Comhairle Laighean CLG

Transcription

Comhairle Laighean C.L.G.
Tionólfar
Comhdháil Cinn Bliana
2015
Hotel Kilkenny, Cill Chainnigh
ar dé hAoine, 29ú Eanair, 2016
ar 7.00 pm
Contents
Clár
3
Ainmniúchán • Na Rúin
4
Miontuairiscí Chruinniú den Chomhdháil Bhliantúil 2014
5
Address by Cathaoirleach
8
Tuairisc an Rúnaí
13
Games Development
24
Cumann na mBunscol
42
Post-Primary Schools
44
Third Level Colleges
46
Tutor Trainer Group
48
Referees Administration
50
Hearings Committee
54
Provincial Fixtures Planning Committee
55
Finance Advisory Committee
57
Infrastructure & Safety Committee
58
‘Games for All’ Committee
60
Marketing & Public Relations Committee
62
An Coiste Cultúr
66
Comhairle Liathróid Láimhe Laighean
68
GAA Volunteers’ Awards • Leinster Roll of Honour
74
Clár na gCluichí 2016
76
Cluichí Laighean 2015
79
Cluichí Iarbhunscoileanna 2014-2015
84
Leinster GAA Gallery of Champions
86
2
Leinster GAA
Clár
5.30 pm Evening Meal
7.00 pm Opening of Convention
(a) Ned Quinn - Cathaoirleach Cill Chainnigh
(b) Minutes of Convention 2015
(c) Presentation - Leinster Infrastructure & Safety Committee
(d) Presentation - Games for All
(e) Discussion of Report of Chief Executive & Sub-Committee Reports
Adoption / Review of Annual Accounts
Address by An Cathaoirleach, Sean Ó hÓrain.
Formal Election of Officers
Each county is entitled to the following Delegate representation at Convention, in
addition to its two representatives on the Provincial Council:
Ceatharloch 4
An Lú 4
Cill Chainnigh 4 Cill Mhaintain 4
Longphort 4 Laois 5 Iarmhi 5
Cill Dara 5 Áth Cliath 6
An Mhi 6
Uibh Fhaili 4
Loch Garman 5
NOTE
Leinster Council delegates cannot be proxied in an election
NOTE
Full Leinster Convention documentation has already been forwarded directly to each
member of the outgoing Leinster Council
Micheál Mac Raghnaill (Rúnaí)
Áras Laighean, Portlaoise, Co. Laois.
Convention Report 2015
3
Ainmniúcháin
CATHAOIRLEACH
LEAS-CATHAOIRLEACH
CISTEOIR
OIFIGEACH CAIDREAMH POIBLÍ
Seán Ó hÓrain
Séamus Ó Bolguidhir
Syl Ó Mearáin
Padraig Ó Teachain
(Áth Cliath)
(Ceatharloch)
(Cill Dara)
(Uibh Fháilí)
Na Rúin
(a) Proposed ammendment to Leinster Bye-Laws – Hearings Committee
There shall be a Hearings Committee which shall consist of a Chairperson and Secretary, and three other members
appointed by Comhairle Laighean C.L.G., six representatives from the counties on Comhairle Laighean C.L.G. (not
represented on the C.C.C.) who shall be elected on a rota basis on the nomination of their respective counties and the
Chief Executive Officer whose only function shall be to act as a non-voting secretary to the Hearings Committee when
dealing with Appeals. It shall consist of at least three members for any hearing.
(a)It shall adjudicate on all disciplinary matters where a hearing is prescribed and requested relating to the Enforcement
of Rules arising from games under the control and jurisdiction of Comhairle Laighean C.L.G. and on reports arising
from the Provincial Competitions Control Committee.
(b)It shall hear appeals lodged by individuals or units against decisions of County Committees under the jurisdiction of
Comhairle Laighean C.L.G.
(c) It may not include any member of the Management Committee or the Competitions Control Committee save that
the Provincial Secretary may act as a non-voting Secretary to the Hearings Committee when dealing with appeals.
(d) It shall report to the Management Committee.
(e)The Vice Chairperson of Comhairle Laighean may nominate an extra member to be added to the Hearings Committee
during the year prior to the election of the following Chairperson. This appointment shall be approved by Comhairle
Laighean C.L.G. The appointee should be the Vice Chairperson’s proposed nomination as Chairperson of the Hearings
Committee during his/her term as Chairperson of Comhairle Laighean.
(f) Whereas provided for in Rule 7.14 T.O. 2015 a newly Constituted Hearings Committee is required for a
re-hearing or re-processing of a case the Cathaoirleach, Comhairle Laighean, may appoint temporary
members for the Hearings Committee and such temporary members do not have to be members of
Comhairle Laighean.
(Comhairle Laighean)
(b) That Leinster Minor Inter-County Championship matches be played on Wednesday nights.
(HWH Bunclody, Loch Garman)
(c) That Leinster Inter-County Football and Hurling Championship fixtures be played on the same weekend, with the
exception of finals.
(HWH Bunclody, Loch Garman)
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Leinster GAA
Miontuairiscí Chruinniú de’n
Chomhdháil Bhliantúil 30.01.2015
S. Uas. O hOrain (Cathaoirleach) presided at An Chomhdhail Bhliaintuil, held in Arklow Bay Hotel, on Friday 30u Eanair 2015.
Also present were:
S. O Bolguidhir (LeasCathaoirleach)
S. O Mearain (Cisteoir)
S. O hUaine (PRO)
T. O Floinn (Ard Oideachais)
M. O Sceallaigh (Iar Cathaoirleach)
D. O Fiach (Iarbhunscoileanna)
T. O Riain (Cumann na mBunscol)
P. Mac Mathuin, P. O Ciarain (Lu)
P. O Loinsigh, B. O Cairbre (An Mhi)
N. O Murchu, G. O hArrachtain (Ath Cliath)
M. O hAgain, B. O Seacnasai (Cill Mhantain)
S. O Seacnasai, D. O Ceannt (Loch Garman)
M. O Gormain, M. de Faoite (Cill Dara)
P. O Nuallain, E. O Broin (Ceatharloch)
S. O Fionngalaigh, S. de Lasa (Cill Chainnigh)
C. Mac Consleibhe, M. O Cearbhaill (Laois)
S. O Briain, F. MacEoin (Uibh Fhaili)
P. O Laighneach, L. O Murchu (Iarmhi)
S. O Bannain, S. O Dufaigh (Longphort)
M. Mac Raghnaill (Runai)
The following delegates represented the counties:
IARMHI
S. O Sioradain, S. O Mairtin, M. MacAodh, S. O Broin,
A. Mac Labhrai.
LU
D. O hAilpin, D. O Broin, R O Duchanna.
AN MHI
C. O Tormaigh, P. O hAllurain, P. O Floinn, S. O Maolmhuire,
M. O Hallurain.
LONGPHORT
B. Mac Giolla Mhuire, A. O Dunabhra, E. O Muireartaigh, P. O
Raghallaigh.
The following also attended Convention:
ATH CLIATH
S. Mac Nioclais, M. O Briain, F. O Mathuna, C. O Suilleabhain,
S. O hAonghusa, S. O Seanlaoch.
CILL MHANTAIN
M. O Colmain, M. O Murchu, P. de Cais.
LOCH GARMAN
B. Ni Iacaib, G. O Duill, P. Uaiceam, N. O Caoimh,
M. Ni Dhuill, D. O hUilin.
IAR-OIFIGIGH
A. O Falluin, S. de Grae, M. O Dubhshlaine, S. Aldridge,
S. Mac Carthaigh, P. O Tomhnair, S. O Broin, S. O hUilin,
S. O Beara, P. O Flannagain.
NEW COUNCIL DELEGATES
P. O Conchuir, B. O Coimin, C. Ni Concubhair,
S. Mac Mathuin, L. de Barra, T. Mac Seoin, P. Mac Aodhbhui.
CILL DARA
C. O Fearghail, M. O Fionnain, G. O Donnghaile,
E. O Bairead.
SUB COMMITTEE REPS
R. de Buitleir (Coisde Eisteachta)
T. O Coigligh (Coisde Reiteoiri)
B. O Cleirigh (Coisde Gailge & Cultuir)
CEATHARLOCH
G. O Lionnain, M. O Maonaigh, M. O Faolain.
EUROPE GAA
B. O Cleircin.
CILL CHAINNIGH
P. Mac Aindrias, S. Breathnach, E. O Cuinn, B. O hIci,
PS O Cionnaith.
ARAS LAIGHEAN STAFF
S. O Flannagain, S. Mac Coitir, S. de Brun, S. Ni Chuinn,
H. Ni hOrain, P. Ni Chleir.
LAOIS
G. O Caomhanaigh, M. O Broin, B. O hAilin.
OTHERS
C. O Flannagain, P. O Cathail, S. O Duinn, S. O Murchu,
T. O Broin, S. Napier.
UIBH FHAILI
L. O Caomhanaigh, E. O Floinn, P. O Teachain, P. O Beolain.
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Oscailt
Sean O hUaine, Oifigeach Caidhreamh Poibli Chomhairle Laighean formally opened Convention and introduced
Mairtin O Colmain, Cathaoirleach Coisde Co. Chill Mhantain CLG.
Fáiltiú
An tUas O Colmain welcomed all to the Garden County and thanked Comhairle Laighean for giving Cill Mhantain
the opportunity to host Convention and hoped they have a successful Convention.
He took the opportunity to wish Micheal O Dubhshlaine well in his retirement and Micheal Mac Raghaill the very
best in his new post as CEO.
An tUas. O Colmain then made a presentation to Micheal O Dubhshlaine on behalf of Coisde Co. Chill Mhantain
CLG. He also made a presentation to the Officers and other delegates.
Miontuairiscí Chruinniú (25.01.2014)
Adopted and signed by an Cathaoirleach on proposition of B. O hAilin, seconded by E. O Broin.
Minor Review Report
A presentation, on the above, was made to Convention by Micheal Martin (Chairman of Minor Review Workgroup).
Report of Chief Executive and Sub Committee Reports
Adopted by Convention.
•R. de Buitleir (Coisde Eisteachta Laighean) spoke about the following at Convention: He stated that there are many
members in the province who are unable to distinguish between a hearing and an appeal. He asked County Officers
to address this by talking to club officials and Leinster Hearings Committee members will gladly assist counties if
requested.
Appointment of Tellers – Election of PRO
The following Tellers were appointed S. O Duinn (Returning Officer), S. O Murchu, S. O Broin, T. O Floinn.
Presentation by Leinster Referees Committee
T. O Coigligh (Chairman Leinster Referees Committee) made a presentation to Convention as per attached schedule.
Annual Accounts 2014
The annual accounts for 2014 were adopted.
S. O Mearain then presented a detailed analysis of the accounts.
6
Leinster GAA
Election of PRO
The Ballot for Election of PRO resulted as follows:
Electorate: 85 • Votes Cast: 85 • Spoiled Votes: 0 • Valid Poll: 85 • Quota: 43
Name
1st Count Cahill, Pat
(P. O Cathail)
6 (elim)
2nd Count 3rd Count 4th Count 5th Count
(+2)
17
(+13)
30
(+10)
40
Lynagh, Pat
(P. O Laighneach) 21 21
(+3)
24
(+1)
25 (elim)
Lacey, John
15 15
(S. de Lasa) (+1)
16 (elim)
Cummins, Brendan
(B. O Coimin)
10
(+1)
11 (elim)
Leavy, Kieran
(C. Mac Consleibhe) 14
(+1)
15
Teehan, Pat
19 (P. O Teachain)
(+4)
23
(+5)
28
Non Transferable
(+1)
29
(+14)
43
1
1
P. O Teachain was declared elected and returned thanks. The remaining candidates also returned thanks and wished
Padraig O Teachain well in his new post.
Sean O hUaine (outgoing PRO) congratulated Padraig on his new post and thanked members of the PR & Marketing
Committee, Officers of Comhairle Laighean, John Cotter and Staff of Aras Laighean for their assistance and
camaraderie during his three years as PRO.
Address by Cathaoirleach
As per attached script.
Formal Election of Other Officers
The remaining Officers, Sean O hOrain (Cathaoirleach), S. O Bolguidhir (LeasCathaoirleach) and S. O Mearain
(Cisteoir) were returned unopposed for the coming year on proposition by B. O hAilin, seconded by E. O Broin.
Buiochas
In conclusion, Sean O hUaine thanked Paddy Flanagan, Kevin Flanagan and John Cotter for their organisation of
Convention. He thanked Coisde Co. Chill Mhantain for their gifts to the delegates while he also paid tribute to the
management and Catering Staff of the Hotel for their excellence on the evening. Finally he thanked the delegates
for their cooperation and participation and wished them well.
The Convention ended
7
Chairman’s Address to
Convention
A dhaoine uaisle ta failte romhaibh uilig chuig Comhdhail Cinn Bliana Laighean anocht in Ostan Arklow Bay.
I would like thank Wicklow County Board on their invitation to hold our convention here tonight in Arklow. I feel
Wicklow as a county have made huge strides in the last few years with the development of Rathdrum, innovations
in Coaching and Games and the present work in redeveloping the stand in Aughrim.
Hurling
We had great success at national level in hurling with Kilkenny winning the senior and minor titles. The two senior
matches certainly sold the game of hurling across the water. Kildare had success at U-21 A level. Also Rower
Inistioge won the intermediate club hurling. Whilst not getting over the line I would also like to acknowledge the
achievement of Mount Leinster Rangers in being the first team from Carlow to reach the senior club final.
Football
Dublin brought back the U-21 title to the province with St Vincent’s winning the senior club title and Two Mile
House the junior. I would like to congratulate all involved.
Change
The past twelve months have passed very quickly with a considerable amount of change.
The retirement of Leinster GAA Legend Michael Delaney being one of the most significant. Michael service and the
legacy he has left behind of the premier province in the country will always stand the test of time. One very
positive comment I have encountered in the past year was that how highly the staff of Leinster are regarded by
the membership for their support and service and I feel a large part of that comes down to the leadership Michael
gave over those years. Michael, I hope you have settled into your new role and that we will see you at convention
for many years to come, along with all our former Officers whom we are delighted to have with us here tonight.
Following on from Michael’s retirement we engaged in a review of the operation of Aras Laighean and the
appointment of a new CEO. I was delighted as I know were a lot of you in the province when Michael Reynolds
came through a rigorous process, and I think even Michael himself would admit being grilled on a Saturday morning
by amongst others Jim Bolger and myself wasn’t as easy as expected. I know the look you gave me when I landed
one haymaker question on you Michael will remain with me for a while. Michael, I feel we all here wish you the
best in the years ahead and are confident that you will deliver for us.
Other changes coming from the review have John Browne being taken on in a full-time capacity. It will fill part of
John’s brief to provide extra support for both our Counties and Clubs in what is becoming an evermore difficult
area to control - Finance. I feel with John’s support, you the volunteers, charged with balancing the books will find
it a lot easier. Inviting John in to help and advise will I believe prove very beneficial when dealing with Croke Park
or Financial Institutions.
Tonight is the last convention that John Cotter will be working for us. John has given stalwart service to the
province in the area of marketing, promotions and events like tonight. John, I would like to thank you for your
loyalty and commitment over the years and wish you well into the future. John’s somewhat amended role will be
filled with a greater emphasis on promotions and social media. This change in emphasis in the job has been brought
about by a change in the way we communicate and highlights the great work done this year by Niall Murphy in
running our twitter page and the livelier nature of our website. Niall, I would like to thank you for all your efforts
throughout the year in promoting the activity going on in the province.
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Leinster GAA
Shane Flanagan has given us great service in heading up Coaching and Games in the Province and whilst Shane will
continue to oversee the operation of this area he is moving into a more operational role within the structure. He
will play a key role in the areas of operations and planning. This change in emphasis will I believe help all of you in
the counties in terms of increasing efficiency within your area. Shane will also exercise responsibility in the area
of HR which places a huge demand on time given the number of people we have in our employment.
Infrastructure
At last year’s convention I alluded to the fact that as a province we were slipping behind in relation to infrastructural
development and that I would be knocking on the Uachtarain’s door. I have to say that in the last twelve months
I have found both Liam O’Neill and Pairic Duffy very helpful in supporting projects within the Province. We are at
the construction stage of a new stand here in Wicklow. We were able to support Kilkenny in their work on the stand
which was damaged last year. Progress is being made in relation to the completion of the Dunganny Centre of
Excellence in Meath. In relation to a training centre in Offaly we have made huge progress since last year. Laois are
in a stronger position in relation to a Training Centre and essential work on O’Moore Park. Finally we are waiting
for the conclusion of lease arrangements in Louth for us to work on a new stand development.
Hurling Funding
At last year’s Congress one million euro was committed to the promotion of Hurling in certain counties. We were
very happy to support Offaly in getting them added to the list. So as to ensure that this project was conducted in
an efficient manner we invited former President Nicky Brennan to come on board and chair the supervision of this
work. When you ask a busy man to take on a job you can be assured that it will be done well, Nicky thanks for
taking on this extra commitment and I am sure we will see the fruits of your work in time.
Coaching Staff
Value for money is always a question that is asked in regard to this area. I did say I would ask Jim Bolger and Shane
to carry out a review and see where we could get increased return on our investment. This called for some hard
calls to be made but as one Chairman and I questioned in our discussions that are we to act now or leave it for
our successors in ten years to deal with, having spent another million on this area.
From the work conducted by Jim and Shane it became obvious that restructuring in terms of the jobs was necessary
and this led to a change in employment conditions and consequently redundancies. Not an easy exercise to take
on and not without some financial pain. Those counties who have engaged in this process so far will I feel benefit
going forward. I am happy to say that some our counties came out well from this audit and the feeling is that no
change is necessary.
Jim and Shane, thanks for the application you both put into this for the province - it is greatly appreciated.
Cross-County Competitions
I did say that I felt this was an area we needed to explore so as to help have more meaningful matches for our
under age players. Progress has been slow but I feel counties need to be more honest in their analysis of their
games programmes and allow cross border leagues to develop as this will do nothing but improve the standards of
your players. We do intend to pursue this area further and hopefully we will get engagement.
Féile
We, as a province, have been tasked with organising Féile this year. It is to be held in Carlow, Wexford and Wicklow.
The development of three wonderful centres of excellence has made this possible. Peter O’Neill from Laois has
taken on task of chairing the organising committee. We will have 232 teams taking part coming from Ireland,
England, Scotland, Brittany, San Francisco, New York, and Philadelphia. I would encourage you all to support this
event next June.
Overseas
We continue to work with Europe, the Middle East and Australia as our international partners. I do feel this area
needs a review at national level as roles in this area are somewhat confused.
9
Areas of Debate
Galway’s entry into our Minor and U-21 Championships caused some reaction when we declined their application.
If one looks at the number of All Ireland’s Galway have won since 1999 as against what the whole of Leinster have
won it is easy to see how the decision was arrived at. They have won six titles and only Kilkenny from Leinster have
won any, that total coming to five. Galway do have a justifiable argument that the system is failing them but I
suggest that a round robin group of themselves, Antrim and the two beaten provincial finalist with the top two
going into the All-Ireland semi-finals would give Galway the meaningful matches that, in fairness, they deserve.
These games would benefit all involved rather than just doing training sessions at that time in the season.
Dublin playing their matches in Croke Park is another hardy annual the media drag up in the silly season. From the
finance report presented here tonight it is obvious that the income generated from the games with Dublin in Croke
Park proves a huge benefit to all other counties in the province with the excess at the year-end being distributed
to the counties. At this stage I feel the media need to move on.
Whilst I appreciate the great work our sports journalists do for us I would ask them to put pressure on their
publications not to highlight the connection between some of our GAA personalities to stories of family members
who fall on the wrong side of the law. We are not our brother’s keeper.
Equalisation is another issue that raised itself during the year. I would be a great supporter of Equalisation but the
manner in which it is implemented is of great importance. This should be done from the bottom up and I hope that
the recent distribution of funds from the Hurling replay to the Carlow’s, Leitrim’s, Sligo’s and others is an indication
of the way it will be done. Taking monies from those that have money, be it by prudent management or other
means, will only prove divisive. I feel concert money going forward could solve the problem.
Player Welfare
Everybody talks about this subject but very little concrete is happening. I ask, would anybody with a valuable race
horse allow four different trainers train the animal and allow them race him in different races? ‘No’ is the answer
but we are doing this to our players. Until we train up individuals into a role of Player Welfare Officer with
guidelines to look after our 17 to 23 year old players we are doing nothing but paying lip-service to this area. This
individual will have to be given the power to dictate the players’ training programme.
Paying Managers
This is another area we have never addressed. The successful teams in our championships generally have home
grown managers. We are a community-based organisation and, with that in mind, we should introduce regulations
in regard to managers having a genuine link to the club and county they are training. The problem is probably even
bigger at club level than at inter-county but I have had two recent conversations which highlight this problem. One
where an individual asked how I expect his club to get an internal appointment yet he admitted he is up the road
getting enough money for a continental holiday and an Irish holiday. Recently, an individual presented for interview
for a county job looking for near on six figures and he hasn’t even a burned pot to his name.
Before we make changes we need a good education programme driven through and a timeline on when we
introduce regulations, such as you played for the club or your children are now involved. At county level you have
to be from the county or we give exemptions to certain small counties. This is not to be blind to the fact that some
local county managers have financial demands at the moment.
Motion to Congress
As a province, we have a motion going forward in relation to allowing ‘round robin’ to be used in the football
championship. The intention behind this motion is to give us the opportunity to investigate whether it is both
practical and beneficial to do the same. I believe this aspect of the championship may benefit weaker counties get
a run under their belt and offer more to a potential sponsor with the exposure these games will give counties. To
continue to do the same all the time with similar outcomes is not a good way to do business. I would call on all
counties to support the motion and then we can engage in a serious internal provincial debate if and by what
means we progress the matter.
10
Leinster GAA
Interprovincial Teams
We had a very successful hurling campaign culminating in our victory over Connacht in the final. I would like to
thank Joe Dooley his management team and the players for their genuine commitment brief as it may have been
in the winning of the competition.
Our footballers came up short after extra time against Ulster under the stewardship of Luke Dempsey.
I would also like to highlight the fact that we have another team out tomorrow representing us in the interprovincial
wheelchair hurling series. A game played by the less fortunate members displaying no end of skill.
Martin Skelly
Martin is stepping down tonight after serving seven years as an officer of the Province. I served four of those with
Martin and would like to thank him for the lessons I learnt from him in that period. Martin always brought great
passion to his dealings with affairs GAA. I am quite sure his contribution to the GAA will continue into the future
and I would like to wish both yourself, Martin, and Gay all the best in the years ahead.
John Greene
John Greene is also stepping down tonight as PRO having given three very good years of service. This year John led
the PR committee into new territory with our launches in both Farmleigh House and the National Stud. This proved
very successful in terms of drawing the media and players to the events. Among many other initiatives undertaken
by the committee under John’s stewardship was the naming of the rooms in Áras Laighean after our former CEO’s.
In relation to attending functionsJohn was always there early, preparation laid out and putting people at their ease.
