Minor and Underage Report AGM 2003

Minor and Underage Division

Review of 2003

The Blackrock National Hurling Club Juvenile and primary sections catered for over 500 young hurlers during 2003. The emphasis has been on enjoying learning and playing the game of hurling in a structured sake and disiciplined environment. The club grounds at Church Road have resounded all year to the sounds of hurleys and Sliothars. Central to this huge operation has been the year round commitment of Approx 50 hurling coaches and supporting personnel who have devoted countless hours to the progress of the young hurlers ranging in age from 4 to 18 years.

County Final Success

On the competitive playing fields, pride must go to the under 14 panel, who captured the County final victory from a gallant Newtownshandrum. Captained by Stephen Guerin, they fashioned an amazing victory, when despite being 6 points down with eight minutes to go, ran out as winners by four points. Earlier they had also captured the city championship when they defeated their Feile na NGael conquerors, Glen Rovers. Ten of this panel are now playing on the Seandun panels. Roy Power, Brian Ahern, Christy Bonus and Gerard O'Regan have contributed enormously to the ongoing success. Coaches Jamie Harrington, John Long, Ger O' Mahoney and Donal Buckley have overseen to the development of the talents of these Rockies over the past years. This victory represented a third under-age County final triumph in three years for the resurgent juvenile hurling section of the Blackrock club.

City Championship success

The under 13 panel under the captaincy of Patrick Parfrey achieved success in winning the City Championship by defeating Na Piarsaigh. Aided by such fine players as Richard Dineen, Stephen Mc Carthy, Raymond Norberg and Ciaran O' Herlihy this panel had captured the under 12 county championship victory in 2002. The panel also reached the league final, however the double was not to be as Na Piarsaigh turned the tables and ran out winners. Maurice Griffin, Pat Roche, Seamus Hartnett, Brian Roche, Tony Falvey and Gerard O Mahoney look after these Rockies, while Timmy Murphy regularly contributes his experience.

Cork Panel

While the under 15's under Brother Fitzgibbon tried hard, they were beset with injury problems all year to key players and were defeated by Glen Rovers in the Championship. However J.P Carroll, Mark Drummond and Billy McCarthy played on the Cork panel. With other players of the calibre of Colm O'Brien, Tony Linehan and Rory Wedell, there are grounds for optimism with this panel. Likewise the under 16's performed well and gave a good account of themselves all year but did not secure any honours. Fr.Tony Finn, Frank Murray, gene O'Sullivan, Ray Delaney and Martin Lyons coached these lads of whom Paul Reidy and Paul O Sullivan worked hard throughout the year.

Tournament successes

The under 12's reached the final of the league and captured two trophies, the Tim Dennehy Cup and the Dave Hogan Cup. Players such as Patrick Deasy, David Healy and Paul O'Brien played well all year for this panel. Led by coaches Martin O' Farrell, John Vaughan, David Coakley, Mchael Kilcoyne and John Murphy, this panel had an altogether good year.

The under 10's and 11's also had a successful year hurling, winning several tournaments and more importantly the panels under Head Coaches J.P Devine and Noel O'Keeffe looked after their teams of over 30 hurlers each. Kieran O' Sullivan, Norman O'Leary and Paddy Hayes are gearing up for the under 11's in Ashton in 2004. The under 10's played in tournaments regularly during the year and gave a great account of themselves, winning several and reaching the final of the Mick Cashman Cup. Tim Aherne, Richard stokes and Kieran Ryan provided the training and coaching for this extraordinary group of Rockies.

"The Jewel in the Crown"

Often described as the "jewel in the crown" of the Blackrock club, the Saturday morning coaching sessions have gone from strength to strength in 2003. With regular crowds of up to 250 young hurlers, the set-up is a model of organisation and efficiency. Young hurlers are taught basic hurling skills in an atmosphere of fun and enjoyment, within a peer group of the same age, with whom the young boy then grows up with a friendly and welcoming setting.

