Coach Education
A 20 hour Coaching course for teachers at primary level concluded last Friday at the West Cork Education Centre, Dunmanway. The Role of Gaelic Games in the Curriculum: a cross-curricular approach incorporated the standard foundation level coaching course in both football and hurling as well as presentations on: inclusion (Yvonne Bennett, Cork Sports Partnership); games (William Harmon Ladies football coaching officer); Ceim ar Aghaidh schools’ coaching resource (Liam Weir) camogie skills; (Tom Pierce, Camogie tutor); and handball (Ashley Prenderville, coaching officer). A corresponding course also ran in Glantane (Kilshannig GAA) under Martin Coleman and Kevin O'Callaghan, for the remainder of the county.
 
The following attended Hilary Wilson, Presentation Primary School, Bandon; Breda Herlihy, Marie Crowley, St. Mary's Infants, Dunmanway; Mairéad Twohig, St. Marys N.S., Enniskeane; Anne Marie Fleming, Ahiohill N.S. Carol Fleming Barryroe N.S.; Joan Corkery, Our Lady of Mercy, Bantry; Elaine Brookes, St. Andrew's N.S. Lucan; Alice O'Connor, Castletownshend N.S.; Patrick O'Meara, St. Finbarr's BNS Bantry; Tony O'Farrell Sunday’s Well BNS, Cork; Niamh O’Leary, St. Patrick’s BNS, Wicklow; Michael Mennis, Reenascreena.
 
Thanks to the West Cork Education Centre, Dohenys GAA Club and Randal Og GAA Club for the use of their magnificent facilities.
 
This brings to 740 the number of Foundation Level coaches qualified in West Cork over the past two years. After a significant delay, certificates for all courses will soon follow. Our coach education programme will recommence next autumn with Award 1 courses for youth and adult coaches. It is planned to now coordinate all future coach education with local education institutions at second level. Meanwhile, Foundation Level courses will follow in the new year after club agms and the recruitment of new coaches at club level.
 
This spring has seen the number of West Cork coaching tutors expand, with the addition of Gavin Kelly (Newcestown and Clonakilty CC) and David Burns (Castlehaven and Bantry CC) to our team. They will join James McCarthy (Castlehaven) and John McCarthy (Clonakilty) in providing future courses at Foundation and Award 1 Level. Meanwhile, Martin Coleman and Kevin O’Donovan will soon join Brian Lotty as qualified tutor trainers. This will allow the roll out of further tutor training courses locally. If you wish to become a GAA tutor and assist in the roll-out of coach education programmes please do not hesitate to contact us.
 
Meanwhile, James McCarthy has joined the panel of Code of Ethics tutors and continues to be available for courses in this area also.
 
Cork West U15 football
On Saturday, 25 players assembled in CIT as part of the Cork West U15 football selection for two games against two Dublin U15 selections. A comprehensive win in the first game saw good performances from Michael Hurley (1-5), Damien O'Gorman (1-1) and Mike Dineen, amongst others.  In the second game the Carbery/Muskerry/Beara lads again emerged as clear victors. Once more, the above players shone along with Murt Kennelly and Sean O’Leary. All 25 players got game time between the two games before receiving dinner in the CIT canteen. It was a good work-out, a week before the Humphery Kelleher Munster U15 tournament in Millstreet, with players gaining experience on playing 2 x 40 minute games back to back and also for the mentors on how best to rotate the panel. The management would like to thank the Dublin teams for travelling, the physio, referees and the county board for their support.
 
Panel: Murt Kennelly, Cian O’Donovan, Alex Hassett, John Mullins, Denis Murphy, Sean O’Leary, Greg Long, Euan Tobin, Darragh Casey, Chris Moynihan, Diarmuid O’Callaghan, Kevin Whooley, Conor Nolan, Michael Hurley, Damien O’Gorman JP Maughan, Cian Healy, Barry O’Leary, Jack O’Driscoll, Mike Dineen, Conor Lowney, Cathal Nyhan, Aaron Raw, Colm O’Driscoll, Michael Desmond.
 
