Over the Past 4 years, Monaghan Coaching & Games came up with the initiative to commence an After school GAA Programme to target 6^th Class boys in primary school. This programme initially was ran in 4 regions but over the past 2 years the programme was ran in 3 regions (North, South & West). Within each region a 6 week coaching block was planned. The main focus in each of the coaching sessions was skill development. After the 6 week coaching block in each region, the players would attend a Coaching skills camp in Cloghan. Here all 3 regions would come together for 2-3 hours. 3-4 of these camps would take place throughout the year. We have had 2 of these camps to date, during the midterm break in February and over the Easter break also. Both Camps took place in Cloghan. It is our intention to have further camps over the summer for these players

This Year in our 6^th class after school programme we had over 140 players from the 3 regions partake in this programme. From the 140 players we had 43 primary schools represented which is very promising.

This year we decided to expand our After school programme and Cater for 5^th Class players in primary schools. Again, like the 6^th class, these players participated in a 6 week programme in 3 regions and the focus was skill development. We had 105 players in all 3 regions with 35 primary schools represented.

At this point Monaghan Coaching & Games would like to thank Patrician High School Carrickmacross, Our Lady’s Castleblayney, St Macartan’s Monaghan & Colaiste Oiriall Monaghan for the use of their facilities. We would also like to thank the primary schools for their help and support. It is greatly appreciated.

One of the benefits of taking part in the After School Programme is all the participants from 6th Class get the chance to play at half time at a Monaghan home National League game. The photos below show all the groups that took part in the programme this year.