Armagh U17s/U20s

Throwball

Well-Known Member
Before I go any further I will start by saying I don' t know the answer. I would agree that the emphasis should be in schools and improved club coaching. I am not convinced though that competition in early years is right either. At the minute there are go games and competitive blitzes at under 8 and 10 with slightly more competition at under 12. This is not far wrong. There is evidence around many sports that ultra competition in children can actually discourage development. In some areas too you find that playing the stronger players in detriment to the weaker leaves to the club losing these players. They may become administrators or referees or sponsors etc in later years. Keeping them involved can be key in developing the club. There is also the case that many clubs then lose their stronger players also to other sports or drink etc.. Clubs then struggle to field at under 16 or minor etc..

Whatever the rights and wrong with competition I do feel the development squad ethos is struggling to prove its worth.
 

bcb1

Well-Known Member
I get what you’re saying throwball but I’m not going on studies or high level thinking, I’m going from personal experience in what I played in and in dealing with kids as a coach aged 10-12. They are naturally competitive. In fact the kids I work with are more competitive than I try to let them be. They all want to win. They all want to play better. I have been coaching at u10 and u12 for the last 8-9 years and they don’t change from that. I have never seen a stronger player get weaker from being competitive but I have seen them lose interest from lack of competition. Maybe we were a bit ‘harder’ mentally when I was that age but I can tell you something. I have a picture of us from u10 an I was playing a year up. There was a squad of 30 of us. 25 at least played to minor level and 12 togged out in Croke Park and the McEntees were not even in that underage squad or Paul Hearty. Of the whole squad at least 20 are still involved in the club in some capacity now either as coaching, admin or have children playing. We played very competitive football from then up and none of us were turned off by it. I think there really needs to be a reality check and a move away from the nanny approach to the games
 

Throwball

Well-Known Member
It is hard to argue when Cross have been so successful. However maybe you are the exception. I know as an Armagh city man that there maybe up on 30 kids at under 8, 10 or 12 at the Harps or Ogs but both have struggled at older grades. Soccer and Rugby are big draws. You also have hurling , swimming , golf etc.. That is without mentioning social issues. I firmly believe that keeping players involved in early years is the only way to keep clubs thriving in many areas.
 

bcb1

Well-Known Member
Possibly we are the exception. In the current squad of u12s I reckon at least 8-10 will play senior and the same with last years team. By senior too I mean senior level so that could be with the first team and second team. That’s the same way up nearly all levels.
 

mackers

New Member
I would question the management of the academy squads. I would have went to quite a few matches to watch what would have been this year's u17 squad as I had a lad playing on it up to last year. They were beating Down and Monaghan at u14 and u15 level. Last year they played in the early rounds of the Buncrana Cup which has been moved down to u16 (previously a u17 competition) because of the minor competition moving to u17 this year. It was in Silverbridge so I went over to watch. Our county u16 team had no subs! They were beat out the gate by Monaghan (who they had beaten in Cloughan the year before) and Derry. But never before had I seen a county team without a sub. One of the lads got injured and they were hobbling about the field for the whole of the second game because we had no one to replace him. Embarassing.
 

Big Jim

Well-Known Member
I would question the management of the academy squads. I would have went to quite a few matches to watch what would have been this year's u17 squad as I had a lad playing on it up to last year. They were beating Down and Monaghan at u14 and u15 level. Last year they played in the early rounds of the Buncrana Cup which has been moved down to u16 (previously a u17 competition) because of the minor competition moving to u17 this year. It was in Silverbridge so I went over to watch. Our county u16 team had no subs! They were beat out the gate by Monaghan (who they had beaten in Cloughan the year before) and Derry. But never before had I seen a county team without a sub. One of the lads got injured and they were hobbling about the field for the whole of the second game because we had no one to replace him. Embarassing.
Was at that too as I had a meeting with a Derry man that happened to be going so met there and saying embarrassing is being polite. Also didn't see any of the higher profile "academy mentors" at it either!! The young lads did their best, but looked like they were caught in the headlights!
 

Ogs lad

Active Member
Bull what's the wee lad from the grange called in the panel? Fwd that played for St Pats Armagh, in the McGrory. Only 17. Supposed to be very good.
 

Muckser

Well-Known Member
So 6 of this squad playing Friday and in snr panel......tough as game Saturday...good old gaa
 
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