On behalf of the Council I thank John very sincerely for his work courtesy and friendship during his time in office.
I am quite sure we will continue to see you at Leinster functions well into the future.
Áras Laighean Staff
The continued loyalty and efforts of our staff in Aras Laighean is greatly appreciated. The benefit of their experience
has always been a great help to both the clubs and counties within the province. In conclusion, I would like to thank
each county and their officers for the courtesy and welcome afforded to me throughout the last year. It has been
a pleasure for both myself and my family to travel to matches and functions.
Trustee Elections
I recently, in genuine error, encouraged Leinster to support what I thought was one Leinster candidate. This was
caused by a paper error and at this stage we have three candidates running and I feel we should consider keeping
our votes within the province initially. I wish Mick Hagan, John Greene and Seamus Aldridge the best in their
campaigns. I have always considered our role as a provincial body to serve you the counties. I hope that in the last
twelve months we have filled that role to your satisfaction. I would encourage you, when dealing with Croke Park
in financial and Infrastructural matters, that you bring us with you or keep us informed as I feel that it is always
going to be in your interest to have us batting for you.
In conclusion I would like to thank the members of our sub-committees for their work throughout the year,
without exception I feel you all have delivered a great years work.
To my management committee for your support and advice thank you. I feel the debates we had at meetings were
honest and informative. To my fellow officers Jim, Syl and John a sincere thank you for your support and
commitment throughout the year.
Go raibh maith agaibh go léir agus ar aighaidh linn le chéile.
Seán Ó hÓráin
Cathaoirleach, Comhairle Laighean
11
12
Leinster GAA
Tuairisc an Rúnaí
Michéal Mac Raghnaill
Rúnaí Comhairle Laighean
Introduction
The Sam Maguire, Liam McCarthy and Richie McElligott Cups reside in the province. Any year the province
has All-Ireland winners is a positive. Congratulations to Dublin, Kilkenny and Wicklow.
Congratulations also to Ballyhale Shamrocks and Bennettsbridge, both collected All Ireland titles in Senior
and Junior Hurling respectively.
Comhgairdeas to all provincial winners 2015 including Kilkenny – Junior Footballers who won the
Provincial Junior Football title of Britain.
Bord na Móna Competitions 2015
Dublin, Galway and Meath won the O’Byrne Cup, Walsh Cup and Kehoe Cup respectively.
Bord na Móna O’Byrne Cup Senior Football
Sixteen teams participated in the Bord na Móna O’Byrne Cup – eleven counties and five colleges. Twenty
seven games were played in the competition culminating in a very entertaining final in Newbridge on the
last Sunday in January where the Dubs had five points to spare on the Lilies.
Bord na Móna Walsh Cup Senior Hurling
Twelve teams went to post in the Bord na Móna Walsh Cup – nine counties and three colleges. Sadly with
the tragic death of Johnny Ryan, Kilkenny withdrew from the competition. Fourteen games were played.
In the semi-finals Galway and Dublin overcame Carlow and Laois respectively. In a thrilling final, played
in Croke Park, the Tribesmen had two points to spare on the Dubs.
Bord na Móna Kehoe Cup Senior Hurling
Thirteen games were played in the Bord na Mona Kehoe Cup involving six counties and two colleges.
Meath retained the Cup with a comprehensive win over Wicklow. Unfortunately, incidents on final day
dominated coverage of the occasion, incidents that could and should have been faced-up to. Meath, to
their credit, having won back-to-back Kehoe Cups, are participating in the Bord na Móna Walsh Cup 2016
Competition.
13
Inter-County Championships
EirGrid Leinster Under 21 F.C. (Flood Cup)
Of the ten games in the Championship, five were decided by margins of ten points or greater. That said,
the semi-finals and final were competitive, particularly the Dublin – Longford semi-final.
In the end Dublin retained their title at the expense of Kildare. However, they did not retain their AllIreland title – losing to Tipperary in the All-Ireland semi-final.
Bord Gais Energy Leinster Under 21 H.C. (Robbins Cup)
The Under-21 Hurling Championship had its fair share of excitement and drama. In the quarter-finals,
Carlow had two points to spare over Laois. Kildare gave Wexford a great run and it was only in the last
quarter the Slaneysiders pulled away. Offaly overcame Westmeath in another exciting and tight game.
The fourth quarter-final also produced drama when, literally, a last minute goal gave victory to Kilkenny
over Dublin.
Both semi-finals were close encounters – Kilkenny had a two point winning margin over Carlow while
Wexford in the end had seven points to spare over Offaly. Wexford completed three in a row with a very
comprehensive win over Kilkenny. An All-Ireland title was not to be as Limerick proved too strong on a
September Saturday in Thurles.
On that same Saturday evening two Leinster teams contested the All-Ireland Under-21 ‘A’ (Richie
McEligott Cup) Final – Wicklow and Meath. Fittingly, the game was televised live on TG4. The
Wicklow lads made history winning the County’s first All-Ireland title in the grade.
Leinster Intermediate Hurling Championship
Two games and less than nine hundred combined attendance tells its own story. Galway won the title
with wins over Kilkenny and Wexford and subsequently won the All-Ireland title with a win over Cork.
Electric Ireland Leinster Minor Hurling Championship (Hanrahan Cup)
One of the highlights of this Championship was the success of Westmeath in defeating Wexford away in
the quarter-final.
The final was a repeat pairing of 2014. With four late unanswered points, the Cats retained the title by
two points. They subsequently bowed out in the All-Ireland semi-final replay against Galway who went
on to bring the title across the Shannon.
2016, as I understand it, will be the last year of the All-Ireland Minor Hurling ‘B’ and ‘C’ competitions. The
new look ‘Celtic Challenge’ Competition (Under-17) is the successor. As a result of the changes, Leinster
should examine the format of the Leinster Minor Hurling Championship for 2017.
Electric Ireland Leinster Minor Football Championship (Murray Cup)
There are occasions when ‘one’s hand is on the Cup’. This can be said of Kildare Minor Footballers. Lost to
Louth in Round One, survived by one point in both O’Connor Park and O’Moore Park, and three points to
spare over Dublin in the semi-final.
Over on the other side of the draw, Longford were the form team, defeating Meath in the semi-final by
four points.
On Leinster Final Day the Lilywhites proved too strong for the Longford men.
14
Leinster GAA
Leinster Senior Hurling Championship
(Bob O’Keeffe Cup)
The 2015 Round Robin series had a dramatic finish. May 24th
was Super Sunday. All four counties had something to play for.
During the early afternoon, fortunes changed on a number of
occasions. In the end, Laois and Westmeath qualified for the
quarter-finals with Antrim heading for the Christy Ring Cup. In
the quarter-finals Laois’ success over Offaly ensured Laois
saying farewell to the Round Robin for 2016 with Offaly
taking the vacancy. Antrim’s replacement is Kerry. I wish them
well in 2016.
At the end of the Championship, Kilkenny had retained the
Bob O’Keeffe Cup with a seven point winning margin over
Galway. The Cats went on to keep the Liam McCarthy for
another year.
Leinster Senior Football Championship
(Delaney Cup)
Westmeath caused a stir in this year’s Championship when
recording their first ever Senior Championship win over the
Royals. It is the type of result (event) that marks a provincial
championship.
On the other hand, Dublin cruised to another final while
Westmeath put up a determined game plan, the strength of
the Dubs comfortably prevailed. Sam Maguire returned to the
Capital for another term.
Leinster Junior Football Championship
Uniquely, two Leinster counties are provincial winners at this
grade, and both titles won on the playing fields. Eight counties
(Cavan included) participated. The title for 2015 rests in the
sunny south east, Wexford winning by the narrowest of
margins over Meath.
Wexford’s neighbours Kilkenny took provincial honours in
Britain. May 30th was their first round game at Nowlan Park
winning 4-14 to 2-05 over Gloucestershire. Round 2, on June
6th, was played in the Old Bedians Sports Ground Manchester
and they recorded a 1-13 to 1-11 victory over Lancashire. The
June 20th semi-final, in Pairc na hEireann, saw an easy victory
over Gloucestshire by 1-19 to 0-01. The final took place in
Edinburgh on June 27th. A five point win for the Cats 2-07 to
0-08 over hosts Scotland saw the Sam Maguire on it’s way to
Noreside. Their journey was halted by Mayo in the All-Ireland
semi-final. To all concerned congratulations and best of luck
for 2016.
15
AIB Leinster Club Championships
Senior Football (McCabe Cup)
One of the games of the year – Ballyboden St. Enda’s and Portlaoise – deserves all the accolades they
have received on providing one of the games of the year in the Provincial Final in O’Connor Park.
Heartbreak for ‘The Town’. Joy for the Dublin side winning their first Provincial Title by the narrowest of
margins.
Intermediate Football (Sean Eiffe Cup)
Fourteen years ago Sean Eiffe, a stalwart in the Ratoath club, lost his life serving our country. Saturday,
November 28th 2015 will long be remembered by Ratoath. Both Ratoath and Athlone (except in their
semi-final v Glynn Barntown) had relatively smooth runs with their Provincial campaign to the Final.
Ratoath appeared to be cruising to collect the Sean Eiffe Cup. With a determined fightback, Athlone
reduced a once ten point deficit to a mere three. The Meath side rallied for a historic victory in a very
entertaining game.
Junior Football
Second Club Football title found its way to Meath. This competition has a European dimension. Provincial
Finalists St Brigids, Killashee began their campaign in Maastricht. Curraha began theirs in O’Connor Park.
Both teams were deserving finalists. After an exciting hour’s football the Meath side took the spoils.
Senior Hurling (O’Neill Cup)
The long wait is over! Oulart–the Ballagh become the third Wexford Club to win provincial honours. Their
first day out v Clough Ballacolla of their three games was the closest. Cuala played their part in a good
final.
Intermediate Hurling (Tom Ryall Cup)
Kiltale (Meath Senior Hurling Champions) had two good wins under their belt (over Naomh Eanna,
Wexford and Portlaoise, Laois) prior to meeting Bennettsbridge in the final – The ‘Bridge’ had a relatively
comfortable passage meanwhile. On a November Saturday in Nowlan Park the ‘home’ side prevailed by
four points.
Junior Hurling (Tommy Murphy Cup)
Lusmagh v Glenmore are yet to meet in this final - the original date for which fell foul of Storm Desmond.
Prior commitments left January 16th as the next available date. There were a few very one-sided games
in this competition. The Comhairle should examine the qualification format for the future.
On behalf of Comhairle Laighean congratulations to the winners and we wish them success in the
All-Ireland series.
Special Junior Hurling
An historic day for Ballypickas, Laois who overcame Broadford, Kildare in the final – a final that left a lot
to be desired. Overall, I see little or no value in the competition as presently structured.
16
Leinster GAA
Leinster Roll Of Honour 2015
PEIL
BUATHOIRI
NEASÓIRÍ
Sinsir
Áth Cliath
Íarmhí
Sóisir
Loch Garman
An Mhí
Mionúir
Cill Dara
Longphort
Fé 21 Bliain
Áth Cliath
Cill Dara
Club Sinsir
Ballyboden St. Enda’s
Portlaoise
Club Idirmheanach
Ratoath
Athlone
Club Sóisir
Curraha
St. Brigids (LD)
Corn Ui Bhroin
Áth Cliath
Cill Dara
IOMÁINT
BUATHÓIRÍ
NEASÓIRÍ
Sinsir
Cill Chainnigh
Gaillimh
Idirmheánach
Gaillimh
Loch Garman
Mionúir
Cill Chainnigh
Áth Cliath
Fé 21 Bliain
Loch Garman
Cill Chainnigh
Club Sinsir
Oulart-the Ballagh
Cuala
Club Idirmheanach
Bennettsbridge
Kiltale
Club Sóisir
Glenmore v Lusmagh (final: 16th Jan, 2016)
Club Sóisir Spéis
Ballypickas
Broadford
Corn Breathnach
Gaillimh
Áth Cliath
Corn Mac Eochaidh
An Mhí
Cill Mhantáin
Club SHL Div 1
Tullaroan
St. Vincent’s (D)
Club SHL Div 2
Kilmacow
Castlepollard
Club SHL Div 3
Maynooth
Cloneen
Club SHL Div 4
Oliver Plunkett’s / Eoghan Ruadh
Broadford
17
Strategic Plan 2015–2018
Inter-county competitions, particularly Senior, are our flagship. However there is much more to the
workings of the Provincial Council in conjunction with its respective counties and units. With that in mind,
Comhairle Laighean developed its Strategic Plan 2015 – 2018 to continue and develop further the
on-going work with the counties, clubs and units of the province to face the challenges that lie ahead. It
is a working document.
The five pillars of Games Development and Refereeing, Facilities, Marketing and Promotions,
Operations and Administration, and Finance will enable the province to go from strength to
strength. When working as a team we can make best use of opportunities that present themselves.
Cross-ounty leagues are such an example. Within that concept there are variations to suit particular
needs. Let it be Naas Under 16 Hurlers playing in a Kilkenny Under 16 League; Carlow clubs playing in
Kilkenny Hurling Leagues (Adult), similarly Longford Clubs playing in Westmeath Hurling Leagues, Offaly/
Westmeath Competitions, Laois juveniles playing in Kilkenny, to mention just a few. Recently a
considerable amount of work was undertaken in developing cross-county activity involving Kildare,
Meath and Wicklow. The Leinster Club Senior Hurling League and Under 16 Football and Hurling Leagues
are other examples and positive interaction within the Province.
In a number of counties, there are fewer and fewer teams playing Juvenile ‘A’. To help the clubs involved
and their respective counties to continue to develop and retain their market share, cross-county activity
is essential.
The ‘Games For All’ Committee is playing its part in branding GAA activities to people who have a
disability. Their work with Sports Partnerships within the province will certainly brighten the lives of
many.
We all have an opinion on Refereeing in general. During the latter end of the year members of Coisde
Bainisti Laighean and Leinster Referees Committee met each of the County Referees Committees. The
meetings were business like and informative. Much done with a lot to do in this area. ‘Consistency’ is a
word much used when it comes to refereeing. Do we really believe that everyone will see situations in
the same light? As part of our Games Development and Refereeing Strategy, Referee Education will
continue its development. So too will Coach Education up to and including Senior inter-county.
County Teams, previously mentioned, are our flagships. It is vital, by using best practice, there is a
co-ordinated plan from the youngest development squad up to and including Senior inter-county.
Similarly at Club level. Financial support on its own will not solve weaknesses. The ongoing support and
work with the designated hurling counties namely Carlow, Laois, Offaly and Westmeath is an example of
development best practice.
Continuing the theme of best practice the 2015 Feile of Carlow/Wexford/Wicklow was a prime example
of GAA communities at work.
The Educational Sectors Primary, Post-Primary and Third Level – continue, in challenging times for all of
them, to be a vital link in the Games Development area. Primary continues to, by and large, have a special
link with the local club.
Post-Primary tends not to be as local hence the initiatives from both County and Provincial Games
Development are necessary. First, Second and Transition are the years of most potential.
Third Level is National. A large number of Third Level Colleges are located in the province. What really,
from a GAA Community perspective, do we wish to get from Third Level? Administrative; Club Players
playing games; added pressure on inter-county players – just a few questions.
18
Leinster GAA
As participation increases at the lower juvenile age groups, facilities are never far from the mix. Facilities,
in the broadest sense goes, from an ordinary pitch to Croke Park.
We must in the coming years continue to:
(a) Improve our club facilities.
(b) Work in partnership with both local authorities and educational sectors where practical.
(c) Be realistic when improving county grounds and using them to the best advantage possible for the
province.
In an ever changing society Promotions and Marketing is of the utmost importance. To assist our
counties, Comhairle Laighean, in conjunction with PSG communications, hosted a Sponsorship,
Commercial and Marketing Strategy Seminar in mid-November. Continued assistance will be
available to County Officers in their work on behalf of their respective counties.
During the year much of the ground work was laid to provide both Club and County Officer Training
programmes. Operations and Administration must provide leadership, training and supports at Provincial,
County and Club to ensure the achievements of yesterday and today are carried forward to tomorrow.
No year’s work, no strategic plan of the future is debated/discussed without reference to financial well
being. Finance, on its own, will not solve our issues. With prudent governance, the availability of finance
will assist all units in improving their lot. Many of our counties are now operating ‘Boscas’ at matches on
a regular basis. To say the least, the returns have been significant.
Our Financial Report for Convention will indicate that the Council’s finances held their own. There is
significant infrastructural development planned within the province, thus the Comhairle must be prudent
in expenditure and also in achieving maximum income.
The Province is twinned with Europe, Middle East and Australasia. During the past year we supported
them in a practical manner e.g. Coaching courses, supply of referees etc.
Towards the end of the year a discussion paper was produced by the Árd Stiúrthóir, Pádraic Ó Dufaigh,
entitled ‘Player Overtraining and Burnout, and the GAA Fixtures Calendar’. It is incumbent on all of
us to discuss and debate the Report, and where there is a different point of view, at the very least,
put forward the alternative. We cannot continue to say ‘no’. What has abundantly clear is:
• Number of training sessions is crazy
• Number of teams the better players are involved in is crazy
• Number of games the club player gets leaves a lot to be desired, particularly in their own age group
The Rule Book must become more flexible when competitions are designed to meet a particular need. At
Congress 2015, a Leinster Motion to allow the Provinces to devise their own formats in inter-county
Championships narrowly failed to get the necessary two thirds majority. Central Council (14.11.2015)
decided (1) the Provincial Senior Football Championship remain intact as heretofore, (2) refer to National
CCC to draw up proposals for post-2016. Perhaps a Round Robin system could make an appearance yet.
During the year, the busiest Committee of Comhairle Laighean was the Hearings Committee. Some of the
Hearings sought and appeals made should not have been brought forward. Let us keep in mind (equally
at County Level) the committee consists of volunteers who give of their time freely and willingly. They
hardly deserve to have to spend fruitless nights just for the sake of it.
19
Hall of Fame Awards 2015
IOMÁÍNT • Don Hyland (Wicklow)
The exploits of Wicklow hurling may not take up a lot of space on the National Roll of Honour.
However, lack of relative success has never diluted the county’s loyalty to both hurling and
football which, over the years, has produced many fine exponents of both codes. Now,
Comhairle Laighean pays due honour to one such player.
Don Hyland from the Carnew Emmets club is widely, and rightly, regarded as one of the
greatest hurlers ever to wear the blue and gold jersey. He represented his county for almost
twenty years winning every honour available to him from an U-12 medal with his club to interprovincial medals with his province.
Don Hyland first wore the Wicklow jersey as an under-age hurler in 1988, captained the
county minor team the following year and won a Special Leinster U-21 medal going on to win
National League, Division 3 awards in 1981, 1991 and 1997. He also won a Division 3B medal
in 2010 and a Division 3A medal the following year.
Kehoe Cup medals came his way in 1991, 1998, 2001, 2002 and 2003 and in 2002, Don
became the first Wicklow man to win an inter-provincial medal being on the Leinster team
that beat Munster in the final. He won a second a year later and was on the Ireland Hurling/
Shinty team that played Scotland in 2007. Having lost out in three Senior Hurling B Finals,
PEIL • Des Barry (Longford)
Over the years the county of Longford has punched above its weight when it came to producing
footballers of exceptional talent and ability. Unfortunately, like a number of other “less
successful counties”, Longford never seemed to have sufficient quality players, at a given time,
to challenge at the top. But, Longford, faithful to the last, has continued to honour it’s obligations
to Cumann Luthchleas Gael in offering quality players that would command a jersey in any of
the top counties. Comhairle Laighean is both proud and privileged to honour such a player and
invites Des Barry to join the Leinster Greats Hall of Fame.
Endowed with exceptional skill, Des is regarded as being one of the top forwards in Gaelic
football and, unquestionably, the biggest name in Longford football during the 1980s and 1990s.
Des won his first Longford senior championship medal with Longford Slashers at the age of 17,
having already represented Longford at minor and U-21 level. He won five more senior medals
and when Longford Slashers achieved three-in-a-row, ’89, ’90 and ’91, Des received the manof-the match award in all three finals.
Des played for Longford from 1982 to 2000 and it was no surprise that he attracted the attention
of the provincial selectors. In 1988 he was selected at corner forward on the Leinster team that
beat Ulster in the final. He completed a full-forward line of Peter Brady (Offaly) and Brian
Stafford (Meath). In that final, played in Ballina, Des scored a total of 2-2. The final score was
2-9 to 0-12. Dessie was selected on two further provincial teams that were unsuccessful.
Des was nominated for an All-Star award on three occasions, 1989, ’90 and ’91, but the coveted
award eluded him. In 1998 he was chosen as a replacement All-Star and toured America,
20
Leinster GAA
Presented at the Senior Hurling and Football Finals
1995, 1996 and 2002, Don finally got his
long over-due reward in 2003. A recent
selection of the best 125 hurlers in Wicklow
saw him fill the No.1 spot.
Don Hyland won his first Wicklow senior
hurling championship medal as a
goalkeeper, in 1989 and he went on to
win a further six titles ln 1991, 2000, 2002,
2004, 2006 and 2009. He continues to play
for his club.
In 2014, Don coached the Carnew Emmets
minor team to win the Wicklow
championship.
Don Hyland’s silken skills have adorned the
game of hurling for over two decades. A fine
hurler, a true sportsman faithful to club,
county and province and a worthy entrant
to our Hall of Fame… fáilte isteach Don.
playing in one of the games in San Francisco.
A signal honour for the Longfordian which
ranks among his career highlights.
His highest national achievement came when
he was picked to represent his country in the
then Compromised Rules series, against
Australia in 1985. He is one of only three
Longford footballers so recognised.
Des retired from football in 2001 and soon
became manager of Longford Slashers
senior team. He left the role in 2006 having
helped lay the foundation to future successes.
He coached Strokestown to a Division 1
League title in Roscommon, and Gortletteragh
to Intermediate championship and League
success in Leitrim. Des was selected on the
Longford team of the Millenium.
In all, Des Barry has given exceptional service
to Cumann Luthchleas Gael at all levels. A
true sportsman, a gentleman, on and off the
field, and a welcome addition to the Leinster
Greats Hall of Fame… fáilte isteach, Des.
21
Sympathy
On behalf of Comhairle Laighean CLG, I extend sympathy to all families who were bereaved during the
year.
Dave Billings
In April, Dave Billings died suddenly. Dave’s GAA contribution at Club, County and
Third Level was immense. In his latter years, he worked in UCD as GAA Officer, but
Dave had developed a much wider brief in the College, helping all and sundry,
much of which was done ‘under the radar’. Dave was a passionate supporter of our
January competitions because of what they stand for. To his wife and family I
extend our sympathy. May he rest in peace.
Changing Times
During the year, John Cotter (PR & Marketing), retired after almost twenty-five years with Comhairle
Laighean CLG. On behalf of everyone associated with Comhairle Laighean, I extend thanks and
appreciation to John for his quarter of a century’s work with us and wish him many years of enjoyment.
To his successor, Cian Murphy, I extend welcome and good wishes. Cian’s experience working in the media
sector over the past twenty-five years will, I am sure, stand to him.
