The point is also relevant in Tullamore and in best interest of Offaly GAA, there should be more made of Tullamore. There is probably a market for a second club in Tullamore even though they could rightly argue they are closely surrounded by Durrow, Ballinamere, Cappincur, Clodiagh Gaels and Shamrocks. It is a fair argument but their numbers are still huge and they should have two teams at every age grade in football and at times in hurling, particularly in U13 and U15, which I believe they now do.
St Vincents are extremely strong in the Go Games levels of football but by the time they get up the years, they tend not to be holding on to so many players for some reason. Would likes of Daingean and Kilclonfert be better off banding together for the purpose of Go Games and Cappincur Ballycommon doing likewise from perspective of bringing as many as they can through for their respective clubs like what is being suggested for St Manchans.
Not so sure how well a similar suggestion might work for Broughans as I am not fully sure how they are regarding numbers in comparison. Either way, the concept of giving as many a chance for as long as possible should be the way forward, and whatever it takes to do that should be the route that people within those clubs should be looking to do and they should not need to be told by the Co board to do so!
I have a real issue with this having served my time with underage set ups over the years.
1. St Vincents had achieved little by way of A championship success until they won the 3 U21s back to back, and U13 last year was their first A championship I think and they are in the U13 final for the third year in a row. U15s have done well and minors are competing well in recent years. They committ to the Go Games philosophy and all kids are encouraged and are looked after.
However, there is an issue with the way the County Board introduced the Shane Lowry leagues last Christmas, (as an avenue to pocket a wad of cash). This meant the disbandment of U11 Go Games, and parachuted a large group of players together.
St Vincents have really tried to improve their coaching, encourage S&C and winter programs for all ages and are driving participation in development squads and county minor squads for the last number of years.
Bottom line is Cappincur, Ballycommon and now Daingean are all pushing to higher levels than last 20 years.
Is everything perfect, NO.
There is an avenue for the suggestion by the county board at U8 and U10, but I think they should have left all at U7/9/11/13/15/17 and introduce a hybrid approach with club window and parish window up to U11. And also to allow clubs to put out U12 league competition giving them slots in the calendar.
Stronger players have flourished and there may be work done on the weaker end of things.
St Manchans and St Broughans, Na Fianna are probably in the same boat.
Daingean underage have made soundings about going out on their own , and watch this space, many parents are happy to see their child doing well in a small pond , but the development takes place when the kids from each club challenge themselves in the Parish set up.
All Parish set ups should have U11/U12 teams and players should play those age groups, with U13 A and C teams in the championship. That would provide plenty of football for all. If this U8 & U10 approach happens it should not develop beyond 10/11. Otherwise there will be mayhem with kids, coaches not familiar with each other and lots of long faces when the "Jim Gavin" from Club A realises he didn't get the managers gig and worse again, Little Jimmy is only good enough for the second team...and FFS he had the lads in the gym from the time they were 7????
Bottom line, encouraging greater numbers of players playing is great, but if nothing changes in Tullamore, Edenderry, Ferbane, Clara,Birr and Kilcormac in producing more teams and county standrad players, we won't improve the overall standard.
2 years ago Ballinagar had 3 starters on the OY U20 team, they were close to making an Intermediate semi final, Raheen beaten in last 2 Intermediate finals. Where did those players come from?
These amalgamations have got their set ups in order, and this dilution at U8 and 10 can have a big impact in terms of coaching. Clubs will struggle to get the personnel involved.
It is worth trying, but those clubs who disregard the role the parish underage has had on producing real players need to be careful not to through the baby out with the bathwater.
I am saying that give it a go, but the time may be right to examine how best to do this to ensure that players are not lost because they are part of Mickey mouse set ups at u13 level and the better lads head off to play other sports.
One final point is that there will continue to be a big drop off as many kids havn't been given the fundamental movement skills by parent s who have allowed them to eat what they wish and armed them with smart phones and all sorts of tech gadgets that discourage the outdoor time. And this is the big area that PARENTS need to address if participation in sport is to develop.
there is more drop off as the better GAA players are the better rugby, soccer, runners, golfers etc and have more opportunities than ever.
Also there is little consideration for hard pressed ladies clubs, the GAA says that the girls can play Boys Go Games and fill the fields on a Saturday morning, so now they have to choose, and/or pay membership of 2 clubs to enable the boys club field on their own. Parents will be expected to bring girls training up to 3 times a week, and the number of girls playing with the ladies clubs may fall as due to insurance reasons their membership can often be up to €40/€50 . Again this may be an unintended consequence, and in time may be addressed. Longer term it may grow girls participation as on the other hand they can benefit from playing in the GAA Go Games.
But a lot of issues to ponder, and POTH, very hard to understand the comparison with Cappincur and B/D? Ballinamere and Durrow with 2 National schools, Cappincur kids are in Tull, Ballgar, and have had well highlighted issues with County Board over the loss of players from the area to these catchment areas, particularly Tullamore. Cappincur may drive some numbers on the abck of this, but they have tried this in the past and hopefully they can kepp going but there are a huge number of house in their area that are a stones throw from Whitehall and I doubt many of them are registerd to Cappincur.
Anyway let the "fun" or the "Go Games" begin!