Oak Leaf School of Excellence Saturday 23rd January @ Limavady GAC

56 players from 12 different clubs attended the Oak Leaf School of Excellence at Limavady GAC on a chilly Saturday morning. The focus was skill technique. They were put through their paces by the very capable coaches under taking their level 1 football course, overseen by Chris Collins and Richard Ferris. The morning went really well, the children were tired at the end of it but they seemed to really enjoy it from the feedback they gave.
The following players have taken their first step to earning the new Club Derry Jersey:

Dungiven: Fintan McGilligan, Conor Granliss, Seoine O' Donnell, Ronan O' Kane, Rory Ballard, Michael McCloskey, Oran McGonigle, Cahir Mullan, Ciaran Steele, Conor Owen, Oran Downey, Martin Henry, Paddy McCloskey and Padraig Judge; Faughanvale: Jamie Gamble; Greenlough: Ryan Henry, Matthew Bradley, Paul Tohill and Caolin Diamond; Limavady: Emmett Fenlan, Matthew Magee, Dillon O' Brien, Liam Boyd, Declan Clancy, Finbarr O' Brien, Conor G, Paul Aitken, Conor Hartin, Dillon McDermott and Cormac Quigley; Ballymaguigan: John Bradley, Liam Cassidy and Martin K; Foreglen: Padraig Morghan, Ruairi McFeely and Liam O'Hara; Glen: Shane Turner, Cathair Glass, Conor Glass, Cathal Mulholland, Danny Tallon and Tomas Convery; Ballerin: Bobby Mullan and Pearse McIntyre; Slaughtneil: Padraig McMullan, Donal Purvis and Conor McAllister; Desertmartin: Eunan O'Kane; Swatragh: John Walsh, Joseph Grant, Cathal Quinn, Sean Quinn, Patrick Kearney, Francis Kearney and Patrick Turner; Drum: Gabriel Farren.

Thanks to all the coaches for doing their bit, to Limavady GAC for hosting the event and providing refreshments and to the players for attending. The next Oak Leaf School of Excellence is on Saturday 27th February 10am – 12 noon @ Castledawson GAC

Unfortunately the City Oaks had to be cancelled on Saturday morning due to Celtic Park health and safety team deeming the pitch unplayable due to frost. The next City Oak’s will also take place on Saturday 27th February @ Celtic Park.

City Oaks @ Celtic Park

There was a good turn out for November's City Oaks held in Celtic Park. Thanks to all the players who came out and to Paul Simpson for delivering the session.

City Oaks

Some photo's attached from the City Oaks session that took place on Saturday 3rd October in Celtic Park delivered by Paul Simpson:

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.

City Oaks Football with Philip Kerr

On Saturday 1st August the 2nd session in the City Oaks Football programme was delivered by Philip Kerr. 40 players from clubs within Derry City Council took part in the session assisted by Derry Coach's Diarmuid Scullion and Francis Scullion. The focus of the morning was attacking play. All the players who attended obviously were keen to improve and learn, it was a very enjoyable session for everyone involved.

A special word of thanks to Philip for delivering the session with his usual efficiency and enthusiasm!

City Oaks Football with Barry Dillon

On Saturday 18th July the City Oaks Football programme got underway. 22 players from clubs within Derry City Council took part in the session led by Derry Under 21 Coach Barry Dillon and assisted by Paul Simpson, Emmett Stewart and Chris Collins. The focus of the session was defensive play. I sure the players and coaches really enjoyed the session at Celtic Park. Some pictures below:

City Oaks Football

The City Oaks is a new program aimed at under 14’s within the Derry City Council area wishing to improve their game. Each session will focus on a particular aspect of the game with expert advice provided by specially invited coaches. Club coaches will also be invited to attend the sessions, join in with the coaching and ask questions at the end. The City Oak’s programme will be run in the impressively refurbished Celtic Park.

The first session for footballers will be held on Sat 18th July, 11am at Celtic Park and will focus on Defensive Play . The session will be conducted by Derry Under 21 Football Coach Barry Dillon.

Participation is free of charge thanks to support from Club Derry but places are limited. Can clubs please get a grasp as to how many players they will have attending and register with Chris Collins (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. Please note the City Oaks programme is only for clubs from within the Derry City Council area.
The other dates arranged are:
1st August 11am – Philip Kerr Topic: Attacking Play
5th September 11am – Niall Conway Topic: Retaining Possession