Lá na gClub – Sunday 10th May

As you know, Sunday 10^th May has been set aside as Lá na gClub as part of the GAA’s 125 celebrations.  On this day every GAA club in the world are encouraged to use their premises for the enjoyment of their members in a non-competitive and inclusive way.

I would encourage ALL Club members to spread the word and also to lend a hand where possible … this could be another great day for the Club.  You can print off the flyer attached below and use this to promote the day.

Following a meeting last night, the following activities have been confirmed:

• 10am Mass to be Official Club Mass
  • Encourage ALL Club members to attend and to wear Club shirts / tracksuits
  • Offertory to be Sliotar, Hurl, Football, Tin Whistle
  • Readers and Altar Servers from the Club
  • Everyone invited to Parish Centre for tea (11.00am – 1.45pm)
  • Have Club members greeting people
  • Promote the day’s activity at Slemish Park and invite everyone
  • Some stands highlighting the Club
  • PowerPoint / Video presentations
  • Light Irish music played by Liam Corey etc?
  • Irish Dancing and Scór musical acts
  • Flyers to be handed out at all masses promoting the day

• 2pm – Official Unveiling of 125 Flag by Club Chairman and Canon Connolly at Slemish Park

• 2.30pm – ‘Go Games’ Hurling
  • Bottom Pitch divided into 4 ‘Go Games’ Pitches
  • Divide into U8’s, U10’s and U12’s

• 3.00pm – ‘Go Games’ Football
  • Bottom Pitch divided into 4 ‘Go Games’ Pitches
  • Divide into U8’s, U10’s and U12’s

• Senior Regional 5/7-a-side Football Competition (7mins per half) – Top Pitch Divided into 4 pitches
  • 2.30pm – Round 1 Games
  • 2.50pm – Round 2 Games
  • 3.10pm – Round 3 Games
  • 3.45pm – Semi Finals
  • 4.15pm – Final

• 3.30pm – Official All Saints 125 Photograph
  • All Club members to be on the pitch and photograph taken
  • Paddy McIlwaine to co-ordinate photograph on the day based on numbers etc.

• 4.30pm – Poc Fada & Poc through the Tyre Competitions
  • Seperate Competition for U16’s and Over 16’s
  • Girls compete in U16’s?

• 5.00pm – Penalty Kick Competitions
  • Seperate Competition for U16’s and Over 16’s
  • Girls compete in U16’s?

• 5.30pm – Mixed Teams Rounders Match
  • Can play 2 or more matches at one time if necessary

• 5.30pm – BBQ

• 6.00pm – Challenge Game between 1986 and 2008 Intermediate Championship winning teams on Top Pitch

Ongoing Activity in Clubhouse:

• Memory Book for people to sign
• Irish Music playing over PA
• PowerPoint presentation of photos playing in background
• ‘GAA Today’ DVD playing in background
• Stands of pictures and other historical information on the Club
• Tuck Shop???
• Video Camera there to capture some of the moments for the website
• Every person who attends will receive a certificate saying they participated in the All Saints Day to Celebrate 125 Years of the GAA
• ‘Name the Faces’ pages printed off for people to complete

Related:

- All Saints GAC Lá na gClub Flyer

Juvenile Hurling Notice 22-04-09

Na Naomh Uile – Iománaíocht na n-Óg

(All Saints – Juvenile Hurling)

 

GAA 125 Provincial Blitz

Well done to everyone who took part in the indoor blitz last Sunday at Meadowbank Arena in Magherafelt. There was a great turn out and we were able to field two teams. For some this was their first taste of competitive hurling; we were delighted to see how well they played alongside more seasoned campaigners. Everyone played really well and contributed to solid team performances in all their games.

The lads showed great sportsmanship, they were magnanimous when they won and took it on the chin when they lost. This combined with their exemplary behaviour off the pitch made them great ambassadors for the club and a credit to their parents.

 

This was a mammoth event with one hundred and eight teams from each county in Ulster taking part. We would like to thank Ulster Hurling Council for organising this blitz which provided our young hurlers an ideal opportunity to celebrate the 125^th Anniversary of the GAA in a positive and fun filled way.

 

 

Summer Hurling Programme

The 125 Blitz marks the end of winter indoor events and the start of this year’s outdoor programme. The summer programme includes blitzes; leagues, and championships for P3/P4, P5/P6, U12 and U16 age groups. There are also a series of summer camps and development squad sessions.

