Last Friday, 19th August saw the reutrn of the U12 Croke Park Activity Day. This was the first time this was hosted since 2019 due to the Covid-19 Pandemic. The day organised by Monaghan Coaching and Games in association with the National Coaching and Games Development and the Ulster Coaching and Games Development Committees. The purpose of the initiative is to give our young players an opportunity to play our national games at GAA headquarters.

In total, 90 children took to the hallowed turf in Croke Park for the annual Activity day. The boys and girls who took part where all born in 2010. All 29 Football clubs where represented with 2 players each while all 7 Hurling clubs where represented with 4 players each. All the football players where divided into 6 different teams and all the hurling players where divided into 3 different teams.

Each team played 3 games lasting 25 minutes. During the football and hurling matches the players showcased some great skill and talent that we will hopefully see in years to come when they go onto represent Monaghan in Croke Park.

After the matches had finished the players went and got changed in the Cusack Stand dressing rooms. Followed by a tour of the stadium taking in the dressing rooms, players lounge and tunnel. All the players enjoyed the day, with all of them coming down the road in high spirits.

Monaghan Coaching & Games would like to say a big thanks to Ulster Coaching & Games particularly Jimmy Darragh, Gary Mallon & Garreth Thornton for all their help in advance of the day and on the day itself. Also, a big thank you to our referees & mentors on the day Macayla Greenan, Lucy Kindlon, Conor O’Neill, Aidan Morgan, Oisin MacManus, Dermot Lynch, Martin Hughes and Shane McManus. Monaghan Coaching & Games really appreciated the help and we hope you to enjoyed your day! We are looking forward to next year’s outing already!

See below for a selection of photos from the Croke Park Activity Day 2022…..