Geraldines U14 boys, coaches and parents travelled to Galway last weekend to play a challenge game against Corofin. It was a fabulous experience for the boys to play against the famous Galway club who have won 5 all Ireland senior club titles since 1998 including a recent three in a row.

It was an early start on Saturday with the Halpenny’s bus leaving Blackrock and then Haggardstown at 8.30 am. After fuelling up in Supermacs and checking in to the hotel, we travelled to Corofin for a really entertaining, competitive and high scoring match.

With all boys getting a minimum of 30 minutes game time it was fantastic to see the boys remain competitive throughout the game. The improvement over the last year individually and as a team was clear to see as the lads played some fantastic football with some superb passages of play. Their kick-passing, catching, ball handling and skills off both feet were really impressive. Most notably there were some absolutely superb long-range scores as well as two absolutely cracking goals. The boys worked really hard when not in possession with great tackling and tracking back. The Galway lads finished ahead on the scoreboard as they outscored us on the goal count mainly due to their continual support runs for men receiving the ball as style of football mirrored their senior team.

It was a great game of football to watch and the boys did their club, county and province proud!

After the game the legendary Frank Morris, who has spearheaded the approach to underage development over the last 30 years that has resulted in 18 Galway SFC, 10 Connaught SFC and 5 ALL Ireland SFC since 1991, spoke to the players, parents and coaches. Frank outlined the importance of building a culture within the squad and club that links to the community and that boys and coaches focus on basic skills of the game off both sides. Former Galway player and Corofin player Gary Sice also spoke to the boys and commended them on their performance and to keep working hard on their game and listen to their coaches. It was also hugely informative for the coaches to speak to Frank, Gary and Barry about how Corofin approach underage development and that it is similar to our own with huge focus on skills development, culture, playing time and prioritising player retention and development over winning, while at the same time remaining competitive. They also place a lot of importance on players getting their head up and moving the ball forward early as possible and with players always making supporting runs and playing for the good of the team and the club.

Massive thanks to the Corofin GAA club and to their U14 coach, Barry Rafferty and Frank and Gary and all the other coaches for their warm welcome and for the rolls and tea and coffee provided for our whole travelling party after the game by club volunteers.

After returning to the hotel the coaches and players had an extremely productive meeting where it was clear that the boys learned a lot from playing the match and seeing Corofin’s style of play and where they could improve themselves. The lads also filled in end of season questionnaires to reflect on progress this season and to help us plan for next year. Finally, everyone had a very enjoyable social evening!

Before returning home to Louth on Sunday we travelled to ‘Pure Skills’ in Salthill where the boys (and some girls!) got to test their skills at golf, tennis, basketball, soccer, cricket, Gaelic, hurling and rugby.

Huge thanks to Kieran Lynch and David Broe (Overhaul) who provided very generous financial support through their businesses and put huge effort in to organising the trip. Their funding covered the cost of two stop offs for food at Supermacs, a set of jerseys for the trip and the trip to ‘Pure Skills, as well as subsidising the cost of the bus and hotel accommodation for families that travelled.

Kieran would like to thank Marian Burke and Aidan Donnellan for their help in making the trip possible.

Thank you to Halpenny Coaches and their driver Stephen who was ultra-professional and accommodating throughout.

Thank you to the Clayton Hotel Galway and to Fiona Lynch who co-ordinated the hotel bookings.

Thanks to the parents for their continued support in helping their boys continue playing for the Geraldines and to the coaches for all their time and commitment.

Thank you also to our sponsors SportsDirect Ireland and for their support for underage football in the club.

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