Roe Valley GAA Halloween Blitz

On Friday 30th October the young Gaelic footballers from Limavady district council area took part in an Under 12 and Under 14 indoor blitz at Roe Valley Leisure centre. Over 120 children took part in the indoor Gaelic football followed by a splash in the swimming pool courtesy of Limavady sports development department. Richard Ferris, GAA Games Promotion officer for the area said “it’s great to see so many young footballers in the area taking part, the speed of some of them games were unbelievable.” Richard also thanked the club coaches, many of whom took the day of work so that their club could be represented. Finally a word of thanks to Clare Devlin and Martin Burke who assisted with the refereeing and to Roe Valley Leisure centre for the use of their excellent facility.

Some of the coaches and Limavady GPO, Richard Ferris

Dungiven U14 Footballers

Faughanvale Under 14 Footballers


Foreglen Under 14 Footballers

Limavady Under 14 Footballers

Banagher Under 14 Footballers

Dungiven Under 12 Footballers

Limavady Under 12 Footballers

Faughanvale Under 12 Footballers

Foreglen Under 12 Footballers

Gaelic Start Programme begins at Banager G.A.C.

Wednesday night was a successful parent and coaches meeting in Banagher to discuss their Gaelic Start Programme. There was 20 women and 18 men at the meeting, mostly parents. Ben McGuckin and Clare Devlin delivered a powerpoint presentation and demonstrated the stations. We'd expect at least 60 kids next Tuesday night for their first session. We feel we will have the parents involved too. It's running for 6 Tuesdays before Christmas.

T.A.R.G.E.T. GAA Collection

I would like to thank all of the schools and clubs who contributed to the target collection. We gathered thousands of pounds worth of jerseys. Derry County Board also bad a sizable contribution of footballs. T.A.R.G.E.T. will have a lorry load of stuff to take to five villages in Hungary. The lorry will depart later this week.

Pictured above are Hollybush Primary School, Derry who made a massive effort to donate so many jerseys to the appeal. Pictured are some of the pupils and Mrs Dunne, school principal who donated £100 to T.A.R.G.E.T.

Geraldine McCoy, chairperson commented that the GAA were by far the most generous organisation to help with their groups collection, so well done!

Gaelic Start Workshop

This Gaelic Start workshop went well parents from 4 clubs- Sean Dolans, Na Magha, Steelstown and Doire Trasna attended they all enjoyed the craic and got some confidence in what to do back at the club sessions.

Primary 5 Derry City Fundamentals Blitz

On Friday 23rd October there was a Primary 5 GAA blitz in Templemore, 4 schools and 91 children took part in a throw and catch game, 5 a-side. Students from NWRC assisted with refereeing, co-ordinating and time-keeping as well as Joe McKane, Sean Dolans. Feedback was great from the teachers and staff and the children really enjoyed themselves.

Year 8 Derry City Football Blitz

On Friday afternoon the first of this year's Yr. 8 Derry City blitzs took place in Templemore, only 2 were able to attend. Still we had 5 teams there and played 10 matches of Super 9's across the pitch, 56 players took part. There was 12 GAA clubs represented by the various teams. The weather was a bonus and both schools brought sixth form students to assist. Help was also provided from Sean Dolans coaches which was greatly appreciated.

Roe Valley Halloween Blitz Day

North Derry Indoor Primary School KS2 Football Blitz

On Tuesday at Roe Valley Recreation Centre, Limavady the Key Stage 2 indoor Gaelic Football Blitz took place coordinated by Richard Ferris, GPO for the area. This event has proved to be very popular over the last couple of years and this year was no different. 29 teams took part from schools in and around the Limavady area. 203 children enjoyed the days football immensely, with 127 games taking place across the three halls. Obviously a day such as this doesn't happen without the help of the teachers, 23 of whom helped with the smooth running.

Three sixth form students from St. Mary's Limavady refereed the games. Thank you to Michael McGonigle,Sean McGonigle and Ciaran McIntyre. Finally a big thank you to all the players who took part from 10am to 2pm, it was plain to see how much craic they were having and some of the skill levels on show was exceptional. Pictured below St. Mary's Altinure and Faughanvale Primary Schools.

