Under 12 Football and Hurling Skills Winners 2009

The Derry Under 12 Hurling (Corey Reilly) and Football (Frank Dillon) skills winners 2009 pictured both receiving their tracksuit from sponsor Sports World Magherafelt

Barrett Electrical Under 13 Football Finals

Over the month of September we have been running the Barrett Electrical Under 13 Football Competition. The first round of games took place on Monday 31st August with the finals being played on Monday 28th September. 34 teams took part in the floodlit competition. On Monday the final of the B section was played between Faughanvale and Banagher.

Faughanvale having lost last years B final to Foreglen looked to have been in trouble at half time trailing the men from Feeny 0-09 to 0-01. However a superb second half display meant they just got the better of Banagher to win the title on a final score line of 3-06 to 0-11. Fair play to both teams for playing their parts in what was an extremely sporting and competitive final.

The A final took place on Monday night also in Owenbeg at 8pm. It was local rivals Glen and Slaughtneil who both progressed to the final unbeaten throughout. It was always going to be a tight game as both set of players gave their all to take the title home. At half time a goal separated the teams in Glen's favour. Throughout the second period of 20 minutes both teams had some fine chances but a mixture of good defending and a few nerves meant it was to be a pretty low scoring encounter with Glen holding on to win 1-08 to 0-07. I would like to congratulate both Glen and Slaughtneil clubs on what has been a remarkable season for both their underage teams, it's a testament to the excellent work their coaches are doing with their young players.

Thanks to Barrett Electrical Contracts for sponsoring this competition two years running. The hundreds of people that attended Owenbeg on Monday night just shows how popular this competition has become.

Also a word of thanks to the grounds men in Owenbeg and to all the clubs who let us use their pitches and floodlights throughout September, the facilities we have in Derry are second to none, this competition couldn't have run without your help. Finally thanks to all the new referee's we used during this competition, you done a fine job!

Photo's from Monday night will follow

City Oaks for Under 14 Footballers

There will be City Oaks taking place on Saturday 3rd September in Celtic Park at 10am for all Under 14 Footballers from the Derry City Council area to take part in.

Roe Valley Gaelic Practice on Saturday

Roe Valley Gaelic Practice Camp - U10 Footballers in Faughanvale GAC this Saturday 10am all clubs in the Limavady Council area are asked to send along at least 10 players, and 2 coaches that are willing to help with the coaching. Please pass this message to the U10 coaches within your club.

Gaelic Start Sessions in Lavey and Ballymaguigan

Diarmuid Scullion held a Gaelic Start session in Ballymaguigan on Friday night, 14 boys and girls took part. On Saturday Diarmuid was is Lavey where 25 boys took part. Gaelic Start sessions are aimed at delivering fundamentals to children aged 5 to 8 years old, there is also a special emphasis placed on empowering parents and coaches with the knowledge to carry out the sessions. See some photograph's below

Barrett Electrical Under 13 Football Competition

A large crowd attended Owenbeg last night to watch the 4 Under 13 games on show. The results were:
Ballinascreen 2-02 vs Glen 3-21
Slaughtneil 1-07 vs Bellaghy 0-05
Banagher 3-10 vs Foreglen 1-02
Claudy 1-03 vs Faughanvale 3-10

Glen will play Dungiven tonight in Owenbeg at 7pm. The winners of that semi final will meet Slaughtneil in the A final on Monday 28th September in Owenbeg at 8pm.
Banagher and Faughanvale both had impressive victories last night against good Claudy and Foreglen teams. They will meet in the final on Monday night also in Owenbeg at 7pm.

New GAA Coaching Awards Structure

I have attached a diagram of the new GAA coaching awards structure for more information on when the courses are taking place log onto the Derry website http://www.derrygaa.ie/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1284&Itemid=40 for more information.

