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.
Section 1 – National School & Development Squad Player Profiles
This week we feature:
- Two National School Pupils:
- Two boys from our Development Squads:
Sixth Class Pupil Name: Emmie Farrelly
School: Scoil Bhride
Club: Edenderry
What do you play: Football & Camogie
What’s your favourite part of GAA: Playing matches and training with my teammates
Who is your favourite player: David Clifford
What is your favourite meal: Pasta
What are your GAA ambitions: Enjoy both Football & Camogie, and play for Offaly.
Give us a few words about your club and what you like and maybe even dislike: My club has great pitches & facilities and I love meeting up with my friends at training and matches.
Sixth Class Pupil Name: Dan Cummins
School: Gaelscoil Éadan Doire
Club: Edenderry
What do you play: Hurling and football
What’s you favourite Part of the GAA: The passion and winning a final
Who is you favourite player: Darragh Fitzgibon, Cork
What is you favourite meal: Chicken And pasta with red sauce
What are your GAA ambitions: To make senior club and county
Give us a few words about your club and what you like and maybe even dislike: I like my club very much I like the passion we have and how close everyone is in the club.
Pupil Name: – Luke Davey
School: Cistercian College Roscrea
Club: Ballyskenagh Killavilla GAA club
What do you play: Hurling, Tennis, Golf & Basketball.
What’s your favourite part of GAA: Training and Playing matches with my friends.
Who is your favourite player: Eoghan Cahill
What is your favourite meal: Chicken tenders and pasta.
What are your GAA ambitions: I want to enjoy my hurling and represent my county and my club.
Involvement with Offaly Development squads: I am a member of the Offaly U14 hurling Development squad. I have really enjoyed meeting, training and playing with other players my age from other clubs who are also on the squad. I really like the training in the Faithful fields and have loved being involved in the challenge matches against other counties. I am proud to wear the Offaly jersey and I’m thankful for the opportunity to represent my county.
Name: Ciarán Finn
School: Ard Scoil Chiaráin Naofa, Clara
Club: Clara
What do you play: Plays Gaelic Football and Hurling
Favourite part of GAA: Playing matches, scoring points and goals
Favourite player: Patrick Horgan, Cork
Favourite Meal: Turkey and Ham dinner
GAA Ambitions: To play for Offaly and win titles with Offaly
Involvement in Development squad: Really enjoys the training sessions, learning new skills with very good coaches that are really encouraging. Great to meet players from other clubs in the county. Enjoys the experience of playing competitive matches against other counties.
Section 2 – Academies
A reminder to all players, the academies are always revieing, wok hard for you club and hopefully you will get your chance!!
Our Academy hurling squads played Round 2 of their competitions last week. Our U14s faced Galway, Kildare and Westmeath, while our U15s travelled to Kilkenny. Our U16 squad also made the long journey to Cork for their latest round of games.
Our football panels continued to work hard in training at Faithful Fields as preparations continue over the coming weeks.
Players and clubs are reminded that Academy activity is intended as an additional session each week, and all players are expected to remain fully available for club activities, including both training sessions and games.
A few words from one of our Development Squad coaches, who has been involved in the system for a few years:
Name: Sean O’Rourke
I have been part of the coaching team for our current U16 hurling development squad since November 2023, when our first squad was selected. We focus on 3 key areas of development:
- The skills of hurling
- Athletic development
- Style of play
Each week training focuses on specific skills, with a view to improved team performances in challenge matches and competitions. This group of players are the minor team of 2027. An exciting year ahead for them.
Section 3 – Games Programme
Our underage games programme is well underway.
- Our U8, U10, and U11 boys are enjoying the Glenisk Go Games activities each week. Well done to the Young Whistlers in clubs assisting with games each week.
- Our U16 hurling and football leagues concluded on Wednesday last. In football, St Vincent’s won the North Region, Ferbane/Belmont claimed the Mid Region title, and Clara won Division 2.
- In U16 hurling, Kilcormac/Killoughey won the South Region, St Rynagh’s took the Mid Region title, and Na Fianna won the North Division.
- These teams are now taking a break for the exams, with championship action set to commence at the end of June.
- The Ollie Day and Johnny Flaherty Cups are continuing, while the Shane Lowry U12 and U13 leagues are running every Sunday and Wednesday.
- The final rounds of the Minor leagues will be completed after the exams, and the U14 leagues will finish up during June.
Best of luck to all players in the Junior & Leaving Certificate exams.
Section 4 – Get to Know Our Staff & Weekly Coaching Hints
This week we hear from Dean, our Hurling GDC.
Players need to practice every day — a hurley in your hand every day. Skill is brilliant to have on both sides, and confidence to strike on both sides is a huge advantage.
The other thing players require is toughness: get in hard and work hard for the ball and off the ball. Don’t be waiting for the perfect pass.
Keep yourself fit and healthy, and don’t miss training or rest before training sessions.
A ball and a wall are all you need
Section 5 – Underage Club Spotlight
Belmont GAA
Belmont GAA are working very hard with hurling and camogie development at all ages, and with the new development now in place, they can continue to move forward with further athletic development for all players. The club’s partnership with Ferbane at underage level in both hurling and football has helped create a strong pathway for young players, while the foundations established in hurling and camogie continue to grow year after year. Great coaching is taking place throughout the club, and huge work is being done alongside the local schools to encourage participation and development.
Congratulations to everyone involved — players, coaches, volunteers, parents, teachers, and committee members — for the fantastic effort and commitment being shown across the club.
By Offaly Secretary Sat 6th Jun
