Lifting the Treaty News

Produced by Aidan Ryan (PRO Bord na n-Óg) & Ger Downes (PRO Coaching & Games) ______

Newsletter April 2011, Volume 1, Issue 2

Welcome

Welcome readers once again!! On behalf of Bord Na Nog and Limerick Coaching & Games we would like again to thank you for taking the time to read this, our second newsletter! This newsletter will be produced and distributed on the first Tuesday of each month to players, coaches, club officers, parents and supporters who have an interest in underage and football in Limerick! We have decided to title the newsletter Lifting the Treaty news as this banner encompasses all codes and bodies working toward the betterment of underage hurling and football in Limerick. Huge work is ongoing, day in day out and we hope to highlight that work through this newsletter with current news articles and photographs. This month the newsletter encompasses news from all sectors of Limerick GAA as we further aim to keep you, the loyal and true Limerick GAA fan up to speed with all the happenings and news from around the county. We both will be hoping to build the base of recipients of this newsletter but for now we ask you to circulate this to as many contacts as possible as we hope to keep Limerick gaels all over the world and at home informed and up to date with all the progress that the county is making in hurling and football! To subscribe or unsubscribe to our newsletter or the provide feedback then please feel free to email us at

[email protected]

As the evenings are beginning to stretch and the weather becoming more summer like this edition is jammed packed with all the latest news from all county competitions!!

Luimneach Abú!!!

Aidan Ryan & Ger Downes (Joint editors) ------

Contents ● Féile Íomáint agus Péil update ● Limerick GAA Coaching Conference ● Underage fixture dates announced ● New County U14 Hurling Selectors ● Heartbreak for Ard Scoil Ris ● Munster GAA Child Development Programme ● Young stars shine at the ● High hopes for minor hurlers ● Over 80 coaches attended Award 1 coaching course ● The Limerick hurlers make the Division 2 final ● Limerick GAA Development draw winners ● Limerick football news

Féile na nGael Íomáint agus Féile Péil na n-Óg Update

This year’s Supermacs sponsored Féile na nGael and Feile Peil na n-Og competitions have reached semi-finals stages. For the first time, this year, a “B” competition was provided and although the winners of the “B” competitions do not advance to the National Finals, the lower grade has proved very popular and has provided some great competition.

Supermacs Féile na nGael Íomáint.

Sunday April 10th Venue Hospital

5:00pm -Boher v Na Piarsaigh

6:30pm v Doon

The semi-final line up this year is a double header in Hospital next Sunday evening April 10th with last year’s U13 finalists, Na Piarsiagh and Murroe-Boher first off at 5pm followed by Doon and Kilmallock at 6:30pm. Doon were Feile Champions in 2009 and have come through with big wins over defending champions Monaleen and South Liberties. Kilmallock, who were finalists last year had a bye in the first round and edged out Ballybrown in a tight encounter in Clarina. Murroe-Boher accounted for and and Na Piarsaigh had big wins over and .

In the ‘B competition, Claughaun are showing some great form and with victories over Ballyhoura Gaels and Glenroe are the first team through to the semi-finals. There, they await the winner of the v Old Christians replay. Garrspillane are also through to a semi-final with wins over Drom-Broadford and Granagh-Balingarry and are showing that there is momentum at underage in following their U14 Div 2 win last year. The Bouncers meet who accounted for a highly fancied St. Patrick’s team in the Quarter-final and Ballybricken in the first round.

Féile Péil na n-Óg

Monaleen, the holders are through to the final again this year following a big semi-final win over South Liberties and earlier Mungret. There, they will await either Newcastle West or Ballybrown. In the ‘B competition, Bruff are through to the final following a one point win over Granagh-Balingarry. There, they will await the winners of St. Patricks v Deel Rangers.

Huge Numbers for Limerick GAA Coaching Conference

The Limerick GAA coaching conference, which was held on Saturday 5th March in LIT College, has been herled as a major succes and is being signaled as a milestone in the development of Gaelic Games in Limerick city & county! 230 coaches registered on the day, coming from all over the county to what was one of the most positive days for development of underage hurling and football in Limerick in many years.

Above, Players from Murroe/Boher particpate in Cian O Neills practical session while Donie Buckley advises two young footballers from Newcastle-West before his session at the Limerick GAA Coaching Conference.