Barrett Electrical Under 13 Football Competition

Results from last night’s Barrett Electrical Under 13 Football competition:
A Section:
Bellaghy 1-10 vs Loup 0-03
B Section:
Faughanvale 1-12 vs Ballinderry 1-05
Greenlough 4-08 vs Foreglen 5-10
Claudy 1-08 vs Castledawson 0-05
Banagher 3-14 vs Limavady 3-02

Fixtures:
A Section:
Quarter Finals
24th September - Ballinascreen vs Glen @ 8.00pm Owenbeg
Semi Finals
24th September - Slaughtneil vs Bellaghy@ 8.00pm Owenbeg
25th September - Dungiven vs Ballinascreen / Glen @ 7.00pm Owenbeg

B Section:
Semi Finals
24th September - Banagher vs Foreglen @ 7.00pm Owenbeg
24th September - Claudy vs Faughanvale @ 7.00pm Owenbeg

Both A and B Football Finals will be played on Monday 28th September in Owenbeg

Gaelic Practice (U10) Camp @ Ballymaguigan

Just a few photo's from the Gaelic practice coaching in Ballymaguigan delivered by Diarmuid Scullion. Diarmuid is nearing the end of his coaching programme with Ballymaguigan so if any club within the Magherafelt Council area requires any additional coaching or help to implement they're winter programmes get in touch with Diarmuid on 07821383081 or diarmuidscullion@googlemail.com

Derry U19 Vocational Schools Football Squad

If anyone is unable to attend the trial they should contact Declan Toner on Richard Ferris. Contact details are on the poster

Oak Leaf School of Excellence

On Saturday 19th September the Oak Leaf School of Excellence took place at Dungiven GAC the topic was Tackling and Blocking. Again the weather was great,50 Boys took part helped out by 13 club coaches. The players were taking oart in Tackling and Blocking exercises, the day went well with all players and coaches taking full part.

Thanks to Dungiven GAC for use of their ground in particular Brian McKeever for opening all up, to Richard Ferris and Paul Simpson who led the coaching, to all the club coaches who got involved with the coaching and finally to the young players for coming along looking forward to the seeing you all out the next day in Drum GAC on Saturday 10th October.

Under 13 Girls Football Development Day

As I’m sure many of you are aware Coiste Chontae Dhoíre will be hosting the All – Ireland Féile Peile na nOg in 2010.

The Féile Peile na nOg is a national festival of football for boys and girls under 14 years of age and is based on the GAA club unit. It is sponsored by Coca-Cola Bottlers (Ire) Ltd. since 1971. This is the longest running sponsorship in the GAA or of any other sporting event in this country or even in Europe.

Each year some 25,000 boys and girls take part in this festival in all 32 counties. London and Warwickshire also participate. When the preliminary competition is completed in each county, the winning club then travels to the host county (Derry) where they are hosted by families and engage the host club in football games. Since 1971 over 1 million boys and girls have participated in this great festival.

Féile Peile na nOg is a national movement with the primary objective of facilitating and enabling the personal, social and cultural development of young people. It also emphasises cultural and community activities, leadership and training through sport. It is recognised by the GAA as a major festival of great importance for the promotion of football among the youth of our country. Féile Peile na nOg places great emphasis and importance on proper participation, presentation, punctuality and sportsmanship. It reaches through the nation involving the whole community - clubs, schools, social and cultural groups, bands, civic and religious authorities and families. It helps to bond communities, forge friendships, provide educational opportunities and unearth new leaders.

The Derry county board, ladies football county board and the Féile organising committee are all keen to get as many girls playing football from Derry at the Féile Peile na nOg as possible. Currently we feel there are girls within the County who would like to take part in ladies football but who aren’t for whatever reason.

We are planning an Under 13 girls football development day on Saturday 3rd October in Owenbeg. We would like to invite any girls who aren’t currently playing for a team to come and take part at the development day which will involve some coaching and a blitz.

If clubs can register if they will have a team at the blitz that would be great. If any club has maybe 9 or 10 girls who would like to participate in Féile Peile na nOg but obviously don’t have enough to make a full team, register the girls who would like to participate and we can look at amalgamating teams for Féile.

This is a great opportunity to get more girls involved in ladies football, as already highlighted one of the main objectives of Féile is to forge long lasting friendships, lets everyone get behind it and make it an experience the girls will never forget.

Barrett's Electrical Under 13 Football Competition 3rd Round

The third round of the A and B section of the Barrett's Electrical Under 13 Football Competition took place this week. Here are the Results from Round 2:
Section A:
Swatragh 2-07 vs Newbridge 4-09
Bellaghy 1-06 vs Slaughtneil 3-10
Ballinascreen 8-18 vs Steelstown 0-00
Lavey 0-5 vs Magherafelt 2-08
Dungiven 0-03 vs Glen 2-13

Section B:
Ogramore 0-2 vs Banagher 9-17
Limavady 4-13 vs Sean Dolans 1-06
Ballerin 1-04 vs Foreglen 3-09
Glenullin 3-05 vs Eoghan Rua 2-05
Doire Colmcille 4-02 vs Drumsurn 3-12
Faughanvale 7-14 vs Doire Trasna 1-01
Claudy 2-18 vs Slaughtmanus 0-03
Craigbane 0-05 vs Castledawson 1-06
Ballinderry 5-14 vs Bellaghy B 0-03
Lissan vs Magilligan (Magilligan Conceded)
Greenlough 5-05 vs Kilrea 3-02

That completes the group stages. I have explained below how the quarter final draws will be made and who has made it through.

