De la Salle College Belfast was the venue for the year 8 indoor Hurling blitz on Friday 16th December. The following schools took part; La Salle College, Colaiste Feirste, Rathmore GS, Our Lady & St Patricks Knock, St Mary’s Cbs, St Patricks Bearnageeha, Glen Road Cbs and for the first time at a hurling blitz, Slemish Integrated College Ballymena. Some of the schools entered two teams, therefore we had 11 teams taking part.

They were then divided into two groups as follows:
Slemish Group: St Mary’s Divis, Knock Lagan, St Mary’s Glen Road, Rathmore, Colaiste Feirste, and La Salle Edenmore (teams in this group played 5 games each)
Blackmountain Group: La Salle Casement, Slemish College, Knock East, St Patricks Bearnageeha and Glen road Clubs (teams in this group played 4 games each)

After the group games were played, many of the schools played challenge matches, as the players were enjoying the experience of playing in this excellent indoor facility.

Thanks to La Salle pupils, Conor Sterrett, Declan Mc Greevey and Jordan Kane for refereeing all games and their assistance with the running of the blitz.

We had a total of 119 players taking part. Thanks to all the teachers; Mr Brendan Mc Comb, Mr Donal Armstrong, Mr Ciaran Magee, Mr Peter Kane, Miss Lisa Mc Alister, Mr Terry O Neill, Mr Declan Mc Larnon,, Mr Mark Devlin and Mr Neil Cunningham.

This entry was posted on Tuesday, January 31st, 2012 at 5:36 pm and is filed under Blog.

On Monday 23rd of January the Inishowen indoor primary school hurling tournament was held in the excellent 3G facility in Aileach.

Six schools in all took part Scoil Iosagain Buncrana, Gaelscoil Bhun Cranncha, Scoil Naomh Brid Muff, Whitecastle P.S Muff, Scoil Naomh Aengus Bidgend and Saint Muras Tooban. The schools played a round of 7-a-side matches against one another in Go Games format.

The standard of hurling was very good with some excellent individual talent on display. A word of thanks must go to all the schools who attended for their continued support with the promotion of hurling in the Inishowen area. We hope to see all the schools competing again in the Spring and Summer months at the Inishowen league and championship competitions.

This entry was posted on Tuesday, January 31st, 2012 at 5:32 pm and is filed under Blog.

All Saints GAC Ballymena Juvenile Committee has been successful in obtaining grant funding from Sport NI for an innovative project that will see them develop links with the ethnic minorities community in the town.

The project will enable the club to:

• Play an important role in community outreach as a community and parish based organisation
• Introduce new children and their families to Gaelic sports and the All Saints club
• Develop and widen the juvenile membership base within the club

 The Project Details:

• Based in the Ballymena North Centre for an 8 week period (Sat 21st Jan – Sat 10th Mar) from 10.00am – 12.00noon
• Boys & Girls Football for first 4 Weeks and Hurling/ Camogie for second 4 weeks
• For children aged 7 yrs – 14 yrs

This entry was posted on Tuesday, January 31st, 2012 at 5:26 pm and is filed under Blog.

St Ronan’s P.S. in Lisnaskea has embraced the Live to Play colouring competition being run at present by Ulster GAA.

Primary 2 teacher Mrs Roisin Moane has transformed the schools GAA Wall in the Foyer of the school. The school has been in GAA overload over the past 11 months with the local club Lisnaskea Emmetts having claimed 2 All Ireland Intermediate Titles in Men’s and Ladies Football.

DENI Ulster GAA coach Owen Mooney who plays for the Emmetts, coaches in the school as part of the Sport In Schools Programme and is a former pupil was delighted with the work that the staff and children put into their pictures.

Praising the Live to Play Colouring Competition Mrs Moane said, “This competition is a fantastic testament to the work being done by Ulster GAA. It also compliments the work that Owen is doing by linking Road Safety into his PE lessons as this is our theme. With the dark mornings and evenings we would have a lot of children walking home and this has really emphasised the importance of being seen if you want to grow up and play GAA”.

This entry was posted on Tuesday, January 31st, 2012 at 5:23 pm and is filed under Blog.