At the same time in Rossmore, the Carbery & Beara U15 footballers were joined by a number of their Muskerry counterparts for a coaching session. Players ran through a series of drills on key skills and game situations focussing on each of the skills categories namely: contesting, gaining, maintaining and releasing possession. Great enthusiasm from all players was on view throughout.
 
Finally, best of luck to all Cork teams, at U14, U15 and U16 level, that are involved in inter-county football tournaments at various venues on next Saturday, July 16th. Reports will follow next week.
 
West Cork Primary Schools Programme
A highly constructive meeting took place on last Thursday night with the officers of the South West Junior Board in relation to introducing a comprehensive schools’ coaching in West Cork for the forthcoming academic year. With 89 primary schools situated in the Carbery and Beara divisions, the proposed scheme will aim to offer a GAA coaching programme to all schools, with the local club, the South West board and the regional GDA coordinating a clearly defined and mutually agreed programme. A tie-in with transition year students and club coaching programmes is also being considered. Discussions are still at an early stage so if any clubs or schools wish to put forward any ideas, please do not hesitate to contact us.
 
U12 Provincial Activity Days
Over the next month, a number of West Cork clubs will take part in U12 blitzes at a number of county grounds in Munster. Panel of up to 20 will assemble and play 10 a side games against teams from all over Munster. The schedule is as follows:
U12 Football @Fitzgerald Stadium, Killarney; July 20th Clann na nGael;
U12 Football @Pairc Ui Chaoimh, Cork; July 27th - Kilmeen & Carbery Rangers;
U12 Hurling @Gaelic Grounds, Limerick; August 4th - Ballinascarthy;
U12 hurling @Semple Stadium, Thurles; August 10th - Kilbrittain
 
U10 Munster Inter Towns Blitzes
A number of clubs have made queries regarding this programme. On September 24th next three hurling clubs and three football clubs from Carbery and Beara will send a panel of 22 players to venues across Munster. At each venue four clubs will field two teams of eleven each. Each team will play 3x20 minute games. Some clubs will be drawn at home, while others will be allocated to a venue in south Munster. A number of places have already been filled, so please let us know if your club would like to participate.

Foundation Level Coaching Course
On Saturday last, 18 coaches completed a football and hurling Foundation level coaching course under the instruction of tutor Brendan O’Driscoll at Rossmore. Padraig O’Donovan, Anthony Murphy, Sinead O’Mahony Clonakilty; Sean Woods, John Mears Ol. Plunketts; Mark Sugrue Bandon; Dan McEoin, Ilen Rovers; John O’Rourke, Padraig Hicks, Michael Mennis Carbery Rangers; Darren Murphy Ballincollig; Peter Fitzgerald Kinsale; Jane Ward Muintir Bhaire; Eilis Nyhan, Tony Harrington St. Colms; Aidan O’Donoghue Kilbrittain; Kevin Manning, Iveleary; Angela McCarthy Enniskeane Camogie. A large number of these coaches will be travelling across west Cork this summer, coaching at various Vhi Cul camps, the first of which are running at Adrigole and Caheragh this week.
 
Meanwhile, the primary teachers coaching course runs from Monday to Friday this week at the West Cork Education Centre and Sam Maguire Park, Dunmanway. Yvonne Bennett from Cork Sports Partnership was a welcome visitor today for a practical coaching session with a focus on inclusion.
 
Development Squads / School of Excellence
The following U14 players are currently involved with the Cork squads who are in preparation for the inter-county blitz on Saturday July 16th next: Shane McCarthy, Killian O'Sullivan, Tim Foley Bantry Blues; Cathal O'Rourke Carbery Rangers; Ronan Walsh, Patrick Bohane, Conor Cahalane, Finbarr Maguire Castlehaven; Ross Mannix, Sean McEvoy, David Lowney Clonakilty; Gary Murphy Castletownbere; Tom Bushe, Liam Coombes Ilen Og; Brian Keohane, Darren Santry Kilmeen; Connor Ellis St. Colms. Mentors Sean McCarthy (Bantry) and Paul Holland (Argideen Rangers) are also involved.
 
