Trip to Kerry for Sligo U15s
DURING the mid term break the Sligo U15 Development squad travelled to the Kingdom of Kerry for a three day coaching camp. It involved attending a number of different coaching sessions with GAA personalities from Kerry, motivational talks and challenge games. This trip was to recognise and build upon the commitment shown by the U15 squad in 2017. It was also an educational experience for each player both on and off the pitch. In total, 43 players travelled. The squad left on Thursday and made the 4.5 hour journey to the Banna Beach Resort, their base for the four days. Here they were greeted and made at home by William Murphy, who manages this excellent facility. The squad had access to the swimming pool, games room, astro pitch and catering facilities. Big thank you to Peadar Niland for arranging this.
Each morning, all of the squad were up early to cook their own breakfast. On Friday morning, they travelled to Caherslee GAA pitch, where they had both a training and a Q&A session with twice All-Ireland winning Kerry Minor Football manager, Peter Keane. The lads picked up some quality information from Peter and were grateful for lending his expertise and time. After the session the squad had lunch before they departed for John Mitchells GAA pitch for a game with Mounthawk Secondary School. The lads won the game with 21 players all taking part. They are indebted to the Kerry Games Manager, Donal Daly, who organised opposition and pitches for them over the weekend. After the game, the team travelled back to Banna for dinner and a memorable and very entertaining quiz night. On Saturday morning the squad had an inspiring Q&A session with Kieran Donaghy from the Kerry Senior team. He was both generous and engaging with his insights. The lads got to ask him lots of questions. He was superb and was unfussed when there was a big demand for selfie photos. They really appreciate the time Kieran invested with the squad. Afterwards the group travelled to Fossa GAA Grounds to play St Brendan’s Secondary School. The other members of the squad all took part in this game and recorded another victory. Once again it was back to Banna for a recovery session and dinner. In the evening they travelled into Tralee to watch Kieran Donaghy and his Tralee Warriors teamsmates play UCD in the National Basketball League. This rounded off a fantastic few days, with everyone up early on Sunday morning to return home.
The organisers said a number of people made this trip possible and it’s important that they are acknowledged and thanked. Peadar Niland for organising and arranging Banna Holiday resort; Sligo GAA County Board for supporting the trip; Padraig Clancy for arranging sponsorship and background work in making it happen; Aurivo Co-operative for generous sponsorship of breakfast food; Gerry Mullen for sponsoring milk; Gabriel Kelly, John Gorman and Johnson,Mooney and O’Brien for sponsoring bread and cookies; Ger Canning of Cannings Sligo for sponsoring pizzas; Des Henry for putting together a superb quiz; Damien Eames for his kind donation. Credit also to the coaches involved for giving up their precious time to travel with the group and mind them. The parents and guardians who supported the trip were also praised, without it the trip would not have been possible.
The Sligo U15 squad: Jack Teape - St Marys; Liam Donegan - Castleconnor; Tola Carway - St Molaise Gaels; Daniel Cunnie - Tourlestrane; Mark McGowan - St Johns; Ethan Scully - St Johns; Ryan Gallagher - St Molaise Gaels; Jack Lavin - Ballymote; Joe Keaney - St Molaise Gaels; Eoin Carty - Tubbercurry/Cloonacool; Oisín Hynes - Enniscrone/Kilglass; Ciaran Mc Keon - St Michaels; Aaron Davey - St Michaels; Roland Scanlon - Bunninadden; Shane Molloy - St Farnans; Conor Keaveney - St Pats; Shane Muldowney - St Marys; Oran McDonagh - Coolera/Strandhill; John Kerrins - St Molaise Gaels; Keith Feely - Curry; Ian O’Brien - Drumcliffe/Rosses Point; Eoghan Smith - Drumcliffe/Rosses Point; Fionn Moylan - Easkey; Tom Gavin - St Marys; Jack Davitt - St Molaise Gaels; Shane Towey - St Molaise Gaels; Conor Matthews - Tubbercurry/ Cloonacool; Oisin Gorman - Bunninadden; Oisin Murphy - Curry; Michael Kielty - Eastern Harps; Connor Finn - Ballymote; Daniel Breslin - Ballymote; Zak O’Dowd - Ballymote; Lee Deignan - Shamrock Gaels; Brian Marren - Coolaney/Mullinabreena; Jim Davis - St Pats; Rowan Elliot - Calry/St Josephs; Conor Stinchon - Calry/St Josephs; Lee Cummins - Drumcliffe/Rosses Point; Michael Gillen - St Molaise Gaels, Michael Morgan - St Marys; Gavin Duffy - Enniscrone/Kilglass. Coaches:
Michael Duffy, Jimmy Smith, Bill Carty, Damian Eames, Ross Donovan, Benny Kenny and Liam Óg Gormley.