This study evaluated changes in performance indicators within winning and losing elite Gaelic football teams. Seven game statistics and 83 technical and tactical variables were measured during 24 games. Game statistics showed a significant decrease in ball in play time and increase in stoppage time between the first and second halves and between the first and fourth quarters. Significant differences between the first and second halves were evident in 10 variables (3 positive: 7 negative) in winning teams compared to 16 variables (4 positive: 12 negative) in losing teams. When the fourth quarter was compared to the first, significant differences were also found in 8 variables (negative) in winners and 23 variables (11 positive: 12 negative) in losers. Although certain technical and tactical variables improved in winners during halves and in losers during halves and quarters, when overall performance is evaluated across both match periods, decrements were more pronounced in both winners (15 vs. 3) and losers (24 vs. 15). Both winners and losers experienced significant reductions in the frequency of team possession in the fourth quarter. Losers also demonstrated significant declines in total time in both team and individual player possession from the first to the second half and in passing (hand and kick) profiles across both halves and quarters. There was a significant increase in the percentage of successful free kick passes by winners in the second half and an increase in successful free kick passes and kick outs in losers in the fourth quarter. Both winners and losers reported significant reductions in turnover variables across halves and quarters. Defensive efficiency declined significantly in winners across match periods, which coincided with the significant increase in attacking efficiency of losers in the second half and fourth quarter. The attacking frequency declined significantly in winners in the second half and the fourth quarter and attacks originating in defense were also significantly lower in both winners and losers in the second half. Although both positive and negative differences were observed in the temporal changes exhibited by winners and losers across the match periods examined, the findings demonstrate that winners did not experience the same extant of technical and tactical performance decrement as losers, which partly explains the match outcomes associated with these games. In conclusion, knowledge of these temporal changes can be used to inform current preparation practices to enhance technical and tactical components and optimize match performance strategies.

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