All winning manager opened the day with his key note address to the delegates and this was quickly followed by Cian O Neill of the University of Limerick and physical trainer to the all Ireland winning Tipperary side of 2010. His practical demonstration was the first of day and was quickly followed by that from former Limerick senior football coach Donie Buckley and Fitzgibon cup winning manager with UL and current coach to the Limerick minor hurling team, . As the evening drew in, commanded the rostrum and his address was met with rapturous applause from the 200 odd coaches whom in turn were treated to a fantastic practical demo with the Murroe/Boher under 14 hurlers while All Ireland winner Paudie Kissane delivered his football session with the Newcastle-West under 14 footballers. The last act of the day was left to Declan Aherne, a performance coach who in the past has worked with the team, and his presentation focused on techniques and practices that coaches can develop in team training sessions to help develop mental strength and focus.

All in all this was an excellent conference that received extremely positive feedback from everyone that attended. Coach education is the key for Limerick to improving playing standards and helping players reach their full potential.

Speaking in his closing address to the delegates, Limerick Coaching officer spoke of how the day had been in his eyes extremely positive "This has been a watershed day for Limerick GAA, we have been astounded by the number of coaches here today and the positive vibes that we have got from you the coaches, huge work is ongoing in Limerick day in day out and today is a testament to that." finished the two time all star who had earlier that day launched the brand new revamped Limerick GAA coaching, www.limerickgaacoaching.ie

"On behalf of Limerick Coaching and Games I would just like to say a huge thanks to you all for attending and to all the excellent people who presented here today."

Well done Joe and to one and all who put on such a fantastic day!

Iomaint agus Peil Luimneach abu!

Underage fixture dates announced

It is that time of the year again when the master fixture list dominates the conversations of club mentors and the time when parents start thinking of planning holidays to suit the GAA calendar! Below is information on the dates for the league games and blitzes for underage hurling and football.

All 8-12 leagues and blitzes are due to begin during April while Bord na n-Óg fixtures all commence in late March / early April. A broad outline of our dates and proposals for running of 8-12 blitzes and 13-16 competitions are outlined below.

Under 12 Leagues

U12s to commence with blitzes of 4 teams per venue. These blitzes will be used to assist with grading the groups in a more structured way.

Dates for blitzes: Sat 2nd April Hurling Sat 9th April Football

Venues that have 2 pitches will be used. Each team will play 3 games in the blitz.

The first rounds of the mini leagues will commence on the following dates:

April 14th Hurling 21st Football

The under 12 hurling and football league will run each Thursday evening up until the finals day which will take place in October.

U12 Hurling & Football

April 14th Hurling 21st Football 28th Hurling

May 5th Football 12th Hurling 19th Mackey Cup is scheduled 26th Football

June 2nd Hurling 9th Football 16th Hurling 23rd Football 30th Hurling

July 7th Football 14th Hurling 21st Blitz Football (for clubs willing to take part go games rules) 28th Blitz Hurling (for clubs willing to take part go games rules)

August 4th Blitz Football (for clubs willing to take part go games rules) 11th Blitz Hurling (for clubs willing to take part go games rules) 18th Football 25th Hurling

September 1st Football 8th Hurling 15th Football 22nd Hurling 29th Football

October Finals Day 15th Hurling 22nd Football

U8 & U10 Go Games Blitzes

These blitzes will be run on the same format as last year with clubs hosting blitzes during the year. However during July and August the blitzes will be organised by the GDAs in central locations for clubs who wish to participate. Clubs will have to notify the GDA of their interest in taking part on the Monday prior to the blitz taking place.

In most cases this year clubs will play in a blitz within their own cluster however some crossing between clusters will occur.

U10 blitzes are due to commence on 15.16/04/2011 with Hurling

U8 blitzes are due to commence on 29/04/2011 with Football.

U8 Hurling & Football Dates

Football Hurling

29/04/2011 06/05/2011

27/05/2011 03/06/2011

24/06/2011 01/07/2011

22/07/2011 05/08/2011

26/08/2011 02/09/2011

30/09/2011 01/10/2011

U10 Hurling & Football Dates

Football Hurling

13.14/05/2011 15.16/04/2011

10.11/06/2011 20.21/05/2011

8.9/07/2011 17.18/06/2011

12.13/08/2011 15.16/07/2011

9.10/09/2011 19.20/08/2010

7.8/10/2011 16.17/09/2011

Bord na n-Óg published its Master Fixture list and distributed hard copies to delegates at its monthly meeting on March 31st. Soft copies will also be e-mailed shortly with a downloadable copy being placed on our website.