I also welcome Alan Mulhall and James Devane to the Games Development section. Both Alan and James
have a wealth of experience from their previous roles in Offaly and Kildare respectively.
Times change! The former ticket office at Áras Laighean is now the centre for the Games Development
section.
Buíochas
In any given year there are many and varied elements to the GAA.
• Players, Match Officials, Teams Officials and Club Coaches – the games keep all of us going.
• The many Volunteers across the province who give of their time and expertise.
• The many to ensure that venues and match facilities are in good shape throughout the year.
•County Officers, Committees and Administrative Staff who strive some times in challenging
circumstances, to ensure the continued development of gaelic games within their boundaries.
• TThe thousands of supporters who attend our games.
•Both our Interprovincial Management Teams: Football – Sean Kelly, Vinney Claffey and John Doyle;
Hurling – Pat Critchley, Don Hyland and Ciaran Hetherton. Unfortunately ‘Storm Desmond’ stopped
this year’s competitions in Armagh/Newry (Football) and Galway (Hurling).
• Statutory Authorities.
• Games Development Personnel.
• Croke Park Staff.
• Media.
• Comhairle Laighean Officers, Members of the Council and our Sub-Committees.
• All at Áras Laighean for their work during 2015.
22
Leinster GAA
23
Games Development
Report
Hurling Development Funding Review
In an effort to increase the competitiveness of the senior championship, Central Council designated funding in
2014 of €1m over five years for the purpose of improving the preparation and performance of the enior intercounty teams in Offaly, Laois, Antrim, Westmeath and Carlow. The initiative was announced at Congress 2014.
A total €40,000 per county (€30,000 Senior and €10,000 Under 21 and Minor) with the purpose of
enhancing sports science supports. The funding headings were:
• Strength & Conditioning
• Sports Psychology & Performance Coaching
• Nutrition / Hydration
• Performance Analysis
• Hurling Coaching
• Other / Miscellaneous
Late in 2015, Leinster GAA established a review team to evaluate the impact of the funding. The group was led
by Nickey Brennan and included Shane Flanagan, Michael Dempsey and Colm Clear. The review team met with
all counties and the co-operation we received was excellent. The exercise has been an incredible learning
experience for us in games development with a report due to Ard Comhairle on our findings and recommendations.
Implications of our findings
• Majority of funding spent on strength and conditioning.
•Today’s inter-county team managers require excellent leadership and management skills to monitor
and oversee an effective management team and support the players.
•County Officers and Team Managers require more support and training in relation to the quality of
sports science provision – both programmes and the people to deliver them.
•Counties need to take a longer view and start improving structures at Under 21/Minor and below to
get return on investment from this funding.
•Need to reinforce age appropriate training aligned to GAA player pathway.
•As a body, increase levels of sports science expertise within the organisation to support counties.
24
Leinster GAA
Burnout Recommendations
I agree with the proposal to introduce an Under-17 inter-county competition. I would also recommend
the alignment of club age grades (13, 15 and 17). Otherwise, the retention of Under-16 and Minor at club
level, could result in the Under-17 inter-county player being eligible for both teams thus causing local
issues. This should be avoided.
Wikipedia describes minor championship ‘the premier “knockout” competition for Under-18 competitors’.
The first competition was in 1929. In fairness it was transformative at the time being catalyst for youth
development of our games. In the intervening years we’ve failed to tap into the original thinking and
purpose for the competition – player development. It hasn’t changed, it’s still knock-out with exceptions
– but, at most, two meaningful games. This doesn’t constitute player development, and fails to
acknowledge that an Under-18 is still on the development pathway towards, hopefully, becoming a senior
player. So, fewer games is one thing but given the nature of the competition, the players are exposed to,
in some cases, extreme environments driven by extreme ‘win-at-all-cost’ managers.
Almost ninety years later, we have an opportunity, if the Under-17 proposal is passed, to reverse this
scenario and allow the player pathway to influence the competition structure. Last year at congress,
Leinster GAA submitted a motion to allow the Council the authority to decide the format of its Senior
Championships. Enlightened thinking such as this cannot be missing or misplaced when and if the time
comes to organise Under-17 inter-county competition. We’ve an opportunity at provincial and national
level to put the players’ development first, to design an attractive competition structure which will enable
less-successful counties to bring home silverware more regularly and inspire those below. Let’s be
transformative!
Féile Peil na nÓg 2015
Later in this report, Lester Ryan will outline, in specific detail, the ‘ins and outs’ of Féile Peil na nÓg 2015.
All the stats in the world couldn’t highlight what an event it was. All three host counties ‘bought in’ from
an early stage, as our preparations, led by Peter O’Neill, commenced in September 2014. The result was
something special - the biggest Féile ever! The county training centres at Fenagh, Ballinakill and Ferns
showcased, in a fashion deserving of their status, the hard work by each county committee in their
realisation over the last few years. What Wexford did in having Ferns ready was truly phenomenal. They
proved us all wrong! The event was a credit to Peter’s committee, as everything went off without a hitch.
Austin Stack’s beat an incredibly committed Naomh Eanna, Gorey, team in the main final. I couldn’t help
but be impressed by Austin Stack’s and I went home promoting the virtues of two touch football. Their
kick-passing, movement and vision was top class. I wish we’d all follow the Kerry model. Looking forward
to 2017 when we are back hosting Féile na nGael 2017.
Proposed Cross-County Activity 2016
With seventeen year-olds not allowed play adult football and hurling this year, there is a unique
opportunity for all counties to trial a new programme of games for this age cohort. Taking this into
account, Leinster GAA propose to run cross-county leagues to provide a greater number of games, more
varied opposition and more games at a club’s own level.
Having already met with representatives from Kildare and Meath and identified a window in both
county’s fixtures plans, we will be running U-13 and U-17 Cross-County Leagues in 2016. Based on this
feedback, in conjunction with personnel from both counties, we have put together fixtures which will be
included in both counties fixtures plans. It is hoped that the North Kildare clubs will be in favour of this
combination with Meath and we are looking at a possibility of South Kildare clubs pairing with Wicklow
to minimise travel. This is also being looked at in Offaly/Westmeath but identifying a gap in the calendar
isn’t as clear.
25
Highlights
I’m delighted to welcome Alan Mulhall and James Devane on board as Provincial Games Managers
covering the North and South of the Province. They’ve big shoes to fill, obviously(!) but they’ve delayed
little in getting their own feet ‘under the table’ and I’m looking forward to them making a real mark in
the next twelve months.
Once again, the phenomenal growth of Kellogg’s Cúl Camps in the province amplifies the great work
being undertaken on the ground by Games Development. Almost 37,000 children is a huge figure! We had
issues with gear but I’m delighted that provision will be made in the future for such an unprecedented
increase. Wexford earned huge praise as they had the biggest increase nationally at 34%. Thank you to
all our Co-ordinators and Lester Ryan.
Games Development Chairman Jim Bolger had a great, practical, idea and we dispensed with our ‘Coaching
Conference’, in favour of seminars designed to assist coaches with delivery of the GAA ‘Total Playing
Performance’ which covers the skill, physical, mental tactical aspects of our games. Colm Clear, assembled
an excellent team of presenters and we had great numbers in attendance. We really hit a chord with this
approach – with people enjoying its specificity and practical nature. Maynooth University were great
hosts.
Selling what we do has always been an issue. Thank god for Cian Murphy! He has really made a massive
difference in his short time with us – highlighting to ourselves how much we do and how little of that
we promote. Our social media following has increased and in a Games Development context he has really
helped promote activities on a province-wide basis. We had Damian Lawlor give a media workshop to all
staff and this, again, hit home what we need to do collectively.
The Mandatory Coaching Standards commenced this year. In that regard, we began trying to understand
and plan for the challenge ahead. We have managed to compile a database of coaches by county and
course since 2009. We have about 8,000 coach education graduates in that period. We audited county
squads and I know counties locally are auditing the clubs. In a delivery context, all our staff have
completed the Award 2 Youth/Adult and are in a position to deliver various modules.
Outside of this, great initiative has been evident around the province. Fair play to Meath and Louth - both
counties collaborated on one course to the extent that each county’s academy squad will have more than
one Award 2 coach in place.
Damien Sheridan and Paddy O’Connor have led the way this year in helping us deliver the Award 1 in a
new engaging way through the clubs. They organised seven clubs to take up the course within the club. A
tutor was assigned to each club, the largest of which had fifteen coaches. The tutor went to the club and
worked mainly on a practical basis, helped by fact that coaches were working with their own players. At
the end of the programme over fifty coaches graduated. It would normally take a county like Longford
three years to achieve. What I loved about the programme was that it was club- and volunteer-friendly
and it was a new way for staff to have meaningful engagement with the club.
8000
Coach Eduation Graduates
since 2009
26
Leinster GAA
It’s vital that coaches know why, how and what they’re delivering to players. This has been raised as an
issue in the past. Knowing the players’ needs and capacities is crucial to be a successful coach. To address
this, we have been working on a player pathway programme, again designed for delivery within the club.
It’s age appropriate and helps coaches, through a link with the GAA ‘eLearning Portal’, to design and plan
activities for their players’ and team’s needs. We had a great group of staff driving this led by James
Devane.
Once again, our Adult Club Hurling League was a great success, driven by Lester Ryan. In fairness, it’s a
competition that I believe we don’t get the credit for nationally, in a hurling development context.
We’ve made great progress on the physical development side of things. Our Resistance Training strength
and conditioning programme has taken off. We had tremendous ‘buy-in’ from academy coaches in Offaly
and Westmeath. This is not about building big athletes it’s about ensuring age appropriate physical
development principles are at the core of player development. It’s about giving the player the strength to
play the game and avoid injuries. Its main purpose is injury prevention and considering we spend e8
million per annum on the player injury scheme – the programme can only be of benefit in the long term
and give coaches an understanding of what is the right approach.
Finally, I would like to thank Jim Bolger, Chairman of Leinster Games Development, the Officers of
Comhairle Laighean, the staff in the counties and the county officers for their support over the past year.
Shane Flanagan
Rúnaí
37,000
+34%
Wexford had the
biggest increase in
attendance in the
whole of Ireland
27
500 Coaches
attended TOTAL PLAYING PERFORMANCE seminars
100 WEBINAR PARTICIPANTS
Total Playing Performance Seminars
Leinster GAA ran a series of five Seminars between January 17th and March 14th 2015. Each of the
Seminars will focus on one or two of the components of the Total Playing Performance Model:
These seminars were invaluable to managers, coaches, selectors and backroom coaching staff who were
looking to develop their skills in one or more of the areas. The Seminars were geared to those working
with Youth and Adult players/teams.
The line-up of keynote speakers included experts in each of the elements of the Total Playing Performance
Model, who brought a wealth of knowledge and experience to each seminar. The key note presenters were
assisted by many other experts in the each field.
• Technical – Keynote: Ed Coughlan assisted by Ger Cunningham & Mick Casey
• Tactical / Team Play – Keynote: Dr. Cian O’Neill
• Psychological Focus – Keynote: Dr. Áine McNamara assisted by Dave Passmore
• Playing Facts – Keynote: Prof. Mike Hughes assisted by Damien Young & Ray Boyne
• Physical Fitness – Keynote: Kieran Collins assisted by Michael Dempsey
The seminars were very successful with over 500 coaches attending over the 5 days. We would like to
thank all presenters for their contribution to delivering a high quality program. The seminars were
culminated with a webinar, (a first for the province), which was delivered by Nicholas Walsh who
discussed using games to develop team play. The webinar was sold out with over 100 participants
involved.
Primary Teacher Summer Courses
A total of 140 primary school teachers participated in 6 GAA Teacher Summer Courses during July. Being
largely practical-based, the course introduced teachers to Gaelic games – hurling, Gaelic football, camogie,
ladies Gaelic football, handball and rounders.
The main objectives of the courses were the advancement of teachers’ pedagogical, teaching, learning
and management skills in the context of the primary school PE curriculum. Participants developed the
ability to deliver elements of the PE curriculum through the medium of Gaelic games. There was an
emphasis on numeracy and literacy throughout the course, highlighting the opportunities to integrate PE
with other subjects by using the resources such as GAA Céim ar Aghaigh.
The courses took place in Louth, Dublin, Kildare, Offaly, Carlow and Wexford and were organised in
conjunction with the Local Education Centre’s under the remit of the Department of Education and Skill
and coordinated and delivered by GAA Games Development staff in the counties.
28
Leinster GAA
Croke Park Activity Days
This is the seventh year of the Leinster GAA Croke Park Go Games Days and in that time more than
21,000 young children have been able to get precious first-hand experience of being a GAA star on the
biggest stage. Over the course of two days of activity and drawn from every corner of Leinster, there were
more than 190 teams representing more than 130 clubs at the Go Games Days.
It’s an opportunity for Leinster GAA to acknowledge the work being done at grass roots to promote and
develop our games and also a chance for these children to be ‘bitten by the bug’ by providing them with
a chance to experience just what it’s like to play on the biggest stage of all. As well as playing their
matches on the hallowed turf, the children also got privileged access to the Croke Park dressing rooms
before emerging out through one of the famous tunnels at GAA HQ to the roar of their own supporters
and then showcase their skills.
All participants get the added highlight of following in the footsteps of their heroes and going up the
steps of the Hogan Stand to collect a cup as winners.
The buzz and excitement of being part of the Croke Park experience provides memories that will last a
lifetime and the feedback from the parents and children involved shows just what a special occasion it is
for those involved.
The children all arrive with the shared thrill of living out the dream of being able to grace the same stage
as TJ Reid and Bernard Brogan. And whether they win or lose on the day, they all leave with the same
dream too – to one day make it back there to Croke Park for real as a senior inter-county hero.
21000
Croke Park Activity Day
Visits over the last seven years
2015 190 TEAMS • 130 CLUBS
29
Resistance Training Course
This course is designed to provide GAA coaches working at the youth level (13-18 years of age) with the
necessary knowledge and understanding to deliver an appropriate Resistance Training (R.T.) programme.
The R.T. course is designed specifically to meet the needs and demands of the Gaelic Games youth
athlete in clubs, schools or talent academy squads. The focus of the course is to enable GAA coaches to
deliver a R.T. programme that is focused on improving functional strength and movement efficiency. The
methodologies and exercises involved require the use of minimal equipment to enable the R.T. programme
to be delivered in the normal training environment of clubs, schools and development squads.
In 2015 Leinster GAA have rolled out four courses. One of these was with the Dublin full time games
promotion officers and the other three were with talent academy coaches from Offaly, Westmeath,
Longford, Carlow and Laois. The fact that these courses have been aligned to the work already underway
with talent academy squads has meant that the coaches are developing and applying their new skills in
a structured and beneficial way. As part of the delivery of these courses the lead tutors of Michael
Dempsey and Emmett Egan are upskilling new tutors to assist us in meeting the demand being created
for the roll out of more courses in 2016.
Bursaries
At a ceremony in Áras Laighean Leinster GAA Chairman John Horan awarded the funding to the 37
students from eleven counties who have been selected in the 2015 programme. The funding, which is
made in conjunction with support from Croke Park, will see €750 awarded to each student in a special
bursary payment. This year’s awards has seen Leinster break the 700 mark for the number of bursaries
that have been awarded to students in the province since this scheme was inaugurated by the then
Leinster GAA Chairman Nickey Brennan in 2002. The scheme is an important part of the Leinster GAA
commitment to investing in Gaelic games excellence in the province.
700+
Students have received
3rd level bursaries from
Leinster GAA
in the last 15 years
30
Leinster GAA
140
PRIMARY
TEACHERS
Attended one of 6
GAA Teacher Summer Courses
Primary Teacher Workshop
In 2015 Leinster GAA and Cuman na mBunscoil Laighean launched our latest offering to Primary school
teachers.
We have prepared a simple Workshop to cover the basics for coaching both Hurling and Football.
Participants develop the ability to delivery elements of the PE curriculum through the medium of Gaelic
games. The workshop is beneficial to both teachers new to the games, as well as those with previous
coaching and playing experience.
The workshop content was created by David Murphy, Conor Laverty and Colm Clear, who also provided
in-service to staff as part of the roll out and delivery.
The workshop is designed to take place in a school hall/playground setting, so can be delivered within
school at a time and day that suits.
The Workshop Objectives are:
• Delivery elements of the PE curriculum through the medium of Hurling and/or Gaelic Football.
• Incorporate numeracy and literacy into their PE classes using Hurling and/or Gaelic Football
•Progress and adapt game based activities to meet the needs of both their class and individuals within
the class.
This initiative was launched in September of 2015 and so far over courses have been delivered with over
30 schools benefiting. The feedback of both the content and delivery has been we received.
Award 1 Pilot in Longford
Three year’s work achieved in the space of six months. That is how Longford GAA viewed the success of
the Award 1 coaching initiative which has produced 38 newly qualified coaches in the county. These new
Award 1 Youth Football coaches took part in a pilot scheme where they were taught within their own
clubs and using their own club teams for practical sessions instead of being brought together from around
the county to a central location. Developed as part of the Longford GAA 2020 development plan in
conjunction with Colm Clear, Longford GDA Damien Sheridan hailed the plan and the commitment of
those who took part.
He said: “As part of the 2020 plan for Longford we are trying to involve clubs and add more value to them.
One of the initiatives was to give club coaches an Award 1 for putting in the coaching hours with their
club teams. We based the participants in their own club and did an hour inside and then an hour outside
and by using their own club there was an immediate and direct link and benefit with their own club by
taking part. We started at the end of February and it took between four and six months for participants
to complete the course.”
31
Clonbroney Wolfe Tones Og, Grattan Gaels, Killoe Og, Longford Slashers and Ballymahon Forgney Gaels
were the clubs that took part in the initiative with sessions presided over by Leinster GAA tutors Damien
Sheridan, Paddy O’Connor, John Higgins, Sean Dempsey and Colm Clear.
The successful participants were presented with their Award 1 qualification by Leinster CEO Michael
Reynolds at the Longford senior football final, with these 38 new coaches sure to be a crucial addition to
the on-going development of Gaelic football in Longford.
This new format of delivery has proven to be very successful and is already being copied in Kildare with
Naas and Confey Hurling clubs involved.
Referee GPS
In conjunction with Leinster GAA, IT Carlow and PlayerTek GPS, Declan Browne program director of the
MSc in Strength & Conditioning has been tracking the movements of referees during the Leinster club
hurling and football campaigns.
Refereeing can be a thankless job at times, however we have found it is more than a hobby for most. There
is a distinct passion to be the best at their job; we have found referees have taken the onus on their own
by using GPS watches and apps to track their movements during games. Whilst this is fantastic to see a
standard GPS watch or app might not tell the whole story.
The sophistication and accuracy of the technology allows us to gather significant amounts of information
far beyond the total distance covered by the referee. We can see how many sprints they make, how often
they sprint, how long they sprint. How the metrics change half to half and even minute to minute. This
allows us make comparisons between sections of highest intensity and if the referee might be beginning
to fatigue.
What is interesting from our initial data is that referees cover over 120 meters per minute during games.
This gives us a good indication of the intensity of the games. When compared to top players we see that
this is as high if not higher in a lot of cases. This does not mean all referees should train as players as the
demands are unique. Typically the maximum speed is less than that of players but the work to rest ratio
is much higher for referees. Referees spend less time at very high intensities than players but they must
be able to sustain relatively high efforts for much longer, an example of speed endurance rather than
acceleration or maximum speed.
Some of the metrics we have seen over 60 minute games is particularly interesting such as with some
well-conditioned referees that they have the ability to sustain the capacity throughout the game with
little drop off half to half.
Total distance 7.6km, 3.9km in the first and 3.7km in the second.
Distance per minute 127 m/min an example of a very high intensity game.
Sprint distance above 5 m/s or 18km/hr. 824 m in total 407m in first half and 417 in the second half.
Sprint efforts 63, 34 in the first compared to 29 in the second half.
Top speed of 7.1m/s or 25.5 km/hr. In players we would see scores above 9 m/s or 32.5km/hr.
What this information will allow us to do is truly understand the real demands being placed on the
referee, in turn we can develop specific training methods to assist and support the ref to perform to their
optimal capacity. With this in mind we can take the guesswork out of the equation and allow the ref to
do the job they are trained to do, make difficult split second decisions without the stress of fatigue.
32
Leinster GAA
Award 2 in Meath/Louth
The two counties of Meath and Louth make up one of the Leinster Coach Education Regions. As part of
the collaboration between the two counties, it was proposed to run a joint Award 2 Youth & Adult Football
course. 12 Coaches from Meath and 12 Coaches from Louth, who are, or will be, working with intercounty teams in the coming year, were selected to take part.
One of the unique components of this course has been the integration of county players into the practical
modules. This facilitates the coaches being mentored in a real and practical setting.
Some of the tutors delivering on the course are Sean Kelly, former Meath Selector, Sean Dempsey, former
Laois Manager, Keith Begley, former Offaly Minor Football Manager, and Cyril Kevlihan, former Dublin
Minor Manager.
“From a tutor’s perspective, facilitating the experience and expertise of the coaches on the
course, was both challenging and rewarding. Participants had a significant knowledge of both
playing and coaching at a high level, this, complemented by the involvement of county players
for the practicals, meant that the course was one of the best I have tutored on.”
Sean Dempsey – Leinster GAA Tutor
“The structure of the practical tasks allowed us, as coaches, to develop in both a challenging and
supportive environment.”
Cormac O’Sullivan – Former Meath Goalkeeper
“The experience level of tutors and coaches on course was really high. This will help me raise my
standards as a coach.”
Christy Grimes – Former Louth Player
“Excellent Course, well-balanced with theory and practicals. Worked well with the mix of
coaches from both Louth and Meath.”
J.P. Rooney – Former Louth Player
There was significant investment from both counties in upskilling their coaches to Award 2 level, from
busing players to the practical sessions, facility rental and providing lunches for all involved, but the pay
back to both counties showed huge foresight and will benefit in the years to come. The course was
coordinated by both Jenny Rispin from Meath and Shane Lennon form Louth.
Colm Clear
1
38
NEW LEVEL 1 COACHES
IN LONGFORD
2
24
NEW LEVEL 2 COACHES
IN LOUTH & MEATH
“3 years work in 6 months”
Joint effort by both counties
33
Leinster Adult Club Hurling League
A total of 58 teams participated in the Adult Club Hurling League 2015.
Carlow (4), Dublin (11), Kildare (9), Kilkenny (5), Laois (5), Louth (1), Offaly (3), Westmeath (7), Wexford
(3), Wicklow (10).
Clubs have found the competition a very beneficial means of preparing their teams for internal county
competitions. Playing well organised meaningful games against teams from outside their own county,
provides variety and enjoyment for clubs, whilst also providing an opportunity to develop friendships and
contacts for the future.
Referees for the competition were appointed by the County Referees Administrators which ensured that
the games were refereed in a very efficient and professional manner.
All finals for the Adult Club Hurling League 2015, were played as a curtain-raiser to Leinster Championship
games, with the trophies being presented by Leinster Council Officers.
