Last Saturday our U15 Football Development Squad travelled to the Meath Training Grounds in Dunganny to take part in a blitz organised by Meath Coaching & Games. The other teams on the day where Kildare and the hosts Meath. Monaghan acquitted themselves well on the day producing some excellent performances. They started with a game against Kildare were they produced a very typical ‘Monaghan’ performance where they showed tremendous spirit, hard work and a high skill level. They led the game throughout only for Kildare to pip them in the end by a single point with the game finishing 2-04 to 0-09. In their second game they had a good result against the hosts winning out in the end by a scoreline of 3-08 to 1-06. This brings an end of the teams ‘on-field’ activities for the year. They will now begin a winter strength and conditioning programme which will be used as preparation for the U16 Buncrana Cup next year. This competition is an important step for these players development and it will give a very good indication to see what level they are at and what level they could potentially reach going forward. Over the past 12 months the team has showed great improvement and progression. This is down to the player’s hard work not only with the Development Squad but with their clubs and schools as well. Like all Development Squads, players were brought into the panel who had showed good form with their clubs and this has had a real benefit to the team this year. Going forward, this will continue to be the policy, so for any player who feels they have the right attitude and ability to be part of the Development Squad continue to work hard over the winter months and develop your skills and hopefully for you, by this time next year you to will be part of a successful Monaghan Development Squad. More details about the winter strength and conditioning programme will be given to the players and their parents over the coming weeks.