In Association with Condron Concrete
Compiled by Carina on behalf of Offaly GAA
If you would like to submit information (Player or Club) for this weekly underage promotion, please email administrator.offaly@gaa.ie.
National School & Development Squad Player Profiles
This week we feature:
Sixth Class Pupil Name: Hannah Coughlan
School: Scoil Bhrรญde, Clara
Club: Clara
Where do you play: corner forward
Whatโs your favourite part of GAA: winning competitions and playing with friends
Who is your favourite player: David Clifford
What is your favourite meal: carbonara
What are your GAA ambitions: to get better at shooting
Give us a few words about your club and what you like and maybe even dislike: I like that we are one community and I would like if we had camogie in Clara
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Sixth Class Pupil Name: Sam Cornally
School: Scoil Phroinsiais Naofa, Clara
Club: Clara
What do you play: Football and Hurling
Whatโs your favourite part of GAA: I really enjoy playing matches, especially when they are competitive and I get to play with my friends
Who is your favourite player: David Clifford
What is your favourite meal: Steak & Chips
What are your GAA ambitions: My goal is to improve my skills and do my best for the club. I also hope to play for Offaly in the future
Give us a few words about your club and what you like and maybe even dislike: I like my club because it’s a great place to meet up with my friends, play matches and have fun. The coaches always encourage us even when we lose. I don’t really dislike anything about our club.
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Pupil Name: Jack McDermott
School: Colรกiste Choilm Tullamore
Club: Tullamore
What do you play: Football and hurling
Whatโs your favourite part of GAA: Having fun and making friends from everywhere
Who is your favourite player: John Furlong
What is your favourite meal: Sunday roast
What are your GAA ambitions: To win a county and club all lreland with Tullamore and to win an All Ireland with Offaly at minor and senior.
Give us a few words about your involvement with the Offaly Development Squads:
Iโve been involved with Offaly development squad at U14 and now U15. One of the best things about it is the feeling you get when you drive into Faithful Fields to train and the excitement of knowing that someday I could be an adult player at adult level who we see training there some mornings. And more importantly the new friends I have made with lads from other clubs
Pupil Name:Niall Lambe
School:Colaiste Choilmย
Club:Tullamore
What do you play:Hurling & Football
Whatโs your favourite part of GAA: Being part of a team of lads who are all friends no matter what club we all come from.
Who is your favourite player:Kyle Hayes
What is your favourite meal:Spaghetti bolognese
What are your GAA ambitions:Someday, I would love to be a senior player.
Give us a few words about your involvement with the Offaly Development Squads: Being selected for development squads was a massive milestone for me.It helped with my athletic and personal growth. It is a great environment that demands a high work rate and discipline.It has taught me what it takes to perform at a high level. I am really enjoying it.
Academies
A reminder to all players, the academies are always revieing, wok hard for you club and hopefully you will get your chance!!
All Academy squads trained on Saturday last, with no Academy games taking place over the weekend. Academies will know train each Thursday during the summer working on skills etc.
A few words from one of our Development Squad coaches, who has been involved in the system for a few years:
Barry Corcoran
St Vincents/Daingean
Goalkeeping Coach Offaly U14 Footballers.
I joined the development squad program as the Goalkeeping coach for the u14s. In this, I coach Te goalkeepers in correct diving technique, reactions/decision making and kickouts and strategies.
Games Programme
Our underage games programme is well underway.
Our U14 Championships are now underway, with some excellent games taking place on Monday evenings across the county.
The Minor Leagues are now concluded with the football winners: North: St Broughans, Mid Tullamore and Division 2:St Manchanโs The U16 Football & Hurling Championships have already commenced.
Our U12 and U13 leagues are progressing well, with finals scheduled for August. All teams are continuing to work hard, and more importantly, all players are getting weekly hurling and football games outside of the main championship age groups.
Our Go Games programme continues every Saturday morning. The first two Saturdays of each month are dedicated to U8 and U10 hurling and football, while the last two Saturdays cater for U11 hurling and football.
Teams are divided into groups across the county based on the number of teams they can field, whether that is one team or two. This ensures that when teams meet their opposition, all players are given an opportunity to participate and enjoy meaningful game time.
A special word of thanks to the clubs who host these weekly Go Games activities. Your commitment and support are greatly appreciated and play a vital role in providing enjoyable playing opportunities for our young players throughout the county.
Get to Know Our Staff & Weekly Coaching Hints
My name is David Gillespie, and I am from Ballinamere GAA. I am currently a GPO with Offaly GAA, working in schools and with development squads in the area of athletic development.
Cรบl Camps will be starting shortly, during which we will be visiting clubs all over the county.
My advice to all players and coaches is to practice every day and train as much as you can. Winning isn’t everything at underage level. The main aim should be to develop yourself as a player and as a leader so that you can progress to your senior teams and bring as many of your teammates with you as possible.
As a generation, we talk too much about resting. Playing every day at a young age can be beneficial, and it’s what our generation did growing up. Consistent practice helps build skills, confidence, and resilience.
Practice makes perfect.
David Gillespie
Underage Club Spotlight
Underage Club Spotlight โ St. Broughan’s GAA
At St Broughan’s GAA, our underage section continues to thrive, with players from U8 right through to U20 proudly representing the club and developing their skills each week.
Our youngest players at U8 and U10 level have been enjoying regular participation in the Go Games programme, with monthly blitzes providing fantastic opportunities to learn, play, and make new friends while developing a lifelong love of Gaelic football.
At U12 level, our team remains actively involved in the Shane Lowry League, continuing to demonstrate great commitment, improvement, and teamwork throughout the competition.
Meanwhile, our U14, U16, and Minor squads are preparing to begin their championship campaigns. Following months of dedicated training and competitive league action, all teams are looking forward to testing themselves in championship football and representing the club with pride.
Our U15 group narrowly missed out on qualifying for the Fรฉile competition this year. While there was understandable disappointment at the time, the experience highlighted the significant progress being made within the squad and provided valuable lessons for the future. There is plenty to build on over the coming months, and with continued dedication and development, we are confident that Fรฉile qualification can be achieved in the years ahead.
We are also delighted to see so many of our underage players taking part in the Faithful รg, Faithful Beginners, and Faithful Juniors programmes. Having already completed six weeks of activities, the players have thoroughly enjoyed the experience and are looking forward to returning to action when the programmes resume in September.
None of this would be possible without the tremendous efforts of our coaches, mentors, volunteers, and parents. Their commitment ensures that our young players have every opportunity to develop both on and off the field.
The future is bright at St Broughan’s GAA, and we wish all of our underage teams the very best as they continue their football journey throughout the season.
If you are not already involved and would like to become part of a welcoming GAA community representing the parishes of Bracknagh, Clonbullogue, and Walsh Island at underage level, please contact our club secretary for further details.
By Offaly Secretary Sun 5th Jul