As well as the Féile competitions now at an advanced stage, the U14 and U16 football championships have now also commenced. Below is a a broadline of Bord na n-Óg fixtures. The no of rounds may vary depending on entry no’s.

Hurling

Rd 1 Rd 2 Rd 3 Rd 4 Rd 5 Rd 6 Rd 7 Rd 8 Rd 9

U16H April April May 2nd May 9th June Aug 10th Aug 21st 11th 18th 29th

U15H Sept 5th Sept Sept Sept Oct 1st 12th 19th 24th

U14H April May May June 8th June Aug 8th Aug 13th 11th 25th 22nd 22nd

U13H April May 4th May June 6th June July 13th July 27th 20th 23rd 20th

Football

Rd 1 Rd 2 Rd 3 Rd 4 Rd 5 Rd 6 Rd 7 Rd 8 Rd 9

U16F 28th Apr 4th Apr 25th May Jul 4th Jul 11th Aug 1st Aug 15th Aug 31st Mar 16th

U15F Oct 8th Oct 15th Oct 22nd

U14F Mar Apr 27th June 1st June June Jul 20th Aug 3rd Aug 29th Sept 30th 15th 27th 14th

U13F Apr 6th May May June Jul 6th Jul 18th Aug 18th 18th 30th 13th

County U14 Hurling Selectors.

Bord na n-Óg are proud to announce that once again, Golden Vale will sponsor our County U14 hurling squads. They have been most generous to Limerick underage GAA. The selectors for the county U14 squads were ratified at a recent Co. Board meeting. The selectors for the Tony Forristal squad are: Martin Downes (Knockderry), Ger Murphy (), Aidan Mangan (Croom), Paddy Coleman (Doon). The selectors for the Sonny Walsh squad are: Richard Maher (Patrickswell), Martin Kiely (), James Bourke (Na Piarsaigh) and David Stapleton (Doon). The selectors have had a no of sessions and are finalising their squads. They will shortly go into core development in UL. Secretary Mike Rea and PRO Aidan Ryan will act as liaison officers.

Below are pictured the Co. U16 Hurling selectors with their sponsor of Supermacs. Supermacs not alone sponsor the Co. U16 Hurling squad but also sponsor our Féile na nGael competitions as well as the Ardscoil Rís Senior team..

Left to Right: Gerry O’Brien (Mungret), Conor Shiels (Na Piarsaigh), Tony Roche (Chairman), Eamonn Cregan (Claughaun), John Lyons (Supermacs, sponsor) and Patsy Hall (Adare)

Heartbreak at the final stage for Ard Scoil Ris

It was a thoroughly disappointing day for all Limerick hurling fans on Saturday afternoon last when Ard Scoil Ris came within a whisker of claiming All Ireland glory only to be denied at the death by a goal deep in stoppage time by Thomas O Hanarahan of St Kierans College Kilkenny.

On a day when the Limerick city school side did not play to their full potential, it was St Kierans who lead in the early stages of the game and held a three point advantage at half time after playing against the stiff breeze in the fist half, 1-4 to 0-4. Ard Scoil full forward Oisin Hickey restored parity within fifteen seconds of the restart with a fabulous goal and the sides remained neck & neck until fired Ard Scoil in front with minutes remaining. Indeed the Na Piarsaigh youngster doubled that lead to two one minute into stoppage time but a late goal by O Hanrahan had the Kilkenny lads in front and despite having one last goalbound push the Limerick side could not breach a mean St Kierans rear-gaurd who held on for a two point win, 2- 10 to 1-11, and All Ireland glory for the second year in a row.

This was an extremely cruel way to lose a game, more especially an All Ireland final and all Limerick supporters felt the pain of this defeat as was evident in the supporters who after the game comforted the Ard Scoil Ris players, but in defeat we as a county must not lose sight of the unbelievable journey this team and last years team have given hurling fans.