On Sunday 22nd January, Ulster Camogie held their Annual Convention in the Ulster GAA offices in Armagh. With a good attendance on the day, a lively afternoon’s debate was on the cards. In the Secretary’s report Breige McGilligan spoke of the year that Ulster Camogie had in 2011. There was plenty of action, both on and off the pitch. Breige highlighted successful events in Ulster such as the first ever Players Forum, Annual Congress being held in Belfast for the first time ever along with the appointment of an Administration Manager, which has been funded by Sport NI.

In 2011 Ulster had successes and narrow defeats at national level. Armagh led the way winning the Nancy Murray Cup, and an All-Ireland Minor title. Monaghan Camog’s won the All-Ireland Junior B title. Down U16’s also were victorious at national level with the Ulster Colleges All-Star team winning an historic All-Ireland Inter Provincial Championship. In Croke Park, both Antrim and Down were narrowly defeated at Intermediate and Junior Level. Here’s hoping both counties can go a step further in 2012.

All delegates in attendance were very proactive throughout the day, discussing all reports, and lively debate on the motions put forward. Uachtaran Tofa Aileen Lawlor took the delegates through the proposed rules changes and Ard Stiúrthóir Sinéad O’Connor informed all delegates on the One Club Model proposals that will be brought forward for all clubs to consider. Ulster Camogie were also lucky to have Ulster GAA Uachtaran, Aogán O’Fearghail on hand to speak of the increased relations between all GAA codes and how the One Club Model should benefit all clubs if that is the route that they would like to go down

At election time, there was only was change in office, Cavan delegate, Maura McGurren succeeded Catherine O’Hara as Leas Cathaoirleach. Catherine has stood down after many years of dedication to Camogie across the province and Ulster Camogie are eternally grateful to Catherine for all her work over this time. All officers are listed below.

Ulster Camogie Positions:

Chairperson- Kathleen Woods
Vice Chair- Maura McGurren
Secretary- Breige McGilligan
Assistant Secretary- Mary Herald
Treasurer- Rosemary Hughes Merry
Registrar- Colette Lambe
P.R.O- Cóilín Duffy
Delegate to Ard Chomhairle- Bridghidin Heenan
Integration Officer- Jennifer Cultra
Development Officer- Mary Connolly
Children’s Officer- Kathleen Woods

This entry was posted on Tuesday, January 31st, 2012 at 5:13 pm and is filed under Blog.

Four Camogie clubs in Ulster were successful in receiving €9,000 in funding for from the Cumann Camogaíochta Capital Funding programme – the following Ulster clubs received grants from the programme: (Down) An Riocht Camogie Club, €3,000; (Tyrone) Derrylaughan Camogie Club, €2,500; (Antrim) Naomh Eanna GAA Club, €2,000; (Monaghan) Inniskeen Camogie Club, €1,500. Speaking about the announcement President of the Camogie Association Joan O’Flynn:

“Assisting county board and club units to build and improve facilities to provide the best possible platform for the development and promotion of camogie is of paramount concern to the Association.

Despite the challenging economic circumstances, it is of significant importance that funding is made available to invest in our county and club units.

The applications to the Capital Funding Scheme were extremely competitive and of an impressive standard. It also provided an excellent snap shot of the huge commitment of volunteers at county and club level to promoting and developing camogie in their respective areas and the level of foresight and planning which goes into this.”

This once off Capital Funding Scheme was announced by President Joan O’Flynn at Congress 2011. Applications were invited from units at all levels of the Association.

This entry was posted on Tuesday, January 31st, 2012 at 5:08 pm and is filed under Blog.

The cream of Ulster Schools football received their Kukri Sports All Stars at a celebration event in Kellys Inn in mid January. 25 players from 6 counties and 15 schools received their awards and will represented their province at the inaugural schools inter-provincial competition in Kinnegad.

Ulster Schools Chairman Louis O Donnell welcomed over 100 guests and after a wonderful meal the large gathering was entertained by the Cill Iseal Scor Ballad Group. Mary Keegan acting as MC for the evening then invited Louis back to the stage and he formally welcomed the guests which included Martin Mc Aviney (Ulster Council), Neil Patterson (sponsor Kukri Sports) and Joe Lagan (Ulster Ladies GAA).

