein bars, fruit and yogurt are all good options. Swimming in the morning stokes your metabolism for the rest of the day, so keep a selection of healthy snacks with you to avoid energy lows.

What foods should swimmers avoid?

Avoid fatty foods before you dive in – they are harder for your stomach to digest and can lead to indigestion, discomfort and bloating during your swim.

Should I drink during my swim?

Yes.

Any form of exercise will make you sweat and that includes swimming, although because you’re in cool water you don’t sweat as much as on land.

Dehydration can affect your energy levels and your performance, so take a water bottle with you to the poolside and have regular sips during your session and drink plenty of water before, during and after your swim.

Post swim refuel: Nut butter, banana, honey and chia seeds on toast*

This healthy, after-swim snack tastes fabulous and has some great benefits for your body too.

Wholegrain toast with nut butter, banana slices, sweet honey and chia seeds is a quick and easy combo that will fill you up after your swim.

The nut butter and chia seeds are rich in protein to support muscle repair, the wholegrain bread and banana provide slow-release carbohydrates to replenish your energy stores and honey offers a quick-hit of natural sugars, for an instant energy boost.

Ingredients:

1 slice of wholegrain bread

1-2 tablespoons of nut butter (try peanut or cashew but make sure it’s sugar free)

½ banana

½ tablespoon of honey

A sprinkle of chia (alternatively try pumpkin or sunflower seeds)

*Allergy information: please note that this recipe contains nuts.

Disclaimer – Always consult a qualified medical professional before beginning any nutritional program or exercise program. The exercise suggestions are not intended to substitute for proper medical advice.

*Blog produced by Speedo®