In the latest government announcement, which made contactless training for minors in 15-person pods possible from April 26, a large number of underage players were recently present on soccer fields throughout the district. The sight of our underage players participating in on-site activities this year has been an extremely welcome development for everyone involved in Galway GAA.
The latest announcement of April 29th, allowing the return to competitive games for minors from June 7th, was also very well received and Coiste Peil Na nOg will set our competitive structures and dates for the upcoming youth season accordingly.
The resumption of underage football in Galway Gaa, and indeed nationally, will mean a change in the system in line with a Croke Park policy regarding underage classes. In 2021 the main competitions will see U13, U15 and U17 as our championship grades with U12, U14 and U16 as our developing leagues.
When restarting from June 7th, the structure is as follows: The U13 championship will start on Tuesday evening. The U15 championship takes place on Friday evening, with the U12 development leagues taking place on Sunday morning.
After completing the first championship levels, Coiste Peil Na nOg starts the development leagues for U14 and U16. The slots for teen evenings have been formulated in collaboration with teenage hurling secretary Mike McMahon in the interests of the wellbeing of the players to ensure that the same age groups are not allocated in the evenings.
At the Underage Go Games, the grades for 2021 will be raised to U7, U9 and U11. The clubs will soon be distributed with a program.
The shorter football calendar in 2020 due to the Covid restrictions and the later launch in 2021 have certainly piqued the appetite of underage footballers across the county, as clubs saw a significant increase in player numbers and teams linked for 2021.
With the increase in the number, Coiste Peil Na nOg will provide 60 U12 teams, 62 U13 teams, 50 U14 teams, 50 U15 teams, 42 U16 teams with the U17 competition under the direction of the adult football association. Once a date is set for the Games to resume, Coiste Peil Secretary John Hegarty will structure our proposed grades and groups that will be shared by the Galway Gaa Club Youth Secretaries.
Youth Football Committee : The 2021 Committee is seeing some new faces, greatly supported by a wealth of experience from regular members with Peter Bane as Chairman, Mary Flaherty as President, Larry Lohan PRO & Refs Coordinator North Board, and Frank Walsh Refs Coordinator for West Board
One of the major changes is the recruitment of North Board Assistant Niall Brennan of the Menlough Gaa Club and City & West Board Assistant Secretary Liam Tierney of the Oughterard Gaa Club, who will join Coiste Peil Na nOg Secretary Neil Mc Hugh of the Caherlistrane Gaa Club cooperates.
The coordinators of the Coiste Peil Na nOg group for 2021 see a large geographical distribution, with all corners of the district represented.
Coiste Peil Na nOg Committee & Group Co Ordinators 2021 are listed.
Presidents : Mary Flaherty (Cortoon Shamrocks).
Vice President : Laurence Cunningham (Glinsk).
Cathaoirleach : Peter Bane. (Caherlistrane).
Deputy Chairman : Frank Walsh (Killannin).
Runai : Neil Mc Hugh (Caherlistrane).
North Runai Help : Niall Brennan (Menlough).
Assistant Runai West : Liam Tierney. (Oughterard).
PRO & Ref Coordinator North : Larry Lohan (St. Gabriels)
Ref Coordinator West: Frank Walsh (Killannin).
Matching Secretary / Games Analyst : John Hegarty (Annaghdown).
Regulation / regulation officer : Tom Ryder (Dunmore McHales).
Youth Football Committee : Kevin Murray (Caltra), Noel Forde (Salthill / Knocknacarra), Noel Finnegan (Williamstown).
Group coordinators north : Mike Malone (St. Gabriels), Sheila Fahy (Claregalway), Peter Bane (Caherlistrane), Kevin Murray (Caltra), Noel Finnegan (Williamstown), Tom Ryder (Dunmore Mc Hales) and Barry O Loughlin (Claregalway).
Group coordinators west : Ornaith Nic Leoid (Leader Mor), Conor Gibney (Oughterard), Peader O Loideain (An Cheathru Rua), Justin Collins (Caherlistrane), Noel Forde (Salthill / Knocknacarra), Sean O Chulain (Carna / Cashel – Na Piarsaigh) & Tom Dunsworth (St. Mary’s Athenry)
Sponsorship : Coiste Peil Na nOg is pleased to announce that city-based businessman Peter Curran of Peter Curran Electrical, Glenrock Business Park, Galway, is our main sponsor of underage youth games at Galway Gaa Games for 2021. Peter was a lifelong Gaa supporter and a steadfast contributor to his own St. Michaels club, where he held various positions over the years.
Left to right: Larry Lohan, Tommy Curran, Peter Curran, Peter Bane, Neil McHugh and Frank Walsh.
Error: The 2021 file date was recently announced as the weekend of the All Ireland Football Finals weekend. The age level for files has been changed to under 15. Coiste Peil Na nOg welcomes this announcement, which will give players under 14 in 2020 the opportunity to take part in Feile 2021.
Galway Academy : Last year 2020, the Galway Football Academy’s underage program suffered badly from the severity of the Covid 19 pandemic. It is intended to resume field activity for the Academy program in 2021 as summer advances in ages below 14, 15, and 16.
To date, we have over 1400 young players signing up for team webinars / video conferencing hosted by Denis Carr GDA every other Wednesday night. The webinars offer a holistic approach as we aim to develop into adult gamers mentally and physically.
Topics in the webinars range from athletic development program, nutrition program, performance coaching, and career counseling, all of which enable players to find a balance between school and exercise.
