120 young players graduate from GAA Player Academy

120 young Gaelic players from across Ulster this evening graduated from the 2015 3fivetwo Group Ulster GAA Player Academy, with high hopes of making a name for themselves playing for their county in years to come.

The players all under 16 years, follow in the footsteps of some of Ulster’s finest players including Donegal’s Michael Murphy, Tyrone’s Sean Cavanagh and Monaghan’s Kieran Hughes in being selected to participate in the prestigious Player Academy at such a young age.

During the two-day Academy the players received coaching from some of Ulster’s top GAA coaches as well as sessions on nutrition, health & wellbeing and injury & recovery. There is no doubt that the 120 players leave the Ulster University this evening inspired and determined to work hard towards their future Gaelic careers.

Ulster GAA President Martin McAviney took time out from his busy schedule to attend the Academy and to meet the players, he said, “When I look at the 120 young players kitted out in the Amber and Black jersey I am filled with hope and enthusiasm for Gaelic Games in Ulster. In a few years times, these players will be pulling on their county jerseys and playing Gaelic at the highest level. The 2015 3fivetwo Group Ulster GAA Player Academy aims to prepare young players for the hard work and commitment it takes to be the best in Ulster.

“Seeing Monaghan star Kieran Hughes chatting to the players today, and knowing how far he has come since he was a young lad on the Player Academy, really is inspirational. I hope all the players learn from the Player Academy and make lifelong friends across all nine counties of Ulster. And hopefully in a few years’ time many of them will come face-to-face with each other in the Ulster Championship.

“The Player Academy is in its 13th year and we are delighted to have the support of the 3fivetwo Group who are our main sponsors. We are also delighted to welcome handballers and wheelchair hurlers to the Academy for the first time ever.”

“It is proud day for Ulster today as 120 young players across all GAA codes graduate from the 2015 3fivetwo Group Ulster GAA Player Academy.”

Mark Regan Development Director of 3fivetwo Group also attended the Academy today to meet the players, he said, “The 3fivetwo Group Ulster GAA Player Academy is a fantastic initiative inspiring young promising players of the future. The key messages from the Academy on player health and welfare, skills development, injury and recovery and commitment and sporting mentality are very strong messages to inspire young players. I hope that many of those who have graduated from the Academy today will go ahead and pave an exciting career in Gaelic Games. These players are certainly ones to watch in the future.

“We at 3fivetwo Group are proud to sponsor such an important development initiative for young players. We offer players a wide range of services from physio intervention to major surgery. But that’s when things go wrong on the pitch. So my message to the young players is to listen to your coaches and mentors and put player health and wellbeing to the fore at all times so that injuries are prevented.”

The full range of health offerings available to all Ulster GAA players and members can be found at www.gaahealthhub.com

Photo Caption: Ulster GAA President Martin McAviney, 3fivetwo Group Development Director Mark Regan and Monaghan GAA star Kieran Hughes attend the graduation of 120 young GAA players at Ulster University from the 2015 3fivetwo Group Ulster GAA Player Academy. Young players from across all nine counties representing hurling, Gaelic football, handball and wheelchair hurling all participated in the prestigious Academy.