After a great end to the u12 season where the squad got to play games in Cusack Park and the Gaelic Grounds, our 2008 born boys cranked into U11 training at the start of August. With a panel of 26 'on the age' players it has been all systems go since then as the management team of Adrian Chaplin, Damien Keane and Eoin Gavin have put the boys through their paces. A large focus has been games-based skill situations including:

• Jab lifting first time on the run and taking 4 steps before playing the ball.
• Catching and contesting puckouts.
• Playing with their heads up so then can make a pass.
• Striking both left and right.

The boys have already done a 30 second skills test in the wall ball on striking both left and right. This striking will be tested again in the coming weeks and the coaches will be hoping for improvements! Behind the scenes, the management team have been contacting clubs up and down the country in a bid to provide plenty of games for the squad. And this has payed off mightily with the boys getting 11 matches under their belts in the last 9 weeks. These include:

• Newport (home) - (2/8)
• Monaleen (home) - (10/8)
• Newmarket on Fergus (home) - (17/8)
• Eire Og (home) - (19/8)
• Doora Barefield (away) - (25/8)
• Athenry (home) - (1/9)
• Scariff/Ogonnelloe (away) - (2/9)
• Monaleen (away) - (6/9)
• Clonlara (home) - (9/9)
• Clooney Quin (home) - (15/9)
• Newmarket on Fergus (away) - (23/9)

The boys have been very competitive in all games and have shown great discipline and attitude throughout. There is a busy schedule ahead with some tough away fixtures over the next few weeks with the following games to look forward to:

• Athenry (away) – 29/9
• Sarsfield, Cork (away) – 6/10
• Newport (away) – 13/10

The coaches will also be organizing some matches under lights in O'Garney Park during October. The boys have put a tremendous effort in all year, so if you're in the vicinity please call into O'Garney Park to support them!