Summer Camps

North Antrim GAA is running a number of hurling camps at various venues throughout the summer months. These camps are open to children from all clubs, all ages and all abilities from U8 to U14. Camps usually run for three to five days. They provide an opportunity for children to develop their hurling, have fun and make new friends. Dates and venues are attached. We will post more details closer to the time.  

Development Squads

North Antrim GAA will host special training sessions for U10, U11 and U12s. These “Development Squad” sessions are open to children who have mastered the basic skills and would benefit from additional coaching. If anyone is interested please speak to one of the coaches.

 

See attached schedule for details of summer events and matches.

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Juvenile Hurling Training Times

From next Wednesday 29^th April training will move outdoors to Slemish Park.

Training will start at 06:30 for all age groups.

P2 –P4 – 06:30 – 07:45  

P5 – Y8 -06:30 – 08:00

 

Hurling Development Meeting

Thank you to everyone who attended the Hurling Development Workshop on Tuesday night. Special thanks to Alex Campbell for facilitating. We will provide a report in next week’s bulletin.

 

Summer Hurling Programme

 

North Antrim Summer Blitzes

Date	Age
Sunday 10th May	P3/P4 Blitz
Sunday 17th May	P5/P6 Blitz
Sunday 31st May	P3/P4 Blitz
Sunday 07th June	P5/P6 Blitz
Saturday 12th Sept	U10 C’ship Blitz
Saturday 19th Sept	P7 C’ship Blitz

Venues – to be confirmed; throw in – 10:00am

 

Under 12B “Go Games” League and Championship

Date	Opposition	Venue	Competition
Sat 23rd May	Glenariffe	Away	League
Sat 30th May	Creggan	Home	League
Sat 06th June	Glenshesk	Away	League
Sat 13th June	Randalstown	Home	League
Sat 20th June	Rasharkin	Away	League
Sat 27th June		TBA	Blitz
Thu 09th July	Sean Stinsons	Home	League
Tue 14th July	Glenarm	Away	League
Sat 25th July	TBC	TBA	C’ship Round 1
Sat 15th Aug		TBA	Blitz
Sat 05th Sept	Glenavy	Home	League

Saturday games – throw in 4:00pm

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Quinn Park Update

For those of you that have been up at Slemish park over the last 5 months won’t have seen too much work  being carried out at Quinn Park. Thankfully over this last week ground conditions improved greatly allowing the contractor the chance to continue with the construction of a full size sand carpet pitch.

Attached are some progress pictures showing the finish of the cut/fill operation as well as the installation of the drainage system.

Lá na gClub – 10th May – Calling All Club Members

To all club members…

As we know, 2009 is the 125th Anniversary of the GAA and Sunday 10th May has been chosen for Lá na gClub.  It will be celebrated by every GAA club in Ireland, and indeed the world.

We will be having a meeting on Monday 27th April at 8pm in Slemish Park to agree on what activities will take place on the day and assign people with responsibilities for organising the day.
All Club members are invited to attend this meeting – the more help we can get, the better.

This could prove to be a tremendous day for the Club and one to remember for many years to come.

If you are able to attend the meeting, please contact any committee member, or equally if you have any ideas for Lá na gClub, please post them on the website or e-mail them to website@allsaintsgac.com

Ideas for Lá an gClub (Sunday 10th May 2009)
· 5/7-a-side competition based on house areas (E.g. Deramore / Frys Road / Broughshane Road / Cushendall Road etc)
· Each of the primary schools design a banner and have a parade at the club
· Long Puck / Kick Competitions
· Athletics Competitions
· Irish Dancing
· Scór entertainment
· BBQ
· Challenge Game between 1986 and 2008 Intermediate Championship winning teams
· Photo of all club members on the pitch, taken from height
· Hanging of 125 flag (will be provided by Comhairle Uladh in the club pack)
· Open air mass at pitch
· Rounders match with mixed teams
· Have a memory book for all people to sign
· Have it recorded on video and put highlights on club website

7th time Lucky for Saints at the Easter 7’s

The Tír Chonaill Gaels International Easter 7’s trophy will now sit proudly alongside the Antrim Intermediate Football Championship Cup in the All Saints GAC trophy cabinet, following victory at the annual Easter tournament in London.

All Saints travelled in large numbers this year, and were able to enter 2 teams.  The Ballymena men’s second team were drawn in a group with defending champions Michael Breathnach of Galway, Sean McDermots, Warwickshire and Tara who are based in London.  There were mixed results for All Saints, as they were awarded a walkover victory over Sean McDermotts, they then beat Tara, but fell to Michael Breathnach by 4 points.  This result meant that All Saints failed to progress to the knockout stages by virtue of a negative points difference of a single point.  Best for the All Saints second team on the day were Micky O’Kane in goal, Damien Casey in defence, and Barney McCann and Kevin Fyfe up front.

In Group B, All Saints’ first team were drawn with Round Towers, Parnells & Saint Clarets.  In the first group game, All Saints edged out a tough Round Towers side.  In the second game, mistakes proved costly as Saints went down to Parnells, but they responded well with a 7-5 to 1-2 victory over Saint Clarets in the final group game to progress to the knockout stages.

In the quarter-finals All Saints were drawn against defending champions and conquerors of the All Saints second team, Michael Breathnach of Galway.  All Saints continued their improval of form and eased to victory over the Galway men to set up a semi-final with Parnells.  All Saints were certainly not in the mood to let Parnells beat them again, and they made amends for the group stage defeat by taking a comfortable victory over the London side.

A mouth-watering final was set-up between what many people perceived as the top 2 teams in the competition, All Saints Ballymena and Glenswilly of Donegal who had swept aside all put in front of them.

The large crowd on hand were treated to an intense, exciting display of football, as All Saints got off to a dream start with a goal from Peter McCann.  The rest of the first half remained a tight encounter, with All Saints holding on to a slender half time lead.  The second half saw more of the same hard-hitting and fine skills as both sides exchanged scores.  In the closing stages, with All Saints maintaining their slight advantage, the Glenswilly men attacked the Ballymena goal with force, but there was to be no way through as first Timmy Connolly pulled of an excellent save then Micky McCarry bravely dived at the feet of Donegal County player Ciaran Bonner to see All Saints hold on for victory.

There were joyous scenes at the final whistle as All Saints celebrated their first International 7’s victory, at the 7^th time of trying.

Every one of the All Saints players made a contribution to the victory, but special mention must go to Timmy Connolly who won the Player of the Tournament accolade.  This is especially noteworthy as Timmy is a former player and legend of the TÍr Chonaill Gaels club.

All Saints 1^st Team:  Timmy Connolly, Micky McCarry, Tiernan Walsh, Kevin MacAllister, Damian Kelly, Liam Cassley, Paddy Logan, Paul McCann (c), Peter McCann, Conor Crilly.

All Saints 2^nd Team:  Micky O’Kane, Damien Casey (c), Ryan Lyness, Conor McCann, Paul Leonard, Aidan Walsh, Kevin Fyfe, Barney McCann, Barney Logan, Conal Rogers.

Related:

- Tír Chonaill Gaels Easter 7’s Gallery

Hurling Development Workshop

Hurling Development Meeting

North Antrim Coaching and Development Committee have launched a development plan to promote hurling coaching and games. The plan mimics an approach taken in Munster, and has been drawn up in association with top Munster coaches. The idea is to share knowledge and replicate best practice in our clubs.

Tutors, who have been trained by Munster coaches, will “adopt” a club and assist in delivering a club plan for juveniles. Alec Campbell from Ballycastle has been assigned to assist All Saints.

To kick start the process, a meeting will be held on Tuesday 21^st April in the club room at Slemish Park. All club members, senior players, parents and teachers are invited.

One of the key lessons learnt from Munster is the importance of getting parents involved in coaching and running teams. We therefore invite parents to come along as guests of honour to share your views and ideas and agree a way forward to progress hurling within the club.

Date – Tuesday 21^st April

Venue – Slemish Park – Upstairs at the Pavilion

Time – 19:00 – 21:30

If you have any questions contact Paddy (07708878968).

President Talks GAA at St Brigid’s P.S.

St. Brigid’s P.S. was recently honoured with a visit from President of Ireland, Mrs Mary McAleese and her husband Martin.

While addressing the children she commended them on their interest in sport and in Gaelic Games in particular. She encouraged them to continue playing the games and told them that she longed for the day when an Antrim team was playing in Croke Park in an All Ireland final. Reminding the children that she only has ….”3 years of good tickets left”… she suggested that to see such an appearance would be a great day indeed.

While at the school she was treated to a display of Irish Dancing, Slovakian and English poetry and irish traditional music. All Saints Juvenile player, Niall Shannon delighted all in attendance as part of a duet that sang “The Star of the County Down”, a firm favourite of the Presidents. The special assembly concluded with a fantastic rendition of “Ireland’s Call” by the school choir, a group that contains many All Saints juvenile members.

