Meath's newest hurling club
Gaeil Colmcille presented a plaque to mark the historic occasion
Gaeil Colmcille presented a plaque to mark the historic occasion. The "North Meath Hurling" initiative has reached a significant milestone. Three U-8 teams and two U-10 teams were fielded by North Meath versus Gaeil Colmcille/Kilskyre in what was a gloriously sunny Grangegoddan last Saturday morning March 24th. North Meath were sporting their new kit kindly sponsored by Brogans Centra Carlanstown. The hosts, who put on tea and coffee for parents, welcomed their near neighbours with open arms, generously marking the occasion with a special plaque presented at the end of play by a representative U-8 host team player to a North Meath U-8 player. U-8's and U-10's will continue with their go-games and continue to hone their skills throughout the summer and U-6's will resume training again shortly when the weather improves.
The U8 squad
The North Meath Hurling initiative begun in Sept 2017 when contact was made between four neighbouring clubs (St. Michaels, Moynalty, Kilmainhamwood and Nobber) and a meeting held with the County Board Games Development team Peter Durnin and Jamie Queeny with a view to trialling hurling in the area.
Thanks to the backing and support from Brogan's Centra Carlanstown, a Centra Hurling day was held at St. Michaels on the 30th Sept to launch North Meath Hurling. Both All-Ireland Trophies were available for photos, "give it a go" sessions were facilitated by County Board Coaches and Wexford dual star Lee Chin was in attendance to meet and greet. Schools in the area were then visited by County Board coach Paraic Burke throughout late September through to early November.
At the jersey presentation were Peter Sheridan, Maria Jackson, Pat Brogan (sponsor), Eoin O'Sullivan, Alan Masterson and Jody Gilsenan.
At the jersey presentation were Peter Sheridan, Maria Jackson, Pat Brogan (sponsor), Eoin O'Sullivan, Alan Masterson and Jody Gilsenan.
A decision was made to concentrate on U-6 /U-8 & U-10 level and games and coaching sessions were kicked off on Friday evenings in Cormeen Sports Complex in mid-October. Three County Board Coaches conducted the sessions which were attended by up to 70 children and this carried on every Friday night over the winter finishing in late February. Sixteen volunteer parents were trained up as mentors over the same period including a session provided by the National Hurling Director Martin Fogarty in Cormeen.
The Under 10 squad
North Meath U-8's and U-10's will continue with their go-games and continue to hone their skills throughout the summer and U-6's will resume training again shortly when the weather improves.North Meath U-8's look forward to a big day out in Croke Park on the 4th April, where they will play two games against a Kilkenny Club Barrow Rangers. St Michaels will also be hosting two Cul camps this summer, a Football Cul camp 9th July to the 13th July and a Hurling Cul Camp 13th to 17th August.
