Shannon Gaels Newsletter week ending 20th Jan 08

The parish of Croghan can seek great pride in its GAA teams both present and past, who endeavour to keep this North Roscommon team equally as impressive as their bigger, more experienced counterparts.


Shannon Gaels Minor Club is not a separate entity to Shannon Gaels. There is only ONE Shannon Gaels club and it comprises the seniors, ladies AND the minors. The minor club is simply appointed to take charge of one vital aspect of club activity – coaching and running ALL underage gaelic activities for children between the ages of 5-18.

The Objective of the Minor Club...

TO MAKE EVERYONE in the parish clear about the role of the minor club, here is a brief synopsis...

Our minor club is strong and vibrant because it has a team of dedicated voluntary officials committed to the promotion and development of gaelic games.

It is intended to promote participation for ALL children and to present GAA as a fun recreation for our youth as they learn the skills and technologies of gaelic football in a healthy, structured and relaxed environment.

Our programmes run on three concepts (a) Physically -By helping the youth to acquire basic playing techniques, improving fitness and developing positive lifetime habits, (b) Psychologically -By teaching kids to learn control their emotions and develop a sense of confidence in their own ability, technical, tactical and physical, (c) Socially and Morally - By learning to combine with teammates, play by the rules and respect team mentors and match officials.

We are committed to implementing a Code of Best Practice which is produced by the GAA coaching and games development committee and approved by the Irish Sports Council, our Youth are coached once a week in the sports complex over the winter period and thereafter in Croghan during the summer. Our tremendous coaches all undertook foundation & level 1 coaching courses at the beginning of the year and attended coaching conferences, availed of first aid courses all in the interest of the club.

All kind subscriptions and monies raised are directed to finance underage activity. It costs us approximately €1500 to equip and maintain each underage team per year.

Hosting events like Feile or supporting visiting clubs are at considerable expense, but the experiences gained and friendships made far outweigh the financial burden. We hold a presentation night each year to celebrate achievements and improvements made by our young players.

We appreciate very much all the help we receive from the senior club and the ladies club when needed. We are still behind in terms of counties like Galway and Kerry when it comes to underage training, but the Roscommon Minor Board finally has got its act in line and now has an excellent coaching and games development committee headed by Willie Hegarty and our own clubman Seamus Sweeney. All the resources are there and it is our objective to continuously coach coach coach our young players over the coming year.

In this regard we seek the support of our senior club in building a club base from the very bottom and from parents and senior players in assisting us. We hope that this newsletter gives the required insight into what we as a club achieve.

Special points of interest:
· We are dedicated to making sure ALL young people in the parish have the chance to play football
· We are determined to making sure any young member gets the best opportunities possible to develop their skills
· We are motivated to bring the club to the best it can be in terms of performance both on and off field

A brief synopsis of 2007 expenses

€1000 U12 trip to Bundoran & meal
€1000 U14 celebratory dinners
€600 U16 trip to cinema & meal
€2000 Hoodies for all kids who attended the Sports Complex (thanks to Padraig Glancy Supervalue for generous sponsorship of remainder)

€1000 Hosting other clubs for weekend trips
€3000 Being one of the hosts in Feile
€2360 Footballs and equipment since June 2006

2008 upcoming events:
Tommy Main, the main coaching expert with Tir Chonaill Harps, Glasgow, will be coming to Croghan to interact with younger players aged between 14-18. he will be teaching them the basics on how to referee, train efficiently among other ‘off the field’ aspects.
This YOUTH EXCHANGE PROGRAMME will involve 6 of our players and those who are given the roles will undoubtedly get superior advice as well as have a fun filled few days.
Any young person interested in participating should contact either Patricia Beirne or Chirs O’ Dowd IMMEDIATELY!!!!!

MINOR FOOTBALL
The 2008 County Minor League commences on Sunday Feb 3rd. The team are already in training coached by Shane Loftus and Fergus Beirne. A challenge match is scheduled against Boyle this Sunday 20th Jan at 12 noon in Boyle. It’s great news to hear that these lads are out training so early in the year. Good luck to all involved.

WHERE THE MONEY WE RAISE WILL GO...

COACHING—Foundation and Level 1 all coaches trained to recognized standards
BUYING EQUIPMENT-footballs, bibs, cones etc for each team.
BRINGING TEAMS ON SOCIAL OUTINGS
PROGRAMMES SUCH AS THE UPCOMING YOUTH EXCHANGE
KITTING OUT COACHES AND
PLAYERS

Youth development exchange

ATTN: BOYS & GIRLS

ARE you interested in promoting gaelic games through coaching refereeing etc. at minor level?
ARE you interested in promoting and representing your club?
ARE you interested in developing & improving gaelic games?

IF your answer is yes and you are between the age of 14 & 18 years of age, please contact Chris O’ Dowd or Patricia Beirne immediately.

SIX PLACES ARE AVAILABLE ON FIRST COME BASIS.

Happy New Year

The anxious swimmers before takeoff!

Clodagh Corrigan, Johnny Mc Guire, Shane

Devanney, Daithi Foley, Hughie Boyd

tentatively awaiting the countdown.

THE SPLASH IN THE POND!

CAVETOWN LAKE was the chilly venue for the adventerous splash last week as a few brave souls sprinted into its icy water.

The crowd gathered in their hundreds to mockingly laugh at the shivering swimmers while they themselves huddled around in their festive clothing. Around 15 braved the elements and were almost speechless with the inhumane temperature of the lake. A great jovial atmosphere blotted out most of the freezing thoughts after the divers had completed the challenging task. Whiskey and mulled wine were provided by the Croghan Bar, defrosting any icicles forming on the swimmers' hair!

Unfortunately, as most highly anticipated events go, some little hiccups were encountered. As stated in our recent December Newsletter (see below) Milo Beirne, Pudsy McKeown, Fr. Martin and Seamus Beirne were all eager contestants in the race for 'Battle of the Bathers'. Outrageous odds were being placed on each contender with the gambling locals competing for a winner.

Milo Beirne was first to be unequivocally expelled after all his donations were received from mysterious political sources; Pudsy McKeown was dismissed from even attending the event after boastfully admitting he would sputter into the lake on his Massey Ferguson with the dog, Tilley keeping watch from the bonnet; Fr. Martin even though gaining substantial financial backing it was later revealed to all be from a mister Frank Feighan (something to do with an old car); and after losing the comradeship of his fellow contendees, Seamus Sweeney decided enough was enough and left his togs at home.

Wee Jimmy Glancy, fully attired in Santa Costume over a concealed wetsuit, recieved a phone call that morning which resulted in him tearfully taking off his beloved santa outfit and donning a black suit instead. Apart from these minor distractions, it was a very successful event which raised substantial funds which will meet the needs of our underage teams in 2008. Thanks goes out to the participants, The Croghan Bar and to Kit Beirne and all members of the Cavetown Residences Association for providing facilities at the lake.