Review of a busy fortnight

Post date: Jul 29, 2012 10:35:43 AM

As always there are lots of things going on and lots of people working hard organising and participating. Here is a quick review of some of the events of the past fortnight.

Last week saw the Annual Cul Camp take place. In previous years this was a Campa Samhraidh supported by Roinn na nGaeltachta focussed on promoting the Irish language but rule changes meant we needed to re-organise our approach. Overall 140 children participated in two camps and despite an almost total washout on Tuesday an enjoyable week was had which saw most of the group eagerly staying on an extra 45 minutes on Friday for the prizegiving. Thanks to the parents and minders for their patience. Click here for more

Our U13's conducted the concluding phase of their campaign wth three big games against Kiltormer, Mullagh and Gort on Tues 10th, Thurs 12th and Sun 15th respectively. Like our U16s our 13s were playing in the B division (there are 12 teams in A) and as you can see in the company of other Senior clubs. They had recorded two previous wins against Ballindereen and Kinvara. Unfortunately, the Tue and Wed games ended in narrow defeats meaning that Magh Cuilinn, with only two to qualify, were dependent on the Kiltormer/Mullagh result and a substantial win over Gort. On Sunday, the Magh Cuilinn lads delivered what was needed but Kiltormer prevailed over Mullagh by a single point when a two points the other way would have seen Magh Cuilinn go through.

That Sunday was also a great day for our under 10s as Gort also brought two U10 teams to Baile Doite. The Senior county champions found the going tough at under 10 level as their Magh Cuilinn counterparts proved too strong in all the exchanges.

The under 16s after two great wins, one battling performance away to Mullagh and a comprehensive dismantling of Ballinasloe at home, are virtually certain of a preliminary quarter final spot. Magh Cuilinn have one game remaining at home to Athenry on Monday August 13th at 6.30pm but Cusack's would have to beat Athenry while losing to Ballinasloe with Magh Cuilinn losing by an enormous score to Athenry. Click Here for more

Our Junior's have had a mixed fortnight. Their interest in the City League ended with a defeat to Bearna Na Forbacha, who displayed their Junior A credentials with a big win over a Magh Cuilinn side shorn of three to the Senior panel and several absentees. A week later Magh Cuilinn returned to the serious business of Championship, with another home fixture against Micheal Breathnachs. Bolstered by the return of Henry Lydon, David Bohan and Michael Dempsey, the Junior team were always in control and ran out comfortable winners. Both teams made full use of the substitutes bench after the second goal was scored rewarding as many of those who attended as possible.

On Monday last Cathaoirleach Kenneth Fox deputised for CIMC delegate Michael Darcy at the Hurling Board meeting as the draws for the County Senior & Intermediate Shield and Championships were made. The main interest for CIMC was who would they face in the Shield quarter final in September. In the end, Magh Cuilinn were pitted against 2009 Intermediate champions Tynagh Abbey Duniry.

Damien Coleman gave an interesting report at the meeting on the Galway U14, U15, U16 Academies, with which a number our players are still engaged, Anraoi Whyte, Ryan Fox, Cian Connell, Caleb McGuinness, Paul Wynne and Michael Bohan at U15 and Lairgnean McDermott, Ronan Higgins, John Lalor and Shane Richardson at U16. The academies draw five players from each club in the county and at each age 14, 15 and 16. The players attend hurling academies each Saturday for several weeks under the tutelage of Galway Coaching and Games senior coaches. A pool of 140/150 players at each age is part of the early phase, while panels of 60 are maintained to the end of the process to compete in various inter county competitions. The academies have two aims. Firstly to maximise the pool of players ready to compete for County Minor/U21 panels and secondly and maybe more importantly, to help clubs to have a core of 15 Minor panelists who have had 2/3 years advanced coaching. Our 15/16 year olds have clearly grasped the opportunity and the evidence is there in the success of our U16 and Minors.

As supporters look forward to the All Ireland semi finals, (Senior on August 12th and Minor on the 19th) €10 tickets are now available for the club to order on behalf of their members. Tickets are available to paid up club member only. Groups of ten juveniles can travel also for €3 each with an accompanying adult entering free. It should be remembered that the juvenile scheme is a club scheme and the accompanying adult must have completed their vetting and Code of Practice training.