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Saturday 12 November sees the 18th annual O’Neill’s Ulster GAA Coaching and Games Development Conference taking place at the Ulster University, Jordanstown.
The theme of this year’s conference will focus on ‘Playing Your Part in Player Development’ and features a host of practical workshops delivered by coaches from across the family of Gaelic Games, with plenty of interesting takeaways for all involved.
Topics range from utilising video analysis, coaching the female athlete, coordinating handball sessions in your club, and specialist skills coaching in both hurling and football.
The event is bookended by keynote addresses from National GAA Head of Coach & Player Development, Martin Kennedy, on the areas of coach education and player development, and former Tipperary All Ireland winning hurling manager Liam Sheedy, who will provide a fascinating insight into setting team and performance culture.
The cost of £25 per delegate includes attendance at the conference and lunch, plus a free O’Neill’s t-shirt.
For information on the full itinerary of the O’Neill’s Ulster GAA Coaching Conference and to book your place, visit ulster.gaa.ie/conferences2022
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Newry High School pupil and Newry Olympic hockey club member Brianna Gregg has been selected for the Ulster Hockey U15 Talent Development Programme.
Having been nominated by her school Newry High, Brianna attended a trial at Playball, Stormont in Belfast where she underwent a comprehensive skills assessment which resulted in her selection for Ulster Hockey's U15 Talent Development Programme.
Her dad Jonny said, "Following Brianna's attendance last year at the U13 programme, this is the next crucial step on the pathway to representing Ulster Schoolgirls.
"The twelve week programme, which will be held in Banbridge, requires hard work and commitment as the girls will train six weeks prior to Christmas and a further six weeks in the New Year. However Brianna is looking forward to the challenge and the opportunity to further improve her game."
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From the whistle, Cookstown dominated the Newry half for most of the first quarter putting Newry under pressure, but with strong defending from Jodie Freeman, Chrissie McAuley and Suzanne Gilmore, the score remained nil nil.
The second quarter was much the same, Cookstown constantly keeping the pressure on trying to create opportunities to score. Newry worked well in defending their circle giving Cookstown no chances.
Going into the second half, Cookstown were beginning to tire allowing Newry to create more open play and were edging closer to the Cookstown circle. However, it wasn’t long before the opposition entered the Newry circle and despite strong defending from the Newry backs, Cookstown managed to get a scrappy goal putting them one nil up.
Nearing the final whistle, Newry’s right mid Kathryn Baird won a free from just inside the Cookstown half who played a crash ball into their circle hitting a Cookstown foot. Newry were unfortunate not to be awarded a short corner and were given a long corner instead where Kathryn dribbled the ball into the circle just as the final whistle blew.
A proud performance by the Newry ladies who demonstrated fantastic defending and determination throughout the whole match keeping the score line one nil, giving the Cookstown side a great competitive game.
Final score: Cookstown Ladies 1-0 Newry Ladies
Team: Kathryn Baird (Captain), Laverne Inns, Katie McCullough, Chrissie McAuley, Stacey Moffett, Sarah McNeilly, Abbey Haire, Stephanie Smart, Rebecca Murdock, Zara Moffett, Emma-Jayne Moffett, Lisa Murdock, Suzzane Gilmore, Caralyn Ferris, Rhianna Hale, Jodie Freeman
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Newry Olympic 2s hosted an experienced Instonians thirds team on Saturday afternoon in the League Cup, with the home side looking to put last week's heavy defeat against Portadown behind them.
Newry started strongly and forced the keeper into a few early saves with Large, Greer and Porter having efforts on target, however they fell behind to a rocket of a finish from the Instonians centre forward, giving goalkeeper Richard Henning no chance.
This set back spurred Newry on and they found themselves level when Josh Porter finished strongly from close range.
Inst were catching Newry on the break, forcing saves from Henning and last ditch tackles from defender's. One of these attacks lead to a penalty stroke that Henning saved superbly.
The Belfast side did manage a second however with a well worked team goal leaving the centre forward with a tap in.
Newry pushed for an equaliser, but were again caught on the break leaving the final score 1-3 to Instonians.
Team Newry: Richard Henning, Simon Moffett, Stevie Graham, Josh Porter, Jeremy Greer, John Lawson, Gareth Moffett, Corey Large, Noah Lutton, Gareth Mccullough, Paul Mccullough, Marcus Murdoch, Scott Blakley, Gareth Henry, Davey Lawson, Jordan Whiteside
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Armagh Down Cycling Club are hosting an open membership evening in November and with winter on its way, what better time to get involved and make new friends in the process.
