While most hurlers have to wait a number of years before playing in Cusack Park the dream came true for our U11 Hurlers this morning when they took part in a blitz at Clare GAA HQ. These blitzes which are being run at U11 in hurling and football across all the main county grounds in Munster sees teams from around the province come together at different venues to play 3 x 20 minute games. due to unfortunate circumstances one of the clubs had to withdraw at the last minute and without hesitation the Bridge Boys filled in resulting in 2 hours straight of matches (6 games x 20 minutes).

The day began with the boys gathering on the hill at the old score board end for a roll call and some words on what the day involved form coach Martin.

Then on it was to the dressing rooms under the stand to experience togging out in the home dressing room where the boys were picking out their seats for future county final appearances with questions of I wonder where does Tony Kelly sit were mentioned...

Out the tunnel we ran then and like all the big guns got the formalities out of the way with the team photo:

In our first session we played 3 x 20 minute games against Shanballymore (Cork), Caherline (Limerick) and Kilmaley (Clare). In the second session we played Holycross Ballycahill (Tipperary), Granagh Ballingarry (Limerick) and Tulla (Clare). Following the games we had a Q&A session with Clare star Shane Meehan who gave the boys a run down on the Clare Team match day preparation as well as advice to the boys on pre match diets - The fact Shane eats Pancakes pre match put a big smile on the boys faces and may not be what the parents want to hear!!

Following the event a lot of boys went for Ice Cream while more took Shane Meehans tips about recovery and jumped in a lake to make sure they would be fresh for training in the morning.

A Big thanks to the parents who took time out of work to bring the boys today and to the coaches who went "missing" from work to be in attendance - It should be noted some coaches were spotted on laptops in the stand and while they were disguised as stats men they were actually taking the term remote office to a new level :-)

Finally a word of thanks to Clare GAA and Munster GAA and the coordinators of the event which ran like clock work with sunshine organized also.