Indeed it is fair to say that the double Harty cup winners have put Limerick hurling to the forefront in the country once more and while the pain of this defeat is hard to bare at present I am sure that the experience gained will be used to good effect to turn this heartbreak into success for Limerick in the coming months and years.

On behalf of all Limerick GAA fans we say well done to Ard Scoil Ris and we compliment them on their progress and successes to date and we hope that we will see most of these young men in the green of Limerick in the coming months!

Well done boys, you have done your school, your clubs and most of all your county proud.

Pic Below - The Ard Scoil Ris Harty cup winning side of 2011

Munster GAA Child Development Programme

The Munster GAA council in association with Limerick GAA have launched the Child Development programme in thirteen clubs across Limerick. Croom, Ballybricken, , Doon, Galbally, St Kierans, , Monaleen, St Patrick's, Ballinacurra Gaels, , Blackrock and Caherline will all benefit from the new initiative which will be delivered by the full time Games Development Administrators in Limerick.

The principle behind the programme is to improve and build upon the current club structures at underage level in the clubs that have been selected over a period of visits in what is an excellent programme designed by Pat O Shea and Joey Carton on behalf of the Munster council.

These clubs will receive coaching visits, coaching packs for club coaches along with administrative assistance. The brochure attached will outline the full details of the programme. It is planned to roll out this programme over the next three years to all of the clubs of Limerick.

For more information please contact Noel Hartigan the Limerick Games Manager on [email protected]

Young Moyross GAA stars shine at the Gaelic Grounds

Children from the 2nd and 3rd classes of Corpus Christi school in Moyross got their opportunity to experience the thrill of performing their GAA skills at the Gaelic Grounds during half time of the national hurling & football league recently. The young players were part of the Croke Park RESPECT initiative that has been rolled out countrywide over the past year. During half time in both the Limerick and Cavan National league football game and the Limerick and Laois National hurling encounter, the twenty two young boys and girls and young whistler from the Northside of Limerick city played in two exhibition games organised by Gavin O’Mahony GDA and Noel Hartigan Games Manager.

This was indeed a great day out for the young boys and girls who received special

commemeratitive kit which they wore on the day, as a memento of the occasion. Well done to all concerned and a huge thanks to Tieran O Neill & Jack Kelly of Corpus Christi National school and to Denis Hagney underage hurling and football coach who assisted with the team on the day.

The young boys and girls from Corpus Christi National school who played in the half time games during the National Hurling league at the Gaelic Grounds recently.

County Minor hurlers face the Corkmen in a crucial home tie

High hopes surround Shane Fitzgibon and his charges as they face the old enemy from this April in the quarter final of the Munster minor hurling championship. The Gaelic Grounds will host what should be a titanic battle between both counties as they vie for a step toward championship honours later this summer.

The squad has been working hard over the past number of months and will this week be boosted by the returning players from the Ard Scoil Ris side who were defeated in the Croke cup final at the weekend. Warm up games against Galway, Kilkenny and Wexford have provided the management an opportunity to see the all of the squad in operation for the Cork game on Wednesday April 27th.

The Limerick management team which includes Mike Galligan, Frankie Carroll, George Lee

and Ger Cunningham as coach will be hoping that the likes of Shane Dowling (Na Piarsaigh), PJ Hall (Adare) Diarmuid Dee (Mungret), Jack Aherne (Killedy) and Mike Fitzgibon (/ Castlemahon) can turn on the stlye on the night and get help Limerick get past the Leesiders challenge.

A huge crowd is expected for what is a mouth-watering encounter and your support would be greatly appreciated for the next generation of Limerick’s finest!

Over eighty coaches turn out for Award 1 course

Over eighty coaches attended five Monday nights and one half day of training to complete 20 hours of coach education in the past month at two seperate venues in the county. Mungret and Bruff GAA played host to coaches from all over Limerick as they embarked upon the new Award 1 Youth hurling and football coaching course.

This course is designed for coaches working with youth teams as a follow on from the foundation award course. The excellent course was presented by the Limerick Coach education tutors at both venues each Monday night in a course that featured practical and class based learning each evening. The half day Saturday morning sessions were a chance for coaches to really get down to the nuts and bolts of coaching as elements of how the game is played and it is coached were teased out and put into practice.

Physical fitness, physiological focus, team play, role of the coach, playing facts, tactical prowess, communication and technical proficiency were all modules that were delved into and explored by the tutors and the coaches in this intense course over the five weeks.

