Nth Cork contributes handsomely to ladies national league win

THE work put into the structures at underage level is bearing fruit evident from a large group of North Region players currently representing Cork on Under 17 and minor hurling and football squads.

Regional Director Peter Watson said all involved are reaping the rewards for their endeavours on coming through the North Region development academy in the last four years.

“Well done to all coaches who volunteered their time and are developing these players into the next generation of Cork inter-county stars. Coaches are coming from clubs all over the region and are bringing a high level of knowledge and experience as well passion and intensity to the academy,” he said.

The Academies are being managed and co-ordinated by Pat Spratt GDA and Noel Crowley GDO with Kevin O’Callaghan Games Manager for the county board.

At Under 14, 15 and 16 grades, the North region is now playing and competing at a very high level in both football and hurling in inter-regional and Munster games and this is resulting in very strong representation on Cork county teams by players from the region.

“Great credit is due to the clubs, coaches and coaching officers and national / secondary schools in the region who have worked hard and volunteered endless hours of their time to coaching these players since they were young boys.

“There is a very good coaching structure being established in clubs through Benchmarking 2020 for the child, youth and adult player within the region with over 30 clubs buying into and implementing in a big way,” said Peter.

“Benchmarking involves national and secondary school coaching, coach education, child and youth club coaching plans, registering teams and playing a minimum number of games from Under 8 teams up to minor, Cúl camp and mid term camps run within the club and a physical development plan for youth players,” he said.

Special thanks is extended to Liz Foley (manager) and staff in Mallow GAA Complex in Carrigoon, for being so accommodating and for the use of their top class facilities which the region utilises throughout the year as a training base with the clubs in the region credited for the use of their facilities for matches, trainings and events when requested.

Also acknowledged is Dr. Wesley O’Brien from the UCC Mardyke who has developed and delivers a strength and conditioning programme for the North Region academy players.

North region players / mentors with Cork U-17 and minor squads