Monaghan GAA Primary Football After School Programme

The Purpose of these programmes is to keep players active during the winter months, develop skill levels and identify players suitable for development squads.  Both programmes target 5^th/6^th class students.

 As with last year, the county was split into 4 regions (North, South, East and West) for the purpose of the Football After School programme.  The programme began for the North regions schools on Tuesday 6^th October in St. Macartan’s Secondary School.  Schools represented were Urbleshanny, Corracrin, Threemilehouse, Edenmore, Gransha, Tydavnet, Deravoy, Clara, Leitrim, Knockconnan, Garron and Clontibret.

On Thurday 8^th October, the West region began their programme in St. Macartan’s secondary school.  Schools represented were monaghan BNS, Gaelscoil Ultain, Clones, Latton, Killeevan, Latnamard, Rockcorry, Corcaghan and Magherarney.  Representatives from all schools in each region attended.

Both regions received 5 weeks of coaching where the players were coached in handling (fist pass, body catch, high catch), Kicking and games.  The coaches who helped out at both regions were Martin Corey, Colin Malone, Paul O Connor, Garrett Coyle and Ann Mc Kenna.  The attendance averaged 30 for the North region and 35 for the West Region each week.  All players enjoyed the 5 weeks of coaching.

Plans are in place to run a similar programme for the South and East of the county in the New Year.  Clubs and schools will be contacted about providing contact details of players suitable for the programme in the near future.

Monaghan GAA Primary Hurling After School Programme

The Hurling after schools programme commenced on Tuesday 6^th November with schools from the South region of the county.  Schools represented were Annyalla, Blackstaff, Carrick BNS, Castleblayney BNS, Inniskeen, Loughmourne, Mullaghrafferty and Scoil Rois.

The Programme was held over 6 weeks with the first 5 sessions being held in Patrician High School and the final session in the Phoenix Centre, Carrickmacross.  An Average of 35 players attended each night, with 50 players attending in total. Out of  all the players that attended, 27 players were playing with hurling clubs, with the remaining 23 players not playing hurling with any club.  Information will be sent to each club informing them about these children not associated to a club but interested in playing Hurling in their area.

Over the 6 week period, an improvement could be seen with some of the players with the plan being that these players would be the base of an U13/14 development squad for 2013/14.  Coaches who delivered the programme were Pauric Dowdall, Paul O’Connor and Colin Malone.

Plans are in place to run a similar programme for the North of the county in the New Year.  Clubs and schools will be contacted about providing contact details of players suitable for the programme in the near future.