Our U6 Bridge Bucks returned to the playing fields on July 24th. These future stars took to O’Garney Park like a bunch of gazelles keen to expend some energy following a lengthy off season. The 40 strong squad welcomed the return of 30 players who remain underage from last year, bolstered by the fresh legs of 10 newcomers making their U6 debuts in 2020.

2020 sees adopted Bridge man, and former U8 coach of the year, John Reddin take the reins as commander in chief of the Bucks. John has put together a large backroom team comprising 22 coaches that would make any intercounty manager proud ! He has searched far and wide to bring on board coaches from as far afield as Wexford and Galway, in addition to a number of more local recruits.

Mindful to adhere to suggested guidance, the 40 players have been organised into 4 evenly split playing groups, where each playing group have been assigned coaches who will remain with the group throughout the session and the season.

The weekly training sessions follow a familiar format, with Reddin or local intermediate hero David ‘Doc’ O’Connor starting by putting the young men through a moderate warmup with a focus on getting the players to

• Practice the basics of holding the hurley correctly
• Becoming accustomed to the ready position and lock position
• Showing the players how to distinguish between the Hurley Hand and Catching Hand
• Repeating the ‘big C’ strike on both left and right sides.
• Hurley position when running

Indeed Doc regularly places an emphasis the importance of using the wrists, that would make Cyril ‘wristy hurler’ Farrell proud.

Following the warm up, the players are separated into their colour coded playing groups and directed to the first of the nights drills. The drills vary from night to night, but are usually comprised of a mixture of

• Ropes – practicing pulling on a ball left and right between two static points
• Hurdles and Sprinting
• Tackle Zones
• Striking and Blocking, in pairs.
• Dribbling and Tackling
• Practicing the Big C by striking on the ground , whilst moving.

On conclusion of the drills and skills, each playing group will play a match under the watchful eye of the assigned coaches to ensure that the basic skills are been followed.

Although with only 6 sessions completed to-date, it is very encouraging to see the continuous improvement week on week of the players. At this young age the focus is on the getting the basics right and most importantly of all – to ensure that the players get fun and enjoyment out of the game, so that we will see them return for many years to come as they advance through the age groups. If the enthusiasm and willingness to learn, continues to be replicated by this bunch of young men as they continue their hurling careers, then the future of Sixmilebridge is in very safe hands.

Note: Training continues every Friday evening so any new boys interested in coming along please give John a call on 087 9757794