Following an 8 week lay off from competitive action our U10 hurlers were chomping at the bit all week when word filtered through that we were heading to Gurteen last night to face St. Josephs Doora Barefield. On arrival head coach Martin Conlon wormed up the players before dividing the boys into 5 evenly balanced teams for 1 40 minute match divided into 4 x 10 minute quarters. Despite a drop of rain beforehand the pitch was in perfect condition for a game.

From a distance the colours mirrored a battle between Clare and Galway and close up it replicated the skill and vigour you would expect from those counties when they clash ash in Colosseums such as Cusack Park, Pearse Stadium and Croke Park.

The targets set out for the players tonight were:

· Play in your assigned positions keeping your shape and quickly resetting on puckouts.

· Tackle in numbers supporting the player in on the ball.

· Hooks and blocks were as good as scores

· Positivity & Encouragement

As expected we were sluggish to get going following the long layoff so come the first water break some coaches used this time to splash a bit of water and wake up a few of our lads which worked a treat. The general consensus was all teams improved as the game went on and by the final quarter we were replicating the striking on the run with the short grip made famous by local lad Jamsie O' Connor during Clare’s golden era of the 90s.

A big thanks to St. Josephs for organising and hosting our boys and to our parents who came to support and bring the boys. We have lots more games coming up and will continue to rotate the players and teams to ensure we all get lots of game time.