A Section
The top two teams from each group make it through to the Quarter Finals Draw. They are:
Slaughtneil
Bellaghy
Ballinascreen
Loup
Glen
Dungiven

The first two teams selected from the Quarter Finals Draw will get a bye into the Semi Finals on Thursday 24th September in Owenbeg.
The remaining 4 teams drawn against each other will play on Monday 21st September. The winners of team 3 and 4 will face team 1 in the semi finals. The winners of team 5 and 6 will face team 2 in the semi finals. Any team can be drawn against each other at this stage regardless of the group stages.

B Section
The top team from each group make it through to the Quarter Finals Draw. They are:
Banagher
Foreglen
Faughanvale
Claudy
Ballinderry
Greenlough
The two best overall runners up from groups 1,2,3,4 and 6 will join the group winners into the Quarter Finals. They are:
Limavady (+38)
Castledawson (+25)

The Quarter Finals for the B Section will take place on Monday 21st September. The winners of team 1 and 2 will face the winners of team 3 and 4 in the semi finals. The winners of team 5 and 6 will face the winners of team 7 and 8 in the semi finals on Thursday 24th September. Any team can be drawn against each other regardless of the group stages.

I am making the draw for the Q/F today (Thursday 17th September) in the front office at 3pm.

Thanks to all the teams who have taken part in this year’s Barrett Electrical Under 13 Football competition and good luck to all those through to the Quarter Finals. A special word of thanks to the clubs who have kindly let us use their pitches during dark evenings.

Oak Leaf School of Excellence

The next session of the Oak Leaf School of Excellence will take place on Saturday 19th September at 10am in Dungiven GAC. Derry minor manager Richard Ferris will deliver this session and everyone is welcome to attend. Richard would be delighted to see as many club coaches there as possible to come along and help out with the session.

Further info about the School of Excellence

The Oak Leaf School of Excellence is a program aimed at the under 14 footballer wishing to improve their game. Each session will focus on a particular aspect of the game with expert advice provided by specially invited coaches. The school will run in both north and south Derry venues.Participation in the school is free of charge but places are limited. Register as soon as possible with Chris Collins (email: chris.collins.gamesmanager.derry@gaa.ie ) or call 028 777 42990. Participants must be aged between 13 and 14. If a player is still under 12, they are not eligible to take part.

Under 8's Brighten Up Owenbeg

On Friday 11th September 53 under 8 teams took part in the final Lynco Under 8 Blitz of 2009. The weather helped bring a large crowd to Owenbeg to see the young stars of tomorrow displaying their skills. 80 games took part across the 16 pitches in what was a superb night's football and craic. Thanks to all the coaches who have worked hard throughout the year with these young players, to their parents for your continued support and to everyone else who has helped in anyway with the running of the blitz's this year.

Roe Valley Gaelic Practice Saturday 5th September

On Saturday 5th September Richard Ferris organised his first Under 10 Gaelic Practice camp under the sunshine in Limavady GAC. 69 children took part helped out by 17 club coaches, there were 7 stations around the pitch with various skills and games, it was a great start to the programme.

Just a word of thanks to a few people firstly to Limavady GAC for use of their ground, Richard Harton for taking a few photos, to Gerard O Kane, Derry senior footballer for passing a few words to the young players. Thanks to all the club coaches it wouldn't have happened without you. Finally to the young players for coming along, looking forward to seeing you all the next day.