FINALS
(Team photos appear in the gallery at the end of the report)
Division 1 Tullaroan (KK) 1-17 • St.Vincent’s (D) 3-08
Division 2 Kilmacow (KK) 3-13 • Castlepollard (WH) 0-08
Division 3 Maynooth (KE) 1-14 • Cloneen (KK) 1-07
Division 4 Oliver Plunketts/Eoghan Ruadh 1-14 • Leixlip 0-10
Division 1 Winners Tullaroan
Division 2 Winners Kilmacow
Presentation by John Horan (Cathaoirleach Comhairle Laighean)
Presentation by Jim Bolger (Leas-Cathaoirleach Comhairle Laighean)
Division 3 Winners Maynooth
Division 4 Winners Oliver Plunketts / Eoghan Ruadh
Presentation by Eddie Byrne (Comhairle Laighean)
Presentation by John Horan (Cathaoirleach Comhairle Laighean)
34
Leinster GAA
Leinster Minor Football League
Sixteen teams participated in the minor football League
2015. Dublin entered two teams. Counties from Munster
included Cork, Clare Limerick and Tipperary.
As would be expected in an inter-county competition the
majority of games were close and provided exactly the
level of competition required for counties preparing
squads for championship fare. The semi- final pairings
were Carlow v Kildare and Dublin v Meath. The final was
won by Dublin who beat Kildare 2-10 to 2-05.
Leinster Minor Football League winners Dublin
Presentation by Syl Merrins (Comhairle Laighean)
Leinster Minor Hurling League
Eleven Teams participated in the Leinster Minor Hurling
League2015.
From Leinster we had Dublin, Wexford, Carlow, Kildare,
Meath, Offaly, Westmeath and Wicklow. From Ulster,
Antrim and Down participated in addition to Kerry from
Munster.
The final result was Wexford 2-23 - Offaly 2-10.
Leinster Minor Hurling League winners Wexford
Presentation by Pat Teehan (Comhairle Laighean)
Leinster U-16 Football League
Twelve teams participated in the Leinster U-16 Football League, representing 8 Counties. Those counties
were; Meath 5, Laois 2, Westmeath 4, Longford 3, Kildare 3, Wicklow 4, Offaly 2, Cavan 1.
Division One
Group 1
St Peter’s, Dunboyne (MH)
Ballyroan Abbey (LS)
The Downs (WH)
Killoe Óg (LD)
Group 2
Ratoath (MH)
Kilcock (KE) St Nicholas (WW) Coralstown-Kinnegad (WH) Group 3
St Loman’s Mullingar (WH)
Longford Slashers (LD)
Tinahely (WW)
Portarlington (LS)
Each team played three games and the top teams in each
group progressed to the final stage. The final game in
division one, involved St. Peter’s Dunboyne v St. Loman’s
Mullingar, with St.Peter’s claiming the number one spot.
Leinster U-16 Football League winners St. Peter’s Dunboyne
Presentation by Brian Carberry (An Mhí)
Division Two
Group 1
Granard/Ballymore (LD) Mullahoran (CN) Maynooth (KE) Donaghmore/Ashbourne (MH) Group 2
St Broughan’s (OY) St. Edwards (KE) Skryne (MH) Blessington (WW) Group 3
Edenderry (OY)
Rochforthbridge (WH)
Duleek-Bellewstown (MH)
Bray Emmets (WW)
The final game in Division 2 was between Granard Ballymore and St Broughan’s. Granard Ballymore took
the honours on the day.
35
Leinster U-16 Hurling League
Eleven teams, representing seven counties, participated in the Leinster U-16 Hurling League 2015.
Division Three
Group 1
St Fintan’s Mountrath Gaels (LS) Michael Dwyers (WW) Clonkill (WH) Donaghmore/Ashbourne (MH) Group 2
Cullion Hurling Club (WH) Louth Development Squad Camross (LS) CRC Gaels (OY)
Group 3
Na Fianna (LS)
Kilmacud Crokes (D)
Raharney (WH)
Clane (KE)
Each team played three games with the top team in each group progressing to the final stages. The final
game was between CRC Gaels 3-09 v St. Fintan’s Gaels 0-06.
Leinster U-16 Hurling League winners CRC Gaels
Leinster GAA Cross County U-13 Leagues
This Autumn Kildare, Wicklow, Meath, Offaly and Westmeath were approached to look at providing
stronger more varied games programme to give more competitive games and aid the improvement of
standards.
Meath, unfortunately, were unable to enter as they had an U-13 competition running at that time. We
progressed with the other four counties. Kildare and Wicklow twinned up with 16 teams entering the
football and 7 entering the hurling. Offaly and Westmeath joined with 17 teams entering the football and
9 teams entering the hurling.
All teams were graded by their respective counties and all divided into appropriate divisions for their level
with care taken to try and have equal teams from each county in each group. Wicklow organised their
teams into regions with a number of clubs coming together with the aim of forming teams of just 13
year olds, this worked to an extent as it meant the Wicklow players were playing a higher standard and
on their age - but sometimes coordination of a number of clubs proved difficult. This gave players from
smaller clubs chance to play against stronger club teams in Kildare.
The groups generally consisted of 4 teams, giving teams 3 games and a finals day over an 8 week period.
Clubs have reported finding it a great way of extending their season giving them an extra eight weeks of
GAA activity against new opposition of similar standard to themselves. This, along with the new contacts
and relationships which have been built, has shown the success this type of competition can be.
36
Leinster GAA
Féile Peil na nÓG 2015
Introduction
The National Finals of Féile Peil na nÓg 2015, sponsored by Irish
Pride, was organised by Leinster GAA and took place in host
counties Wexford, Wicklow and Carlow on the weekend of
26th–28th June 2015. It was the largest Feile ever run in this
country. The task of co-ordinating this massive venture fell
upon Peter O’Neill of Laois, who was appointed by Cathaoirleach,
John Horan. In total, 160 boys clubs and 74 girls clubs
participated. In addition to the clubs based in Ireland there were
clubs from New York, San Francisco, Philadelphia, South London,
North London, Gloucestershire, Lancashire, Warwickshire,
Hertfordshire and Scotland participating.
Feile Weekend
The boys competitions were run in 10 divisions of 16 (division 10 was run for thirteen a side teams). The
format for the girl’s competitions was four divisions of 16 and one division of 10.
A total of 559 football games were played throughout the weekend
Ten finals were run in each of the host counties
Wexford – Ferns Centre of Excellence
Wicklow – Ballinakill Centre of Excellence
Carlow – Netwatch Centre of Excellence, Netwatch Cullen Park, Eire Og, Tinryland, Carlow Town HC
Cup Finals
• Eighteen different counties were represented in the boy’s cup finals
• Nine different counties were represented in the girl’s cup finals
Shield Finals
• Nine different counties were represented in the boy’s shield finals
Additional statistics in relation to Feile Peil 2015
• 5,600 players under 14 years participated
• 900 coaches and mentors guided teams
• 30 finals played in three counties on Sunday
• 140 referees officiated at the Féile
• 500 officiated as umpires and lines-men (some from minor and development squad panels)
• 10,000 visiting parents to the South East
• 15,000 attended finals
• 175 busses were used for the weekend
• All accommodation in Wexford, Wicklow and Carlow booked to capacity
• e10,000,000 - value to the economy which includes travel, accommodation, playing gear and food
A Féile Skills booklet was produced by Hugh Kenny Colm Clear, Alan Mulhall, David Murphy and Noel
Mooney to assist clubs in preparing their squads for the Feile Competition.
A player pathway workshop (detailing the skills that should be focused on) was presented by James
Devane (Leinster GAA).
37
Féile Peil na nÓg Winners 2015
Féile na nÓg Cup Final Winners
Féile na nÓg Shield Final Winners
Division 1 Cup Austin Stacks (Kerry)
Division 2 Cup St. Eunan’s (Donegal)
Division 3 Cup Ferbane (Offaly)
Division 4 Cup St. Brigid’s (Roscommon)
Division 5 Cup St. Gabriel’s (Galway)
Division 6 Cup O’Loughlin Gaels (Kilkenny)
Division 7 Cup Silverbridge (Armagh)
Division 8 Cup Warwickshire (England)
Division 9 Cup Killucan (Westmeath)
Division 10 Cup Strokestown (Roscommon)
Division 1 Shield Athenry (Galway)
Division 2 Shield Naomh Eoin (Carlow)
Division 3 Shield A Tochar (Wicklow)
Division 4 Shield St. John’s Volunteers (Wexford)
Division 5 Shield Newtown (Wicklow)
Division 6 Shield Gweedore (Donegal)
Division 7 Shield Tempo Maguires (Fermanagh)
Division 8 Shield Palatine (Carlow)
Division 9 Shield St. Fintan’s (Wexford)
Division 10 Shield Tourlestrane (Sligo)
Féile na nÓg na mBan Cup Final Winners
Féile na nÓg na mBan Shield Final Winners
Division 1 Cup St Patrick’s (Wicklow)
Division 2 Cup New York (USA)
Division 3 Cup Clann na nGael (Roscommon)
Division 4 Cup St. Paul’s (Antrim)
Division 5 Cup St. Ailbe’s (Limerick)
Division 1 Shield Naomh Ciaran (Offaly)
Division 2 Shield Bray Emmets (Wicklow)
Division 3 Shield Old Leighlin (Carlow)
Division 4 Shield Bannow Ballymitty (Wexford)
Division 5 Shield Clonmore (Carlow)
Leinster Féile Committee
1 Peter O’Neill (Chairman)
2 Marguerite Furlong (Vice-Chairperson)
3 Lester Ryan (Secretary)
4 Gerry Moran (Assistant secretary)
5 Michael O’Brien (Carlow)
6 Michael Murphy (Carlow)
7 Martin Fitzgearld (Wicklow)
8 Bridget Kenny (Wicklow)
9 Leona Tector (Wexford)
10 Liz Quill (Wexford)
11 Jim Dempsey (Wexford)
12 James Doran (Wicklow)
13 Emma Byrne (Carlow IT)
14 Louise Byrne (Carlow IT)
38
Leinster GAA
Leinster Hurling/Football Blitzes
Leinster Hurling and Football blitzes 2015, run for County developmental squads targeted three age
groups; U-14, U-15 and U-16.
Hurling days: 2nd May, 18th July, 29th August
Football days: 16th May, 4th July, 15th August
There were Four categories for the above blitz days
1. Designated Days
2. Provincial Blitzes
3. Cross Provincial Blitzes
4. National Hurling Day
Designated Days
Each of the four Provinces agreed to designate specific days whereby developmental squad activity would
be given priority for the given age groups. Counties were then in a position to arrange games with
Counties from within or outside their own Province.
Provincial Football Blitzes
Blitzes organised on a Provincial level for Counties within Leinster.
Provincial Football Day – 15th August
U-14 – 16 teams participated
U-15 – 13 teams participated (organised by Offaly)
U-16 – 8 teams participated
Cross Provincial Blitzes
Blitzes were run across the Country incorporating teams from the four Provinces.
Hurling Blitz days – 18th July (14, 15, 16)
Football Blitz days – 16th May (14, 15, 16)
U14 – 39 teams participated
National Hurling Days
Game played in a tournament format, with each tournament culminating in a cup and shield final.
National Hurling Day – 29th August (U-14, U-15, U-16, U-17)
U-14 – U14 B – 12 teams participated (run by Wicklow)
U-15 – Michael Foley – 16 teams participated (run by Wexford)
U-16 – Adrian Murray Tournament – 9 teams participated (run by Westmeath)
39
Kellogg’s GAA Cúl Camps 2015
Number of Camps
Football
Hurling Combined Total
Participants
Total participation +/as percentage 2014
Louth
19
1
6
2369
23.12% increase
Wicklow
11
6
13
2815
8.27% increase
Wexford
1
1
31
4323
34% increase*
Meath
28
7
1
3888
20.06 % increase
Kildare
24
7
18
5237
10.6 % increase
Carlow
10
8
1
1244
9.4% increase
Kilkenny
0
0
9
1898
5.4% increase
Westmeath
11
7
18
1849
19.1% increase
Longford
0
0
11
1237
4.75% increase
Offaly
22
17
22
2167
19.4% increase
Laois
15
12
2
1872
17.25% increase
Dublin
8030
Total
36929
*Highest national increase
The success of the Kellogg’s GAA Cúl camp is based on the hard work and commitment of many people
throughout the GAA organisation including;
National Games Development Committee, Croke Park, Provincial Council, Provincial Games Developmental
Committee, County Committees, County Games Developmental Committees, County Games Managers,
Provincial staff, Club volunteers and many, many others.
In 2015 a Mentoring programme was established (by Croke Park) with a view to supporting the work of
the Cúl Camp personnel on the ground and to maintain the current high quality of Cúl camp delivery
within the Counties.
Provincial workshops were organised and were attended by the County Cúl Camp coordinators and
county games managers.
During the Cúl Camp programme a section of camps were visited by appointed Mentors. The Mentor was
to observe the operational activities at the camp in order to ensure that the camp coordinator was aware
of the best practice Camp Operational Guidelines.
While the Cúl Camp gear provided was of a very quality and very favourably received by the children and
parents, there was a degree of negativity generated when counties ran short of supplies. It’s good to hear
additional gear will be ordered to deal with this unprecedented eventuality in 2016.
Lester Ryan
40
Leinster GAA
41
Cumann na mBunscol
The National A.G.M. of Cumann na mBunscol Náisiúnta took place in County Leitrim on March 6th. The Cathaoirleach and Rúnai
represented Coiste Laighean. Leinster delegates. Jim Fennelly was elected to the executive of Coiste Náisiúnta.
Mini 7s Meetings were held in April, June and August in Croke Park with National Coordinator Mairéad Ó Callaghan. The Mini
7&s review meeting took place on May 23rd.
The Rúnaí and Cathaoirleach helped on GAA stand in Ennis during the INTO Conference.
Cumann na mBunscol Laighean A.G.M. took place in the Keadeen Hotel, Newbridge on April 22nd. Edward O’Riordan (Dublin)
was elected as Cathaoirleach and Gerry O’Meara as Rúnaí. Tom Ryan was elected as Leinster C.L.G. Rep.
Tom Fitzpatrick, Edward O’ Riordan (Rúnaí) and Gerry O’Meara met with Leinster Provincial Games Development Officer Colm
Clear in Croke Park in September to establish agreement on Leinster Strategic Plan. The following items were discussed:
• Implementation of the Strategic Plan in schools
• Grant funding from Comhairle Laighean
• County Games Programmes
• Go Games for 3rd/4th classes
Leinster Primary School Handball Days took place in Wexford on February 16th and 17th 2015. Thanks to Colm Ó Tiarnaigh and
jim Dempsey for their help in organization.
Our annual grant from Comhairle Laighean was received in April (€35,000) and was distributed to county units. Míle buiochas.
The Runaí made a presentation to Froebel College, Maynooth on 12th May 2105, speaking to students about introducing Gaelic
games to their schools as a newly qualified teacher.
Tom Ryan reported the Leinster Council meetings of July and October regarding Cumann na mBunscol Laighean activities.
Coiste Laighean Cumann na mBunscol meetings were held on April 21st and July 1st.
The General Meeting took place in the Keadeen Hotel, Newbridge on November 25th 2015. Each county unit gave a report of
activities in the schools of the province. There are almost 1300 primary schools in Leinster.
Kilkenny Football Blitz Day was held on June 11th - 4 counties participated. Jim Fennellly coordinated on behalf of Cumann na
mBunscol Laighean.
Carlow Hurling Blitz Day took place on June 18th – 6 Counties participated. Sean Hanafin acted as Cumanna na mBunscol
Laighean liaison.
We hosted Warwickshire G.A.A. and Madrid G.A.A. on Leinster Football Final day in Croke Park.
Mini Games took place on 16 Days in Hurling, Camogie, Boys’ Football and Girls’ Football across 9 venues, starting on May 10th
and ending on Leinster Football Final Day on July 12th.
A programme run by Paudie Butler was held in Newbridge on February 11th. 23 teachers participated in the coaching initiative
working on P.E./Hurling for junior/senior classes.
42
Leinster GAA
Leinster Cumann na mBunscol provided the ‘Young Whistlers’ referees for the mini games during the All-Ireland Hurling Semifinal and Final. Dublin and Meath supplied young referees this year. Two courses were held in Dublin and Wicklow and were
facilitated by inter-county referee, David Gough.
The Rúnaí attended the Coiste Náisiúnta General Meeting on September 19th in Croke Park.
The Cornmarket National Awards night took place in Carrick-on-Shannon on Friday March 6th. Dublin, Wicklow, Wexford and
Longford all won awards. The School of the Year Award was won by Gaelscoil Chluain Dolcáin, Baile Átha Cliath.
Kilkenny Cumann na mBunscol celebrated 75 years of games promotion on Thursday, March 5th in Langtons Hotel. Cumann an
mBunscol Laighean attended as guests.
The Cumann na mBunscol Náisiúnta Meeting was held in Citywest, Dublin on September 18th to report on activities in Leinster
Cumann na mBunscol. The rúnaí attended on behalf of Coiste Laighean.
Upcoming Dates
The National A.G.M. of Cumann na mBunscol is to be hosted by Cork on weekend of March 11th /12th, 2016.
The Cumann na mBunscol Laighean A.G.M. takes place in the Keadeen Hotel, Newbridge on April 27th, 2016.
Buíochas
Thanks to John Horan, Michael Reynolds , Patricia Clear for continued support.
A special word of thanks to John Cotter who retired this year. Cumann na mBunscol Laighean was always appreciative of his
great support for us over the years. We wish him well in the years ahead. We look forward to working with an old friend of ours,
Cian Murphy, in his new role.
Gerry O’Meara
Rúnaí
43
Post-Primary Schools
COMHAIRLE IARBHUNSCOILEANNA LAIGHEAN
Larry Curtin, Chairman • Tadhg Doran, Secretary • Tom Crotty, P.R.O.
County Reps
Joe Nolan (CW) • Brendan Cahill (DB) • Con Ronan (KE) • Niall Connolly (KK) • Ollie Hally (LS)
James Breslin (LD) • Anthony Durnin (LH) • Ultan Fitzpatrick (MH) • Paddy Scales (OY)
James McGrath (WH) • Donal Howlin (WX) • Jim Murphy (WW)
Leinster Council
Damien Fee, Leinster Council Rep.
Shane Flanagan, Leinster Provincial Games Development & Structures Manager
Colm Clear, Leinster Provincial Games Development Officer
Lester Ryan, Leinster Provincial Project Officer
Leinster Schools Officers
Tom O’Donnell, Dublin & North Leinster Schools Officer
Pat Henderson, South Leinster Schools Officer
Tadhg Doran, Provincial Leinster Schools Officer
C.C.C. COMHAIRLE IARBHUNSCOILEANNA LAIGHEAN
Larry Curtin, Chairman • Damien Fee, Vice-Chairman • Tadhg Doran, Secretary
Leinster Schools Officers
Tom O’Donnell, Dublin & North Leinster • Pat Henderson, South Leinster •Tadhg Doran, Provincial
County Reps
Niall Connolly • James McGrath • Jim Murphy
That time of year again where we take time to review and reflect. The past year has had numerous moments of note – with
St. Kieran’s College and Good Counsel College emerging victorious in our “A” Hurling and Football respectively. St. Mary’s
Academy Carlow CBS and Mountrath CS captured the respective Senior “B” Football and Hurling titles. Our remaining senior
competitions, along with the junior and juvenile competitions provided their share of drama and excitement also, with a
number of our games requiring extra time and even replays to separate teams. To all provincial and regional winners, I extend
congratulations.
44
Leinster GAA
At All-Ireland level, our Leinster teams had a very successful season and deserve special mention. In the hurling, Leinster
Schools won 3 of the 4 titles that were up for grabs. St. Kieran’s College completed back to back “A” wins, a great achievement
for all concerned. Cistercian College Roscrea claimed the SH “C” title while Good Counsel College won the Junior Hurling “A”.
Mountrath CS just came up short in the SH “B” final. On the football front, the senior “B”, “C” and “D” titles all came Leinster’s
way with St. Mary’s Academy Carlow CBS, Ardscoil Rath Iomghain and Ballymahon VS (respectively) all coming out victorious
on All-Ireland final day. Congratulations to all. Good Counsel College completed a unique double when winning the All Ireland
Junior Football “A” this, a great achievement by all involved. As well as it been double Hurling and Football titles at Junior this
year, it was also back to back Football titles. Well done to all.
The area of fixture scheduling is somewhat complex in that there are numerous stakeholders involved. Our schedule of games
can be quite tight, especially where dual schools are involved. Following the Minor Review Committee Report the dates for the
All-Ireland Post Primary Schools have come forward. Thus our own dates have had to be brought forward also. We need to work
together to ensure our programme of games get complete. Communication and co-operation between all parties is essential.
In general, during the past year our fixtures have run smoothly. However there was the few occasions where we had difficulties
getting games played – again cooperation is key to ensure competitions are complete and schools suffer as little disruptions
as possible. As stated earlier, there are a large number of stakeholders that need to be considered e.g. club, county, education
etc, thus clear communication and a good working relationship is vital. While some schools will have aspirations and desires for
Leinster and All Ireland title, the reality is for some schools, participation is their main aim. Local knowledge is key in such cases.
Our games would not occur but for referees and venues. We are indebted to the many that assist us – some at short notice. A
big thanks to all.
Promotion of our games is very important. Over the past year or more Leinster GAA have been working hard on our social
media – website, twitter and facebook. Photos from a number of our games have appeared on these sites and have proved a
great hit with users.
Buíochas
• To the members of the Comhairle
• To all our Schools for their involvement
• To the Games Development Staff across the province for their help and assistance
• To Schools, Clubs and Counties for the use of their facilities
• To all our match officials
• To Comhairle Laighean
• To the All Ireland Post Primary School Council
• To the various media outlets
• To Pat Henderson, Tom O’Donnell and all the Áras Laighean Team
Sympathy
Leinster Post Primary Schools Council extend its sincere sympathy to those who suffered bereavement during the past year.
Tadhg Ó Deorain
Rúnaí
45
Third Level Colleges
Comhairle Ardoideachais Laighean
Michael Hyland, Chairperson • Alan Coyne, Vice-Chairperson • Ciaran Flynn, Secretary • Damien Whelan, PRO
Mike McMahon • Aaron Nugent • Aaron Clogher • Gerry Tully
The year is almost out and it is time once again to review the happenings at Third Level in the province. My apologies if I have
left anyone or anything out of the report; I will be happy to subsequently rectify any omission.
To begin, I will take a look at the various competitions that we organised during the past academic year.
Competitions
Intermediate Hurling League: DIT
Junior Football Championship: UCD
Again, we were in the business of giving games to players who might not necessarily get a run out with the elite teams in the
college. This year to date we have completed the 2014 Intermediate Hurling League & 2015 Junior Football Championship.
The 2015 Intermediate Hurling League is ongoing and the 2016 Junior Football Championship will be played next Spring. No
Playoffs were required for the O’Byrne, Walsh and Kehoe Cups this year.
National Report
Michael Hyland represented our Committee on Coiste Feidhmiúcháin of Comhairle Ardoideachais. This section of the report
will deal with Leinster’s involvement at a National level.
