Juvenile Section looks back - looks forward
JUVENILE SECTION
SECRETARY 2011 ANNUAL REPORT
The Juvenile Section
By way of background, the Juvenile section encompasses all players from the time they take their first steps onto a GAA field all the way up to 16 year olds on the verge of making their first forays into minor & adult hurling and football. Boys (and girls) take part in Cúl Cubs, the Syls Football and Hurling Academy from the ages of 4 to 7 before moving onto playing competitive fixtures against other clubs from U8 onwards. (The girls of course move on from Nursery to the Ladies Section).
For the uninitiated, juvenile activity is organised by the County Board into two main sections, whereby teams initially compete under the umbrella of CCC1 from U8 to U12, before moving on to play leagues and championships run by CCC2 from U13 through to U16. CCC1 is very much non-competitive to begin with, with the focus being on developing the skills of all young players and maximising the number of touches per player. Matches are played with small-sided teams (no grade at CCC1 play 15-a-side).
2011 - The Year on the Pitch
The focus in the juvenile section in St. Sylvester’s is on participation rather than winning and by that yardstick, the club continues to go from strength to strength with some 550+ young players, ranging in age from 4 to 16, turning out each week on the pitches around Malahide and the county generally.
While ‘it’s the taking part that counts’, on the pitch, there were a number of notable achievements on the pitch in 2011 not least being the U12 footballers topping Division 1; the U11 hurlers finishing the year undefeated at the top of their league; while the U15B footballers bounced back from defeat early on in the Championship to go on and capture their Shield at the beginning of November.
Nursery level
Aka Cúl Cubs, the Syls Football and Hurling Academy continued to introduce sizeable amounts of new players to GAA and to St. Sylvester’s. When it resumed in September, some 180 young boys and girls signed on, a truly fantastic number. Ably marshalled by a whole army of volunteer mentors, the name of the game is enjoyment with a little bit of hurling and football thrown in for good measure.
In the second part of 2011, next year’s U8 team took their first steps into competitive action by playing a number of friendlies against neighbouring clubs. We wish them all the best for 2012 as they play their first competitive matches starting in February.
U8 (born 2003)
The first year playing competitive fixtures for these young stars of the future, they also made history as being the first year ever to field three hurling teams. They also sent out three football teams and indeed will move to fielding four football teams in 2012, benchmarks which I’m pleased to say are being followed by their successors. Long may it continue!
U9 (born 2002)
Fielding three football and two hurling teams this year, the ongoing development of this crop was perhaps best evidenced by the strong showing of some of their players who contributed hugely to the U9 ½ football team which came within a whisker of Dublin Community Games glory back in May in Bridgefield.
U10 (born 2001)
Playing out of Bridgefield for the first time this year, this bunch field three football and two hurling teams, and were a match for all comers this year in both codes. Similar to their U9 football counterparts, the U10 hurlers were seen to great effect when competing a year up in both the Community Games and U11 camaint this year.
U11 foot. (born 2000)
A story of talented footballers and huge numbers, the two teams fielded at U11 level had their first year where their results get returned weekly to County Board. They are very much looking forward to kicking on in 2012 when they move up to fielding three teams. Great things expected!
U11hurl. (born 2000)
Fielding two teams and competing in Division 3, both teams had great years with the A side going the entire league undefeated. They move up a division next year as a result and hope to build on this great showing with another successful season
U12 foot. (born 1999)
A year of notable highlights for the U12 footballers, topping Division 1 Northside in great style, winning the Ardara tournament in Donegal in dramatic fashion, and in return putting on a great show in Bridgefield when hosting Ardara themselves back in August. A definite bunch to watch for the future.
U13 hurl. (born 1998)
Competing well in Division 2 where they finished third this year, they also laid the groundwork for next year by competing a year ahead of themselves in the U14 Féile. With the National Féile to look forward to this coming year, it promises to be one to remember for these lads.
U13A foot. (born 1998)
Coming out all guns firing in the grading league at the start of the year, the team fought their way into Division 1 where they subsequently finished a very strong third. Very much looking forward to building on this in 2012.
U13B foot. (born 1998)
The U13B team competed in a tough Division 6 in 2011 where they played in some fantastic matches throughout the year. Like a lot of teams, a fairer grading for 2012 gives them a lot of hope of having a good year.
U14 foot. (born 1997)
Competed in Division 5 again in 2011, as they will next year also, the lads also had their turn at competing in the Dublin Féile na nÓg at the end of April. Moving to Sunday football at U15 level for next year.
U15A foot. (born 1996)
A tough year with a lot of injuries which depleted their resources, the lads nevertheless finished the year strongly with a good run in the league and a run to shield final. Looking forward to 2012 having consolidated their place in Division 2.
U15B foot. (born 1996)
A very strong showing this year, coming third in a competitive Division 5, and while unlucky to lose early in the Championship, they put this behind them in spectacular style by rebounding to go on and win the shield final on a great day in Bridgefield.
