Fógra – Juvenile Hurling – 08-09-110 
Na Naomh Uile – Iománaíocht na n-Óg
(All Saints – Juvenile Hurling)
North Antrim U10 Championship Blitz
Date – Saturday 11th September
Venue – Loughguille
Time – 10:00am
Transport – Cars will leave gates of St Patrick’s College at 09:15
Match Reports
P3/P4 Blitz – Cushendun, 29th Sept
In windy conditions at Cushendun All Saints got off to a slow start against a big and strong Cushendall team. The boys (and girls) never recovered from a couple of early goals. In the next match against Cushendun they held their own with James O’Boyle getting on the score sheet. In the final game it was nip and tuck with Rory McAllister scoring before Glenariffe got a couple of goals from long distance. Everyone played very well with Sinead McGarry excelling in defence despite a heavy knock and Cailin Kearney making some long range clearances. The intensity and commitment of the hurling was shown by the fact that Luke Mulholland and Paddy O’Brien both broke their sticks.
U12 League v Larne
On Tuesday 17th August our U12s travelled to Larne for a league match. The lads were keen to avenge a defeat to the same opposition in the championship two weeks previously and came out of the changing rooms with all guns blazing. The tension was visceral such that half of the team retired for a comfort break just before the throw in. Empty bladders had a calming influence and they settled down to produce a great team display with some fluid passing as they spread the ball about and notched up plenty of scores to edge the contest.
There were strong performances throughout but a special mention goes to Emmet McAllister who captained the team and scored a goal on his debut.
Team – A McGuigan, S O,Rawe, R Ward, J Murphy, C McGarry, D Hasson, R McGarry (0:1), C Gallagher (0:01), C Neeson (3:05), E McGuigan (0:02), E Elliott (2:02), C Lemon, C O’Rawe (1:01), E McAllister (1:00)
Larne have new premises idyllically nestled in a rural location on the slope of Brustin Brae with a panoramic view of the glen and the sea in the distance. The facilities are designed for maximise use. The gable wall of the changing/club rooms is built with a double row of blocks and serves as the wall of an open air hurling alley/five-a-side court extending from the side of the main building. Complete with fencing and lighting this allows youngsters to practice their skills individually or in groups. Innovative thinking with hurling in mind.
P5/P6 Blitz
Following their exploits in Larne eight of the panel travelled to Cushendall on Sunday to play in a P5/P6 blitz. They won their first three matches against, Glenravel, Cushendun and St Enda’s, and were narrowly beaten by Dunloy before running out of steam in their last match against Cushendall. The small panel meant there was little opportunity for rest, and all players played every minute of the five matches. What we lacked in numbers was amply compensated for in quality of performances by all the boys. We were very impressed and delighted with how they played.
Team- C Magill (1:02), R McGarry (1:00), E Elliott (4:03), E McGuigan (2:03), P Magill, C McGarry (3:02), C Lemon, N O’Kane
Peil na nÓg
Well done to our U12, U16 and minor football teams who all appeared in championship finals over the past couple of weeks. The U12s, and U16s each met strong opposition and were unfortunate not to come away with silverware,
John Hasson’s and Martin Campbell’s U12 squad were particularly unlucky in a thriller against Creggan when they lost by a single injury time point. This is a very talented group with many dual players in the panel, although disappointed to lose we’re confident they will bounce back to contend titles in both codes next year.
The U14s also had a good championship run, reaching the semi final, but were unfortunate to be put out by a strong Antrim side.
Special recognition and credit must go to Hugh Killough and Raymond Shannon. Ten years ago they gathered a group of dishevelled U8s with snotty noses and untied laces and started forming them into a team. Organising young boys and channelling their enthusiasm into a cohesive unit can be as challenging as herding cats. But with perseverance, patience, unlimited enthusiasm and expert coaching they fashioned this group into a formidable minor squad who reached their potential to win the minor championship at Casement Park last Saturday night.
Over the past ten years this squad has experienced many highs and lows. Their success is well deserved and an inspiration to all our juvenile squads to train hard, play hard and to have fun along the way.
Size of Hurl
“What is the correct size of hurl?” This question is often asked by parents and debated in hurling circles. Opinions differ but this is what Paudie Butler, GAA National Hurling Coordinator, has to say on the subject;
“Hurley length? Stand upright, close your eyes, put your shoulders square, hands by your sides and grip the hurley. Any timber above this point is useless to you as a hurler.”
Paudie isn’t one to mince his words – but he gives great advice.
Using too big a hurl is a recipe for ingraining bad habits. If a child is handed a hurl that is too long he will be impeded by the “useless” portion and may be tempted to grab it with his non dominant hand resulting in a “kak handed” grip. The additional length and weight will make the hurl heavier and more cumbersome to wield which will slow down his swing and diminish performance. It is more fulfilling for a child to get a hurl of the correct size, and to wear it out by practising every day, than to be frustrated by waiting to grow into one which he can’t use properly.
A recent survey of adult inter county hurlers and camogs shows a trend towards using shorter, lighter hurls. This is a response to changes in how the modern game is played, with more emphasis on speed and striking the sliotar from the hand.