Barrett's Electrical Under 13 Football Competition 2nd Round

The Second round of the A and B section of the Barrett's Electrical Under 13 Football Competition took place this week. Most of the games went ahead as planned. Here are the Results from Round 2:

Section A:

Newbridge 1-06 vs Slaughtneil 3-16
Swatragh 0-06 vs Bellaghy 4-08
Loup 7-08 vs Steelstown 1-04
Lavey vs Dungiven (To be rearranged)
Glen 2-13 vs Magherafelt 2-07

Section B:
Limavady 0-06 vs Banagher 1-09
Ogramore 1-07 vs Sean Dolans 1-09
Ballerin 2-07 vs Eoghan Rua 1-01
Glenullin 1-06 vs Foreglen 2-04
Doire Colmcille 4-09 vs Doire Trasna 1-00
Faughanvale 9-12 vs Drumsurn 1-04
Claudy 3-02 vs Castledawson 1-06
Craigbane 1-06 vs Slaughtmanus 3-11
Bellaghy B vs Desertmartin (To be rearranged)
Kilrea vs Magilligan (Magilligan Conceded)
Greenlough 4-07 vs Lissan 1-06

A couple of games that weren't played in Round 1 B Section got played on Monday night. The results were:

Foreglen 4-05 vs Eoghan Rua 1-03
Glenullin 1-09 vs Ballerin 3-07

The Road to Croker indoor Under 12 football and hurling

This year’s Under 12 winter programme will consist of an indoor football / hurling competition, “The Road to Croker”. All clubs who take part in the competition and conform to the set guidelines will be entered into a free draw whereby one lucky club will win a day trip to Croke Park courtesy of Club Derry.

Each club is expected to implement a 5 week competition, playing “The Road to Croker” one night a week and imposing the set conditions on the games each week. Clubs will run off these 5 internal blitzes and we will finish the programme by bringing the clubs together to play against each other in an external blitz.

Clubs can play their own competition at either 4, 5 or 6-a-side, depending on hall size and numbers etc. Below is an example of how to play a 5-a-side competition for a panel of 25 players;

25 players split into 5 equal teams of 5-a-side. Cork (Red Bibs), Armagh (Orange), Dublin (Blue), Meath (Green), Kerry (Yellow).

Cork v Armagh
Dublin v Meath
Kerry v Cork
Armagh v Dublin
Meath v Kerry
Cork v Dublin
Armagh v Meath
Dublin v Kerry
Meath v Cork
Kerry v Armagh

Matches are 6 minutes in duration with no half time and the next two teams should always be ready to start as soon as the match is finished. This means each player gets 24 minutes of high intensity football and players should rotate positions each game thus learning the necessary skills for that position.

Each week there will be a different condition imposed on the games to aid the development of different skills and to encourage the children to practice at home in their free time.

Examples of Conditions:
Week 1 – Hand passing only, only scores fisted over the bar count, weak hand counts double
Week 2 - Scores with weaker foot count double (Encourage scoring with weak foot)
Week 3 - A goal is worth 1 point whilst over the bar is worth 3 points (Encourage point taking)
Week 4 - Weak foot only (Practice skills with weaker foot)
Week 5 - No Touch rule (Increase speed of thought and teamwork)

At the end of the games each week, clubs can inform the players what the condition will be on the following weeks' games. For example, at the end of of week 1, tell the players that next week scores with weak foot count double and so they should spend the week practicing with their weaker foot. Coaches could also make this the aim for that weeks coaching session.

Due to a number of different factors such as playing numbers, time allowed in the hall and hall size, each club may run their programme slightly differently in order to make the best use of this 'The Road to Croker' concept, and we in the county coaching positions will support and advise each club on how best to run their programme. If a club wants to get involved but only have 10 children say who would be eligible to play we can pair some clubs up providing we have access to a hall.

The cost of this programme is to be minimal to clubs. We would envisage most clubs using parish or club halls.

After Christmas we will look at running an indoor league in Meadowbank again however I do appreciate there is a substantial cost to clubs.

If your club will be taking part in The Road to Croker send me an email as to when you plan to start the competition. Where possible we will try and give clubs a hand to get the competition started

Kind regards,
Chris

Watty Grahams Glen lift Ulster Óg Sport

The annual Ulster Og Sport took place in the Naomh Mhuire club, Co.Tyrone on Saturday 5th September. This is a Under 15 seven a side competition that includes the county winners throughout the province.

