WEST CORK NEWS
The following players are currently part of a 29-man ‘Cork West’ U15 football squad which is currently in training for the inter-county tournament on July 16th next, in Millstreet. In preparation, they will play a Cork U16 selection in CIT on this Saturday, June 25th in CIT, followed by a fixture versus their city counterparts on Thursday, June 30th. A panel of over forty players has trained at their base in Rossmore over the last few months under Charlie Wilson, Billy Twomey, Kevin O’Driscoll and James McCarthy (pictured).
Panel: Murt Kennelly, Newcestown; Colm O'Driscoll, Castlehaven; Alex Hasset, Ilen Og; Cian O'Donovan, Clonakilty; Sean O'Leary, Bantry; Cian Healy, Newcestown; Michael Hurley, Castlehaven; Conor Nolan, Castlehaven; Joe White, Clonakilty; Eddie O'Sullivan, Colm Og; Chris Moynihan, Gabriel Og; Martin Collins, Kilmacabea; Diarmuid O'Callaghan, Kilmacabea; Damien O'Gorman, Kilmeen; JP Maughan, Clonakilty; Kevin Whooley, Kilmacabea; Jonathan Mulcahy, St. Brogans; Cathal Nyhan, Pedlars Cross; Darragh Casey, Ilen Og; John Mullins, Eire Og; John Poland, Ballinora; Denis Murphy, Eire Og; Greg Long, Aghabullogue; Peter Worth, Inniscarra; Barry O'Leary, Iveleary; Sean O'Donoghue, Inniscarra; Michael Desmond, Cill Na Martra; Mike Dineen, Naomh Aban; Aaron Raw, Inniscarra.
Meanwhile, on Saturday July 9th, this squad will reassemble at 10.30am for training in Rossmore, where they will be joined by the extended Carbery-Beara squad which contains the following 25 players:
Panel: Conor Lowney, Urhan; Stephen Holland, Colm Og; Jason Jordan, Newcestown; Euan Tobin, Kilmacabea; Tim Cronin, Bantry; Odhran Connolly, Kilmacabea; Damien O'Brien, Carbery Rangers; Liam O'Brien, Kilmeen; Darragh McCullagh, Clonakilty; Edward Ahern, St. Brogans; Mark Lynch, Clonakilty; Eoin O'Brien, Pedlars Cross; Shane McDermott, Kilmacabea; Daniel O'Driscoll, Ilen Og; Sean O'Donovan, Ilen Og; Darren O'Donovan, Mizen Rovers; Eoin Lynch, Bantry; Eoghan Deasy, Clonakilty; Cathal O'Donovan, Argideen Rangers; John Hodnett, Carbery Rangers; Csaba O'Mahony, Castlehaven; Greg O'Sullivan, Muintir Bhaire Og; Eamon Barrett, Kilmeen; Connor O'Mahony, Clann na nGael; Stephen O'Sullivan, Glengarriff.
Later this summer, Carbery-Beara will field two teams in the inter-divisional tournament from the 44 players listed in their quest to continue last year’s dominance at U14, U15 and U16 level.
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Lee Flag Presentations
At a recent ceremony in Pairc Ui Chaoimh, seven Carbery clubs received Lee Flag awards in recognition of their sterling work at underage level. This project, which was launched in 2010, contained a wide range of key targets for a progressive underage setup, such as schools coaching programmes, the provision of coaching officers, number of qualified coaches etc. The following clubs from Carbery received cheques from Cork County Board on the night as well as a flag to be raised at club grounds in recognition of their achievements: Kilbrittain, Kilmacabea, Kilmeen & Kilbree, Clann na nGael, Castlehaven, St. Brogans, Bantry. Details of this year’s programme are posted on various websites. Pictured; Kevin O’Donovan, Carbery Beara GDA, Jerry O’Sullivan, Chairman Cork County Board, Phil Murphy, St. Brogan’s GAA.
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U8 Play & Stay Launch
The U8 Play & Stay programme was recently launched in Pairc Ui Chaoimh, with over 40 Cork clubs receiving equipment packs and details of the programme of fixtures. Over the summer months, participating clubs will meet up for Fun blitzes and games in both hurling and football. Three groups have been set up in West Cork, involving the following clubs; Kilbrittain, Argideen Rangers, Barryroe, St. Brogan’s (all hurling); O’Donovan Rossa, Ilen Og, Gabriel Og, Mizen Rovers (all football); Urhan, Garnish, Glengarriff, Castletownbere, Adrigole (all football).
A coaching and games programme for 6 to 12 year old in West Cork
Given the wide range of issues which have arisen with changing underage structures recently and the dispersed geographical area of Carbery and Beara, a monthly forum for clubs to voice their opinions and ideas in regards to both coaching and games programmes for 6 to 12 year olds in West Cork was recently proposed.
It would operate as a subcommittee (chaired by Kevin Greene) of the existing regional underage board which is currently chaired by Aidan O’Rourke and any proposals would be forwarded to its secretary Eddie Moloney and the committee for consideration. I believe that, given the pressure that all officers are currently under to complete fixture programmes from U13 to U18, this new subcommittee would allow more time for discussion on a suitable games format for the 6-12 year old group in particular.