Louis delivered a very entertaining speech paying tribute to the trial organisers, coaches/teachers, school management and numerous clubs which had provided their facilities. The Crossmaglen clubman finished by wishing the squad well at the inuargal inter-provincial shcools competition and reminded everyone that the innovation for such a tournament came from Ulster and in particular Sheena Kelly and Mary keegan.

Ulster Administartor Mary Keegan then took the opportunity to congratulate the All Stars on their achievement and reminded everyone that there was over 1000 girls playing schools football at U20 level in the province and that we were in the presence of the best 25. Mary also thanked Ulster Council for their assistance and singled out Sheena Kelly, Ryan Mellon, Tony Scullion and Gary Mallon for their dedication and support of the All Star initiative. Praise was then heaped on the new sponsor Kukri Sports. Mary indicated her delight with the top quality gear they had provided and also thanked Ulster Ladies GAA for supplying the girls with Kukri hoodies. All guests received a key ring compliments of Fernaloy Sports while each of the players keyrings had their All Star number on it. Before handing over to Sheena for the presentations Mary also thanked Martin Mc Aviney for his continued support of our game, all the teachers, the girls families and the numerous volunteers who help. Special presentations were then made to a very unsuspecting Paul Swift and Jock Groogan in recognition of their help with the schools competitions.

Sheena Kelly assisted by Lucy Groom and Eileen Jones then overseen the presentation of the awards. Louis O Donnell presented the statuettes, Neil Patterson the jersey’s and Joe Lagan the Hoodies.

The Kukri Sports Ulster Ladies Football Schools All Stars for 2012 are:

Fiona Callan – Inver College, Carrickmacross
Ciara Mc Dermott – St. Louis, Carrickmacross
Danielle Morgan – St. Catherine’s, Armagh
Nicole Mc Laughlin – Loreto, Letterkenny
Alana Mc Shane – Holy Cross, Strabane
Ruby Marie Rice – St. Mary’s, Magherafelt
Siobhan Mackle – St. Catherine’s, Armagh
Fionnuala Mc Kenna – St. Catherine’s, Armagh
Eimear Gallagher – Loreto, Letterkenny
Niamh Henderson – St. Michael’s, Lurgan
Niamh Mc Laughlin – Thornhill College, Derry
Jessica Foy – Our Lady’s and St. Patrick’s, Knock
Rose Boyle – Loreto Letterkenny
Amber Barrett – Loreto, Milford
Aimee Mackin – St. Paul’s, Bessbrook
Niamh Mailey – Deele College, Raphoe
Aine Turbidy – St. Genevieve’s, Belfast
Erin Robinson – Our Lady’s and St. Patrick’s, knock
Joanne Mullen – St. Catherine’s, Armagh
Eva Hicks – Loreto, Omagh
Cailin Duffy – St. Catherine’s, Armagh
Aideen Traynor – Loreto, Omagh
Laura Kilpatrick – St. Patrick’s Academy, Dungannon
Dara Kelly – Loreto, Letterkenny
Barbara Ward – St. Louis, Monaghan

This entry was posted on Tuesday, January 31st, 2012 at 5:05 pm and is filed under Blog.

Ulster GAA Club Officer Training Programme has got underway with huge numbers attending the Role Specific Club Officer Training for NEW Officers, which was held in Holy Trinity School in Cookstown.  This Annual Provincial Training Programme brought together 130Club Officers new to their roles from across Ulster Clubs.  It provided important advice and guidance to help club volunteers carry out their roles and tasks in 2012.

Alongside this training, Ulster GAA is now rolling out its annual Club Officer Development Course which is being held in all nine counties of Ulster.  Armagh was the first county to receive this training and feedback was extremely positive.

In February it will be the turn of club officers from Derry (4^th February in St Patrick’s School, Dungiven), and Tyrone (18^th February in Loreto College) to receive this training from 9:30am to 1pm.

The Club Officer Development Course is to develop the skills and knowledge base of all club officers in Ulster.  All clubs are required under Club Maith to have representatives at this course, we recommend at least 5 representatives per club.

