Over the past week the final round of games have taken place of U11 Liam Stirrat Development League throughout the County. This skill based game programme consisted of 6 rounds with a different skill focus each week. Rules were also modified to assist these young players in developing core skills of our game. For the final round of games, an award “Most Skillful Player” was presented at each game from a player from each club taking part.

Most Skillful Player Award;

Liam Stirrat was a great GAA man and had great love for his club Scotstown but also for Monaghan GAA. Liam served with distinction as both Chairman of Monaghan County Board and also managing Monaghan Senior Football team. Liam had great success in managing teams both with Scotstown & Monaghan. Whilst managing teams Liam had a great understanding of developing players in particularly their skill set, with this in mind this is why we introduced U11 Liam Stirrat Development League & a skill focus for each round.

As highlighted above U11 Liam Stirrat Development League had a skill focus each week. The purpose of this was to assist the coaches while planning/delivering their coaching sessions and create a link between the session and the game by awarding a point if the skill was performed correctly during the game. In addition to this the players would also benefit by this initiative because from a development point of view they are at an age where they can learn & implement these skills.

So for the final round of games a “Most SkillFul Player” award was presented at each game, see below awards winners from each of the games. Thank you to all the people who helped out presented the awards at each game.

Thank you;

To management teams & players for their support in both this league & the Spring League that took place earlier in the year. The varying of the rules & skill focus no doubt has been a challenge but I hope that all concerned can now see the benefits of focusing on development rather than winning for this age group.

In addition would also like to thank the referees for officiating the games and county referee co-ordinator Xavier Coyle for arranging the referees for each game.