This year in excess of 600 games were played in total organised centrally by Comhairle Ardoideachais. Our flagship weekend
competitions were superbly organised by UCC and LIT respectively. Furthermore, both Sigerson and Fitzgibbon semi-finals and
particularly the finals provided tremendous entertainment and produced a very high standard of play with the results being
in doubt up to the final whistle. Both finals ended in draws with DCU eventually winning out in the Sigerson by the minimum
margin following extra time while it took a replay to see UL crowned Fitzgibbon champions.
Congratulations to DCU on their victory as they defeated UCC following a titanic struggle in a game that further enhanced the
lustre of this fabled competition. DCU also won the league title in what was an excellent year for them.
The Fitzgibbon final again showcased our national game in a most positive light. In the Ryan Cup, Trinity College finally made
the long awaited breakthrough and were fully deserving winners.
The re-emergence of the Garda College was a most pleasing development and they gave an outstanding display in the final
against a valiant St Patrick’s, Drumcondra to capture the Trench Cup. It is to be hoped that they will continue to participate in
CA fixtures for many years to come.
Congratulations to Mater Dei in the Corn Comhairle Ardoideachais on their great win and it is most heartening to see the
smaller clubs enjoying their moment in the sun as they savour seldom achieved success.
46
Leinster GAA
Off-field Activities
We will be hosting a presentation night in Áras Laighean at the end of November to honour our Bursary recipients. Congratulations
to all the recipients, who were rewarded for their coaching, administration, playing and refereeing achievements.
Many thanks to Comhairle Laighean and the Coaching and Games Department who have promoted the scheme over the past
fourteen years. Thanks also to Michael Hyland, Martin Meagher, Colm Clear and Ciarán Flynn who put in Trojan work during the
selection process.
Thanks, etc.
The Players, Student Volunteers and Gaelic Games Officers in the colleges.
Our Referees and all those who made their pitches available, both groups of people often obliging at the shortest of short
notice.
Our sponsors the Indpendent.ie
The committee itself including Chairperson Michael Hyland, Vice-Chairperson Alan Coyne, Secretary Ciaran Flynn, PRO Damien
Whelan and Committee Members Mike McMahon, Aaron Nugent, Aaron Clogher and Gerry Tully.
Our servicing officer in Croke Park, Gearoid Devitt and the Comhairle Ardoideachais Committee. We welcome Brendan Connolly
to his new role this year.
Our biggest debt of gratitude is to the Leinster Council itself. Cathaoirleach John Horan, Michael Reynolds and the Officers have
given us every assistance and courtesy over the past year. The Coaching and Games Department of the Council, and especially
Michael Reynolds, Colm Clear and Shane Flanagan, who have, as ever, shown a keen interest in our sector and are always on
hand to provide practical advice and assistance. The staff at Áras Laighean, who have been so accommodating throughout the
year.
The sympathies of Comhairle Ardoideachais Laighean lie with any member or player who suffered a bereavement during the
year, ar dheis Dé go raibh a hanam dilís.
I would like to wish Comhairle Laighean every success in 2016. Agus anois, sin deirneach ar mo tuairisc do Chomhairle seo. I
would like to commend this report to the meeting. Go raibh mile maith aghaibh.
Ciarán Ó Floinn
Rúnaí
47
Leinster Tutor Trainer
Group
Leinster Tutor Trainer Group
Declan Smyth, Chairman • Gerard O’Connor, Secretary • Eamonn Barry • Sean Kelly • Eunan McCormack • Raymond C. Smyth
Noel O’Sullivan • Sean O’Toole • Willie Coogan • Paul Gallagher • Sean Dempsey • Brian Ladden • Jim Ryan • Cyril Kevlihan
Al O’Donoghue • Colm Clear • Donal McNally • Damian Quigley
The importance of coach education should never be underestimated, as it can not only be measured in the number of courses
delivered or the number of coaches attending courses. The quality of coaches on the ground at club level is increasing as a
result of better education programmes, assessment and online learning. More importantly, this means the standard of coaching
is inevitably improving The scale of coach education programmes within Leinster has expanded and continues to grow year on
year. In recent years clubs and counties have seen the real benefits of the formal coaching education programs. Coach education
offers the primary tool for transferring information to new and developing coaches, while also ensuring that active coaches
acquire and maintain the critical knowledge and skills of the games.
In some recent studies on sports coaches it was shown that players trained by untrained coaches could have up wards of
26% attrition rate. In contrast players trained by proficient coaches resulted in a dropout rate of only 5% Additional research
has shown a positive impact on self-esteem for players under 12 years old playing for a trained coach. Other studies indicate
coaching education programs encourage new coaches to get involved by reducing the barrier created by a lack of confidence
in the skills and abilities needed to coach. Coaches reported in one study that participating in a coaching education program
increased information sharing among their peers and aided them in creating a support network of fellow coaches.
The Leinster Tutor groups main mission is to improve coaching standards and to offer coaches as many opportunities to engage
at whatever level they are involved in the learning process.
Progress in Tutoring from January – December 2015
Master Tutor Meetings
• 7 Meetings
• 1 Planning weekend to develop Leinster coach education action plan
• Attended National Tutor workshop
• 8 meetings to develop Award 2 Assimilation and New Award 2 programme
Regional Meetings
• Held 4 regional tutor meetings
• Planned a further 6 for the coming year
• Allocated tutors to Award 1 courses
48
Leinster GAA
Tutor Training
• Modernize online coach education material to all tutors
• Managed Tutor assimilation process for 10 new tutors
• Supported 4 tutors working in France
• Delivered tutor training programme to 24 students in Carlow I.T
Provincial workshops
• Delivered 4 football & 4 Hurling workshops
Foundation Award
• Coordinated the delivery of 167 Foundation Courses (34 Online)
Award 1
• Analysed the feedback of all Award 1 programmes.
• Planned and coordinated (84 Award 1 Courses)
• 26 Child
• 34 Youth
• 24 Adult
Award 2
• Supervised and delivered 1Award 2 child programmes
• Supervised and delivered 5 Award 2 Youth/Adult programmes
• Planned coach graduation ceremony
• Critiqued 14 Award 2 child assessments
• Critiqued 35 Award 2 Youth/Adult assessments
• Developed marking criteria for Award 2 programmes
Quality Assurance
• Attended 3 meetings with Coaching Ireland
National Tutor Trainer Representative Group
• 4 meetings held
Tutor Trainer Inservice
• 2 Tutor trainers attended the National University of Ireland Galway – Essential
• Trainer Skills Course (Sports Coaches)
• The Award 2 Assimilation programmes facilitate upskilling 14 Tutors as Assessors and Mentors
Declan Smyth Chairman
Gerard O’Connor
Secretary
49
Leinster Referees’
Administration
Committee Report
Leinster Referees’ Administration Committee
Tom Quigley (Dublin), Chairman • Donal Smyth (Meath), Secretary
Pierce Freaney (Kildare), Recruitment & Training • Noel O’Donoghue (Dublin), Tutor Coordinator
John Rossiter (Wexford) • Aidan Shiells (Dublin) • Martin Barry (Carlow) • Martin Whyte (Kildare)
Sean Breathnach (Kilkenny) • Joe O’Brien (Longford) • Tony Maher (Laois) • Patsy Connolly (Louth)
Deirdre Kearney (Offaly) • Michael Gordon (Westmeath) • Wicklow is currently vacant
I am honoured to present my second report to you as Chairman of the Leinster Referees’ Committee. I would again like
to thank the respective County Referee Administrators within Leinster, who have worked so closely with me. My particular
thanks of course to Donal Smyth, the Meath Administrator, who “doubles up” as our Secretary. We welcomed on board in 2015
Martin Whyte, the new Referee Administrator in Kildare, and Joe O’Brien, his new counterpart in Longford. We also wish to
acknowledge the contributions of their respective predecessors, Fergus Devereux and Seamus Kiernan. My thanks too to Pierce
Freaney for his work on the Education and Training of our developing Referees within the Province, and to Noel O’Donoghue
for his coordination of Training Courses. Thanks also to Julie, John, Patricia, Hannah and all the other staff in Áras Laighean for
looking after us so well during the year.
I also wish to acknowledge with sincere thanks the contribution of Leinster CEO Michael Reynolds to our Committee since
assuming his current role. Perhaps Michael’s contribution and interest is best exemplified by the fact that he has attended each
and every meeting of our Committee since becoming CEO, and he has made valuable contributions to each of them. Michael
was also very strong in emphasising that he was very much to be viewed as “one of the lads” at our meetings, and that nobody
needed to have any fear about speaking his or her mind just because the CEO happened to be in the room! On a personal level,
I would also wish to acknowledge the quiet and unobtrusive word (based on years of experience) that Michael has always been
willing to offer me as Chairman over the last year.
Since delivering my first report this time last year, the Leinster Referee Administrators’ Committee has met on eight occasions
in Aras Laighean. At the start of the year, I was afforded the chance by Leinster Chairman John Horan to address Leinster
Convention in Arklow in connection with refereeing issues. My speech was very positively and respectfully received by all
delegates, and the hope of our Committee is that it helped to highlight the current position of refereeing structures etc. within
the Counties, and perhaps where some remedial action might be required going forward.
Pierce Freaney has continued working intensively with our Development Panel Referees in both hurling and football this year,
and insofar as possible, I have tried to be actively involved as Chairman (alongside Pierce) in this work. All the Development
Panel completed a Fitness Test in DCU in March under the watchful eye of Professor Niall Moyna and his team. Pierce and I (with
assistance from Donal Smyth) also ran our own Fitness Tests and written Rules Exams in Portlaoise in both July and September
this year. A few issues arose from these fitness tests and written exams as follows:
•While our Referees were successful in passing the Level 16.1 required for Provincial Referees in the Bangsbo Fitness Test
(and indeed a couple of them were up at Level 18), it must be remembered that the minimum level now required at
50
Leinster GAA
National Level is 17.4, and many of the National Referees are now regularly scoring at Levels 18, 19 and even 20. For those
of our Development Referees who have serious ambitions to progress to National Level within the next couple of years,
it is important that they therefore work hard to take their fitness to the next level, to meet the standards that are now
expected of a National Referee.
• As a Committee, we were disappointed with the results achieved by our Referees in the written Rules Tests. The results
would suggest that, as a general rule, Referees do not spend long enough studying the Rule Book. This leaves us in somewhat
of a quandary at Provincial Level – it is surely not the function of the Leinster Referees’ Committee to teach Referees the
basic rules of the game, as they should have learned all those within their respective Counties long before they were ever
presented to us at Provincial Level as potential inter-county Referees. However, the results in the 2015 Rules Tests would
suggest that sufficient work might not be being done within the Counties on learning all the basic rules. Could I appeal to
all the Counties, through the respective County Referee Administrators, to redouble their efforts to ensure that all Referees
within their County are well versed in all the rules of the game, rules both old and new? While knowing all the rules won’t
necessarily make you the best Referee in Ireland, not knowing them will certainly make you a poor one!
•The results in the Rules Tests also threw up another issue. There is a plan at National Level that in the longer term all
Rules Tests will be done online by computer, in the comfort of the Referee’s own home, and with access to the Rule Book
if required (although the test is time limited). Our own Referees did one of these online tests in the early part of 2015,
and produced results close to 100% in many cases. However, when later in the year the same Referees were asked to
sit a “traditional” Rules Test with pen and paper, under examination conditions and without access to a Rule Book, the
results were very significantly lower. Do we therefore need to proceed with caution before making an online Rules Test
the standard, does it necessarily reflect a Referee’s true knowledge of the rules, based on our experience? When one has
to make a splitsecond decision on the field, one cannot consult the Rule Book!
The Leinster Referees’ Academy that we ran at the end of 2014 was very successful and was very well received and enjoyed by
all those that attended – we expect to repeat the Academy at the end of 2015, hopefully with as much success.
Thanks to all our Referee Advisors who continue to work for us week in and week out in the Province, giving invaluable feedback
to the Referees themselves and to us of onfield performances by all our Provincial Referees. We held a very interesting and
well-attended Refresher Course for Advisors in Aras Laighean during the year. One of the interesting developments from that
night was from the Advisors themselves, requesting feedback on their performances too. Where possible, we tried to provide
constructive suggestions to the Advisors in response to their request.
Thanks to Noel O’Donoghue who continues to co-ordinate Tutoring of Referees in the Province, through our Foundation and Inservice courses, and special thanks of course to the Tutors who continue to deliver these courses annually. The Tutor Work Group
of the National Coiste (of which I am a member) is currently working on the development of updated courses, which will be ready
for rollout in January 2016. The consensus appears to be that the Foundation Course does not require any great modification, as it
must largely remain rules-based for those seeking to referee for the very first time. Consideration is being given to a re-ordering of
the three nights over which a Foundation Course is given, and the methods of delivery, to include one online module. The In-service
Course is likely to get a more radical shakeup. At present, it is essentially a revisit (in one night) of the rules. It is felt that for Referees
who have potentially years of experience, such a presentation may not necessarily be fit for purpose. Consideration is being given
to having a new In-service Course every year, largely DVD-based, and concentrating on clips of mostly aggressive infractions and
the correct cards to be given for each. A lesser focus will also be included on technical fouls.
We continue in Leinster to maintain our close links with the GAA in the Middle East, and this of course extends to refereeing too.
Many of our Referees have travelled to the Middle East to officiate at tournaments there, and in the near future, Leinster may
deliver Referee Training Courses there – the hope being that through this training the Middle East arm of the GAA can become
more self-sufficient in terms of refereeing requirements.
A major development this year is that, as I write this, representatives of our Committee and representatives of Leinster Council
Management are in the process of meeting each of the 12 County Referee Administration Committees in the Province. We
are examining their own basic structure, and the overall structure of refereeing in the County, the make-up and work of the
Committees etc. I feel it is a very useful exercise all round, and would like to thank those Leinster Council Officers who are
attending these meetings with us. While it is still a work in progress as I write, some issues can already be noted:
•There has been an open admission that some County Referee Administration Committees have not been functioning as
they should and improvement is required.
•Sufficient Advisor programmes are not in place in many Counties – how can our Club Referees improve if they do not get
structured, constructive advice and assessment on their performances?
•Have we insufficient ongoing recruitment at the bottom of the refereeing pyramid to produce a sufficient number of topclass inter-county Referees at the top of that pyramid in future years?
•Are Counties doing enough to develop young Referees with significant and substantial appointments at Senior Club level
within the County, rather than always opting for the “safe pair of hands”? (See my comments on “safe pairs of hands”
later!)
51
•We are discovering that in a number of Counties, the County Referee Administrator has little or no input to refereeing
appointments. This is of course contrary to the Official Guide Part 1, which provides that there shall be a Referee
Appointments Committee in the County, and that the County Referee Administrator shall be a member of that
Appointments Committee.
Once again this year on the inter-county stage, Leinster Referees continued to dominate. All four major finals in 2015 (Senior
hurling and football and Minor hurling and football) were refereed by Leinster Referees. David Coldrick had the honour of
taking charge of his third All Ireland Senior Football Final, and David Gough completed a notable (unique?) double for Meath by
controlling the Minor Final on the same day. James Owens took charge of the Senior Hurling Final, with Paud O’Dwyer reffing
the Minor Final that day. I hope I will be forgiven for a little bit of parochialism in saying I was particularly pleased to see James
Owens finally get rewarded with the Senior Final after a long apprenticeship in recent years – many years ago now, James
began life on the inter-county scene by umpiring for me in Leinster Minor Football League matches in the late 1990s! Many
was the Saturday he met me in Bunclody to come to umpire in exotic places around the Province, including a memorable visit
to Clogherinkoe in Co. Kildare, the only venue I have yet been to where even the locals who lived within a mile of the pitch still
couldn’t direct us! It was certainly a case of the student now becoming the master as James took charge of this year’s Senior
Final, much to my delight.
A special word of congratulations for Paud O’Dwyer, for delivering a fine performance in the Minor Hurling Final, less than 24
hours after sadly learning of the death of his beloved mother. No doubt Mrs. O’Dwyer was proudly watching her son from on
high that Sunday afternoon.
In fact the Minor Hurling Final was somewhat extraordinary in that Leinster provided all the officials, with Carlow, Wicklow and
Wexford men filling all roles – very much a South-East corner benefit game! David Hughes also found time to ref an Under 21
Final in Thurles a week later!
Congratulations too to Fergal Kelly for the Under 21 Football Final, and to Maurice Deegan and Eddie Kinsella who were clearly
viewed as the go-to men for potentially difficult All Ireland Football semi-finals. The triumvirate of Barry Kelly, Brian Gavin and
James McGrath also continued to figure so prominently in major hurling appointments throughout the year.
All of these major appointments for Leinster Referees clearly demonstrate that we are on the right track in Leinster in relation
to the training and promotion of our Provincial Referees. We, on the Appointments Committee, also very much view this as a
vindication of our desire to give significant appointments each year to our upandcoming Development Panel Referees, rather
than taking the more traditional “safe pair of hands” approach of appointing only the top Referees to every game. Whilst an
individual club or county might like to always have the top Ref in the Province in charge of their particular match, such an
approach to appointments is not compatible with developing new Referees to be able to handle these self-same games five
or ten years down the line, when the current “top refs” and all those “safe pairs of hands” are mostly retired! The “safe pair of
hands” approach (which unfortunately can often be a euphemism for the loss of talented young Referees to the inter-county
panels, both Provincial and National) is one that we will be unapologetically not taking in Leinster.
While the excellent prevalence of our Leinster Referees at all the top matches in 2015 is something we can be immensely proud
of, it is not an invitation to in any way “rest on our laurels”. Both I and our Recruitment and Training Officer Pierce Freaney have
some concerns that we may lose this dominant position in future years if the throughput of young Referees from the Leinster
Counties to us at Provincial Level does not improve. We in Leinster are of course completely dependent on the Counties in
terms of unearthing new refereeing talent for us. We will work to do all we can to train and develop any Referees we get to
ultimately progress to the National Panel, but we realistically need to be getting Referees from the Counties while still in their
20s or very early 30s in order to give us time to achieve this. To a large extent, we are not getting that age profile of Referee
coming onto the Leinster Development Panel at present, so where will that leave us in terms of producing more top Referees at
National Level in years to come? Could I appeal to the Counties to also consider eschewing the “safe pair of hands” approach
to refereeing appointments, and to give at least some of your younger Referees the chance to prove themselves at Senior
Championship games in your County, and then send them on to us after gaining that experience? If this does not happen in the
Counties, it will inevitably mean that in future years we will have few if any Leinster Referees to propose for the National Panel,
and we won’t have the pleasure of seeing our Referees (and remember they are “ours”) in charge of the whistle for almost every
major Croke Park Final.
I am happy to report a successful year for Referees and refereeing in the Province, but there is much more work for all of us to
do to drive that success forward in future years.
Tomás Ó Coigligh
Chairman
52
Leinster GAA
53
Hearings
Committee Report
Hearings Committee
Dick Butler, Chairman) • John Byrne, Secretary
Paddy McMahon (Louth) • John Bannon (Longford) • Willie Murphy (Westmeath) • Tom Jones (Laois)
Eddie Byrne (Carlow) • Dermot Howlin (Wexford) • Michael Reynolds (Appeals only)
The Hearings Committee met on fifteen occasions. We heard 23 appeals and had five hearings.
There were thirteen requests ruled out of order for various reasons. Either they were signed by the wrong person, no rule or rules
were quoted, the request was made outside the time limit or no fee was received.
The number of rejections is quite high (31%) and, in my opinion, reflects badly on club officials and their knowledge of rules
and procedures as outlined in the Official Guide.
As pointed out at last Convention both John Byrne and I are available to Counties to help reduce this failing. Two counties
availed of our services in 2015.
We also had two DRA hearings and there is one pending.
I thank the members of our committee for their time, their interest and courtesy. Michael Reynolds, Patricia Clear and the staff
at Áras Laighean for their advice and assistance. I also thank the executive for their support which was most appreciated.
Dick Butler
Chairman
54
Leinster GAA
Provincial Fixtures
Planning Committee
Report
Provincial Fixtures Planning Committee
Colm Cummins, Chairman • Lester Ryan, Secretary • Michael Reynolds • Pat Teehan • Ger Lennon • Noel Murphy
Breda McDermott • John McNicholas • Damien Murphy • Pat Dunney • Conor Denieffe • Liam Delaney • Martin Skelly
Des Halpenny • Paddy Oliver • Gerry Giblin • Francis Lynch • Davy Gavin • Derek Kent • Ms. Chris O’Connor
County Fixtures Programmes
Counties continue to strive to implement the best Games Programmes possible through providing an adequate number of
meaningful games on a regular basis. The production of well-considered and accurate fixture planners reports can assist counties
identify problem areas and rectify as required.
Accurate analysis of a County Games Programme can provide decision makers with valuable knowledge to avoid the common
pitfalls of a poor games programme. Over the last number of years reports have identified issues such as dual players, exams,
County Team preparations as potential blockages in the system with a knock-on effect for games programmes.
At underage level the problem of a small number of club teams dominating County competitions and inappropriate mismatches continues to be a problem. Population change throughout Leinster is influencing changes in traditional competition
models. The Leinster Fixtures Planning Committee continues to strongly support cross-border leagues in order to expand and
improve traditional games programmes.
Fixtures Planners
The continual analysis of all games programmes can provide valuable information for groups charged with reviewing competitions
at year end. However it is debateable as to whether the role of the Fixture Planner as currently constituted is providing this
information in every instance. There is much confusion of the exact nature of the role within each county and the success of
the role mainly depends on the enthusiasm of the appointed individual. The template developed at National level was rolled
out in 2014 in order to achieve consistency in County Reporting. All Leinster Fixtures Planners received a copy of the template
and encouraged to present their data in the required format, however it is suggested that the overall role and operation of the
Fixtures Planner is re-examined in 2016.
Fixtures Meetings
In March 2015 and information evening was arranged for the Chairman & Secretary of the CCC and Fixtures Planner from each
respective County. Fergal McGill briefed Counties on the proposal to complete the annual fixtures programme into a single
Calendar year. The evening proved very beneficial and a wide ranging discussion was held on the impact of National Fixtures
on the Club Programme. Many Counties utilised the opportunity to provide valuable feedback on the proposal and the impact
at a local level.
55
Committee Observations/Recommendations
Providing the perfect games programme that fits the requirements of every stakeholder is probably unattainable, however
working toward that ideal will bring incremental improvements that will uniformly improve games programmes across the
board.
CCC’s and Fixtures Review committees should endeavour make informed decisions regarding competition structures. It is
recommended that lessons learned from the last number of years from the varied operation of the Fixtures Planners should be
examined to determine the best way forward for the role.
Buíochas
Special thanks to the National Fixtures Planning Committee, the Provincial Fixtures Planners, County Fixtures Planners and to
all who have supported the Committee in our work to date.