The  Course will explore the key issues facing GAA Club official including:

• Integration – the One Club Model,
• Developing a Club Plan,
• Respect & Discipline

Workshops:

• Applying for Club Maith,
• Club Finance,
• Club Insurance,
• Club Health Matters,
• The role of Designated Officers in Child Protection

PLEASE NOTE: This training course is always very popular and registration is essential.  To secure your place at these events please email sharon.haughey.ulster@gaa.ie or phone 02837517180

Club Maith requires all clubs to attend these training courses, which are free to access and will include a light lunch, compliments of your county board.

This entry was posted on Tuesday, January 31st, 2012 at 5:00 pm and is filed under Blog.

On Friday 13th January 2012 a selection on under 25 year olds from various Boys brigade groups met at the Ganaway Activity and Training Centre for an Introduction to Gaelic Games workshop delivered by Ulster GAA regional development officer Shane McCann. The centre is a 13 acre site in the quiet countryside between Millisle and Ballywalter in the Ards Peninsula and overlooks the Irish Sea.

The Boys’ Brigade seek to provide a neutral and non-threatening environment and to encourage the development of responsible citizenship by facilitating activities to enhance self awareness, self esteem and an awareness of and respect for different cultures and beliefs.

On the night the group watched a presentation covering every aspect of the GAA followed by a practical session where they got to have a go at Handball and Gaelic Football and then they too had a go at coaching various Gaelic Football skills to their peers.

This initiative is similar to the Game of 3 Halves where by the group will experience some background to GAA, IFA & Ulster Rugby. The group will finish their GAA experience with a trip to Croke Park to watch a game.

This entry was posted on Tuesday, January 31st, 2012 at 4:55 pm and is filed under Blog.

Loughgiel Shamrocks play Oulart the Ballagh of Wexford in the All-Ireland Senior Semi-Final on Sunday 5th February at 2.30pm in Casement Park. Loughgiel go into the game as slight underdogs but hope that playing in front of an Antrim crowd will spur them to victory and make it to All-Ireland Final day in Croke Park

Reigning All-Ireland Intermediate Champions Eoghan Rua Coleraine will face a repeat of the last years All-Ireland Final when they come up against Laois Harps in Killyclogher on Sunday 5th February which will also have a 2.30pm throw in.

Ulster Camogie wishes both clubs every success in their upcoming games.

Sunday 5th February

All Ireland Intermediate Club Championship Semi Finals
Eoghan Rua v The Harps @ St. Mary’s Killyclogher, 2.30pm

All Ireland Senior Club Championship Semi Finals
Loughgiel v Oulart the Ballagh @ Casement Park, 2.30pm

This entry was posted on Tuesday, January 31st, 2012 at 4:51 pm and is filed under Blog.

Minister for Education John O’Dowd was the keynote speaker at the O’Neills Ulster GAA Coaching and Games Conference held in the Glenavon Hotel on Saturday 28th January. The theme of this year’s Conference was Education and Club Links in Gaelic Games.

Up to 400 delegates attended who are working in education or at GAA Club level. The conference highlighted the importance of embracing coaching across all age groups.

In many of the workshops research had been undertaken over the last 12 months to support the presentations. Ulster GAA recognises and values the huge contribution that education plays in the support and development of our games and it is aware of the changing environment within education.

Welcoming the Minister Ulster GAA President Aogan Ó Fearghail said: “Ulster GAA are pleased to welcome Minister O’Dowd to our Coaching Conference which is now in its 7th year. Leading academics and GAA coaches from across Ireland attend on an annual basis and the event has become one of Ulster leading sporting conferences.

“The Department of Education and Minister O’Dowd continue to support Ulster GAA by the ongoing significant investment in the Foundation and Keystage 1 Primary School Coaching Programme. This programme, which is world renowned continues to promote Gaelic Games and physical literacy to over 20,000 pupils per year. Additionally it provides much needed employment for 32 young highly trained coaches, many of whom are qualified teachers. I thank Minister O’Dowd for this investment and his continued support and confidence in Ulster GAA ”

The Minister for Education John O’Dowd said: “My clear priority as Education Minister is the creation of an education system that ensures that all our young people fulfils her or his full potential by benefitting from a high quality education which both enriches their lives and helps to grow the local economy. However, I recognise the need to develop not just the intellectual and vocational needs of pupils – but also their physical well being.