The Open Evening takes place at 7:30 on Wednesday 16th November at the Mourne Country Hotel in Newry. Anyone considering joining the club are welcome to come along and hear what the club has to offer. Guest speaker on the night will be Mr. Cathal Clarke from Fast Forward coaching. Cathal is an accomplished cyclist and has specialised in coaching for several years now.
Online coaching starts in January and runs for three months. This is done on a turbo trainer at home. The programme gradually gets tougher and all participants benefit from the regular training. From April there are groups of different levels on the road with a ride leader to ensure that the group stays together.
If you believe you can succeed as a cyclist then Armagh Down Cycling Club have the coaching to help you achieve your goal. Now is the time to make the commitment for 2023.
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Bank Of Ireland and Ulster GAA are calling on GAA officials across the province to showcase the work of their clubs for the Bank of Ireland Ulster GAA Community Support Award.
The Award has been created to recognise the outstanding contribution of GAA Clubs in their communities.
Clubs are at the centre of communities and many of them go over and above their day-to-day operational activities to promote outreach, equality, diversity and inclusivity.
Bank of Ireland and Ulster GAA would like to hear from Gaelic Football, Hurling, Camogie, Rounders and Handball clubs from across Ulster on all the great community-focused initiatives carried out during 2022 and are calling on Club Officers to nominate their clubs.
After nominations have closed, a panel of judges will select a shortlist, to include one club finalist from each county and they will receive a certificate and a £250 O’Neill’s Sports equipment voucher.
The panel will then review the nine county winners together and select the standout club who will claim the overall Bank of Ireland Ulster GAA Community Support Award, as well as receive a plaque and a £1000 O’Neill’s Sports equipment voucher.
Encouraging the GAA club Officers to shine a light on the efforts of their members, William Thompson, Bank of Ireland’s Head of Consumer Banking for Northern Ireland, said:
“We are proud to sponsor the Ulster GAA Community Support Award, a fantastic initiative to acknowledge the important and lasting contribution that clubs make to their communities.
“A sense of community doesn’t just happen overnight, it develops over time, driven hugely by the commitment and hard work of volunteers and clubs within the community. I’d encourage every club, large or small, to put forward a nomination - you deserve recognition for all that you do.”
Ulster GAA Head of Club and Community Development Department, Diarmaid Marsden, commented "Clubs are at the heart of their communities and contribute so much to the lives of their members and the wider community. The GAA is an open and welcoming organisation and the more community links and activities our clubs are involved in then the stronger that club will be and the healthier that community will be.
“It is important to acknowledge the incredible and diverse work that our clubs are involved in, and Ulster GAA are delighted to a partner with Bank of Ireland in this initiative."
Club officials can find out further details and nominate their own club for this award by visiting ulster.gaa.ie/communitysupportaward.
The nomination process opens on Monday 24th October and closes on Friday 18th November.
For further information on the Bank of Ireland Ulster GAA Community Support Award please contact diarmaid.marsden.ulster@gaa.ie
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Armagh GAA have released a full new team kit at an event last night in the Athletic Grounds in Armagh. The range consists of three jerseys that will be available for the next two seasons.
Kitting out all county teams from underage to seniors, the new official home jersey is now on sale from today, 1 November with the alternative and goalkeeper jerseys available from Tuesday 15 November.
Team partners Simplyfruit attended the launch along with new commercial team partners Aidan Strain Electrical Engineering (ASEE)
Armagh County Chairman, Michael Savage said, “I want to thank Patrick McCann from Simplyfruit for his continued support as title sponsor. Our partnership with Simplyfruit has developed over many years and their support has been instrumental for our football and hurling teams.
“We are delighted to welcome Aidan Strain Electrical Engineering (ASEE) as new commercial team partner. ASEE are a family run business based in Mullaghbawn, and will feature on the back of the jersey. A company many will already recognise having been previous sponsors of our Orchard Academy teams.
“We look forward to working with our team partners as their support is key to preparing our players for highly competitive performances and building success for our county teams.
He added, “We would like to offer our appreciation and thanks to Paul McKenna and mac-group for the support they have given our county over the past 7 years and wish them all the best for the future.”
Patrick McCann, Simplyfruit Managing Director, commented, “We are delighted to be entering our tenth season supporting Armagh GAA. We take great pride in working with the county and we look forward to the journey ahead, wishing all teams well this coming season.”
Aidan Strain Electrical Engineering are a local firm operating across the UK and Europe, with headquarters based in Mullaghbawn the company have been operating for over 40 years.
From ASEE, company Director Fergus Clinton, commented, “We are both delighted and proud to be on board as an official team partner with ASEE across the back of the new-look jerseys. These are exciting times for Armagh GAA and we look forward to working with the county and being part of the journey.”
