Primary School Blitz for Steelstown's Feeder Schools

The primary schools linked to Steelstown enjoyed their Gaelic football games day on Friday 27th February. Ashleen McCaul organised the event with the help of a few Steelstown coaches. Over 70 children tool part at Templemore Sports Complex.

Indoor Hurling in Full Swing

We're well underway with our indoor hurling programme within Derry this winter. The Under 8's enjoyed a valentines blitz, the coaches were itching to get back to their other halfs. I spotted a big bunch of Red Roses in Hinphey's car for the women; Kevin's really romantic!

The clubs were split between Swatragh GAC and Roe Valley Leisure centre, the young lads all enjoyed a great days hurling.

On Saturday the Under 10's are out, we're using the same venues from 12pm and should be finished up before 3pm.

For the Under 12's we have two blitz days planned. One on the 7th March and the other 21st March. Many of our hurling clubs are also taking part in the North Antrim Indoor League which takes place just after Christmas, the extra indoor games should be a good aid to the players development.

Kevin Kelly from Ballinascreen has recently been appointed as the Ulster Council hurling officer and he's waisted no time in organising some indoor hurling blitz's that clubs can also enter. Some are a little out of the way for Derry clubs but at least they will throw up a few new faces to play against which I think is very important particulary when we only have 8 clubs.

As part of the 125 celebrations Kevin is hosting a large Provincial blitz for Under 10 hurlers in Meadowbank, all our clubs should be taking part on the 19th April. I am actually looking forward to going and seeing someone else under pressure at a blitz, 50 teams played off in an hour and a half :) - I'm not doubting him at all, no beter man!!

Indoor Under 12 Football @ Meadowbank

The Indoor Football blitz's at Meadowbank Sports Arena Magherafelt have had their pros and cons for me. We've had 4 rounds of football since the 11th January. At each round there have been around 250 children participating. I feel it's been great to be able to use a facility like Meadowbank that can take four indoor games at one time and im sure the Under 12's have really enjoyed playing within the arena. The spectator facilities are also first class, when friends and family are in watching their team play the atmosphere is very good. To my knowledge this is one of the largest regular indoor football blitz to take place within Ireland. The addition of Rasharkin, Antrim and Creggan has also been really good.

However on the flip side a few teams have failed to turn up a few times which have left groupings a team short (this really bugs me) and in the current financial climate it is probably a little on the dear side, by the time you take into consideration a bus it can be a substantial amount of money.

The next round is to be the 8th March however Kerry are in town that day and I think everyone will be looking to get to Bellaghy to witness the top of the table clash so i'm guessing it's going to be a non-starter.

That leaves 2 remaining dates: 22nd March and 29th March. Feile na nog has started and it is going to clash with these remaining two Under 12 indoor dates. I know some of the bigger clubs won't be affected by this however many of the smaller clubs will be depending on their under 12's for the Feile.

I think we will go with the 22nd March for those clubs who feel they can field under 12's and not depend on them for their Under 14 team. On the 29th March I hope to have the large blitz day, hopefully we can get C.C.C. to put the feile on Saturday 28th to free up the big day we had planned for the 29th. It would be a great showing on Derry's part and the GAA in general if we could have all our Under 12 teams taking part and fill the facility with spectators. The atmosphere would be something special, lets hope it happens!

Ronan Gallagher - Keeperformance Goalkeeper Clinic

A good mate of mine Ronan Gallagher is running a series of Goalkeeping Clinic's during the Easter break this year. It's a catchy name for Ronan's new venture - Keeperformance! He must have got help with that one from Catherine!

The Cookstown dates are 14th and 15th April in Mid Ulster Sports Arena. Places are limited to 30. Each 2 day clinic will cost £30 per person.

Ronan has got Ballinderry's Micky C in to help with the coaching. I know both these men well and they are both excellent coaches, it's sure to be a beneficial course for anyone taking part.

Goalkeeping is an area we don't really have time within the clubs to do a lot of serious work on, this in my opinion will be £30 well spent.

To register your player simply contact Ronan on 07734722106 or keeperformance@hotmail.co.uk

St. Anne's, Derry City Primary School Blitz

On Thursday 5th February St. Anne's held an internal Gaelic football blitz.

Over 60 P.5 children took part. Shauna McCallion, Derry Games Promotion officer organised the event and was supported by Doire Colmcille's coaches.

Ellen McFadden, pictured right was awarded January's Player of the Month

Lynco Go Games Launch

On Wednesday 19th February we launched the Lynco Go Games for 2009


Fixtures for Football and Hurling can de downloaded here: http://www.derrygaa.ie/images/stories/Downloads/2009/lynco%20go%20games%20club%20fixtures%202009.xls

Sean Dolans GAA Primary Schools Games Day

The Games Day was held on Wednesday 25th February at Old Library Trust Hall.