Meanwhile, at U15 level the Cork West squad were in CIT during the week for a game with their Cork counterparts and after a useful run out will reassemble once more in Rossmore on this Wednesday night @7.30pm. This will be followed by a game with a Dublin selection in CIT on this Saturday @1pm. The final panel of 24 for the tournament on Saturday, July 16th will then be announced after training on next Monday night. The following 32 players are currently part of the panel:
 
Sean O'Leary Bantry Blues; Michael Hurley, Conor Nolan, Colm O'Driscoll Castlehaven; Cian O'Donovan, JP Maughan, Joe White Clonakilty; Eddie O'Sullivan Colm Og; Chris Moynihan Gabriel Og; Alex Hassett, Darragh Casey Ilen Og; Martin Collins, Diarmuid O'Callaghan, Kevin Whooley, Euan Tobin Kilmacabea; Damien O'Gorman Kilmeen; Murt Kennelly, Cian Healy Newcestown; Cathal Nyhan Pedlars Cross; Jonathan Mulcahy St. Brogans; Conor Lowney Urhan; Greg Long Aghabullogue; John Poland Ballinora; Michael Desmond Cill Na Martra; John Mullins, Denis Murphy, Jack O'Driscoll Eire Og; Peter Worth, Sean O'Donoghue, Aaron Raw Inniscarra; Barry O'Leary Iveleary; Mike Dineen Naomh Aban.
 
Also, the following players are part of the Carbery Beara U15 panel and are asked to reassemble in Rossmore on Saturday morning @10.30am for a coaching session:
Cathal O'Donovan Argideen Rangers; Tim Cronin, Eoin Lynch Bantry; Damien O'Brien, John Hodnett Carbery Rangers, Csaba O'Mahony Castlehaven; Connor O'Mahony Clann na nGael; Darragh McCullagh, Mark Lynch, Eoghan Deasy Clonakilty; Stephen Holland Colm Og; Stephen O'Sullivan Glengarriff, Darren O'Donovan Mizen Rovers; Daniel O'Driscoll, Sean O'Donovan Ilen Og; Odhran Connolly, Shane McDermott Kilmacabea; Liam O'Brien, Eamon Barrett Kilmeen; Greg O'Sullivan Muintir Bhaire Og; Jason Jordan Newcestown; Eoin O'Brien Pedlars Cross; Edward Ahern St. Brogans.
 
Finally, at the time of writing, the following Carbery players were part of the Cork U16 football squads that are also in preparation for the inter-county tournaments: Don O'Driscoll Clann na nGael; Jack O'Mahony Clonakilty; Jack Bushe Ilen Og; Richie O'Sullivan, Niall Hayes Kilmacabea; Conor O'Driscoll Mizen Rovers; Michael McSweeney, Trevor Horgan Newcestown; Michael Cahalane, Patrick O'Brien St. Brogans.
 
Many thanks to all clubs as well as the regional boards for for adjusting club fixture programmes, thus allowing their players to line out for Cork. Various divisional coaching camps for players of all age groups will follow in late July, after the inter-county tournaments, depending on regional club championships.
 
U14 Feile Peil na nGael
Well done to all participating and host clubs that took part in the U14 All Ireland football Feile last weekend. Special thanks go to the coaches, coordinators, referees, caterers and stewards at the various venues, who ensured the smooth running of events over the three days. West Cork was well represented in the later stages by Kilmacabea who reached the semi-final of Division 6 and Ahan Gaels who reached the final in Division 3.
 
U8 Contacts
Many thanks to clubs that forwarded U8 coaching contacts following the last regional meeting. A sheet including over 20 clubs has been emailed to your club’s juvenile runai. If clubs require help organising blitzes at this age level, they can contact me by phone or email. U8 Play and Stay blitzes continue to run for the selected clubs.
 
U10 Munster Blitzes
I am currently seeking three hurling and three football panels to participate in Munster U10 blitzes on September 24th next. Participating clubs will field two teams of eleven players to play in blitzes across Munster. The scheme is aimed at town teams, however any club may enter, given sufficient playing numbers. If interested, you can let me know.
 