Below is the list of results from the competition:
Ulster Og Sports Results 2009:
Group 1: Cloughaneely 3-04 vs Pearse Ogs 0-05; Ardoyne Kickhams 1-01 vs Cloughaneely 0-06; Pearse Ogs 1-08 vs Ardoyne Kickhams 2-03
Group 2: St Patricks Donagh 1-03 vs Monaghan Harps 2-05; Rostrevor 5-06 vs St Patricks Donagh 0-01; Monaghan Harp 0-02 vs Rostrevor 3-05
Group 3: Cavan Gaels 1-04 vs Watty Grahams Glen 1-07; Naomh Mhuire 0-04 vs Cavan Gaels 1-02; Watty Grahams Glen 0-07 vs Naomh Mhuire 0-05

SHIELD COMPETITION:(Main Competition)
Semi Finals: Cloughaneely 2-03 vs Rostrevor 1-04; Watty Grahams Glen 1-04 vs Cavan Gaels 0-01
Final: Watty Grahams Glen 1-07 vs Cloughaneely 0-03

Well done to Glen on lifting the Ulster Title. Congratulations to all the players and mentors involved.

Greenlough enjoy Gaelic Performance session with Diarmuid Scullion

Magherafelt district GPO took the Greenlough Under 12's on Friday night for a Gaelic Performance session working on some drills to improve skills and small sided games.
All the players really enjoyed it!

Ballinascreen Gaelic Start Taster Camp

What is the Gaelic Start Programme?

It's a full 16 week programme whereby coaches will go into clubs and demonstrate good practice with children aged 5 to 8 years old. Children will develop their fundamentals and learn sport specific skills related to Gaelic Football, Hurling and Camogie. The programme is as much to encourage new volunteers / coaches to come and take part and develop as it is about the children.

Last week we offered the Gaelic Start taster Programme to Ballinascreen, 53 children took part in what was a really enjoyable few days for all involved. Thanks to the club for being as helpful as they were and to all the coaches from Ballinascreen who volunteered their time to help out.

From September we hope to run the Gaelic Start programme in it's entirety in six clubs before Christmas and six clubs after Christmas.

Diarmuid Scullion at Ballymaguigan

Diarmuid Scullion is currently running a coaching programme for Under 12 Footballers in Ballymaguigan and Greenlough. The weather hasn't be too kind to him yet though. Photo attached of some brave Ballymaguigan children who attended the coaching session on Friday night despite the elements:

Barrett's Electrical Under 13 Competition 1st Round

The first round of the A and B section of the Barrett's Electrical Under 13 Football Competition took place this week. Despite the poor weather conditions most of the games went ahead as planned. The results were as follows:

Section A:

Bellaghy 5-09 vs Newbridge 0-01

Swatragh 0-10 vs Slaughtneil 4-12

Ballinascreen vs Loup - Loup didn't field, Ballinascreen gain the points

Magherafelt 4-09 vs Dungiven 5-08

Lavey 1-02 vs Glen 4-13

Section B:

Ogramore 1-08 vs Limavady 11-06

Banagher 2-12 vs Sean Dolans 1-01

Drumsurn 4-10 vs Doire Trasna 3-03

Faughanvale 3-09 vs Doire Colmcille 1-03

Castledawson 4-17 vs Slaughtmanus 2-00

Craigbane 1-03 vs Claudy 3-08

Ballinderry vs Desertmartin - Desertmartin conceded the points

Lissan vs Kilrea - Lissan didn't field, Kilrea gain the points
Greenlough 5-05 vs Kilrea 3-02

Games to be rearranged from Round 1:

Foreglen vs Eoghan Rua - Unplayable pitch

Glenullin vs Ballerin - Unplayable pitch

Greenlough vs Magilligan

Lynco Under 10 Go Games Football

On Sunday the 30th August we ran our final Lynco Go Games Under 10 Football blitz at Owenbeg. The blitz was very well attended, there were some excellent displays of football throughout the day. Thanks to all the coaches we I dealt with at Under 10 level this year, it was a pleasure working with you all.

Under 12 Hurling Skills Test Sponsored by Sportsworld and Club Derry

On Tuesday 1st September we held our Under 12 Hurling Skills test in Owenbeg. The winner was Corey Reilly from Kevin Lynch's with 180 points.

Corey will receive a Derry tracksuit sponsored by Sports World Magherafelt. The four runners up were Ciaran Steele Kevin Lynch's (150), Eoin McGonigle Kevin Lynchs (150), Connor McCrystal Lavey (140) and Eoin Gilmore Ballinascreen (150). All five boys recieved a T-Shirt sponsored by Club Derry. They will now represent Derry at the Ulster Under 12 Skills competition on Saturday 12th September 10.30am in Mid Ulster Sports Arena, Cookstown. Good luck lads.