The new range will be available to purchase in approved stores throughout the country and online at mckeeversports.com
McKeever Sports Managing Director, Padraic McKeever said, “Having secured the partnership with Armagh GAA back in 2020, it was always our goal to bring freshness and innovation to our jersey design. We are excited to launch the new ultra-modern designs for the next two seasons, and we hope the loyal and fantastic Armagh fans are too.
“We look forward to welcoming fans to the official launch of the alternative and goalkeeper jersey on Tuesday 15th November, from 7pm-11pm in McKeever Sports, Rushmere Shopping Centre, Craigavon.”
Concluding the launch, Michael Savage paid tribute to the fans, “There is always great demand for the Armagh jersey, our players wear it with great pride but not only our players, our fans too.
“When we look back on 2022, the fans that travelled in numbers, from Clones to Croke Park, there is no doubt we have the most passionate fans in the country. I want to thank you for your support, and together we will continue to wear our colours with pride.
Finally, I want to thank Padraic and his team at McKeever Sports for kitting out our county teams and for developing trailblazing designs that will continue to make us recognisable around the globe.”
Fans are invited to join players at the official alternative and goalkeeper jersey launch on Tuesday 15 November from 7pm-11pm in McKeever Sports, Rushmere Shopping Centre, Craigavon.
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James Andrew Davis, known universally as Jimmy Davis, tragically passed away on Monday, October 31.
On that Halloween morning the legendary sports journalist died suddenly at the Newry Bus station.
Jimmy, one of Newry’s sporting icons, deserves to be spoken of in the same breath as the likes of Newry heroes Pat Jennings and Peter McParland.
Jimmy was a true soccer saint.
Many people contributed greatly to football in the Newry region but none have even come near to matching the input of the man who lived in Mountainview Terrace.
Jimmy, virtually single-handedly, steered junior football in the Newry area through the good times and bad, his steadying influence always in evidence
The game in the border city and surrounding districts, along with all the thousands of players who played it, and indeed have played in it down through the years, owe a lot to the genial Jimmy Davis.
When there was a problem Jimmy was the man who sorted it out.
He spent many long hours, often well into the depth of night, sorting out fixtures, pitches and referees.
When a team was unable to fulfil a fixture, Jimmy was the man who inevitably apologised to the other side.
Fixture mix-up? See Jimmy.
No ref? See Jimmy.
And when things went wrong, who shouldered the blame?
Yes of course ... Jimmy Davis.
On a footballing Saturday his phone was always red hot with most of the calls bringing further problems.
Jimmy could you .... ?
Jimmy will you ....?
Jimmy can you tell me ... ?
Jimmy can we .... ?
And almost always the caller, at the door or on the phone, would have been answered in the same way. ‘Alright son (or daughter) I’ll sort it out.’
And he almost always did.
And with due respect to his good friends Brian Naughton and Niall Quinn, who themselves did a mountain of work behind the scenes in the Carnbane League, in many people’s opinion were it not for Jimmy Davis, our local league would not be in existence.
Jimmy was the Carnbane League secretary for nearly 55 years, starting his term of office in 1968. And was still secretary right up to his last day.
He was also the sports editor in the Newry Reporter for perhaps even longer than 55 years.
And despite his busy, busy lifestyle he was a man always willing to help others.
He was also a God-fearing man.
A man of the church.
A man who never used foul language.
And a man who never spoke ill of others.
In a nutshell Jimmy Davis was a true gentleman.
Surely if one man from Newry had to be nominated as a soccer saint that man would have to be James Andrew Davis.
In his long lifetime in sport Jimmy received many honours.
But foremost of these was the BEM awarded in 2013 for his dedication and hard work in the Carnbane League.
Another huge accolade came in 2008 when Jimmy was honoured by the IFA at the Association’s Football For All Awards ceremony at Belfast’s Ramada Hotel.
There he was was presented with The Boys Football Unsung Hero award for his work in the Newry area.
Meanwhile lots of nice words have been spoken about Jimmy Davis over the years and here are just a few of them.
“Jimmy Davis is a man who never seeks the limelight. He is one of the sporting world’s unsung heroes. He’s a quiet, humble, unassuming man.”
“Jimmy Davis should have been awarded a knighthood for his services to local football. I don’t know how he keeps doing it. Nobody would, or could, have done the job – and that despite all the abuse he has taken from players and managers over the years.”
“He’s a modest man and a very giving man too.
To finish with a couple of wee stories.
Way back in the early seventies Gerry Patton was ruled out of the Northern Ireland Youth Cup final as, despite playing in the early rounds, he was overage.
He has everlasting memories of a Rovers’ managerial delegation coming towards him four days before the final and telling him he wasn’t in the squad.
Jimmy Davis, part of that delegation, rubbed salt into the wound by saying: “But don’t worry son … you’ll get tea and buns like the rest of the team!!”