Niamh McNally had the privilege of welcoming the President to the school and asking her to unveil a commemorative plaque to mark the occasion of her visit. When chatting to staff later the President commented on the important role Cumann Na mBunscol plays in the development of young people through its promotion of Gaelic Games in primary schools.

The GAA theme cointinued when the President left St. Brigid’s and travelled to Dunloy Cuchullians GAA club to meet members and visit the local St. Joseph’s P.S.

Related:

- President McAleese visits St Brigid’s Gallery

Juvenile Hurling Notice 08-04-09

Na Naomh Uile – Iománaíocht na n-Óg

(All Saints – Juvenile Hurling)

 

Ulster Council Coaching Workshop

Well done to all our U10 and U12 hurlers who attended the hurling workshop last Wednesday night at Slemish Park. Kevin Hinphy (Derry Senior Hurling Captain) put the lads through a series of drills and fun games. Twenty coaches from Ballymena and other clubs attended to pick up some tips. The extra attention didn’t daunt the lads and the visiting coaches were impressed by the skills displayed.

We would like to thank Kevin for taking the session. As an indication of how the boys enjoyed themselves, one of them asked Kevin if he was going to coach them in future! Unfortunately they will have to put up with the same old faces for a while yet, but we will see what we can do to get Kevin back again sometime.

 

U12 Challenge Match v Sean Stinson’s

Our U12 hurlers had a challenge match against Sean Stinson’s last Saturday. Weather conditions were poor, with wind and rain hampering any chance of skilful hurling. We put out a very young side, half the team are still under ten. Although we were beaten by a bigger and stronger team, the lads showed great heart and determination. It was a useful exercise for the team mentors to gauge performances, we will concentrate on a few areas at training during the next few weeks.

 

GAA 125 Provincial Blitz

As part of the GAA 125^th anniversary celebrations Ulster Hurling Development are organising a Provincial U10 Indoor Blitz on Sunday 19^th April. The venue is Meadowbank Sports Arena in Magherafelt. One hundred and eight teams will be taking part and it is hoped that every hurling club in Ulster will be represented at what is intended to be a fun day to celebrate the GAA and hurling.

We appreciate that this date is during the Easter school holidays and that some children may be unavailable to come along.

If we have sufficient numbers we will enter two teams in this event. Please let us know if your child intends to go or not so that we can inform the organisers.

(Contact Paddy Neeson 077088789680)

 

Date – Sunday 19^th April                                 Time   –  11:30 – 13:00

Venue – Meadowbank Arena, Magherafelt    Age     -   U10

 Transport – Cars will leave St Patrick’s College at 10:15

Juvenile Hurling Training Times

There will be no training next Wednesday as the school is shut for the Easter break.

Training will resume at St Louis after the Easter holidays on Wednesday 22^nd April.  We are keeping a watchful eye on the weather. If conditions improve, training for the older age group (P5 – Y8) will move outside to the all weather pitch at an earlier time of 06:30 – 08:00. If conditions remain poor we will stay indoors a while longer.

Training times for P2 – P4 will remain unchanged.

 

Wednesday nights at St Louis Grammar – P2 –P4 – 06:30 – 07:15 – indoors

                                                                         P5 – Y8 -07:15 – 08:10 – indoors if wet

                                                                                       -06:30 – 08:00 – outdoors if dry

 

Hurling Development Meeting

North Antrim Coaching and Development Committee have launched a development plan to promote hurling coaching and games. The plan mimics an approach taken in Munster, and has been drawn up in association with top Munster coaches. The idea is to share knowledge and replicate best practice in our clubs.

Tutors, who have been trained by Munster coaches, will “adopt” a club and assist in delivering a club plan for juveniles. Alec Campbell from Ballycastle has been assigned to assist All Saints.

To kick start the process, a meeting will be held on Tuesday 21^st April in the club room at Slemish Park. All club members, senior players, parents and teachers are invited.

One of the key lessons learnt from Munster is the importance of getting parents involved in coaching and running teams. We therefore invite parents to come along as guests of honour to share your views and ideas and agree a way forward to progress hurling within the club.

If you have any questions contact Paddy Neeson (07708878968).

ACFL D2: Dunloy 2-04 All Saints 0-07

All saints got their league campaign underway on monday night at a very wet Pearse Park in Dunloy, and although they were on the wrong end of a three point game there were plenty of positives to take from the game.

With underfoot conditions proving to be very testing it was never going to be a classic game of football, though to their credit both teams put up an entertaining clash.