“That is why I very much welcome this opportunity to highlight the important and valuable contribution GAA coaches continue to make to my Department’s Curriculum Sports Programme. This year there are over 36,000 pupils from across the north of Ireland taking part in the programme which is aimed at developing the generic physical literacy skills of our youngest children through enjoyable sports, as well as providing valuable support to our primary school teachers in their delivery of Physical Education.

“Active participation in the Curriculum Sports Programme has helped to raise pupils’ confidence, their self- esteem and also their motivation to learn and achieve in other curricular areas – particularly literacy and numeracy. It also reflects the inclusive nature of the work in schools, ensuring participation of all children, including those with special educational needs.

“I would therefore like to congratulate everyone involved in Ulster GAA for their help in delivering the Programme and promoting the many benefits of actively participating in sport, which helps to develop the skills our children need to maintain a healthy and happy life-style.”

This entry was posted on Monday, January 30th, 2012 at 4:30 pm and is filed under Homepage News.

Commenting on the attendance of First Minister Peter Robinson MLA and Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness MLA MP at the Power NI McKenna Cup Final Ulster GAA President Aogán O’Fearghail said,

“I was pleased to welcome the First Minister and deputy First Minister to the Power NI Dr McKenna Cup final. The attendance of the First Minister follows a series of engagements that have taken place involving him and his officials over the past number of years led by our Provincial Director Danny Murphy. Myself, Danny Murphy and Tom Daly (Chairman of the Casement Park Stadium Project) first met the First Minister last year and Ulster GAA would want to again recognise the significant investment that the Executive under the leadership of both the First and deputy First Ministers have committed to the Casement Park redevelopment and to many other GAA projects. I thank them for their confidence in and support for Ulster GAA.

“As an Association, we are committed to a shared future for all in Ireland. We outreach to many who have had no traditional involvement with the GAA. The presence of the First Minister at tonight’s match is part of that engagement process and something I warmly welcome.”

Pictured are (L-R): Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness, Ulster GAA Secretary Danny Murphy, First Minister Peter Robinson and Ulster GAA President Aogán Ó Fearghail.

This entry was posted on Monday, January 30th, 2012 at 10:43 am and is filed under Homepage News.

Power NI Dr McKenna Cup Final:
Tyrone 1-14 Derry 2-8

Tyrone claimed their first Power NI Dr McKenna Cup title since 2007 following an impressive comeback from six points down at one stage against Derry at the Morgan Athletic Grounds on Saturday night.

Mickey Harte’s side toppled the reigning champions with a powerful second half display, which was greatly aided by the dismissal of Derry’s Jason Conway after just 18 minutes.

Two minutes previously, Paddy Bradley had given John Brennan’s side a six-point advantage with a well-taken goal.

Tyrone struggled for long periods in the opening half but an Owen Mulligan goal in stoppage time, quickly followed by a Cathal McCarron point, left the sides level at 1-5 apiece at the break.

The Red Hands seized the initiative on the resumption of play and points from Stephen O’Neill and Mattie Donnelly pushed them further ahead.

Tyrone were seven points clear and cruising when Derry grabbed a consolation goal in stoppage time, Cailean O’Boyle hitting the back of the net from the penalty spot.

View all the scores from the Power NI Dr McKenna Cup Final:

This entry was posted on Monday, January 30th, 2012 at 10:27 am and is filed under Homepage News.

The brightest stars of the 2011 Ulster Club Championships gathered this week for the presentation of the first annual Gaelic Life Ulster Club All-Star Awards, held in association with Belleek Living and Squareball.

Quinn’s Corner, such a well-known venue for Gaels from across the province, was the venue for the ceremony as the great and the good of Ulster GAA came together for a night of celebration.

Guests of honour on the night were Ulster Camogie chairperson Kathleen Woods, Ulster Ladies chairperson Hugh Devenney, and John Devenney representing Ulster GAA.

