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 Limerick county 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 hurling 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 Gaelic Grounds ● 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 Murroe-Boher v Na Piarsaigh 6:30pm Kilmallock 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 Mungret and Patrickswell and Na Piarsaigh had big wins over Adare and Newcastle West. 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 Bruff 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 Garryspillane following their U14 Div 2 win last year. The Bouncers meet Bruree 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 Ireland winning manager Liam Sheedy 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, Ger Cunningham. As the evening drew in, Paudie Butler 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 Munster Rugby 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 Joe Quaid 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.