U12 Leagues
Most clubs have forwarded player numbers for participating in the upcoming U12 leagues. These leagues are now likely to start on Monday week, July 18th. All details to be forwarded to regional runai Eddie Moloney.

WCEC Teachers’ Course
Next week, starting Monday July 4th, a GAA summer course for teachers, will be held at the West Cork Education Centre (Dunmanway). The 20 hour course, running over five days, is registered as an official Department of Education summer course (eligible for course days) and incorporates the Foundation level coaching course also. Places are still available. Contact WCEC for further details wcecentre@eircom.net

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Foundation Level Coaching Course
On this Saturday, July 2nd, a one-day Foundation level coaching course will take place at Rossmore. The course is specifically aimed at Vhi Cul camp coaches who must gain the relevant qualification before the beginning of camps on the following week. However all coaches are welcome. Contact kevin.odonovan.gda.cork@gaa.ie to register.

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School Blitzes
On Tuesday, June 21st last, the pupils and teachers Dreeny NS, Caheragh NS and Dromore NS assembled at Tadhg MacCarthaigh GAA Grounds, in Caheragh for an end-of year coaching blitz. Over the previous six weeks the schools had participated in a Fundamentals coaching programme in both football and hurling with the local GDA. On this occasion 130 pupils from Junior Infants to 6th class lined out for a football blitz.
Two groups of four teams were chosen, with separate blitzes running for 1st to 3rd and 4th to 6th, respectively. Meanwhile a ‘no-holes-barred’ game was organised for mixed teams of Junior and Senior Infants. Many thanks to the teachers and club personnel for their help on the day, as well as TY student Alison Dullea from Ahiohill. Finally, the support of Cork Sports Partnership in running this programme is gratefully acknowledged.
A further schools blitz took place on Wednesday, June 15th of this month in St. Colum's GAA Grounds in Kealkil, involving five local schools, namely, Coomhola N.S. Kealkill N.S, Cappabue, Dromclough and Derrycreha, All of these schools have previously undergone a hugely successful 4 month schools training programme under St. Colum's coach and UL student Jason Wycherley.
160 children from 2nd to 6th class participated. Boys and girls of 2nd & 3rd classes were mixed into ten teams, 4th to 6th girls into five teams and 4th to 6th boys into 5 teams. The format was run on a league basis and each team was allocated a county name. On the following Friday, Cork senior footballer Alan O' Connor and club player Wesley O' Connor called to the five schools and presented each child with a certificate for having participated in the St. Colum's schools training programme. Many thanks to club coordinator Tom Farley of Coomhola NS, for overseeing the coaching programme and the end-of-year blitz.

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‘Cork West’ U15s
On Saturday last, June 25th, 26 players from this squad assembled in CIT for a challenge game versus a Cork U16 selection. Three 20 min periods were played with all players participating. Players who impressed on the day were Cian O’Donovan, John Poland, Damien O’Gorman, Murt Kennelly and Mike Dineen. A high intensity game was won by the U15 squad on a score-line of 6-9 to 4-7 in what proved to be a very good work for both teams. Dr Paul O’Keeffe then hosted a talk on nutrition with the squad with particular emphasis on pre and post-match refuelling. This squad will reassemble in CIT on this Thursday, June 30th for a challenge match versus a ‘Cork East’ U15 selection and on Saturday, July 9th in Rossmore, where they will be joined by their counterparts on the Carbery-Beara divisional squads.
Meanwhile, large numbers of Carbery and Beara players are also involved with Cork U14 footballers (3 teams) and Cork U16 footballers (2 teams), as all three age groups prepare for inter-county tournaments on Saturday, July 16th. Further details on these squads will follow next week.

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Beara ‘Play & Stay Blitz’
On last Saturday, June 25th the U8 footballers of Urhan, Garnish, Glengarriff, Castletownbere, Adrigole and Tuosist took to the field at Eyeries for a blitz, with up 50 players playing simultaneously. Despite the weather, there was honest endeavour throughout and the same players will reconvene at Glengarriff on Saturday, June 9th, with a further blitz to follow in Cahermore at a later date. Many thanks to Terence O’Shea for coordinating the dates and to the Urhan club for the impressive layout of pitches on the day.

