On the 30th November, Monaghan Coaching & Games held a Primary Schools Skills Competition at a foggy and cold Cloghan. The weather did not stop 18 Monaghan schools from taking part. Urbleshanny, Knockatallon, Loughmourne, Mullaghrafferty, Drumgossatt, Corcaghan, Killeevan, Edenmore, Scoil Mhuire Clontibret, Scoil Mhuire Latton, Scoil Eanna Ballybay, Magherarney, Glaslough, Annalitten, Clones Primary, Rackwallace, Leitrim and Castleblayney BNS were all in attendance.

The competition, put together and organised by Rory Beggan, was a team-of-4 competition, tested over a series of 4 stations. This tested their kicking for accuracy, kicking for scores, Kick Rounders and Conditioned Games. The kicking tests focused on using the weaker foot.

The skills on show were of the highest quality, and much praise must be put on the work the clubs are doing in developing the skills of their young players, as well as their schools coaches.

In terms of the competition itself, a tight contest saw Urbleshanny P.S. take the top prize of 15 footballs for their school. Mullaghrafferty P.S. took second with the prize of 10 footballs and Drumgossett P.S. taking home third place and 5 footballs. Pictures of the teams who competed on the day are below.

Thanks must go to a number of people who made the day a great success. The teachers and assistants who came and organised their teams, and also the TY Students in Our Lady’s Secondary School Castleblayney who officiated on the day.

Rory is currently organising a number of initiatives which are due to be delivered over the course of the next few months including:

• Indoor leagues
• Fun Fives Blitzes
• After-Schools Programmes
• Blitzes

If you need any more details regarding any of these initiatives, contact Rory by email: rory.beggan.gda.monaghan@gaa.ie