Given that there is now a clear divide from 12 year old downwards, with no championships and therefore no county deadlines etc, allowed under general rule, this committee would initially focus on the many challenges facing coaches in terms of playing numbers, the layout of pitches, appropriate levels of competition etc. Subsequently, monthly meetings could cover other games development areas such as coach education, schools programmes, coaching plans etc. The following points were recorded at the first of these meetings.
Date; June 16th, 2011. Venue; Sam Maguire Park, Dunmanway
Agenda; U12, U10, U8 Games Programmes
Present; Western Region Committee, Kevin O’Donovan GDA, Club officers and coaches.
U12 Games Programme
Motion; “GAMES in U12 and younger age groups shall be organised on the Go Games model with teams being a maximum of 11-a-side and structured to ensure that all participants get to play in the full game.
At U12 level, competitions may also be organised on a mini-league format on the basis that the teams are a maximum of 11-a-side and that provision is made for all members of the team panel participate in the game.”
(i) Competition Structures
There was a majority view that an element of competition was required as an incentive for players. It was accepted that bringing back championships was off the agenda for now, however a league format with each team guaranteed a league final in both football and hurling would allow a moderate level of competition.
A number of coaches expressed satisfaction with the current fixtures, however most coaches felt that we had moved too far from the old model. Therefore, the commitment of players had fallen thus allowing other codes to encroach further upon the GAA playing season. Yet it was agreed that if the bad behaviour seen on sidelines previously, re-emerged, leagues would have to be reviewed once more.
Also, it was pointed out that there remained a contradiction between competitive structures and giving everyone a game. Therefore it was decided that no U10s should play in the soon to be organised U12 end –of-year leagues. However, if a club could not comfortably reach 11 players, they could seek permission of the board to use younger players.
The contrast with the highly competitive structures in place for Sciath na Scol was noted, however as these competitions are U13, they are not directly affected by the motion in question.
The difficulty in fielding teams at U12, U13 and U14 level within four days was noted. Due to uncertainty regarding U12 competitions, many clubs had entered at U13 level despite not having an abundance of players. This intensive fixture programme has come at the expense of coaching. However, the fixture programme is now largely governed by Coiste na nOg and there are deadlines on all competitions from U13 upwards.
(ii) Games Format
There was general dissatisfaction with limiting teams to 11 players, however this remains part of general rule and therefore is not up for negotiation at present. Some coaches felt that in smaller-sided games, one or two strong players could dominate more easily.
Clubs were also unhappy with fielding two teams concurrently. However, there was no clear answer from the floor with regard to the number at which a club should field two teams i.e. if a club had 16 players, should they play 2 x8 or 1 x11 with 5 subs? It was stated that some players are opposed to splitting up into two teams.
Placing a requirement on coaches to play all players, all of the time also removes the useful tool of substituting players to improve discipline.
The financial strain on clubs having to provide two sets of goalposts was noted.
The value of recording scores in U12 games for grading was noted, however in a few cases this could be skewed by the use of girls at U12 level. Of course, these girls are subsequently ineligible to play at U13 level.
A query was raised regarding the recording of scores and whether this was in contravention of the motion passed at congress. There is no problem in this regard, as there is provision for leagues under the motion.
For the upcoming league format, neutral referees were considered essential and there was dissatisfaction with the use of local referees heretofore.
The greatest difficulty this year has been matching teams with similar numbers. Clubs were asked to be more clear on the numbers available to allow appropriate groupings.
Travelling long distances also proved to be a problem for western clubs. It was agreed that this would be taken into consideration when grouping clubs for future leagues.
ACTION
All clubs who are interested in entering leagues are asked to correspond with Eddie by email before Friday, July 1st. Please supply numbers of players at U12, U11 and U10 in both codes. League fixtures and a suitable format for games will then be published at the subsequent regional board meeting on Monday, July 4th. Games are to be played on Monday nights from mid-July onwards, after the conclusion of U13 competitions.
Teams may be grouped in groups of four or six. It has yet to be decided whether to run the leagues, alternating between football and hurling or finishing one code before starting the other.
U10 Games Programme
The major issue at this age level was the pairing of teams with similar numbers. With the board having grouped teams based on numbers there was clearly a discrepancy between available numbers on a given night and the numbers recorded initially.
It was also felt that playing every week did not allow sufficient room for coaching, particularly in hurling and that fortnightly fixtures were sufficient. Also given the low-intensity nature of games and coaching at this level, a longer playing season could be incorporated.
U8 Games Programme
There were mixed views on the provision of games at U8 level. Having too many organised fixtures came at the expense of coaching. However, having a season of coaching without a game was deemed to be the other extreme.
ACTION
Therefore, it was decided to compile and circulate a list of U8 coaches to allow clubs to contact each other if they required games. Clubs are asked to email me contacts kevin.odonovan.gda.cork@gaa.ie In hurling, it was agreed to confine games to ground hurling and to focus on perfecting the grip and striking off both sides. Puck-outs could be replaced by restarting the game with a throw-in at midfield.
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