The Coaches

Former Blackrock hurlers such as the legendary Jimmy Brohan, Peter Fitzgerald, James Tyner, Richard Stokes and Jim Cashman are now coaching the youngsters and are joined by many other coaches such as John Cormack, Allan Russell (who doubles up as senior selector), Liam Meaney, Tom Daly, Nicholas Bond and Gerard Crowley who all ensure that each age group is well looked after. Harry Canning, John Kennedy, Sean Logue, John O' Brien, Killian Hurley and Donnacha O' Flynn also assisted with the coaching and organisation. All coaches have now completed their foundation coaching courses and many have also completed the Level 1 Coaching course as well as attending many in-house courses.

The Blackrock Hurling Super-Leagues

The Blackrock Super Leagues (sponsored by Carey Tool Hire) have now become an institution at Church Road and moreover, 2003 saw 12 teams compete at all age groups representing some 250 young Rockies. Some of these games were tremendously exciting and were watched by enormous crowds, who witnessed some first class hurling.

The most important panels in the club are the fours, fives and sixes, who were over 130 young Rockies that were registered in 2003. Expertly run by the unflappable Joe Phipps, ably supported by Paul O' Callaghan, Michael Dunphy and Joe Hennebry, this section is one of the most exciting places to be in Church Road on a Saturday morning.

Minor Section

This panel were well catered for with a total of 18 games overall including the non exam league. In the championship they were defeated by Glen Rovers after a shaky start they gave a very good account in the second half the final score being 3 - 13 to 1- 10. The majority of the panel are underage for the coming season and if the required effort is forthcoming from all concerned ultimate honours should not be too far away.

Trainers and Mentors Tony Finn, Martin Lyons, John O Connell, Adrian O Keeffe, Derek Gosnell Colm O' Flaherty Indoor Hurling

Two indoor hurling programmes are held each year at St.Anthony's School in Ballinlough for all the young hurlers aged between 4 and 10. The next programme will begin on Saturday 17th January at 9am. Special thanks to Mr. Flor O'Sullivan, principal of St. Anthony's for his co-operation.

The Blackrock Club indoor hurling hall is nearing completion and is expected to be open early in 2004. This wonderful building represents an investment of almost 1.5 million euro by the club and the government through the National Lottery and will provide much needed sports facilities for the young people of the area. Fundraising is ongoing and when one sees what benefits it will provide for the coming generations, it should encourage the raising of the finance to see the project to completion.

Coordinating structure.

The supporting structure, which coordinates the operations and ensures the supply of good hurleys, helmets, etc to all the Rockies is comprised of the experienced Pat Roche, who certainly knows a good hurley! Colm Daly assists him. Thanks also goes to Noel O'Flaherty for doing an excellent job in repairing the hurleys. Co-ordinators of the hurling coaching are Martin O'Farrell and Gerard O'Mahoney while Blanche Mulconry and Brendan Cunningham look after registrations. Noel Carroll and his team of Anne O'Callaghan, Gobnait Burke, Lillian Daly, Eithne O'Mahoney and Kathleen Laide look after the coffee shop and refreshments for everybody. Our sincere thanks to all of the above. Special thanks is also given to Mae O'Brien for ensuring that the Blackrock Jerseys are always in good condition.

Schools

John Myler undertakes coaching in local schools.

The Blackrock website.

This is operated by John Green in conjunction with the Primary section and has been a valuable addition to the provision of up-to-date information, details of matches, fixtures, etc to club members, parents, young Rockies and the wider community. All are welcome to enter our Christmas quiz competitions sponsored by Cummins Sports. It can be accessed at www.blackrockhurling.org

This years Committee consisting of

 

Eamonn O Donoghue Chairman

Bro. Patrick Fitzgibbon ( Vice Chairman)

John O Halloran (Treasurer)

Richard Murphy (Secretary)

 

would like to thank everyone who helped in any way during the year and look forward with optimism to 2004.