Colm Cummins Chairman
56
Lester Ryan
Secretary
Leinster GAA
Finance Advisory
Committee Report
Finance Advisory Committee
Syl Merrins, Chairman • John Browne, Secretary
Martin Byrne • Eamonn O’Keefe • Dave Kavanagh • Ciaran Gray • Colm Marry • Seamus Reade
The Leinster Finance Advisory Committee was put in place to carry out a number of tasks: to review loan applications from clubs
and counties when borrowing from either financial institutions or from the Deposit & Loan Scheme in Croke Park; to assist clubs
or counties who find themselves in financial difficulty; to grant permission to clubs or counties to enter lease agreements and
to grant permission to clubs or counties to either acquire or dispose of property.
27 clubs and 3 counties applied to the committee during the year for one or more of the above services and the committee
worked actively with these clubs and counties to provide whatever assistance we could. We granted permission to clubs and
counties to arrange loan facilities of over €2.5 million with the various financial institutions while 2 clubs availed of loans under
the Club Loan Scheme from the National Financial Management Committee when the scheme re-opened during the year.
Four clubs were given approval to acquire property which will be used for playing fields, 2 counties disposed of property and a
further 2 clubs entered lease agreements.
A number of clubs and counties who were experiencing financial difficulties contacted us to seek assistance during the year. We
met with these clubs and counties, and using the expertise of the committee members we provided help and guidance where
sought. While not all clubs who are in financial difficulty come to our attention or seek our assistance we need to be mindful
that a number of our clubs and counties are operating under financial pressure. This pressure means that their focus can be
taken away from the games and re-directed towards fundraising and debt financing. This can lead to burn out for officers and a
reduction in the number of people willing to take on volunteer roles within clubs and counties. People get involved in the GAA
because of their love of our games but if a club’s sole focus becomes the payment of debt then the recruitment of volunteers
can be extremely difficult.
Six counties and one hundred and five clubs in the province were approved for €7,563,614 in the latest allocation of Sports
Capital Grants. These successful grant applications will undoubtedly mean that the committee will be very active in the coming
years as clubs proceed with these projects. This continued investment in our facilities is good news for those playing the games
in the province as it will ensure that they have access to modern and attractive sports facilities. We will endeavour to assist
them in any way we can.
Thanks
To each of the committee members who gave so freely of their time throughout the year and to Kathy and Tracey in Croke Park
for their continued support and assistance.
Syl Merrins Chairman
John Browne
Secretary
57
Infrastructure & Safety
Committee Report
Infrastructure & Safety Committee
Derek Kent, Chairman • Michael Reynolds, Secretary • P.J. Murphy • Joe Bedford • Bill Kavanagh
Pat Henderson • Aidan O’Connor • P.J. Kelly • Mick O’Toole • Joe Shaughnessy
There were 106 clubs who shared e763,500 and five Educational Units shared e32,000 in 2015.
Again, like last year, the trend is evident that clubs are seeking to purchase land to provide additional facilities and a number of
clubs completed transactions during 2015 and with a large number of developments in progress, fortunately, the Association is
acquiring land at agricultural values, but a few have been over the odds. However, it must be emphasised that purchasing land
beside a club’s present facilities is preferable to having to move for a variety of reasons including identity and economy of scale.
With the number of counties and clubs within our province our funds are falling short of their expectations, we feel the time
has come that we need extra allocation of funding in the province with the number of proposed developments in progress and
in the pipeline. We will certainly put forward a strong argument in 2016 for extra funding for our province.
On reflection of last year, we started the year on a low note with the safety issues in Pearse Park. The professionalism displayed
by Coiste Longfoirt in dealing with a dangerous and potentially very awkward situation is to be commended. A year later, the
county has made excellent progress and tribute must be paid to all involved. Unfortunately, the Association will pay a huge
financial price to rebuild the structures to the required standards.
Some major projects were completed during the year and many others commenced, the highlight, for me, was in Wicklow and
great credit to all involved when they opened a model stand in Aughrim.
Meath, Carlow Kilkenny and Wexford completed their respective training centres.
Laois have made excellent progress in remedial works in O’Moore Park Stadium and in their adjoining Centre of Excellence.
Offaly recently launched their plans for their Centre of Excellence and are making great progress to date.
Longford have acquired a site and plans are in place.
We also visited the other counties that have plans in place for their forthcoming projects in 2016 and we will endeavour to
continue with our support. It has been a busy year with projects in the counties and from reviewing the allocation of the recent
Sports Capital Funding, hopefully 2016 will also be a productive year.
Our safety personnel had another busy year, they prepared a safety checklist tailored to suit Féile in Carlow, Wexford and
Wicklow and visited most of the grounds in the counties. Great credit to the clubs of the counties, they have their grounds in
excellent condition and safety was to the fore. However, we highlighted some serious faults in a small number of grounds where
immediate action was required and a follow-up visit is planned for this coming year. We have set the trend for the rest of the
country, addressing safety issues at Féile venues and our safety checklist is now the template for other counties and provinces.
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Leinster GAA
It is in our own interest as an organisation to ensure that all units operate to the highest standards and while we tend to focus
on the “bigger games”, it is important that we are Safety conscious at all levels. Going forward, we will continue our safety
reviews in the Counties and up-skill our Development Officers and Safety Coordinators.
Another millstone, this year, was producing a strategic document for our Province. Facilities are to the fore in the strategic plan,
and it is an excellent document and sets out clear goals for us all.
Special thanks to PJ, Mick and Aidan on the safety side of the group. Also thanks to Joe, PJ, Bill, Pat and Joe on the infrastructure
side of the group they all carried out their tasks in a professional manner and they are all a major asset to our Association.
Thanks to all at Áras Laighean, who are excellent support, efficent and always available to help out.
Our strategic goal
To provide facilities that will optimise safety, enable participation and enhance match day experiences.
Derek Kent
Chairman
59
‘Games for All’
Committee Report
‘Games for All’ Committee
Brian Carberry, Chairman • Pat Lynagh, Secretary
Gerry Harrington • Jackie Napier • Tom Farrell • Tim Maher • Peter O’Neill
When Aogán Ó Fearghail became Uachtarain of Cumann Luthchleas Gael he set about reorganising the committees in the GAA.
One of the new committees is the ‘Games For All’ Committee. Cathaorileach John Horan, in line with National Policy, set up the
Provincial ‘Games for All’ Committee under the chairmanship of Brian Carberry (An Mhí).
The terms of reference are laid down by the National Strategic Plan are as follows:
1. To promote best practice in the area of inclusion within all our units.
2. Increase participation through “have a go days” recreational games and other such events.
3.Promote the Respect initiative in the GAA which includes the holding of ‘Respect’ games at half-time in inter-county
games.
4. Promote games for people with disability.
5. Hold an annual All-Ireland Wheelchair Hurling event.
6. Develop a module of diversity for coaches on the online e-learning portal.
How did we do in Leinster?
1. The committee met on five occasions.
2. We wrote to each county to ascertain what activities are ongoing in the counties regarding ‘Games for All’. A number of
replies were received which indicated that a huge amount of work is going on but not being made known. To address this
problem a new template will be developed to audit our activities in the counties.
3. A ‘Give Respect Get Respect’ sign is now in each county ground. Next stage is to get the sign into each club ground and
we hope the counties will support this project.
4. The Province can be very pleased that the ‘Respect Handshake’ is now performed at our Senior and Minor Finals.
5. A Wheelchair Interprovincial Blitz was hosted by Carlow IT and was an outstanding success. Leinster is somewhat behind
in terms of numbers taking part. Work is progressing in regard to getting more wheelchair users to take part.
6.Contact has been made with Coaching and Games about the inclusion of a ‘Games for All’ project in the Leinster Annual
Coaching Plan as follows:
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Leinster GAA
Wheelchair Hurling:
a. Identify and develop a participation centre in each county
b. Identify wheelchair users
c. Assign coaches
d. Provide regular coaching and games
Disability Football:
a. Engage with disability agencies and schools
b. Identify a central venue/venues
c. Provide regular coaching
d. Engage with special schools re games
7. Contact was made with various Sports Partnerships in the Province, with a view to developing closer links between the
Partnerships and ourselves. A presentation on behalf of the Leinster Sports Partnerships was delivered by Caroline Myers
and Garrett Culliton at the full Comhairle Laighean meeting in November.
Plans Going Forward
The Committee is keen to pursue the promotion of ‘Games for All’ by;
1. Delivering presentations to each County Committee.
2. The election/selection of a ‘Games for All’ committee in each county.
3. The inclusion of the ‘Give Respect Get Respect’ initiative on the Award 1 Coaching courses.
In Conclusion
I wish to thank the Chairman Brian Carberry for his excellent leadership and commitment, and the rest of the committee
for their work. To the National Chairman and Secretary for their help and also Chairman John Horan and staff at Comhairle
Laighean for their help and financial support.
Brian Carberry
Chairman
Pat Lynagh
Secretary
61
Marketing &
Public Relations
Committee Report
Marketing & PR Committee
Pat Teehan, Chairman • John Cotter, Secretary, January - June • Cian Murphy, Secretary, June - December
Kieran Leavy • Clara Walsh • Conal Markey • Andy O’Brien • Ger Doyle
Liam Holton • Victor O’Shaughnessy • Tom McLoughlin
The 2015 season was another extremely busy, eventful and ultimately successful year for the Marketing and Public Relations
Committee of Leinster GAA. Yet again, our senior championships brought out big crowds in excess of 250,000 people which is
a phenomenal figure.
Within that statistic is the fact that 100,000 of those supporters attended on one of six special ticket price offers that Leinster
GAA continues to champion and promote and which clearly are very popular among our supporters.
A New Face
In 2015 we made the decision to make the biggest change possible in marketing terms which was to redesign our logo and
give Leinster GAA a new face for the challenges that lie ahead. Much credit is due to our excellent Louth-based designer Mark
Dignam for his ability to work with the brief he was supplied from Áras Laighean to come up with a modern, vibrant take on
the Leinster harp. The harp symbol is an icon that is used more than any other in Irish life with everything from government to
media outlets to drinks companies and airlines using it – not to mention different sporting bodies. We feel we have a brand that
is distinctly GAA and makes us stand out from the crowd.
There was also a new face in the form of Dubliner Cian Murphy (Teach Mealóg Sraid Sínge GFC) who joined Leinster GAA in a
Marketing & PR capacity in late July and following the retirement of Commercial and PR Manager John Cotter – more of John’s
monumental contribution to Comhairle Laighean later.
Bord na Móna Leinster GAA Series
The 2015 edition of the Bord na Móna Leinster GAA series was by far the most successful yet. It marked the fourth year of our
sponsorship agreement with Bord na Móna with Dublin winning an excellent O’Byrne Cup final against Kildare after extra time
and then Galway piping Dublin in a high quality Walsh Cup final at Croke Park. Meath were impressive back to back winners of
the Kehoe Cup. The amount of coverage given and the extent of the competition name recognition among the media singled
2015 out as the best yet in the time of the BnM sponsorship and played a part in Bord na Móna agreeing to sign on again as
sponsors in 2016 to build on this progress. There are hopes that this relationship will continue to develop and we are working
with Bord na Móna on a number of new initiatives that will hopefully be launched in 2016.
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Leinster GAA
Championship Media Launches
Following on from the success of this event in 2014 we returned to the breath-taking surroundings of Farmleigh House in the
Phoenix Park for our senior championship launch last May and were hosted by our charity partners in Barretstown Castle in
October for the club championship launch. The attendance of players and coaches at these events were crucial to their success.
The size of the media presence at these events and the resulting massive levels of coverage for our games proved this was
worthwhile and plans are in place for similar events in 2016.
Ticket Packages
Our ticket packages are now well established. Offering value for money is something we are not just paying lip-service to.
Seniors Citizens, Students, Club Adult Groups, Family Groups, Club Juvenile Groups and Round Robin Hurling Specials were again
strongly supported. Admitting under 16s free into club games was also well received.
Commercial Plan
As part of the new Strategic Vision and Action Plan it was decided to commission an audit of Leinster GAA as a commercial
entity and also assess the current sports sponsorship market and what we have to offer. This work was carried out by leading
sports marketing firm PSG. It was a hugely beneficial exercise and resulted in the formation of a commercial strategy for
Leinster from now until the end of 2018 and the pursuit of its goals. In addition to their work with Comhairle Laighean, we
also commissioned PSG to hold a very informative marketing and sponsorship seminar with all of the counties and was well
attended by senior county board officers from all 12 counties.
Training
In September we hosted a social media seminar for county board PRO’s and IT officers which was led by the Communications
Department in Croke Park and proved very beneficial in underlining best practice in this area. We also liaised with the Games
Managers in supplying PR training to our team of coaches.
Website and Social Media
Offaly’s Niall Murphy ended his two year term with Leinster last July and huge credit is due to him and his team for the high
standards set for Leinster GAA in terms of our social media and digital presence. In building on this progress we are happy to
report that by the end of 2015 we had broken the 20,000 mark for Twitter followers and have more than 1 million hits on
leinstergaa.ie and more than 5,000 likes on Facebook and target big increases on these numbers in 2016.
Comhairle Laighean Awards
The Hall of Fame Awards announced at the Leinster Senior Hurling and Football Finals saw Des Barry of Longford recognised in
football and Wicklow great Don Hyland honoured in hurling. Comhairle Laighean Awards for Club Website, County Final Match
Programme, and Referees will take place shortly and new categories are planned which will be put to Coiste Bainistí for approval.
Programmes
The PR office also was responsible for the production of the match programs for all of the biggest match days in Leinster GAA.
Another worthwhile initiative was the promotion and sale of old programmes from the surplus archive to GAA programme
collectors.
Submissions to Coiste Bainistí
A number of submissions were made to Coiste Bainisti during the year, relating to various aspects of the Comhairle’s operations
and most were accepted. It is hoped to complete the naming of cups in Leinster in 2016.
Barretstown
We had another strong year of support for our charity partners in Barretstown. Their phenomenal work with sick children is
deserving of our public backing and their efforts were aided by the publicity they gain from their association with Leinster on
high profile days and they are very appreciative of that support. We hope to work more closely with them in 2016 and have
designed a new Leinster GAA jersey featuring the Barretstown logo on the front.
Functions
Several initiatives throughout the year were also strongly support by the committee. These included the Go Games under 8
days at Croke Park, the successful TV promotion of the Leinster Inter-Provincial Wheelchair Hurlers, our Bursary Awards Night
and the media launch of the Strategic Vision and Action Plan.
63
64
Leinster GAA
BUÍOCHAS
Committee Members
The members of the committee are thanked for their generous input of time, effort and good suggestions which have led to
some very productive and interesting events and developments.
Media
This year again showed the positive and productive developments that happen when you work with as opposed to against the
media. Although we may not always be in favour of everything they produce, the GAA is still fortunate to have an excellent
press corp at national and local level in print, radio, TV and increasingly online who are passionate about Gaelic games and play
a crucial role in spreading our message and promoting our games.
John Cotter
In closing, it is important that we take time to honour the contribution of John Cotter to Comhairle Laighean. Originally from
Kilkenny, but happily domiciled in the O’Moore County for many years, John this year brought the curtain down on 24 years of
sterling service to Leinster GAA and was responsible for charting the Commercial, Marketing and PR path of Leinster for many
years. The following tribute was penned by Paddy Flanagan for the Leinster senior football final match programme on July 12 –
JC’s last ‘shift’ for us at Croke Park and it is apt that we reproduce it here:
Today we bid farewell to John Cotter, the man who has been the marketing and publicity
face of Comhairle Laighean for almost 25 years.
He will be fondly remembered for his pleasant - though business-like - dealings with
corporate bodies in the important area of sponsorship, while his Leinster Championship
match programmes typified his attention to detail in all matters.
Approachable and helpful, almost to a fault, a possible drawback of John’s was his
inability to say ‘no’! No job was ever too big or too small and he was always in good
humour. Regardless of what crisis he faced, he never came across as being vexed, indeed
all issues were handled with calm efficiency – he invariably ends a conversation with the
words, “it’ll be fine.”
He was always immersed in his work and was never satisfied unless he met his own
impeccably high standards. His cordiality and good humour endear him to all who know
him, most especially his work colleagues.
John’s tenancy of Áras Laighean was highly productive for the province. Unsparing in his
efforts towards the development and expansion of Comhairle Laighean, he brought a
wide range of expertise to his many and varied tasks.
He leaves us today and we will miss him.
Slán agus beannacht, John.
Pat Teehan
Chairman
Cian Murphy
Secretary
65
An Coiste Cultúr
An Coiste Gaeilge
Máire Ní Cheallaigh (Áth Cliath) Cathaoirleach • Dónall Ó hIceadha (Áth Cliath) • Séamus Ó Beirne (Loch Garman)
Brian Ó Cléirigh (Loch Garman) • Tiarnán de Hál (An Mhí) • Cormac Breathnach (Ceatharlach)
Thar ceann an Choiste ba mhaith liom buíochas a ghabháil le gach éinne a chabhraigh linn i mbliana. Ba mhaith linn chomh
maith buíochas ó chroí a ghabháil le Brian Ó Cléirigh atá ag éirí as mar go bhfuil sé chomh gnóthach sin.
The Committee would like to thank Brian Ó Cléirigh who has had to retire from the Committee due to pressure of work. Brian
has worked very hard over the years for the Committee and in helping out clubs with the correct version of their names for the
signposts he uncovered medieval Irish documents which gave the correct and original version. Copies of some of these are in
club houses now. Go raibh maith agat a Bhriain.
The Committee was also saddened this year at the death, after a long illness, of Clare Ó Beirne, the wife of Séamus Ó Beirne, our
Committee member. We would like to sympathise with Séamus and his family on their loss. I would also like to thank Leinster
Council staff for ensuring that we were informed so that I could attend the funeral.
The Coiste was delighted that the campaign to have Gaeilge on Hawkeye succeeded this year. The simple Tá and Níl was
understood by everyone and drew no complaints that I am aware of – an unusual event when Irish is in question! It certainly
shows ‘nach neart go cur le chéile’.
We are liaising with the national Coiste Gaeilge to ensure the implementation of the new Strategic Plan. At the moment
we await its approval by the Coiste Bainistí and then we have agreed to meet with the national Committee to carve out a
programme of work. We anticipate that that will be our primary focus in the coming year.
We have considered the role of the Oifigeach Gaeilge and the Oifigeach Scór. We feel that these roles should be separated and
that each club should have a dedicated officer for each role. They require different skills and while we appreciate that clubs have
difficulty recruiting officers we feel that the Oifigeach Gaeilge need not be somebody involved in teams and could be recruited
into the club to carry out that role – and they do not need be teachers! Many clubs have an Oifigeach Gaeilge in name only and,
with a little effort, a capable person could be found.
The meetings of our Coiste take place in Dublin as it is an easier commute for all members and it is also more cost effective
for the Council. This means that we are cut off from the staff in Portlaoise but the staff in Leinster Council are still as helpful
as ever and we thank them for that.
Thar ceann an Choiste ba mhaith liom buíochas a ghabháil le gach éinne a chabhraigh linn i mbliana agus gach rath a ghuí ar
an obair don bhliain seo chugainn.
Máire Ní Cheallaigh
Chairperson
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Leinster GAA
Coiste Scór Laighean
Our national Scór competitions are being brought forward earlier each year – which means our Leinster Scór Finals are arranged
earlier as well. The Leinster Scór na nÓg final was held on January 3rd, 2016.
The Senior Scór semi-finals will be held on Saturday, February 20th, 2016 in Birr in Co. Offaly and also on Sunday, February 21st
in Allenwood GAA Club in Kildare.
Arising from a decision taken by Coiste Náisiúnta Scór it was decided that, to commemorate 1916, the GAA, through one of
its cultural branches, would welcome the participation of Second Level Schools in a competition for ‘Newly Composed Ballads’
in a traditional style, accompanied or unaccompanied and as Gaeilge or in English which can be set to an existing or newly
composed air.
Ballads should deal with the Spirit, Legacy of Leaders or Events of 1916 and/or the growth and development of the GAA over
the past 100 years.
Domhnall Ó hIceadha
Secretary
Leinster Scór Winners 2014/15
Scór na nÓg
Scór Sinsear
Rince Fóirne
CLG na Dúnta (An Iarmhí)
Amy Ní Dagg, Erica Ní hEidin,
Niamh Ní Ruain, Sophie Seoigh,
Serena Ní Ghaoithín, Caitlín Nic
Craith, Orllaith Ní Mhuirí, Cara Ní
Ogáin
Rince Fóirne
Na Seamróga Muileann gCearr
(Co Íarmhí)
Gearóidín Ní Chornalaigh, Kim
Nic Diarmada, Cáit Ní Mhurchú,
Máire Seosamhín Ní Oireachtaigh,
Sorcha Ní Muhurchú, Síle Máire Ní
Mháirtín, Úna Ní Fhágáin, Máire Ní
Bhuachalla
Amhránaiocht Aonair CLG Colmcille (An Longfort)
Nathan Ó Brádaigh
Aithriseoireacht
/Scealaiocht
Rachel Ní Laighin
CLG Naomh Pádraig Árd Achadh
(An Longfort)
Ceol Uirlise
CLG Na Fianna (Úibh Fháilí)
Fionnán MacArtáin, Muireann Nic
Artáin, Cathal Ó Brádaigh, Caireann
Ní Bhrádaigh, Rachel Ní Dhuinn
Leiriú
CLG Na Dúnta (An Iarmhí)
Pól Ó Laigheanáin, Tomás De Tiuit,
Dónall Ó Dubhartaigh, Ruairí Ó Siail,
Maitiú Mac Cuinneagáin, Niamh Ní
Ruain, Serena Ní Ghaothín, Megan
Ní Choinneacháin
Bailéad Ghrupa
CLG Móta Uile Bán (An Iarmhí)
Lisa Nic an Rí, Roisín Nic Am,
Jennifer Ní Chocláin, Séamus Ó
Coinín, Oisín MacEoin.
Rince Seit
CLG Naomh Máirtín (An Lú)
Keri Ní Mháirtín, Keri Ní hAmhaill,
Áine Ní Mhurchú, Ciara Ní
hAnluáin, Jamie Winters, Cónan Ó
Dáilaigh, Séan Ó Loingsigh, Cian Ó
Seachnasaigh
Amhranaiocht AonairMichaela Ní Ogain (Baile
Chaisdleáin Mhic Eochágain, An
Iarmhí)
ALL IRELAND CHAMPION
Aithriseoireacht
/Scealaiocht
Breandán Ó Muinneóg
(Seamróga, Úibh Fháilí)
Ceol Uirlise
Baile Mór (Co Cill Dara)
Áine Ní Mháille, Ruairí de Flóid,
Louise Ní Riain, Niamh Ní Fhlóid,
Brian Mac Amhlaoibh
Leiriu
Seamróga Muileann gCearr
(An Iarmhí)
ALL IRELAND CHAMPIONS
Rebecca Ní Dhubhlainn, Máirtín
Ó Cadhain, Pól Ó Dubhlainn,
Seosamh Ó Mochair, Pól Mac
Diarmada, Roibeárd Ó Riain
Bailead Ghrupa
An Clárach (Úibh Fháilí)
Máire Nic Gearailt, Colette Ní
Choinín, Aisling Ní Chornaille, Pól
Ó Scannláin, Séan Ó Scannláin
Rince Seit
Na Dúnta (Co. Íarmhí)
Seoirse Mac Giolla Chomhgháill,
Dáire Ó Nualláin, Séan Ó Muirí,
Páid Mac Sléibhne, Breanda Deihy,
Gráinne Ní Dhubhda, Fióna Ó
Floinn, Teamhair Ní Chonchúir
67
Comhairle Liathróid
Láimhe Laighean
2015 was in general avery good year for Leinster GAA Handball winning GAA Handball Senior Men’s 40x20 Singles and Doubles
titles, GAA handball Men’s 60x30 Singles and Doubles titles, Senior Hardball Singles and Doubles titles and Robbie McCarthy
Jnr. captaining a very successful GAA Handball Team Ireland at World Handball Championship in Calgary, Canada. One
disappointment was the lack of success of Leinster Female players in GAA Handball Senior Singles and Doubles in both codes.