Here’s a wee personal story concerning Jimmy that showed his love for the Carnbane League.
One afternoon I was sitting at home, relaxing with a cup of tea after dinner. Earlier in the day we had our usual Sunday morning kick-about on the Hen Run as our own wee pitch was water-logged.
My door bell rang with my late wife Vivien answering it. And there was Jimmy Davis, with steam pouring out of his ears, brushing past her and shouting at me: “You and Paddy McCamley will never kick another ball in the Carnbane League.
“Youse played on the Hen Run this morning and cut it all up. We didn’t let any of the teams play on it yesterday as we were saving it for a cup final on Tuesday night. We can’t play that cup final on it now. Youse destroyed it!”
Needless to say the next time I met Jimmy, there wasn’t another word said about the incident – and Paddy McCamley and me continued to play in the Carnbane League.
And Jimmy continued to look after the Carnbane League and the players who played in it.
Monday was a sad day for sport in the locality. The Newry area lost a soccer saint with Jimmy’s sons Andrew and Mark plus daughters Maud, Elizabeth and Sylvia losing their much-loved father.
Deepest sympathies go to Davis family.
RIP Jimmy Davis.
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Coiste Contae Ard Mhacha have proposed former senior football team captain Jarlath Burns for the position of Uachtarán CLG at Congress in 2023. It is the second time the St Paul's High School Headmaster has been put forward for the post having come second to the current president Larry McCarthy in 2020.
Jarlath has had a successful playing career at college and inter-county levels, most notably as captain of the Armagh senior footballers in 1999 that won county’s first Ulster Championship in sixteen years.
Chairman Michael Savage commented, "Jarlath has a profound knowledge of all aspects of the GAA, both at home and abroad. As administrator at all levels, he has remained true to the values which inform and enrich our Association, while never failing to challenge it where he sees that the integrity of the Association and its games are at stake.
"In an environment in which the GAA is under intense daily scrutiny and where communication skills are vital, he would be an articulate public defender and advocate of the Association and a strong voice for modern and progressive action.
"It is for these reasons that Armagh GAA proudly propose Jarlath Burns, certain in the knowledge that he will make an outstanding Uachtarán CLG."
He has proved himself to be an able and innovative administrator and has accumulated wide and valuable experience in a variety of roles at club, county, provincial and national levels. He was Chairman of his club, Silverbridge Harps, from 2012 to 2015, and has been club Secretary since 2015. He is currently Armagh’s delegate to the Ulster Council, is a member of the Armagh Executive and chair of the Ulster GAA Club Planning and Physical Infrastructure Committee.
Jarlath has been Chairman of a range of national committees, including the Standing Committee on the Playing Rules and the 125th Anniversary Committee, and was a consultative member of the GAA Strategic Committee of 2000. He served on Central Council from 2000 to 2003, was the first players’ representative on Ard Chomhairle and was then the Armagh delegate between 2009 and 2013. He was also on the GAA Management Committee in 2012-13.
But Jarlath’s relevant experience extends beyond his various roles within the GAA. In his capacity as principal of St Paul’s HS Bessbrook, he has demonstrated exceptional leadership and management skills. In both 2016 and 2018 the Education and Training Inspectorate judged St Paul’s pastoral care, achievements, standards and leadership as ‘outstanding’.
Elsewhere, Jarlath was appointed as member of the Eames Bradley Consultative Group on the Past, which undertook a three-year consultation process across Ireland (from 2007 to 2009) and produced a report with proposals for dealing with the legacy of the conflict in the North.
Tá céim ollscoile sa Ghaeilge ag Iarlaith, chaith sé 25 bliain ag teagasc na Gaeilge agus caitheann sé an chuid is mó den lá ag déanamh gnáthchumarsáid as Gaeilge. Sí Gaeilge a chéad teanga labhartha agus scríofa. Tá léar mhór cláracha Gaeilge déanta aige fosta agus chuir sé clár suntasach i láthair a dhírigh ar stair CLG in Uladh. Craoladh an clár seo ar TG4 agus BBCNI agus fuair sé léirmheas iontach dearfach ón lucht féachúna agus ó mhuintir CLG ar fud na tire.
Jarlath has a profound knowledge of all aspects of the GAA, both at home and abroad. As administrator at all levels, he has remained true to the values which inform and enrich our Association, while never failing to challenge it where he sees that the integrity of the Association and its games are at stake. And, in an environment in which the GAA is under intense daily scrutiny and where communication skills are vital, he would be an articulate public defender and advocate of the Association and a strong voice for modern and progressive action.
It is for these reasons that Armagh GAA proudly propose Jarlath Burns, certain in the knowledge that he will make an outstanding Uachtarán CLG.
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