It was Dunloy playing with the wind on their backs who got the brighter start, with the McAllister brothers Kevin and Gareth proving to be difficult opponents to work with. However the Saints men stood firm in defence and held dunloy scoreless for the first fifteen minutes. All Saints also created a few scoring chances through the strong running of corner forwards Joe Rafferty and Peter McCann, however they were let down on a few occassions by poor final balls or some wayward shooting by the Saints forward line. The deadlock was finally broken after fifteen minutes when a wayward shot for a point by ’speedy’ mcallister which seemed to be going wide, dropped short and rebounded off the back off Saints defender Sean McVeigh and fell infront of an empty net for a Dunloy forward to nip in and send the ball to the Saints net. Almost immediately Dunloy increased their advantage to four with a point from corner forward Benny McGarry. Saints then dug deep and had the lions share of possession for the remainder of the first half, but again were let down by more wayward shooting and basic handling areas when in good scoring territory. Saints had to wait until the twentieth minute before they put their first score on the board when a good move involving Tiernan Walsh and Peter McCann resulted in the latter splitting the posts from twenty yards out. Saints were well on top at this stage and ate further into the Dunloy advantage when an excellent free from midfielder Paddy Logan from thirty five yards against a strong breeze sailed high over the bar. That score proved to be the final score of the first half and Saints headed in at the break confident that they could claw back the deficit.

The second half started the way the first half finished with the Ballymena men in command, and almost from the restart saints reduced the deficit to the minimum when a high ball into full forward Paul McCann was knocked down for his brother Peter who confidently raised the white flag from twenty yards out. All Saints should have kicked on from this score but disaster struck again when a couple of mistakes led to Benny McGarry being left with a one on one with saints keeper Mickey O’Kane and it was the Dunloy player who won the duel, cooly dispatching the ball past the dispairing dive of the saints number one. Again All Saints raised their game and with Paddy Logan and Terry logan along with centre half back Sean McVeigh now controlling the midfield area, they continued to eat at the dunloy advantage when Aidan Walsh was given the ball by the industrious Joe Rafferty and Walsh made no mistake from all of thirty yards, leaving a major between the teams. Dunloy then capitalised on alot of handling errors and wayward passing by the Saints men and fired over two quick fire points, one by “Rev” McAllister and the other by the Dunloy number twelve to leave five in it and two points beckoning. Saints were then awarded a lifeline when Paul McCann was upended illegally in the Dunloy box, and referee Jarlath O’Donnell immediately awarded a penalty. Peter McCann stepped up to take the kick but the slippery condition proved to be his downfall when he slipped just before impact sending the ball over the bar to register just a minimum. Dunloy again capitalised on some poor mistakes in the Saints ranks to once again leave five between the teams. From this point on it was the Dunloy goalkeeper that proved to be the thorn in All Saints side with several excellent point blank saves, firstly from Paul McCann who got on the end of a handling error by the Dunloy full back only to see his effort end up in the relieved arms of the Dunloy net minder, from the resulting kick out the ball was played high into the Dunloy box and Conor Crilly raced onto the knock down by Paul McCann only to see his firmly struck effort expertly turned round the post yet again by the dunloy number one. Saints continued to push to lower the colours of Dunloy and with substitute Colin McCambridge into the action his impact was immediate neatly slotting over the bar after a pin point pass from midfielder Terry Logan. Paddy logan then left just three points in it with a free from out on the right, and Saints continued to pepper the Dunloy goal but couldn’t find a way past the resolute Dunloy defence who held on to take the two points.

All Saints: Micky O’Kane, Seamus McAfee, Andy Kelly, Rob Curley, Micky McCarry, Sean McVeigh, Damian Kelly, Terry Logan, Paddy Logan, Aidan Walsh, Tiernan Walsh, Conor Crilly, Joe Rafferty, Paul McCann, Peter McCann.
Subs:  Colin McCambridge, Dara Walsh, Kevin MacAllister, Gary Murphy, Damien Casey, Joe Rocks

Hurling / Camogie Nursery Programme

April 2, 2009
7:30 pm	to	9:30 pm

Hurling/ Camogie Nursery Programme

Date: Thursday 2^nd April

Time: 7:30pm; 2hr Workshop (1½hrs Practical; ½hr Theory)

Venue: Dunloy GAC, Antrim will host the event.
Info: This is an Indoor Coach Participation Session and will look at Drills, Skills and games for players aged 4-8yrs.
Tutor: Kevin Kelly

Please note the above course is open to everyone, everywhere and is free of charge.

Contact: Should you have any queries please contact Kevin Kelly | M: +4479 2052 8794 | E: kkelly@ulster.gaa.ie.