Wednesday 8th July 2009
Bus Pitch Up Points
Castle Car Park – 8.30am /Maghera Flyover 8.45am /Castledawson Roundabout 9.00am /St. Pius 9.05am /Cookstown Tyre Centre 9.20am
Arrival
All buses and spectators' cars should park in the Cusack Stand Car park. Croke Park security staff will be responsible for supervising the car park and all those entering the carpark must adhere to any instructions from security. Entry to the Cusack Stand car park is via Clonliffe Road and St James' Avenue.
The Cusack Stand Changing Rooms will be used throughout the day. There are two changing rooms and the Warm Up Room can also be used for changing. After changing all teams are strongly recommended to remove all their gear from the changing rooms and leave in their buses until after the blitz is over. Please also ensure that the bus is locked and all gear is secure.
The Games
All teams will play two games of 20 minutes each way, with a quick turnaround at half time in each game. Teams are not permitted to leave the pitch at half time
Counties should please note that this is a fun blitz, with the emphasis on participation not winning.The blitz must run on time to ensure that everyone enjoys the day. It will therefore be necessary to reduce the playing time if teams are late. Teams that are not playing are asked to remain seated in the Cusack Stand.
Blitz Format
12.20 Armagh V Fermanagh
13.05 Fermanagh V Derry
13.50 Derry V Armagh
Team Photographs
There will be an opportunity for spectators/parents to take team photographs at the end of each blitz. Photos will be taken at the sideline and photographers must remain in the Cusack Stand to take their photographs
Food
All players must bring a substantial packed lunch to keep you going during the day. The bus will stop in the Glenavon on the road home at approximately 6.30pm. We are responsible for clearing up any mess that we make so I would ask all mentors to ensure that the teams and spectators use the bins provided.
Museum and Stand Tours
2.45pm - Max 115 with 10 mentors – Armagh, Fermanagh & Derry
Mentors will be expected to act in a supervisory capacity and assist the tour guide with the group. The museum visit & stand tour would take one hour in total. Parents are not entitled to join the museum and stand tours that have been organised for the teams
Departure
The bus will leave Croke Park at 4pm, stop at the Glenavon at 6.30pm and should be back in Dungiven at 8.00pm
The 2009 GAA Vhi Cúl camps are in full swing for the Summer. Last week we had camps at Greenlough, Glen and Castledawson. This week Lissan, Kilrea and Slaughtneil are hosting theirs. So far the numbers are on a par with last year if not greater. Some pictures below:
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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. 
Well done to all the players and everyone involved with Slaughtneil at the Feile Na nOg in Kildare over the weekend. To get knocked out in the semi finals against Ballyboden from Dublin who went on to win the competition is dissapointing I'm sure for the players, but when you consider the size of Ballyboden compared to that of Slaughtneil parish it put's the scale of the task into perspective and you give it one hell of ago by all accounts. You've done Derry proud lads
St. Canice's Dungiven ran a week for P1 / P2 school children to come for a week's coaching organised at the club at the beginning of July. There were 36 kids each day who were put through their paces by some of the clubs senior players. Well done to everyone involved! Pictures attached.