Feedback from the course has been very positive and as a county we need to recognise the importance of coach education and the importance of implementing the best coaching practices and standards within our club and county teams.

Well done to all who attended as this was a major commitment on the behalf of all concerned and a huge thanks to St Nessan’s primary school and Mungret and Bruff GAA clubs.

Finally to all our coaches whom attended, let me wish you nights of happy, enjoyable coaching!!

The particpants at the Mungret Award 1 Youth coaching course

Patsy Hall (Adare), above left, demonstrating his hurling skills during the practical session, above right, Terance Kenny (Ballybrown) and (Monaleen) sharing ideas at the Award 1 Youth coaching course in Mungret.

Limerick Hurlers secure a final spot

It has been mission accomplished so far for Donal O Gardy and his team in Divsion 2 of the Allianaz National hurling league with six wins from six outings. Comprehensive victories over Clare, Westmeath, Down, Laois, Carlow and Kerry means that Limerick will now a national hurling league final against most proberbly Clare to look forward to on the May Bank holiday weekend in .

The league has been a very beneficial exercise for the Cork-man and his backroom team as he tries to find and put players back in form while unearthing new, raw talent that will boost the counties chances facing in the Munster championship.

Action from Limerick’s trip to Ballygalget to play Down in round 3 of the hurling league

Indeed O’ Grady and his charges have cruised through the campaign with Limerick’s toughest test coming in the form of a very focused Laois side at the Gaelic Grounds three weeks ago. The side have so far amassed 9 goals and 114 points while conceding 4 goals and 72 points in six games with the final game coming Sunday week when they travel to Antrim for what is sure to be a grueling encounter. But at present the team is sitting pretty with 12 points at the top of the league table.

The management team have used in access of 30 players through the campaign so far and by now they have a clearer picture of what and indeed who they need on their team facing into

Waterford in the championship in June.

For now however O Grady and company will continue their preparations in the same meticulous fashion as they have up to now, as they prepare for summer hurling!!

Limerick GAA Developemnt Draw winners for April

The Limerick G.A.A Development Draw incorporating The Mackey Stand Draw Draw took place on Friday, April 01, 2011 at The Homestead Bar, .

The April Winners were:

1st €18,000 PJ O'GRADY, PATRICKSWELL 2nd €5,000 JOE RYAN, FEOHANAGH/C'MAHON 3rd €2,000 JOHN JOE DUNNE, OOLA 4th €2,000 WILLIE RIORDAN, TEMPLEGLANTINE 5th €1,000 KATE & OLIVIA HERLIHY, FEENAGH/ 6th €1,000 EVELYN COLLINS, BALLYBROWN 7th €500 EILEEN KELLY, ST. KIERANS 8th €500 EUGENE HEHIR, NA PIARSAIGH 9th €500 KIERAN O'CALLAGHAN, TOURNAFULLA 10th €500 CHARLIE O'GRADY, KILMALLOCK 11th €250 JIM TWOHIG, HOSPITAL/H'TOWN 12th €250 MONALEEN GAA, MONALEEN 13th €250 MAURICE O'CONNELL, FR. CASEY'S 14th €250 MICHELLE COUGHLAN, BANOGUE 15th €250 JOHN HEUSTON, OOLA 16th €250 SR. CATHERINE LENIHAN, 17th €250 HELEN HARNETT, TOURNAFULLA 18th €250 CATHAL BREEN, ST. KIERANS 19th €250 MIO NOVAKOVIC, CROOM 20th €250 MIKE HAYES, FEOHANAGH/C'MAHON 21st €250 GER CASHIN & ANTHONY LONERGAN, /GLENROE 22nd €250 TIMMY O'CONNOR (JNR.), ST. PATRICKS 23rd €250 GERRY O'DONOGHUE, DOON