U15 hurl. (born 1996)
A very strong showing in the league, coming third in Division 3, was followed by a strong run in the Championship where they went all the way to the final only to suffer defeat on the day. This team hope to go out on a high from juvenile level in U16 next year
U16 hurl (born 1995)
Another good year in 2011 for these hurlers, some of the players were subsequently prominently involved in the club’s first ever victorious minor hurling team towards the end of the year.
U16 foot. (born 1995)
A year of great promise for one of the better juvenile teams of previous years did peter out in the end as they fell out of contention in the league. The players will be looking to rebound again next year as they move onto minor level.
2011 - The Events
Mini All Irelands
Something to look forward to coming around each year are the annual Mini All Irelands and they proved to be another fantastic few weeks this past May. With the support of Audi North Dublin, the finals day on Sunday 22nd May was the biggest yet and even the untypical weather during some parts of the day didn’t dampen the enthusiasm. Our appreciation goes out to all those many, many people (with special mention to Paddy Miskelly) who gave so freely of their time, sponsorship and expertise on the day; you all contributed hugely to a brilliant day out for the whole club.
Cúl Cubs launch
Our nursery was rebranded in 2011 and the launch in the clubhouse of Cúl Cubs, the Syls Football and Hurling Academy on 5th March provoked such a frenzy surrounding special guests Pat Gilroy & Bernard Brogan that I doubt even anything they encountered subsequently last September would have come close to it! It got Cúl Cubs off to a flying start and, even though it was starting from a strong position to begin with, it has continued to go from strength to strength ever since.
The annual Cúl Cub Christmas party was run of course in December and again drew them in in massive numbers. Thanks to everyone who made that day run so smoothly with special mention to Dave Preston who provided the essential Selection Boxes.
Sam Maguire visit
Of course this year, for the first time since 1995, Sam Maguire was back in town, making it out to Malahide twice on official visits. Congratulations to Michéal McCarthy on his achievements with the Dublin footballers this year and our thanks to him for bringing the cup here on both occasions back in November, taking it on a tour around the schools of the village and to the club.
Summer & Easter camps
As in previous year, the Summer Camps in both Football and Hurling were held in July and August, run by Panner with the assistance of a number of some of the ‘older’ young players from the Club. There were also camps held at Easter and Halloween. Particular mention to the hurling camp organised by Colm O’Connor in first week of July where Dotsy O’Callaghan and Shane Ryan, fresh from the Leinster final, put big numbers of Malahide and surrounding area hurlers through their paces for the week.
Ardara visit to Malahide
St. Sylvester’s have being going to Ardara, Co. Donegal for the past eleven years to play in the annual U12 football tournament there. Each team that has gone up with their accompanying mentors & parents have commented on the fantastic hospitality that we have been shown there by our hosts. This past August, on weekend of All Ireland football semi-final, we got the chance to return the favour as the U12 footballers from Ardara made the trip south for the weekend. To the great credit of all involved, the weekend was a spectacular success in terms of organisation, hospitality, and feel-good factor. (Plus it was by some distance the best Dublin –v- Donegal football match that weekend!). Congrats again to all concerned in staging this visit.
Féile na nGael 2012
Looking ahead this time, in July 2012, Dublin plays host to the national Féile na nGael hurling championships for the first time since 1982 and St. Sylvester’s are targeting being a venue for as many matches as possible for the weekend. We will be playing host to a club from ‘down the country’ for the weekend and we trust that the whole club will endeavour to make brilliant hosts when the time comes around.
With Thanks To
The Mentors
It takes a huge commitment in time and energy to take a team and bring it through the year(s) of training and matches. We are most fortunate in Sylvester’s to have a most dedicated bunch of mentors, without whom of course there would be no juvenile section – and not much of an adult one either in time! While there are many, many people who help out with the teams, I would like to take the liberty of thanking the following for all their efforts throughout the year (and apologies for anyone I may inadvertently have missed):
Nursery Will Rooney, Eamonn Burke, Dave Preston, Cathal O’Donnell
U7 Shay Keogh, Podge Bannon, Ray Flannery
U8 Mick Byrne, Anthony Keogh, Derek Roche
U9 Ronan O’Donnell, Peter Mooney, Aidan Lillis
U10 Ernie Brenner, Jimmy Deneher, Pat Hoyne, Paul Curran
U11 f John McCormack, Brendan Gleeson, Liam Foley, John Cox
U11h Eugene Larkin, Dave Shalloe, Paidi Duffy
U12 f Brian Barnes, John Crosse, Paul Reinhart, Paddy Miskelly, Ben McCarthy, Dave Peyton
U13 h Anthony Cooney, John Drumm, Chris Kennedy, Martin Meaney
U13A f Glenn Troy, John McCann, Ciaran Meehan
U13B f John Maughan, Martin Grehan
U14 f Paul O’Toole, Philip Reid, Stephen McNulty
U15A f Anthony Archibald, Peter White
U15B f Padraic Quinn, Shay Byrne
U15 h Bernard Boran, Mel McIntyre, Ronan Kennedy
U16 h Colm O’Connor
U16 f Fergus Byrne, Panner McCarthy, Declan Barnes
Please note that the door is always open for anyone who wishes to help out in any way with any of the teams. Many hands make light work and, as all of the above will testify, there is plenty work to share around. Indeed we wish all the new mentors coming on board in 2012 all the very best of luck with their endeavours on behalf of their teams.