Leinster GAA Juvenile Handball has fallen behind the others in 40x20 but a significant improvement has taken in the 60x30
code. Coaching programmes have been put in place re-educating existing coaches and providing foundation level coaching to
new handball units within the province.
Crinkle handball Club Offaly has undertaken major refurbishment during 2015 with financial assistance by the way of loans
from Leinster GAA Handball Council. Refurbished reopened in November 2015.
GAA Handball Adult All-Ireland 40x20 Championship
In the GAA Handball All-Ireland series Leinster won 25 of the 50 Adult All-Ireland titles available. Most notably Leinster captured
Senior Singles, Senior Doubles, Minor Doubles and Junior Doubles.
Robbie McCarthy Jnr. (Westmeath) retained His GAA Handball All-Ireland title overcoming Charlie Shanks (Armagh) on a score
of 13-21, 5-21, and 21-20. An exciting match could have gone either way in the third game. Having captured the GAA Handball
Senior Singles 40-20 title he was selected as captain of the GAA Handball Irish World Championship team. Brian Carroll/Tom
Sheridan (Meath) regained the GAA Handball All-Ireland 40-20 doubles title from Paul Brady/Michael Finnegan (Cavan) who
had to retire injured in the third game. Leinster had success in GAA Handball Minor Doubles with Keith Armstrong/Daniel
Kavanagh (Wexford) overcoming Fergal Coughlan/Cathair Agnew (Clare) in an exciting final on a score of 21-19, 8-21, 21-18.
In Junior Doubles Jerome Willoughby/Keith Kavanagh (Wicklow) beat Denis Creaton/Sean Jennings (Roscommon) on a score
of 21-14, 21-15.
2015 GAA Handball Juvenile All-Ireland 40x20 Championship
Leinster only managed to win only 2 GAA All-Ireland 40x20 titles. In Juvenile Girls U-14 Doubles Kildare’s (Molly Dagg/Jade
Tracey) were victorious. In Juvenile Boys U-17 Singles Kildare’s Sean Muddiman took the title.
2015 GAA Handball Juvenile All-Ireland 40x20 Team Championship
Leinster was represented in Juvenile Team competitions by Kilkenny U-12/13 team of 6, Kilkenny U-14/15 Team of 6 and
Kilkenny U-16/17 team of 4. Kilkenny captured the U-12 /13 team title beating Monaghan in the semi-final and Galway in
the final. The Kilkenny team was Billy Drennan, Gearoid Phelan, Sean Purcell, Padraig Lennon, Kyle Dunne, Jamie Maher, Padraig
Foley, and Jack Doyle. The U-14/15 lost out in the semi-final lost out to Monaghan on a score of 71-69. The Kilkenny team: Jack
Buggy, Billy O’Neill, Dylan Crehan, Robert Culleton, Conor Drennan, Patrick Doyle, Shane Cullen, Jack Hayes. In U-16/17 Team of
4 Championships Kilkenny had a bye in the semi-final and beat Tipperary in the final who had overcome Galway in the second
semi-final. Kilkenny: Cathal Barry, Connor Condon, Jack Crehan, James Culleton, Eoin Regan.
2015 Leinster Adult GAA Handball 40x20 Championship
In 2015 there were 286 men’s and 41 Ladies entries in the Leinster GAA handball adult 40x20 championship with Kilkenny
leading the way with 81 with all 12 Leinster Counties represented. Overall entries at 327 were down from 26 from 353 entries
in 2014. Leinster GAA Handball titles were spread across ten of the twelve counties. Leading the way was Wexford winning 14
titles followed by Kilkenny with 7 titles.
Wexford won the Leinster GAA Handball Minor 40x20 Singles and Doubles. Wicklow captured Junior Singles and Doubles titles.
Intermediate titles were shared by Offaly with David Hope winning the singles and Brendan Burke/Ciaran Neary (Kilkenny)
capturing the Intermediate Doubles Title.
68
Leinster GAA
Westmeath’s Robbie McCarthy Jnr. won the Senior Singles title and Meath’s Tom Sheridan/Brian Carroll took the doubles
title. Michael ‘Ducksie’ Walsh (Kilkenny) and Mickey Dowling (Kildare) continued on their winning ways with Mickey Dowling
(Kildare) adding the Emerald Masters an All-Ireland Singles Title.
Aoife McCarthy (Westmeath) won the Ladies Senior Singles Title. In so doing, Aoife achieved a unique double for the McCarthy
family of Westmeath. Marie Walshe (Kilkenny) won the Ladies Intermediate Singles Title.
Marguerite Gore (Wexford) won the Junior Singles Title. The Junior Doubles title went to S. Hughes/A. McCormack (Dublin).
The Minor Singles title was won by Hannah Dagg (Kildare), while the Minor Doubles title was won by Hannah Dagg/Kate Dagg
(Kildare).
2015 Leinster Juvenile GAA Handball 40x20 Championship
In 2015 11 of the 12 counties had juvenile entries with all represented at the younger age groups. In the Boys competition there
was 12 Titles available Kilkenny won six, and Wexford won 4, Louth and Kildare picked up one each. In the girls championship
there was a greater spread with Kilkenny, Kildare and Wexford winning three each, with Laois winning 2 two and Wicklow
picking up the remaining one.
2015 Leinster GAA Handball Juvenile All-Ireland 40x20 Team Championship
Wexford, Kildare, Kilkenny, Laois and Carlow all entered teams in Leinster Juvenile team competitions. Wexford and Kilkenny
contested all age group finals with Kilkenny winning all 3 titles going to win All-Ireland Titles at U-12/13 and U-16/17.
2015 Leinster Inter-Club GAA Handball 40x20 Championship
In 2015 there were 7 entries in Junior B, 6 in Junior, and one Open Club Team. Competition is not yet completed.
GAA Handball Adult All-Ireland 60x30 Championship
In the 2015 GAA All-Ireland 60x30 Championship Leinster won the Senior Singles and Doubles, Intermediate Doubles, Junior
Singles, Minor Doubles and Ladies Junior Doubles.
Pride of place must go Robbie McCarthy Jnr. (Westmeath) who recaptured the GAA Handball 60x30 Senior Singles title
overcoming Eoin Kennedy (Dublin) in the final. Dubliners Eoin Kennedy/Carl Browne overcame Michael “Ducksie” Walsh/Ciaran
Neary (Kilkenny) in the final on a score of 11-21, 21-19, and 21-12. Leinster also won Minor Doubles with Keith Armstrong/
Daniel Kavanagh (Wexford) beating Niall Joyce/Patrick Murphy (Mayo) on a sore 21-4, 21-16.
Wexford captured The Intermediate Doubles Tile beating Galway’s Ollie Conway/Martin Mulkerrins on a score of 21-10, 21-10.
Laois (Niamh Dunne/Ciara Dowling) captured Ladies Junior Doubles Title beating Clare’s (Aishling Fitzgerald/Edel O’Grady)on
a score of 21-4, 21-11.
Above: Kilkenny, U-16/17 All-Ireland 40x20 Team Winners
Left: Kilkenny, U-12/13 All-Ireland 40x20 Team Winners
69
GAA Handball Juvenile All –Ireland 60x30 Championship
Leinster juvenile players were in 12 Finals from 15 in total. Winning 7 and losing 5, significant improvement on the 40x20
championship. In the BU-14S Kilkenny (Jack Holden) defeated Roscommon (Dylan Hanley) 15-7, 15-12 and in BU-14D Kilkenny
(Kyle Dunne/Billy O’Neill) defeated Cork (Cian O’Driscoll/Sean Murphy) 15-9, 15-1. And in the GU-14S Kildare (Leah Doyle)
defeated Galway (Niamh Heffernan) 15-12, 9-15, 15-6. Success also in BU-15S for Kilkenny (Eoin Brennan) who defeated Kerry
(Dara Keane) 15-2, 15-7, and in GU-15S Kilkenny (Dearbhail O’Keeffe) defeated Mayo (Cora Conlon) 15-5, 15-0. In BU-17S
Kildare (Kevin Diggins) defeated Waterford (Charlie McDonagh) 21-19, 21-16 and in BU-17D Wexford (Liam Rossiter/Laurence
Dunne) defeated Tipperary (Barry O’Meara/Dan Healy) 21-14, 21-12.
GAA Handball Inter Cub All-Ireland 60x30 Championship
Leinster club teams won 2 of the 4 All-Ireland Inter-Club Titles available. Kells (Meath) won the Open Final beating Ballaghaderreen
(Mayo) on a score 98-97. In Junior B, Ballymore Eustace (Kildare) had an easy win over Boherbue (Cork) on a score of 65-32. In
Junior, Coolboy (Wicklow) lost their semi-final to Breacach (Tyrone) on a score of 126-82, who beat Cashel (Tipperary) to win
the title. In the Intermediate Final Clogh (Kilkenny) lost to Hospital (Limerick) on a score of 98-81.
GAA Handball All-Ireland Juvenile 60x30 Team of 6/4
In Boys U-12/13 60x30 Team of Six Final. Wexford (Cian Browne, Mark Doyle, Josh Kavanagh, Ben Keeling, Conor Murphy, and
Dean O’Neill) defeated Tipperary on a score of 66-59. In Boys U-14/15 60x30 Team of Six Final. Kilkenny (Robert Dowling, Jack
Kerins, Michael Power, Kieran Buckley, Shane Fahy, Joe Cowhig and substitute Conor Hoban) lost out on a score of 90-40 to Cork.
No competition took place at U-16/17 Team 4.
2015 Leinster Adult GAA Handball 60x30 Championship
In 2015 there were 246 men’s and 25 Ladies entries in 48 Leinster Adult 60x30 Championship grades from 11 counties. 9
of the 11 counties won Leinster Titles, leading the way Wexford 19 titles followed by Kilkenny with 8 titles and Dublin with
5 titles. Shane Dunne (Kilkenny) won Minor Singles. Keith Armstrong / Daniel Kavanagh (Wexford) win the minor doubles.
Wexford won both junior and Intermediate Singles and doubles. Paul Lambert (Wexford) won the Junior Singles and with
partner Paddy Haughton won the Junior Doubles. Mick Berry (Wexford) won the Intermediate Singles and, with his brother, won
the Intermediate Doubles.
Aoife Holden (Kilkenny) won the Ladies Minor Singles and, together with her partner Deidre Purcell, won the Ladies Minor
Doubles. Niamh Dunne (Laois) won the Ladies Singles and, with her partner Ciara Dowling, won the Ladies Junior Doubles.
Rachel Hogan (Kilkenny) won the ladies intermediate Singles and Sabrina Hughes/Meadhbh Ni Dhalaigh (Dublin) won the
Ladies Intermediate Doubles. As this was a World Championship year the Senior Mens and Ladies Singles and Doubles have yet
to be played.
Left: Ballymore (KE) Junior B Inter-Club
60x30 Winners 2015
Below: Kells (MH) Open Club 60x30
Winners 2015
70
Leinster GAA
2015 Leinster Juvenile GAA Handball 60x30 Championship
Eleven Leinster counties entered players in Leinster Juvenile 60x30 Championship. In boy’s competition Kilkenny won 5 titles,
Wexford won 4 titles with Kildare, Laois and Louth picking up one each. In the girl’s competition Kilkenny won 8 titles with
Kildare and Wexford winning 2 each.
2015 Leinster Juvenile 60x30 Team Winners
Wexford won the U-12/13 Team of six with Kilkenny nominated in U-14/15 team of six and U-16/17 team of 4. Wexford
U-12/13 went on to win the All-Ireland title.
2015 Leinster Juvenile 40x20 Team Winners
In the U-12/13 team of 6 Wexford played Kilkenny in the Leinster final and what turned out to be a great battle winning by
10 aces. In the All-Ireland final Wexford went to defeat Tipperary having previously overcome Monaghan in the semi-final. The
U-14/15 team of 6 Kilkenny played Wexford in the Leinster final and again some great handball played and great excitement
at the end when winning by 3 aces. Kilkenny U-14/15 Team of 6 travelled to Tulla, Co. Clare to play Tyrone in the All Ireland
semi-final. Unfortunately, on the day, Tyrone defeated Kilkenny. The U-16/17 team of 4 Wexford defeated Kilkenny to win the
Leinster final. In the All-Ireland semi-final. Wexford were defeated by Monaghan.
GAA Handball All Ireland 40x20 2nd Level Colleges Championships
Leinster captured 2 Colleges 40x20 All-Ireland and were runners-up in one other. These results reflect the status of Juvenile
40x20 handball in Leinster. In the Boys Intermediate Doubles final Shane Dunne & Padraig Cooney (Castlecomer CS, Kilkenny)
defeated Patrick Murphy & Niall Joyce (St. Colman’s Claremorris) 15-7, 15-9. In Senior Singles Boys final Keith Armstrong (FCJ
Bunclody, Wexford) defeated Shane Murphy (Hazelwood College Dromcollogher, Limerick) 15-10, 15-10. In the Senior Doubles
final Emmet Landy & Darragh O’Shea (Coláiste Eamann Ris, Callan, Kilkenny) lost to Jonathan Walsh & Daniel Hayes (Cashel
Community College, Tipperary) on a score 15-6, 15-1.
2015 Leinster GAA Handball Colleges 40x20 Championship
In the Leinster Colleges 40x20 Handball Championship, Kilkenny Colleges won 4 titles with Wexford winning 3 in boy’s
competition. In Girls Championship Kildare and Kilkenny won 2 titles each. BU-19S Keith Armstrong (FCJ Bunclody, Wexford).
BU-19D Emmet Landy & Darragh O’Shea (Coláiste Eamann Ris, Callan). BU-15S Eoin Brennan (St Kieran’s College, Kilkenny).
BU-15D Padraig Dunne/Eoin Doheny (Col Mhuire Johnstown, Kilkenny). BU-17D Shane Dunne/Padraig Cooney (Castlecomer,
Kilkenny). BU-17 S Daniel Kavanagh (Wexford VC, Wexford). 1st Year Boys Glen Murphy Butler (Wexford CBS, Wexford). GU-16
Aoife Holden (Grennan Col, Kilkenny). GU-19 Katie Dagg/Hannah Dagg (Coláiste Chiaráin, Leixlip, Kildare). GU-16 Mollie Dagg/
Ciara Harrington (Coláiste Chiaráin Leixlip. Kildare). GU-19 Niamh Dunne (Scoil Mhuire, Johnstown, Kilkenny).
2015 Leinster Colleges 60x30 All-Ireland Winners
Girls Junior Singles Final: Aoife Holden (Grennan College, Kilkenny) defeated Laura Finn (Coláiste Mhuire, Ballymote) 15-1, 15-0.
Boys Senior Singles Final: Keith Armstrong (FCJ, Bunclody, Wexford) defeated Ryan Mullan (Omagh CBS) 10-15, 15-5, 15-6.
Boys Intermediate Doubles SF2: Padraig Cooney/Shane Dunne (Castlecomer C.S. Kilkenny) defeated David Walsh/Tadgh O’ Neill
(Patrician Academy Mallow Cork) 15-6, 15-8.
Wexford - All-Ireland U-12/13 60x30 Team Winners 2015
71
Above: President Willie Roche with Leinster and All-Ireland GAA
Handball Hardball Doubles Champions 2015, Tom Sheridan & Brian
Carroll of Meath
Left: Robbie McCarthy of Westmeath - All-Ireland 40x20 Champion
2015 Leinster Wall Ball Singles Tournament
A very successful Tournament was held in Ballacolla and Cullohill, Laois on the Saturday of the June Bank Holiday. Entries were
not huge but all participants enjoyed the competition.
RESULTS
Mens B Final: Daniel Kavanagh (Wexford) defeated Galen Riordan (Wexford) 21-9
Silver/Golden Master Final: Paddy Donovan (Laois) defeated Martin Lalor (Kilkenny)21-4.
Open: David Hope (Offaly) defeated Jerome Willoghby (Wicklow) 21-12 and 21-15.
DM/RM: Eugene Kennedy (Dublin) defeated Sean Devlin (Louth) 21-10 and 21-18.
Mens C: Pauric Buggy (Laois) defeated Kevin Brennan (Laois) 21-8.
Mens Challenger: Shane Murphy (Wexford) beat Geoffrey Atkinson (Carlow) 21-8.
2015 Leinster Wall Ball Doubles Tournament
A very successful Tournament was held in Ballacolla, Laois on the first Saturday in November. Entries were not very big but all
participants enjoyed the competition.
RESULTS
Mens C Doubles: Kevin Brennan and Michael Donovan (Laois) defeated Darren Carter and Jack McCarthy (Westmeath) 16-11.
Mens D Doubles: Glen O’Kelly and Matthew Patterson (Wicklow) defeated Jimmy and Eamon Purcell (Kilkenny) 25-22.
Ladies Singles: Marie Walsh (Kilkenny) defeated Niamh Dunne (Laois) 17-15.
2015 GAA Handball Hardball Championships
Leinster had 4 entrants in Senior Hardball singles, 2 from Dublin and one each from Kildare and Wexford. Eoin Kennedy (Dublin)
retained the Senior Singles title beating Joe McCann (Mayo) on a score of 21-12 and 21-8. In Senior Hardball Doubles Leinster
had 5 entrants one each from Meath, Kildare, Kilkenny, Wexford and Kilkenny. Meath pair of Tom Sheridan/Brian Carroll beat Joe
McCann/Dessie Keegan (Mayo) on a score of 21-20, 21-9.
In Intermediate Singles Leinster had 2 entries, one each from Kilkenny and Wexford. Ciaran Neary (Kilkenny) went on to win
All-Ireland Intermediate singles beating Dominic Lynch (Kerry) on a score of 5-21, 21-19 and 21-17. In Intermediate Doubles
Leinster had 3 entries 2 from Kilkenny and one from Wicklow. Wicklow (Paddy O’Donnell/Pat Quaile) reach the final losing out
to Kerry (Dominic Lynch / John Joe Quirke) on a score of 21-9, 21-8.
In Junior Singles Leinster had 4 entries, 2 from Meath one each from Kilkenny and Wicklow. Kilkenny’s Brendan Burke and
Jerome Willoughby Wicklow reached the final with Brendan Burke winning on a score of 21-18 and 21-12. In Junior Doubles
Leinster had 4 entrants 2 from Meath and one each from Wicklow and Louth. Meath (Peter Reilly/Joe Cummins) reached the
final losing out to Cork (Daniel Relihan/John Hedigan) on a score of 21-15, 18-21, 21-9.
In Minor Leinster had 4 entries, 2 from Kilkenny and one each from Louth and Wexford. Kilkenny (Shane Dunne) reached the
final losing out to Mayo (Niall Joyce) on a score of 21-12, 21-10. In Minor Doubles Leinster had 2 entrants, one each from
Kilkenny and Wexford both losing out at semi-final stage.
72
Leinster GAA
Above: Paula Doyle (Leixlip, Kildare), Joint Manager of the
Ireland team for the World 40x20 Championships
Right: Willie Roche with Eoin Kennedy 2015 GAA Handball
Senior Hardball Champion
GAA Handball Gael Linn
Clogh and Kilfane both from Kilkenny represented Leinster in Gael Linn Finals with Clogh (Kilkenny) winning the cup final.
Kilfane lost the quarter-final of the cup competition and lost out in the semi-final of the plate competition.
2015 Leinster Second Colleges 60x30 Handball Championship
The Leinster finals have just being completed. There were records college entries throughout Leinster but the winners emerged
from Kilkenny, Wexford and Kildare. The All-Ireland semi-finals and finals are due to be played on Saturday 21/11/2015 in
Tipperary and Waterford.
BOYS
Junior Singles (U-15): Grennan College Thomastown – Jack Holden
Junior Doubles (U-15): Castlecomer CS – Kyle Dunne & Bily O’Neill
Intermediate Singles (U-17): Castlecomer CS – Shane Dunne
Intermediate Doubles (U-17): St. Mary’s CBS Enniscorthy – Liam Rossiter & Anthony Butler
Senior Singles (U-19): Col Chiarain Leixlip – Kevin Diggins
Senior Doubles (U-19): St. Kieran’s – Sean Carey & Dion Burke
GIRLS
Junior Singles (U-16): Pres SS Kilkenny – Edel Mullholland
Junior Doubles (U-16): Col Chiarain Leixlip – Leah Doyle & Molly Dagg
Senior Singles (U-19): Grennan Thomastown – Aoife Holden
Senior Doubles (U-19): Castlecomer CS – Catriona Lawlor & Aileen Hennessy
2015 GAA Handball Ireland 40x20 Team for the World Championship
Mens Senior Singles Robbie McCarthy (Westmeath)
Boys 17 & Under Daniel Kavanagh (Wexford)
Paula Doyle (Joint Manager) is from the Leixlip Club in Kildare and is a member of the GAA club executive and has been involved
with Juveniles in the club for the past four years Leinster GAA Website
A special big thank you to Cian Murphy who continues to support handball information on the Leinster GAA website. To date
weekly information updates in relation to Handball are proving very successful and receiving many hits.