Dominic McClements, general manager of Gaelic Life’s parent company, North-West News Group, revealed that the inaugural awards had been a tremendous success which had “captured the imagination of the GAA public,” having attracted more than 9000 votes through the Gaelic Life Facebook page an additional 2500 text votes.

With the BBC’s Thomas Kane the man in charge, the assembled winners, their partners, friends and family members were entertained by the Ulster Scór na nOg champions, Omagh St Enda’s Ballad Group as proceedings got underway.

Of course Crossmaglen were the dominant force, with four Rangers stars on the 15, as James Morgan, Stephen Finnegan, Aaron Kernan, Aaron Cunningham and Jamie Clarke took their places. Ulster senior finalists Burren got two nods, Kevin McKernan at centre-back and sharpshooter Donal O’Hare selected at corner-forward. Latton’s Eoin Lennon at midfield, Roslea’s Conor Quigley at corner-back and Glenswilly captain Michael Murphy were the others to make the cut.

But this was not just about the senior club stars. Ulster Intermediate Club champions Craigbane saw three of their stars collect honours, with Fergal Crossan at full-back, Blaine Gormley at midfield and Lee Moore at wing-forward. The Junior Club Championship also got due recognition as Culloville goalkeeper Kieran McMahon and Cremartin’s centre-forward and captain Darren Bishop also secured their places.

Then it was down to the individual accolades, with St John’s attacking star Conor Johnston picking up the Young Hurler of the Year award, while Lee Moore’s disappointment at Craigbane’s All-Ireland title race exit at the weekend was eased somewhat as he collected his Young Footballer of the Year accolade.

Derrytresk managerial duo Paul Hughes and Paul Canavan were on hand to collect their Football Managers of the Year award, informing host Thomas Kane that Derrytresk “have a reputation as being a friendly club” despite the bad press received in recent days. Loughiel boss PJ O’Mullan also took time out from his side’s preparations for their upcoming All-Ireland semi-final to collect his award as Hurling Manager of the Year.

The females of the species were also well represented, Loughiel defensive ace Emma Connolly on hand to pick up her Camogie Club Player of the Year award ahead of her side’s All-Ireland semi-final next weekend, while Sperrin Og’s Eimear Teague was able to recall what it felt like to win in an All-Ireland final as she collected the Ladies Club Player of the Year accolade.

The two main presentations of the evening were of course the Hurler of the Year and Footballer of the Year awards. First up was Middletown’s Ryan Gaffney, fresh from helping his side secure their place in the All-Ireland Intermediate Club Hurling final as he picked up his award, before Crossmaglen’s Aaron Cunningham returned to the podium to pick up his second trophy of the evening as he was unveiled as Ulster Club Footballer of the Year as proceedings came to a close.

Pictured is Ulster Council delegate John Devenney presenting Aaron Cunningham with his Player of the Year award.

This entry was posted on Friday, January 27th, 2012 at 3:24 pm and is filed under Homepage News.

Ulster GAA, through it’s Live to Play programme, is promoting a ‘visibility’ message to young members throughout the winter period. The imaginative new campaign encourages aspiring young GAA players to become stars on the pitch while staying safe off it in winter’s dark mornings and evenings!

Cleverly titled ‘GAA Stars, Seen by Cars’, the campaign is being run out in Primary schools across Ulster. GAA coaches have delivered 600 packs to primary schools containing colourful campaign posters and entry cards to Ulster GAA’s January competition.

The competition will not only reinforce the learning but will enable over 500 children to emerge as winners, receiving an O’Neill’s Live to Play backpack with safety enhancing reflective strips, alongside the County crest.

It is hoped that this element of the Live to Play programme will encourage the youngest GAA members to be safer on the roads, just like their older counterparts who have availed of education and awareness at Club level.

Photo caption: Down stars Ambrose Rogers and Benny Coulter join Ulster GAA’s Aileen Cummins and Lisa McAliskey to promote Ulster GAA’s winter Live to Play message ‘GAA Stars Seen By Cars’ to pupils in St. Dallan’s Primary School Warrenpoint’s GAA Health & Wellbeing Day

This entry was posted on Wednesday, January 25th, 2012 at 1:02 pm and is filed under Homepage News.