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All Ireland Feile Peil na nOg
The All Ireland U14 Feile na nGael arrives in West Cork later this week and best wishes go to the teams involved: Clonakilty (Division 1); Bantry, Castlehaven, Sam Maguires, St. Brogans (Division 2); Kilmeen, Clann na nGael, Ahan Gaels (Division 3); Glengarriff, Kilmacabea (Division 6).

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Munster GAA Child Coaching Programme
A coaching meeting was held at Bantry Blues GAA Club on Monday night in the first of a series of meetings with a number of West Cork clubs. The programme entails both meetings and coaching sessions, during which a club reviews and develops a coaching and games programme for 6-12 year olds. The three main issues which emerged on the night were schools coaching programmes, club coaching plans and the recruitment of coaches.

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U12 & U8 details
Further to last week’s bulletin, all clubs are reminded to forward playing numbers for the upcoming U12 leagues to Eddie Moloney before the end of the week. Having sought clarification from the county games manager, we are informed that the proposed leagues are not in contravention of general rule. Meanwhile, a query to Croke Park has confirmed that no permission has been given to any counties to organise any U12 games for teams of greater than the 11-aside specified in general rule.
Meanwhile, a number of clubs have returned contact details for U8 coaches and this list will be circulated next week. If you wish to play games at this level, please submit details before the end of the week.

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.
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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).
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‘Cork West’ U15 Football Squads
The following players are 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 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 James McCarthy, Kevin O’Driscoll , Charlie Wilson and Billy Twomey.

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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West Cork U14 Squads
On Wednesday night, a West Cork selection travelled to CIT for an U14 football fixture versus a Duhallow / Avondhu combination. This group had assembled in Rossmore with on the previous Friday for a coaching session with Paudie Kissane (Cork GDA) and Paul Holland (Cork U14) as part of the Cork School of Excellence programme. The main part of this programme has seen 22 other players from West Cork travel to six consecutive sessions on Sunday nights in both CIT and Rossmore.
Wednesday night’s game saw the Carbery-Beara lads in control for most of the hour with a number of players staking a strong claim for accession to the School of Excellence squad.

Those who played on the night were as follows: John O'Sullivan, Gearoid O'Donovan, Sean Buttimer Ahan Gaels; Eoin Lawton, Eoin Holland Argideen Rangers; Owen O'Flynn, Shane Keevers Bantry Blues; Jack Cahalane Barryroe; Aidan Pearce, David Whelton, Ian Casey Castlehaven; Zach Harrington, Clonakilty; Declan Dunne, James Kelly Castletownbere; Eoin McElhinny, Tadgh McCarthy, Sean McCarthy Glengarriff; Barry Kirby, Oige Scannell    , Shane Scannell Kilmeen; Timothy O'Sullivan, Sean O'Donovan Newcestown; Luke Murray, Daniel O'Brien, Colin Crowley Pedlars Cross; Joseph O'Mahony St. Brogans; Sean McCarthy Tadhg MacCarthaigh.

A few weeks previously, many of the same players lined out for the Carbery U14 hurlers for an inter-divisional blitz, playing both Muskerry and Seandun at Riverstick. While the match against Seandun provided an eye-opener for all involved, the game versus Muskerry proved a tighter affair with the West Cork lads eventually going under on a 2-9 to 0-8 scoreline. A further blitz will be played later in the year, with groupings based on the results of the first day out.With regional championships and the All Ireland Feile na nGael tournament taking place over the next few weeks, there will little room for action on the U14 divisional squad front, however, activities will resume in mid-July in both football and hurling.
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West Cork GAA Coaching Workshop
A large crowd of young coaches attended Rossmore on last Saturday for a Cul Camp coaching workshop with Martin Coleman (Cork GDA) and James McCarthy (Cork U15 & Castlehaven). The theme of the day was the use of games and drills for coaching 6-12 year olds. Two-hour sessions were run in both hurling and football and numerous valuable tips were provided for the coaches in attendance who will now provide their expertise at 24 Vhi Cul camps in West Cork this year. The following points were considered essential for all coaches;
 Communication: Language, Rapport, Praise, Use of names
Organised Fun
 Hurling grip: Hurley hand and Helping hand = C-swing
Focus on Fundamental Movement Skills; Agility, Balance, Coordination etc
Small groups for drills and games
 Progression; Challenging Achievable Tasks
 Competition through Games
 Keep active – 45 minutes
Fun AND Focus on skill
Vary the type of equipment used... sponge balls, ropes, hoops, beanbags etc
Think on your feet – adjust degree of difficulty depending on success
Design games to make players think
 Emphasis on movement skills, speed and decision making
No ‘Strong and Weak’ in football.....just Left and Right!