Primary 5 Derry City GAA Blitz

On Friday 16th November Paul Simpson Derry GPO, organised a P.5 GAA blitz in Templemore sports complex. 71 children played a simple throw and catch game scoring by knocking over a cone inside the scoring zone. The 5 a-side games were played on 2 pitches. Joe McKane, Sean Dolans assisted with the refereeing. Thanks to all the children and their teachers for taking part.

FUNdamentals Course @ Lavey GAC

On Saturday morning 24 lavey Under 6 boys were put through a FUNdamentals coaching session by Diarmuid Scullion with assistance from DENI coaches Rurai Convery and Ben McGuckin. This session included FUNdamental skills stations and small-sided games for kids. The boys really enjoyed the session as did the viewing coaches from Lavey club. Any clubs in need of assistance with their winter coaching programme please contact Diarmuid Scullion 07821383081

Roe Valley Gaelic Practice (U10) Camp

Roe Valley Gaelic Practice Camp(U10's) in Magilligan GAC Saturday 24th October 10am all clubs 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 Coaching Seminar on Wednesday 21st October

The only Coach Education Course that will be taking place next week is:
Wed 21 Oct: Gaelic Start Coaching Seminar @ Old Library Trust, Derry 8.00pm

Ulster GAA have developed a new Gaelic Start Programme, over the summer we have run a taster of this programme in a number of clubs.

What is it?
• The aim of this programme is to help parents and coaches plan and implement a Gaelic Start and Fundamentals programme in their clubs.
• The Gaelic Start programme will cover the first two stages of the LTPDP i.e. Active Start – 3 to 5 yrs. and the Fundamentals 6 to 8/9 yrs.
• A specific programme of skills and activities have been developed on user friendly cards for coaches with little or no experience

The purpose of Wednesday night will be to demonstrate the Gaelic Start programme and run through the various activities. We would hope that parents and coaches working at this age group will attend on Wednesday evening, go back to the club and implement it with their 4 – 8 year olds. Everyone is welcome to attend. Free feel to turn up and come ready for a bit of light exercise and plenty of craic

Coaching Courses held this week

On Tuesday night 36 boys from Bellaghy Under 12 panel were put through a coaching session entitled 'Conditioned Games for Kids' delivered by Magherafelt GPO Diarmuid Scullion. This was part of Derry's coach education programme and 45 coaches turned up to observe. Feedback from the coaches has been very positive. Thank you to Limavady GPO Richard Ferris, and Bellaghy club coaches Sean Mc Erlean, Raymond Craig and Martin Mc Faul as well as to the boys who took part in the session.

On Friday and Saturday 18 coaches completed their child protection and foundation football awards held at Foreglen GAC. Chris Brown led the child protection course and Chris Collins delivered the foundation football. The coaches came from clubs right across the County and will no doubt be helping out with underage teams in their clubs next year. Thanks to Foreglen GAC for hosting the course in their superb new facility.

Ballymaguigan Road to Croker

Ballymaguigan started their Road to Croker programme on friday evening, with their U13 girls taking part. The girls were split into 5 teams of 4-a-side and had a really enjoyable evenings football. Any other clubs needing help to implement their 'Road to Croker' can contact Diarmuid Scullion on 07821383081.

Oak Leaf School of Excellence @ Drum

U14 School of Excellence at Drum GAC Topic Catching and Kicking. Again the weather was great, 51 Boys took part helped out by 14 club coaches we had two parts one on Catching and the other on Kicking two simple but very important skills a great day with coaches and players taking full part
A few thank you's:
Drum GAC for use of their ground (Cormac Mc Closkey for opening).
Paul Simspon for helping out with the coaching on the day.
Liam O Kane for taking a few photos.
To all the club coaches who assisted
Finally to the young players for coming along look forward to the next day - Saturday 31st October at Foreglen GAC

Fundamentals for Kids - Coaching Course

22 coaches took part in the Fundamentals Course that took place in Roe Valley Leisure Centre, Limavady on Wednesday evening.
The course went well, everyone who attended enjoyed the course. Diarmuid Scullion Magherafelt Gaelic Games Officer assisted Richard Ferris with the course. Thanks to Limavady Sports Department Manager Ollie Mullan for the use of the hall and to all the coaches who took part.