Dr John Perry, Head of the Department of Physical Education and Sport Sciences (PESS) at the University of Limerick, has shared his latest insights in an RTÉ Brainstorm article exploring the psychology of performing under pressure in an All-Ireland final.
In “Why an All-Ireland final should never feel like just another game”, Dr Perry challenges one of the most common messages given to athletes before major competitions: “treat it like any other game.” While well intentioned, he argues that this approach overlooks the psychological reality of competing on one of sport’s biggest stages.
Recognising the Significance of the Occasion
According to Dr Perry, an All-Ireland final is unlike any other match. The anticipation, the atmosphere, the conversations with family and supporters, and the experience of walking out in front of more than 80,000 spectators at Croke Park make it a unique sporting occasion. Rather than trying to ignore these emotions, athletes should acknowledge them as a natural response to an extraordinary event.
He explains that feelings such as nerves, excitement and a racing heartbeat are not signs that something is wrong. Instead, they are evidence that the mind and body are preparing for a significant challenge.
From Threat to Challenge
A central theme of the article is the concept of challenge appraisal—how athletes interpret the emotions they experience before competition.
Dr Perry explains that two players can experience the same physical sensations before throw-in, yet interpret them very differently. One may see them as a sign they are not ready, while another recognises them as evidence that they are prepared for an important performance. Athletes who adopt this challenge mindset are more likely to direct their attention towards the task at hand and perform effectively under pressure.
Preparing for the Unexpected
The article also explores the value of mental preparation beyond simply visualising success.
Rather than imagining only the perfect performance, Dr Perry encourages athletes to mentally rehearse how they will respond when setbacks inevitably occur—whether that’s a misplaced pass, a missed free, conceding an early score or an unfavourable refereeing decision. Preparing for uncertainty allows athletes to remain composed, refocus quickly and continue making good decisions throughout the game.
Performing When It Matters Most
Dr Perry concludes that mental preparation is not about eliminating pressure or pretending an All-Ireland final is an ordinary game. Instead, it is about recognising the significance of the occasion, accepting the emotions that come with it and trusting the preparation that earned the opportunity to compete at the highest level.
His message to players is simple: embrace the privilege of competing on the biggest stage, expect the butterflies and trust your preparation.
As Dr Perry writes, the challenge is “not to play an All-Ireland final as though it were ordinary, but to produce their best performance precisely because they understand that it is not.”
Read the full RTÉ Brainstorm article
Why an All-Ireland final should never feel like just another game
https://www.rte.ie/brainstorm/2026/0719/1583656-all-ireland-final-psychology-players
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