Schools participated:

St John's
Holychild
Gaelscoil

Rosemount

There were approx 110 children in attendance. Thanks to Ashleen McCaul Derry GAA Games Promotion Officer for organising the event and to the Sean Dolans coaches who supported her.

Club Derry Development Squads 2009

The Club Derry Development Squads have been launched for 2009 in Football and Hurling.

The new look Development Squads are set to build on the immense amount of work that had already gone on in player development to prepare highly skilled young players who will benefit not only their county but also their clubs and schools.

Squad members will be supported by an effective, well-trained workforce of coaches and other personnel, ensuring young players from across the county will be afforded the optimum opportunity to maximise their undoubted potential.

A review of the Football Development Squad structure at Under 15, 16 and 17 levels has identified 11 recommendations. These promise to provide the county’s emerging footballers the best chance of making the transition from talented youngster to successful county minor and senior footballers.

These recommendations are as follows:
Recruit top class coaches
Integrate Development Squad coaching sessions into the Derry CCC’s programme of games
Introduce a code of conduct for both coaches and players
Development squad coaches across the age-groups to work as a team
Locate some sessions in south Derry to ensure cross-county participation
Inclusion of fitness tests, educational and motivational talks
Focus on reinforcement of skills
The Under 17 squad to have close links with the minor management as minor recruits
Assure proper attention to First Aid and Physiotherapy
Financial input from players and sponsors
Review the Development Squad structure annually for continuous improvement

On the hurling front there is be even more radical change with a complete overhaul of the structure from previous years.

There will two be Hurling Development squads of one at Under 14 and one at Under 16. Every final year Under 14 and Under 16 player will be invited along with their club coaches to take part in the coaching sessions. In co-ordination with National Hurling Director Paudie Butler, guest coaches will attend sessions throughout the year. A panel of players will be selected to test their new found skills at Ulster and National blitzes. This will ensure that Derry’s young hurlers are given the greatest opportunity to develop their talent.

With substantial financial input from both Club Derry and the Derry County board the new plans will endeavour to maintain Derry’s position at the forefront games and player development.

The Coaches Working with Development Squads this year are:
Under 15 Football
Seamus Doyle – Ballymaguigan
Níall Farren – Dungiven
Sean McGuinness – Craigbane
John Downey – Glen
John Deighan - Limavady

Under 16 Football
Karl Conlan – Ballinderry
Martin Boyle – Ballinascreen
Martin McWilliams – Kilrea
Jason Muldoon – Ballinderry

Under 17 Football
Richard Ferris – Drumsurn
Paul Simpson – Doire Trasna
Declan Toner – Limavady

Under 14 Hurling
Joe McGurk – Lavey
Martin Bradley – Dungiven
Geoffery McGonigle – Dungiven

Under 16 Hurling
Michael Glover – Slaughtneil
Mark Lowry – Slaughtneil
Stephen O’Kane – Slaughtneil

As well as the coaches mentioned above the following well respected coaches have agreed to attend during the season and take a session with our young players:
Kevin Kelly Ulster hurling officer, Paudie Butler National hurling director, Kevin Hinphey Derry and Ulster railway cup hurler, Ruairi Convery Derry and Ulster railway cup hurler, Tony Scullion Ulster football officer, Philip Kerr GAA master tutor, Eugene Young Provincial coaching and games director, Micky Lynch Banagher, Terence McWilliams Ulster games manager, Killian Conlan former Derry minor coach, Niall Conway current Antrim senior football coach, Enda Gormley Derry under 21 coach, Paul McIvor former Donegal coach, Charlie O’Kane former Derry minor coach and Danny Quinn Derry all-Ireland football winner.

Conán Loughrey and Mary Gormley will be providing the players with physiotherapy and first aid treatment.

Each player who makes the final squad and agrees to adhere to the players code of conduct will have to sell three £10 tickets. By the end of the year they will receive a Derry Kit Bag, Tracksuit, T-shirt and water bottle. See pictures below:

The first trials for the Under 15 and Under 16 Football squads will take place on Saturday 7th March in Owenbeg at 10am sharp.
To register for the first trial clubs must nominate 3 players at under 15 level and 3 players at under 16 level to attend. Could club under 16 coaches please have the players name, position and date of birth to Chris Collins before Wednesday 4th March at ccollins@derry.gaa.ie or 07843232208.

The Football development squads will have three trials during March. The Under 15 squad will keep a panel of 40 and the Under 16 squad a panel of 30.
The first training session for the Under 15 and Under 16 Football development squads will be on Saturday 4th April.

More details will follow in due course regarding the football and hurling development squads schedules.

We Can Make a Difference!