24th €250 TIMMY MULCAHY, NA PIARSAIGH 25th €250 JOHN & AILIN BURKE, KNOCKAINEY 26th €250 DANNY BROWNE, 27th €250 JACK RYAN, DOON 28th €250 MICHAEL HAYES, 29th €250 TIMMY CAGNEY, CASTLETOWN/B'GRAN 30th €250 VERONICA HENNESSY, 31st €250 SEAMUS & ORLA KENNY, CAHERLINE 32nd €250 MARY GILLANE, PATRICKSWELL 33rd €250 MARK & SIOBHAN FENTON, NA PIARSAIGH 34th €250 PATSY MEEHAN, RATHKEALE 35th €250 VINCENT & FERGUS ALLEN, GALTEE GAELS 36th €250 DICK MURPHY, MUNGRET 37th €250 PATRICK O'BRIEN, DOON 38th €250 JOHN BARRETT, ADARE 39th €250 JIMMY/MARGUERITE NORMOYLE, MONAGEA 40th €250 BRIAN SHEEHAN, GALBALLY 41st €250 NANCY WHEELER, KNOCKAINEY 42nd €250 FRANK BALFRY, CAHERLINE 43rd €250 DAVID NAUGHTON, /KILFINNY 44th €250 KIERAN MC MAHON, PALLASGREEN 45th €250 BRIAN COWHEY, DOON 46th €250 MICHAEL COSTELLO, CROAGH/KILFINNY 47th €250 MICHAEL FOLEY, NA PIARSAIGH 48th €250 ANN WADE, SOUTH LIBERTIES 49th €250 MARIAN LYONS, BLACKROCK BORDnaNOG 50th €250 SEAMUS LANE, FR. CASEY'S

Special Club Draw

1st €1,000 D5 STAKER WALLACE GAA

Tickets Draw 1st All Ireland Hurling Weekend A234 PAT BUCKLEY, TEMPLEGLANTINE

For any enquiries or to join the draw then please phone (061) 326500 or Fax: (061) 325099

Next Draw Friday, May 06, 2011 at a venue to be decided.

Senior footballers experience mixed league form

The Senior team play the final game in Division 3 next Sunday in NCW at 2.30 against Wexford and a win is required plus other results going our way to stay in Division 3. There then is an 8 week gap to the Munster Semi Final where we await the winners of Kerry v Tipperary. This will be in the Gaelic Grounds on Saturday 4th June. Kerry play Tipperary on 22nd May.

No luck for the 21’s

The county U21 team recently lost to Kerry in the Munster semi final on a score line of Kerry 3.15 to Limerick 2.06, the majority of the panel are eligible again next year so they have gained valuable experience. The team was Brian Scanlon; Paul Martin, Mike Sheehan, Ray O'Flaherty; Patrick Sheehan, Paul Hannon, Padraig Quinn; Tom McCarthy, Padraig Horan; Padraig Scanlon, James Kelly, Donagh Kelly; Patrick O'Donnell, Jack Donovan, Eoghan O'Connor.

The Limerick U21 Footballers who were defeated by Kerry in the Munster U21 football semi final at the Gaelic Grounds recently

Minors footballers in action this April

The Minor team play the first round of the Munster championship on Wednesday 13th May in Kilmallock v Tipperary. The Manager is Tom McGlinchy and the selectors are Garrett Noonan, Eamonn O’Neill, and James Moynihan. We wish them the best of luck. The Junior ( U24 Development squad) are currently having trials under manager Ned English and selectors Niall Crowley ( Na Piarsaigh) and Brian Kelly (Mungret). A panel will be finalised by the end of April and they play the winners of Kerry v Tipperary also on the 4th June in the Gaelic

Grounds.

Underage county football squads

The U16, a squad is currently being finalised by the management team of Mike Crowley- Monaleen, Brian O’Connell- Oola, and Diarmuid Sheedy-. Will be playing challenge matches during April, May and June with the U16 competition in early July. U15 these are working away with Mike Fitzgibbon-Mungret, Pat Keane-NCW and Liam Aherne- NCW.

All county football leagues

The All County leagues at Senior, Intermediate and Junior started last week and continue right through to early June.

The Senior and Intermediate championships start in early May, days and dates to be finalised in the near future.

Limerick GAA Football Development Fund

A draw will be held in association with Limerick GAA Supporters Club with a first prize of €1000 BUSTER DRAW on the final of the English Greyhound Derby on Saturday 11th June 2011 (result based on exact placing of greyhounds in final of derby)

Tickets €20 each - Book of 5 €100, tickets on sale today or from any Football Board officer

Your support would be greatly appreciated

We’re on the Web! Coaching & Games www.limerickgaacoaching.ie/ Bord na n-Óg

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