Munster Express Online

Up to the ages of 16-18, our boys and girls play Gaelic Games for fun and enjoyment and especially to be with their friends.

At club level, parents and enthusiastic clubpeople coach children from the age of five to 14 and every boy and girl is given the opportunity to learn the skills of hurling, Gaelic football, camogie, girls football or handball.

Friendly ‘Go-Games’ are played between clubs and these usually take place during the interval of inter-county games or inter-club games.

From the age of 12, Bord na nÓg does great work organising games between the young people from all the various clubs and again the matches provide fun and enjoyment for the participants.

At this level also Development Squads ensure that all involved make friends from all over the county and city of Waterford and also the players get the opportunity to play against teams from other counties.

The adults giving their time, energy and enthusiastic interest to all the above projects are to be complemented and they provided the platform for the success of our inter-county teams last year.

Our Secondary Schools have provided additional impetus to the promotion of Gaelic Games in the Deise.

The recent successes of De La Salle College at Harty Cup and All- Ireland level added to the success of St Paul’s, Tramore CBS, Dungarvan CBS, St Augustine’s College and Blackwater Community School ensure our Gaelic Games maintain a high profile at county, provincial and Munster and national level.

Of course, all the other Secondary Schools and Colleges promote Gaelic Games and Post Primary Officer Ann Hogan co-ordinates their efforts from first years to Leaving Certificate level.

In the Primary Schools Peter Power did magnificent work as coach to all the pupils and some of the present star inter – county players that benefited from his tutelage are Michael ‘Brick’ Walsh, Seamus and Declan Prendergast as well as goalkeeper Clinton Hennessy.

Peter’s work is now being continued by Michelle Power (Western Schools); David Robinson(Mid-County) and John Quinn(City Schools). All three are doing thoroughly professional jobs and all the pupils really look forward to their visits.

Cumann na mBunscoil (Primary Schools GAA ) organise competitions in hurling, boys football , camogie, girls football and handball (Handball is coached by Br Spring, St. Augustines College) between the schools and there are five divisions which ensures that every pupil in every school gets a chance to play.

For example Division E is for two-teacher schools and the teams are seven–a– side.

All five Western Finals are usually played in Fraher Field and all the finals are played on the same day with parents and relatives supporting the young children. The same applies to the Eastern and County Finals of Cumann na mBunscoil.

The INTO Mini-Sevens Blitzes take a lot of organising and again every Primary School in the county participates. As a result of this competition a number of Boys and Girls get to play in Croke Park on All-Ireland semi-final and final days.

Another high profile event for The Primary Schools is ‘The Primary Game’ which is played before Munster Senior Championship matches.

A selection of the best pupils in Waterford play an opposing county and some of our present inter-county players have told me that their ‘Primary Game’ jersey is a prized possession.

The County Board, Eastern Board, Western Board and all their sub-committees are presently harnessing all the work that has so enjoyably been undertaken down through the years and success was our reward at minor, Under-21 and senior levels last year.

Our sponsors are essential to the success of our inter-county teams and in this regard we are fortunate to have 3, mobile phone and broadband providers; Glanbia under their Snowcream brand and the input of Club Deise and the Dublin Supporters Club.

Considering all the various aspects the future indeed looks bright for the future of our Gaelic Games in the Deise.

Regards,

Seamus Fitzgerald,

Kilrush, Dungarvan.