On Saturday, July 2nd next, there will be a one-day Foundation Level coaching course held in Rossmore in both football and hurling. This will provide a final chance for Cul Camp coaches to receive this mandatory qualification for all coaches attending camps. To book places, email kevin.odonovan.gda.cork@gaa.ie
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Child Players; Games Development Proposal
A positive meeting of all clubs in West Cork was held in Dunmanway last week, to discuss the current coaching and games programme for 6 to 12 year old players in football and hurling. Given the wide range of issues which have arisen with changing underage structures recently and the dispersed geographical area of Carbery and Beara, this monthly forum was recently proposed to provide  clubs with an opportunity to voice their opinions and ideas in regards to both coaching and games. It will operate as a subcommittee of the existing regional underage board. 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.

With a clear divide obvious 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.

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.

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.
The greatest difficulty this year has been matching teams with similar numbers. Clubs were asked to be clearer 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.

All clubs who are interested in entering leagues are asked to correspond with the regional runai 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.

U10 & U8 Games Programme
At U10 level the major issue 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.

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. 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 contacts tokevin.odonovan.gda.cork@gaa.ie  Finally, 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.

The very popular Coaching the Coaches Forum returns on Tuesday March 1^st at the Rochestown Park Hotel, starting at 7pm.
    Run and organised in conjunction with the UCC sports department, this month's coaching topic is long-term player development, what does it really mean and how do you implement the programme?
The keynote speaker on the night will be Mark McManus (pictured right).
    Dr. Julia Walsh of UCC, who is the resident expert coach at the forum and club representatives from Nemo Rangers and Ballygarvan GAA clubs, who will speak on their club's interpretation of long-term player development, will join him at the top table.
    The presentation will give an overview of the structures required to implement an effective player development program and examples of successful local programmes will be given.
    Long-term player development needs a plan and the philosophy for ensuring that club and coaching structures support underage player development and life long engagement in sport and physical activity will be spoken about in great detail.
    Practical take home examples will be discussed and there will be presentations from local clubs who have introduced LTPD.
    Coaches and club administrators involved at all levels of sport should be aware of LTPD, and be in a position to influence, promote and develop a system in their own club.
    This interactive forum will give coaches and administrators the tools and knowledge to get started on the LTPD road to help ensure that they serve and support players in a positive way, ultimately fulfilling their potential in their chosen sport or activity pathway.
    Mark McManus, currently Health and Wellness Manager at Leisureworld, has a MSc in Strength and Conditioning and has worked with many sports teams, both professional and amateur.
    Currently trainer with the Cork hurlers, he has worked for over five years with the IRFU as fitness advisor to Munster rugby, worked with Cork City FC and many other GAA, rugby, basketball and athletes over the past 15 years.
    Over the past two years he has been involved with the Cork GAA underage development squads, and schools of excellence for football and hurling, implementing programs of development for U14 years through to U17 years in association with Leisureworld.
I    t has produced a great insight to the need and effectiveness of development programs for player and athlete development at all levels in all sports.
    The last two Coaching the Coaches Forum have been oversubscribed, therefore it is necessary you register your intent to attend the event on March 1^st by e-mailing esport@eecho.ie to secure your seat.
There is a €10 entry charge to cover the cost of staging the event.