The Sponsors
There are so many people and businesses who contribute time, money and equipment to support the running of the many various teams and events run by the Juvenile Section each year. It would be totally impossible for us to function without such invaluable support and while I would make particular mention of our main sponsors of the Nursery (DAA), the Mini All Irelands (Audi North Dublin) and the Summer Camps (Leahy & Co.), I would take this opportunity to express our immense gratitude to each and every one of the vast array of sponsors of our juvenile teams for their enormous generosity throughout the year despite the competing demands on them in these times.
Similarly to all those who organise and support the great many fundraising events run throughout the year by the juvenile section and individual juvenile teams, our deepest appreciation for your priceless support. While inevitably I will miss someone by naming names, I would like to express out gratitude in particular to Aidan Lillis for taking on the organisation of All Ireland Score Prediction cards and Supervalu for allowing us in for the Bag Packing earlier in the Summer.
The Facilities
The juvenile teams play the vast majority of their matches in Malahide Castle and at Bridgefield but there are other facilities around which we also make great use of. Many thanks to Fingal County Council for their co-operation in the use of the Castle grounds pitches; the adult section and club executive for facilitating the occasional use of Broomfield for matches (Broomfield of course also is the venue for the club’s Cúl Cubs nursery and the Easter and Summer Camps); Liam Foley for arranging our use of the old rugby club pitch on the Back Road for training; and Brendan Bannigan for his help in coordinating availability with the Hockey Club and Fingal for the All Weather facility in Broomfield.
Thanks also to Enda and Mick Stuart for their lining of the pitches and general pitch maintenance throughout the year.
Speaking of facilities, we very much look forward to hitting the first balls of the new ball wall in Broomfield in the not too distance future.
Special Mention
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To Suzanne Shiels, for so many various things, but in particular for all the fantastic work behind the scenes at the Nursery;
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To Carole Morris also for her help in the Nursery selling the gear and teas, coffees etc; and the Scoil Iosa transition year students who help out coaching;
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To Liz Clarke, for taking on the very important role of referee co-ordinator this year;
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To our juvenile referees, it’s not an easy job at times, and they are very much appreciated;
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To our County Board delegates, John Crosse (CCC1) and Mel McIntyre (CCC2) for their time fulfilling an important role for the club for the past year;
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Thanks also to Mel for his unstinting support and promotion of all things juvenile on the club website;
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To Panner, for all his work in bringing our club and the games to the masses in the schools, the nursery, and the camps;
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To Blathnaid Raftery and her predecessor Norma Murphy for fulfilling the very important role of Child Welfare Officer in the club and for all the work they have put into ensuring our standards in this respect are as high as we need them to be;
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To Ciaran Meehan and John McCann who stepped down during 2011 after a number of years as Juvenile Chairman and Assistant Secretary respectively, and to Ernie Brenner who moved from Secretary into the Chair, many thanks for all the subsequent support and guidance;
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To the Club Executive, especially the Chairman, Eddie Sullivan and Treasurer, Claude Scully for their help and support this year;
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To Garry Penrose and the clubhouse staff for all their assistance with juvenile events during the year;
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To all ‘retiring’ mentors, many thanks for all the dedicated service you have given to the young players under your tutelage down through the years. We do hope that your absence from the juvenile sidelines will be just ‘temporary’!
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And finally, but most importantly, to all the juvenile players who are the very core of the Juvenile section after all. Our thanks to all of them for all the effort they have put in and for the enjoyment they have given all of us in so doing.
2012 and Beyond
The Juvenile section faces many perennial challenges - we can never seem to have enough mentors, parents, and others getting involved; we always need more funds to keep the show on the road; and we will always face competition from other sports and other activities in recruitment and retention of our players.
We intend to, because we must, continue to meet these and other challenges head on so that the juvenile players/section, and by extension the club as a whole, can continue to thrive and grow.
Amongst the principal aims of any well meaning juvenile section is to feed players and others onto the club’s adult teams. We look forward to developing the existing links between the juvenile and adult sections as we all strive to bring greater success to the club as a whole on the playing fields of Dublin and beyond.
In the meantime, we look forward to 2012 and beyond with great hope and expectation of another successful year.
Finally, our thoughts and prayers are with our Juvenile members and their families who suffered bereavements during the year
Pat Hoyne
Juvenile Secretary 2011
31st January 2012