Busy Period ahead for Kilkenny GAA Development Squads

Busy Period ahead for Kilkenny GAA Development Squads

Nickey Brennan (CRKC Sport)

In late January this year in a packed Hotel Kilkenny, the Kilkenny GAA Academy, Na Cait Óga, was launched.  It was also announced that CluneTech would be the sponsor of the Na Cait Óga Academy.

Speaking to attendees at the launch, Kilkenny GAA Performance Lead, Michael Fennelly, outlined the work to be undertaken by him and his team for the 2024 season and beyond.  The newly revamped Academy would provide a pathway for emerging young talent in Kilkenny. The structure would consist of an ecosystem where players, parents/guardians, schools, clubs and coaches would be supported through educational resources and tools.

The vision of Na Cait Óga would generate a healthy and broad cohort of players, providing them with an opportunity to advance in all aspects of their game.  At the heart of its mission, the Kilkenny academy would create an environment to support and develop emerging talent from a psychosocial (social, physical, psychological) position which would result in a setting where players can thrive in their personal development.

To achieve these goals, the following best practice objectives would be utilised:

• Coaching the technical skills of hurling through game based scenarios and encouraging problem based learning.
• Developing players for the physical demands of hurling with a focus on each individual state of maturation.
• Providing tools on supporting players with the psychological challenges of life and sport.
• Learning leadership qualities and encouraging independent decision making.
• Offering guidance and support around lifestyle management in terms of school, sport and life balance for each of our players.

Michael Fennelly also spoke about culture, tradition and identity, all of which feed into the standards (attitude, accountability, honesty, battle ready, brotherhood, growth mindset) and values (work rate, spirit, humility, respect the jersey) that resonate across all Kilkenny players, teams and clubs.

Since the launch of Na Cait Óga in late January players from every club in the county have been part of the development programme from Under 14 to Under 16 levels. The concluding stages of the competitions in which the players participated will be held over the coming weeks, with the Under 16 Football Squad finishing their programme with a game against Waterford in Walsh Park recently.

195 players made the final selections across five hurling squads at U14, U15 and U16 levels. In addition, 40 players participated in the U16 football programme. Supporting the players through their various programmes were 34 hurling coaches and 5 football coaches.

Kilkenny teams played four games last weekend and emerged victorious in all of them. The U16 1 squad travelled to Clarecastle in Clare and saw off the Banner on a score of 0-22 to 1-16, having trailed 1-8 to 0-7 at half time. The 16 2 squad scored a comprehensive 6-27 to 1-7 win over Antrim in Dublin. In Johnstown, the U15 1 squad put in an impressive performance to see off the challenge of Cork 2-20 to 2-10, having led 1-10 to 1-5 at the interval.  Down the road in Urlingford the U15 2 squad also defeated Cork on a score of 1-17 to 2-10.

The action continues this coming Saturday with the following fixtures:

Under 16 2           Kilkenny v Dublin              12.00 p.m.            Venue: Barrow Rangers GAA

U15 1                   Kilkenny v Waterford          12.30 p.m.            Venue: Erin’s Own GAA, Waterford X91 EF95

U15 2                   Kilkenny v Limerick

This fixture is not going ahead and Kilkenny advance to the All-Ireland semifinal.

U14 Kilkenny

Group of 4 – Wexford; Waterford; Dublin & Kilkenny

Each county plays 3 Games commencing at 11.00 a.m.

Venue: Wexford GAA centre of Excellence, Ferns

U14 Cill Chainnigh

Group of 4 – Wexford; Waterford; Dublin & Kilkenny

Each county plays 3 Games commencing at 11.00 a.m.

Venue: De La Salle GAA Club, Grace Dieu, Waterford

All Kilkenny underage squads will be looking to continue their winning ways next Saturday and on to the concluding All-Ireland stages which are down for decision on Sat. 24^th August.

Meanwhile the U14 Emerging Squad still have a game to play against Tipperary. This fixture will be made over the coming days also.

We wish the young players and their coaches well over the coming weeks.

The various Panels of Players across all squads are as follows: