Major increase in juvenile GAA games in 2019

WICKLOW GAA’S juvenile fixtures programme produced an extra 175 games in 2019 compared with the 2018 season.

Wicklow GAA games manager Hugh Kenny revealed the impressive increase in his detailed report to Convention recently where he outlined that 68 football and 27 hurling competitions were played out between league and championship.

New competitions were introduced through Player Pathway championships at under-10 football and under-12 football and hurling while there were under-17 Division 1 and 2 leagues commenced.

An additional under-13 Division 4 league was added to the calendar along with under-13 ‘D’ championship, ‘D’ Shield and ‘D’ plate finals.

More finals were added at under-17 grade with an ‘A’ and ‘B’ plate decider in football while ‘A’ shield, ‘A’ plate and ‘B’ shield finals were added to the under-13 hurling championship with an additional ‘A’ plate added to under-15 hurling.

‘When competitions and groups were organised they were presented to all clubs at the start of the year along with the rules and regulations governing Coiste na nÓg,’ wrote Hugh Kenny.

‘A full yearly fixtures calendar was updated weekly with referees and emailed to clubs and this appeared in the Wicklow People and county GAA website each week.

‘Coiste na nÓ also provided official team list sheets to clubs so it would help the administration in clubs and also assist our referees. A €20 payment to all juvenile referees was also agreed.

‘When all club information was received, we sent out a list of coaches’ contacts to all juvenile clubs and a full referee contact list was also provided,’ he added.

Hugh Kenny acknowledged the ‘great help’ he received from clubs in terms of facilitating games in the event of fixture clashes and the likes but he advised clubs that it was their responsibility to contact clubs they were fixed to play if they wanted to get the game played earlier.

‘If any club is in trouble and can’t play on the original date it’s your responsibility to contact the club you are playing and try to get the game played earlier,’ wrote Wicklow GAA’s games manager.

‘What amazes me is that fixtures are set in stone and have been known for weeks that we are playing and some clubs leave it until the last minute to change a fixture knowing they they’re left with limited choice but to give a walkover or beg the other club to put the game back, which is not helpful at all.

‘Calling off games on the day of the match is not showing respect. Better organisation and planning would solve a lot of problems.

‘Finally, I would like to congratulate all clubs on their successes in 2019 and eagerly look forward to what 2020 will bring,’ added Hugh Kenny.