Pat Ryan
Leinster Handball Administrator
73
President’s Award Leinster Recipients
2004
Paddy Kelly (MH)
Paddy Flanagan (WM)
Kevin O’Brien (WW)
John Doyle (WX)
Con Ryan (D)
Miriam Malone (KE)
Michael Walsh (KK)
2005
William Price (D)
John Cullen (WX)
Bro. Denis Minihane (OY)
Paddy Collins (WM)
Patsy Kiernan (D)
John Nevin (CW)
2006
Martin Quigley (WX)
Kevin Heffernan (D)
Tadhg de Brun (D)
George Delaney (WW)
Margaret Delaney (LS)
Donal Hickey (D)
Marcus de Burca (D)
Jimmy Bergin (KK)
2007
Tommy O’Brien (KK)
Podge Butler (KK)
Gerry Buckley (WM)
Pat Holland (LH)
Bro. Bosco Mulhare (LS/CW)
Lulu Carroll (LS)
2008
John Ryan (LD)
Fr. Moling Lennon (CW/KE)
Michael Noel Byrne (OY)
74
2009
Fr. Michael Cremin (WM)
L.V. Conway (CW)
Peter Keogh (WW)
Ned Quinn (KK)
2010
Tommy McLoughlin (LD)
Charlie McAllister (LH)
Mary Donohue, (LS)
Cathal Friel (WW)
Christopher Hughes (D)
2011
Fintan Ginnity (MH)
John Curtis (WX)
2012
Brian Finnegan (WW)
Tommy Nally (KE)
Fitzhenry Family, Duffry Rovers WX)
Martin Meagher, Carlow IT (3rd Level)
Rosemount GAA Club (WM) Social Initiative
2013
Michael Mulhaire (LS)
Noel Murphy (D)
Michael Dowling (LS)
Peter Rice (WX)
Seán Gavin (CW)
2014
Máire Ní Cheallaigh (DB)
Maureen Kincaid (OY)
2015
Har Ramsbottom (LS)
Kevin Loughlin (MH)
Leinster GAA
GAA Volunteers’ Awards Leinster Roll of Honour
Leinster Hall of Fame
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011 2012
2013
2014
2015
Michael “Ducksie” Walsh (Kilkenny)
Leinster Camogie Team of the Century
Brian Smith (Meath)
Tony Doran (Wexford)
Pat Henderson (Kilkenny)
Damien Martin (Offaly)
Pat Critchley (Laois)
Jimmy Gray (Dublin)
Eddie Keher (Kilkenny)
David Kilcoyne (Westmeath)
Pat Dunney (Kildare)
Paddy Quirke (Carlow)
Don Hyland (Wicklow)
Seán Óg Ó Ceallachán (Dublin)
Paddy Flanagan (Westmeath)
Kevin Heffernan (Dublin)
Sean Boylan (Meath)
Eugene McGee (Longford)
Seamus Aldridge (Kildare)
Frank Lynch (Louth)
Kevin O'Brien (Wicklow)
Cyril Hughes (Carlow)
Matt Connor (Offaly)
Mick Carty (Wexford)
Jack Kenna (Laois)
Des Barry (Longford)
Comhairle Laighean Website Award
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
Tara Rowan, Jeff Sheridan & Brendan Cummins (Meath GAA)
Chris Lynam (St. Brigid’s GAA Club, Dublin)
Brian Ramsbottom and David Kelly (Park-Ratheniska GAA Club, Laois)
Paddy Bates and Gerry O'Sullivan (Ballyboden St. Enda's GAA Club, Dublin)
Fearghal Gogan and Aidan McHugh (Dunshaughlin GAA Club, Meath)
Fergus McNally and Noel Manning (St. Jude’s GAA Club, Dublin)
Marc Cunningham and Anthony Rowan (The Downs Club, Westmeath)
Colm Devaney, Jimmy Halpin, John Dowd (Emmet Og GAA Club, Longford)
to be announced in February 2016
Comhairle Laighean Match Programme Award
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
Alan Aherne (Wexford)
Brendan Cummins (Meath)
John Duffy (Longford)
Mary Foley (Wexford)
Brendan Cummins (Meath)
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
Ronan Lynch (Louth)
Ronan Lynch (Louth)
Tomás Moore (Laois)
Martin O’Halloran (Meath)
to be announced, Feb. 2016
75
Comhairle Laighean
Chrannchur na gCluichí 2016
LEINSTER SENIOR FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP
LEINSTER SENIOR HURLING CHAMPIONSHIP
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
FINAL
ROUND ROBIN - ROUND 1
Carlow v
Offaly v
Kerry v
Offaly v
Kerry v
Westmeath v
QUARTER FINALS
A
Dublin v
B Round Robin Winner v
C Round Robin R-Up v
SEMI FINALS
1
A v
2
C v
FINAL
1 v
Laois
Louth
Longford
1
2
3
Wexford
4
6
8
v
v
v
v
v
v
v
v
v
v
Wicklow
Carlow
Offaly
Dublin
Meath
Westmeath
Kildare
5
7
9
ELECTRIC IRELAND
LEINSTER MINOR FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP
1
Kilkenny v Wexford
2
Dublin v Offaly
3
Kildare v Wicklow
4
Meath v Laois
5
Carlow v Louth
6
Westmeath v Longford
LOSERS SECTION - ROUND I
LOSERS SECTION - ROUND II
QUARTER FINALS
SEMI FINALS
FINAL
ELECTRIC IRELAND
LEINSTER MINOR HURLING CHAMPIONSHIP
TIER 1 TIER 2 TIER 3
Kilkenny
Westmeath
Carlow
Dublin
Laois
Kildare
Offaly
Wicklow
Wexford
Meath
1 Wexford v Westmeath
2 Laois v Offaly
3 Carlow v Kildare
A Winners of Tier 3 v Losers Tier 2
B Winners of Tier 2 v Tier 1
C Winners of A v Losers of B
Winners of B & C qualify for Semi Finals
Westmeath
Kerry
Westmeath
Carlow
Carlow
Offaly
Wexford
Galway
Laois
Kilkenny
B
2
EIRGRID LEINSTER UNDER 21 F.C.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
FINAL
Wicklow
Wexford
Louth
2
Kildare
3
Meath
4
6
8
v
v
v
v
v
v
v
v
v
v
Carlow
Longford
Laois
Westmeath
Offaly
1
Dublin
5
7
9
LEINSTER JUNIOR FOOTBALL
Draw not made at time of going to print
LEINSTER INTERMEDIATE HURLING
1
FINAL
Wexford v Galway
Kilkenny v 1
BORD GAIS ENERGY LEINSTER UNDER 21 HC
1
2
3
4
5
6
FINAL
76
Kilkenny
Dublin
Carlow
Kildare
1
3
5
v
v
v
v
v
v
v
Westmeath
Wexford
Laois
Offaly
2
4
6
Leinster GAA
Comhairle Laighean
Clár na gCluichí 2016
Peil Sinsir
1
2
3
Laois v Wicklow
Louth v Carlow
Longford v Offaly
7
4
5
6
Kildare
Dublin
Meath
Westmeath
v
v
v
v
VENUE
O’Moore Park, Portlaoise
O’Connor Park, Tullamore
Wexford Croke Park
Laois/Wicklow Nowlan Park, Kilkenny
Louth/Carlow Parnell Park/Pairc Tailteann
Longford/Offaly Cusack Park, Mullingar
DATE
14.05.16 (Sat 7.00pm)
14.05.16 (Sat 5.00pm)
15.05.16
29.05.16 (2.00pm)
04.06.16 (Sat 7.00pm) TV
12.06.16
12.06.16
8 9
4 v 5
6 v 7
Croke Park
Croke Park
26.06.16 (TV)
26.06.16 (TV)
FINAL
8 v 9
Croke Park
17.07.16 (TV)
VENUE
DATE
Tralee
Cusack Park, Mullingar
01.05.16
01.05.16
Tralee
O’Connor Park
07.05.16 (Sat)
07.05.16 (Sat)
IOMÁINT SINSIR
Round 1
1
2
Kerry v Carlow
Westmeath v Offaly
Round 2
1
2
Kerry v Westmeath
Offaly v Carlow Round 3
1
2
Carlow v Westmeath
Offaly v Kerry
QUARTER-FINALS
1
2
3
Dublin v Wexford
Croke Park
Galway v Group Winners Group Winners*
Laois v Group R-Up
Group Runner-Up*
Netwatch Cullen Park, Carlow 22.05.16
22.05.16
29.05.16 (4.00pm) TV
05.06.16
05.06.16
SEMI-FINALS
1
2
Winner QF 1 v Kilkenny
Winner QF 2 v Winner QF 3
O’Moore Pk/Wexford Pk
t.b.c.
11.06.16 (Sat 7.00pm) TV
19.06.16 (TV)
FINAL
Winner SF 1 v Winner SF 2
Croke Park
03.07.16
*Leinster counties only
77
IOMÁINT MÍONÚIr ELECTRIC IRELAND
VENUE
PEIL MÍONÚIr ELECTRIC IRELAND
1
Kilkenny v Wexford 2
Dublin v Offaly
3
Kildare v Wicklow 4
Meath v Laois 5
Carlow v Louth
6
Westmeath v Longford Qualifier Round 1 (Date subject to Leaving Cert Practicals)
Qualifier Round 2 (Date subject to Leaving Cert Practicals)
Quarter-finals
Semi-finals
Final VENUE
Quarter-finals
1
Kilkenny v Westmeath 2
Dublin v Wexford 3
Carlow v Laois
4
Kildare v Offaly Semi-finals
5
Winner 1 v Winner 2
6
Winner 3 v Winner 4 Final
FÉ 21 BLIAIN PEILE EIRGRID
VENUE
Semi-final
Galway v Wexford
Final
Semi-final Winner v Kilkenny
78
DATE
25.05.16
Innovate Wexford Park
01.06.16
St Conleths Park, Newbridge 25.05.16
t.b.c.
t.b.c.
t.b.c.
15.06.16
22.06.16
06.07.16
VENUE
DATE
Round 1
1
Wicklow v Carlow
Carlow
2
Wexford v Longford Wexford 3
Louth v Laois
Louth
Quarter-finals
4
Wexford/Longford v Westmeath
Wexford/Longford 5
Kildare v Offaly
t.b.c.
6
Louth/Laois v Wicklow/Carlowt.b.c.
7
Meath v Dublin
Meath
Semi-finals
Leinster Final IOMÁINT IDIRMHEANACH
DATE
Nowlan Park, Kilkenny
16.04.16
Parnell Park
16.04.16
Aughrim
16.04.16
16.04.16
16.04.16
t.b.c.
27.04.16 (Wed)
t.b.c.
04.05.16 (Wed)
t.b.c.
21.05.16 (Wed)
t.b.c.
06.07.16 (Wed)
Croke Park
17.07.16
FÉ 21 BLIAIN IOMÁINT BORD GAIS
DATE
1
Wexford v Westmeath
09.04.16
2
Laois v Offaly
09.04.16
3
Carlow v Kildare
4
Wicklow v Meath
Aughrim
09.04.16
Round 2
23.04.16
Quarter-finals
30.04.16
Semi-finals
14.05.16
Final
03.07.16
VENUE
Nowlan Park / O’Connor Pk
24.02.16 (Wed)
24.02.16 (Wed)
24.02.16 (Wed)
02.03.16 (Wed)
02.03.16 (Wed)
02.03.16 (Wed)
02.03.16 (Wed)
16.03.16 (Wed)
or 19.03.16 (Sat)
30.03.16 (Wed)
DATE
29.06.16
13.07.16
Leinster GAA
Cluichí Laighean 2015
BORD NA MÓNA O’BYRNE CUP SENIOR FOOTBALL
03/01 04/01 04/01 04/01 04/01
04/01 04/01 04/01 07/01 07/01 07/01 07/01 07/01 07/01 07/01 07/01 10/01
11/01 11/01 11/01 11/01 11/01 11/01 11/01 18/01 18/01 25/01 DCU . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (3-13) Longford . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Dublin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (1-12) Maynooth University . . . .
Offaly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (2-12) Laois . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Kildare . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (1-16) Louth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Meath . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (1-13) Westmeath . . . . . . . . . . . .
DIT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (1-12) Wexford . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Wicklow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (2-14) Carlow IT . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
UCD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (0-18) Carlow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Dublin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (0-17) Offaly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Maynooth University . . . . (0-18) Laois . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
UCD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (2-08) Louth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Kildare . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (2-07) Carlow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Meath . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (1-17) Longford . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Westmeath . . . . . . . . . . . . . (3-11) DCU . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Wexford . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (1-13) Carlow IT . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
DIT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (3-10) Wicklow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Meath . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (1-14) DCU . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Dublin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (1-12) Laois . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Offaly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (1-17) Maynooth University . . . .
Kildare . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (0-21) UCD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Carlow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (3-08) Louth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Westmeath . . . . . . . . . . . . . (2-11) Longford . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Wexford . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (2-15) Wicklow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
DIT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (1-12) Carlow IT . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Kildare . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (2-15) DIT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Dublin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (1-15) Meath . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Dublin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (0-24) Kildare . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(0-11)
(1-05) (0-09) (0-07) (0-10) (0-14) (2-09) (1-12) (0-13) (1-07) (0-12) (1-09)
(1-09) (2-13) (0-13) (1-12) (1-14) (1-11) (0-03) (1-05) (1-12) (0-10) (2-11) (1-09) (0-09) (1-13) (0-19) BORD NA MÓNA WALSH CUP SENIOR HURLING
11/01 11/01 11/01 11/01 18/01 18/01 20/01 23/01 25/01 25/01 25/01 01/02
01/02
07/02
Carlow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Antrim . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Laois . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Offaly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Wexford . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Galway . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Dublin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Carlow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Dublin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Laois . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Galway . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Dublin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Galway . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Galway . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(1-13) NUI Galway . . . . . . . . . . . .
(1-22) DIT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(2-22) UCD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(2-15) Westmeath . . . . . . . . . . . .
(1-21) UCD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(1-21) Westmeath . . . . . . . . . . . .
(4-20) DIT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(2-19) NUI Galway . . . . . . . . . . . .
(0-28) Antrim . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(4-18) Wexford . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(2-22) Offaly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(2-18) Laois . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(2-18) Carlow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(1-22) Dublin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(2-10) (2-12) (1-08) (1-13) (0-15) (0-16) (1-12) (0-11) (2-12) (1-19) (1-13) (1-11) (0-15) (1-20) Longford
Parnell Park
Tullamore
Newbridge
Mullingar
Gorey
Blessington
Carlow
Parnell Park
Portarlington
Haggardstown
Athy
Navan
Kinnegad
Enniscorthy
Bray
Navan
Portarlington
Tullamore
Newbridge
Carlow
Ballymahon
Gorey
Carlow IT
Newbridge
Navan
Newbridge (AET)
Carlow
St. Pauls GAC, Belfast
Abbeyleix
Mullingar
Gorey
Mullingar
Parnell Park
Fenagh (Play Off)
Parnell Park
Abbeyleix
Tullamore
Portlaoise
Carlow
Croke Park
79
BORD NA MÓNA KEHOE CUP SENIOR HURLING
18/01 18/01 18/01 18/01 25/01 25/01 25/01 25/01 01/02 01/02 01/02 01/02 08/02 Longford . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Meath . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Wicklow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Kildare . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
St. Pats-Mater Dei . . . . . . .
Meath . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Maynooth University . . . .
Wicklow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Meath . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
St. Pats-Mater Dei . . . . . . .
Wicklow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Kildare . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Meath . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(2-15) Louth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(1-16) St. Pats-Mater Dei . . . . . . .
(0-12) Fingal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(0-22) Maynooth University . . . .
(2-14) Longford . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(7-18) Louth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(1-17) Fingal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(1-17) Kildare . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(3-23) Longford . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(2-21) Louth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(3-18) Maynooth University . . . .
(5-27) Fingal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(0-17) Wicklow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(2-07) (0-12) (0-12) (0-14) (1-16) (2-08) (0-06) (1-16) (0-11) (3-12) (0-12) (0-08) (0-07) Longford
Trim
Ballinakill
Hawkfield
Longford
Louth
Dublin
Hawkfield
Trim
Darver
Greystones
IT Blanchardstown
Trim
EIRGRID LEINSTER GAA U-21 FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP
25/02 25/02 25/02 04/03 04/03
04/03 05/03
18/03
18/03 02/04 Laois . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Louth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Longford . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Dublin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Longford . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Meath . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Kildare . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Dublin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Kildare . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Dublin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(4-12) Wexford . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(3-11) Carlow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(4-13) Wicklow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(2-21) Laois . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(1-17) Louth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(1-10) Westmeath . . . . . . . . . . . .
(3-12) Offaly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(2-15) Longford . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(2-15) Meath . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(3-10) Kildare . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(1-11) (2-10) (1-05) (2-10) (1-04) (1-08) (0-09) (3-07) (0-13) (1-12) Bellefield
Clan na Gael
Newtowncashel
Portlaoise
Newtowncashel
Navan
Portlaoise
Navan
Portlaoise
Navan
ELECTRIC IRELAND LEINSTER GAA MINOR HURLING CHAMPIONSHIP
11/04 11/04 11/04 11/04 25/04 25/04 25/04 25/04 09/05
09/05 20/06 21/06 05/07 80
Westmeath . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Meath . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Wexford . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Offaly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Dublin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Kilkenny . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Laois . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Westmeath . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Laois . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Westmeath . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Dublin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Kilkenny . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Kilkenny . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(5-19) Wicklow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(5-11) Kildare . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(2-13) Laois . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(1-19) Carlow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(2-17) Offaly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(1-18) Wexford . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(7-26) Meath . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(3-10) Carlow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(3-15) Offaly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(2-11) Wexford . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(1-17) Westmeath . . . . . . . . . . . .
(2-18) Laois . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(1-17) Dublin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(0-04) (1-11) (0-17) (0-10) (0-13) (1-17) (0-05) (1-14) (1-13) (0-15) (1-08) (0-11) (1-15) Rathdrum
Trim
Wexford
Tullamore
Parnell Park
Wexford (AET)
Trim
Carlow
Portlaoise
Wexford
Mullingar
Kilkenny
Croke Park
Leinster GAA
ELECTRIC IRELAND LEINSTER GAA MINOR FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP
18/04 18/04 18/04 18/04 18/04 29/04 06/05 06/05
15/05 15/05 16/05 16/05 27/06 28/06 12/07 Meath . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Wexford . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Dublin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Louth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Longford . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Offaly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Kildare . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Laois . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Kildare . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Longford . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Meath . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Dublin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Longford . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Kildare . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Kildare . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(1-17) Laois . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(2-14) Westmeath . . . . . . . . . . . .
(2-11) Offaly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(2-14) Kildare . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(1-14) Wicklow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(2-13) Westmeath . . . . . . . . . . . .
(0-14) Offaly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(5-13) Wicklow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(1-10) Laois . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(1-14) Carlow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(0-12) Louth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(3-08) Wexford . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(1-09) Meath . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(3-16) Dublin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(2-15) Longford . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(2-08) (2-11) (1-09) (2-11) (1-08) (1-10) (0-13) (1-13) (1-09) (1-09) (0-11) (0-11) (0-08) (0-13) (1-09) Navan
Wexford
Parnell Park
Drogheda
Blessington
Mullingar
Tullamore
Portlaoise
Portlaoise
Longford
Drogheda
Bellefield
Longford
Croke Park
Croke Park
LEINSTER GAA SENIOR HURLING CHAMPIONSHIP
03/05
03/05
10/05
10/05
24/05
24/05
31/05
06/06
07/06
07/06
20/06
21/06
05/07
Westmeath . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Antrim . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Westmeath . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Laois . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Laois . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Carlow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Dublin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Galway . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Wexford . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Laois . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Galway . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Kilkenny . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Kilkenny . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(2-19) Carlow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(5-17) Laois . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(1-21) Antrim . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(1-17) Carlow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(1-20) Westmeath . . . . . . . . . . . .
(2-18) Antrim . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(0-20) Galway . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(5-19) Dublin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(1-24) Westmeath . . . . . . . . . . . .
(0-29) Offaly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(3-28) Laois . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(5-25) Wexford . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(1-25) Galway . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(2-17) (3-22) (0-07) (1-14) (1-17) (1-11) (1-17) (1-18) (1-16) (0-21) (1-14) (0-16) (2-15) Mullingar
Antrim
Mullingar
Carlow
Portlaoise
Carlow
Croke Park
Tullamore
Mullingar
Portlaoise
Tullamore
Kilkenny
Croke Park
LEINSTER GAA SENIOR FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP
16/05
16/05
17/05
31/05
06/06
13/06
14/06
14/06
28/06
28/06
12/07
Laois . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Longford . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Westmeath . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Dublin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Kildare . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Kildare . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Meath . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Westmeath . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Westmeath . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Dublin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Dublin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(3-16) Carlow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(0-16) Offaly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(3-14) Louth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(4-25) Longford . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(0-16) Laois . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(3-18) Laois . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(2-19) Wicklow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(1-21) Wexford . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(3-19) Meath . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(5-18) Kildare . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(2-13) Westmeath . . . . . . . . . . . .
(0-08) (0-13) (0-16) (0-10) (0-16) (1-11) (3-12) (0-15) (2-18) (0-14) (0-06) Carlow
Tullamore
Drogheda
Croke Park
Tullamore
Tullamore
Navan
Mullingar
Croke Park
Croke Park
Croke Park
81
LEINSTER JUNIOR FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP
20/05 20/05 20/05
26/05 10/06 10/06 25/06 Wexford . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Louth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Longford . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Meath . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Wexford . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Meath . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Wexford . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(3-08) Wicklow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(1-19) Cavan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(2-09) Kildare . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(4-19) Carlow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(3-11) Longford . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(2-11) Louth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(1-10) Meath . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(0-06) (1-18) (0-10) (0-08) (0-12) (0-16) (0-12) Bellefield
Drogheda
Longford
Ratoath
Longford
Drogheda
Wexford
LEINSTER CLUB SENIOR HURLING LEAGUE DIVISION 1 FINAL
07/06 Tullaroan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (1-17) St. Vincents (D) . . . . . . . . . (3-08) Portlaoise
07/06 Kilmacow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (3-13 Castlepollard . . . . . . . . . . . (0-08) Mullingar
24/05 Maynooth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (1-14) Cloneen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (1-07) Carlow
24/05 O.Plunketts/E. Ruadh . . . . (1-14) Leixlip . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (0-09) Portlaoise
BORD GAIS ENERGY LEINSTER GAA U-21 HURLING CHAMPIONSHIP
27/05 27/05 27/05 02/06 24/06 24/06 08/07 Carlow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Offaly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Wexford . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Kilkenny . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Wexford . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Kilkenny . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Wexford . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(2-15) Laois . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(2-15) Westmeath . . . . . . . . . . . .
(0-23) Kildare . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(4-12) Dublin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(2-16) Offaly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(2-14) Carlow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(4-17) Kilkenny . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(4-07) (1-10) (0-14) (2-16) (1-12) (2-12) (0-09) Portlaoise
Tullamore
Newbridge
Parnell Park
Tullamore
Carlow
Wexford
LEINSTER GAA INTERMEDIATE HURLING CHAMPIONSHIP
01/07 Galway . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (3-23) Kilkenny . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (1-17) 08/07 Galway . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (1-20) Wexford . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (0-11) Tullamore
Portlaoise
AIB LEINSTER GAA CLUB SENIOR FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP
25/10 25/10 25/10 08/11 08/11 08/11 08/11 22/11 22/11 06/12 Portlaoise, Laois . . . . . . . . .
Emmet Og, Longford . . . .
Rathnew, Wicklow . . . . . . .
Portlaoise, Laois . . . . . . . . .
Emmet Og, Longford . . . .
St. Lomans, Westmeath . .
Ballyboden St Endas, D . . .
Portlaoise, Laois . . . . . . . . .
(0-15) Palatine, Carlow . . . . . . . .
(5-11) St. James, Wexford . . . . . .
(0-12) Edenderry, Offaly . . . . . . .
(2-05) Sarsfields, Kildare . . . . . . .
(0-11) O’Mahonys, Meath . . . . . .
(2-10) Rathnew, Wicklow . . . . . . .
(1-08) St. Patricks, Louth . . . . . . .
(5-12) Emmet Og, Longford . . . .
(1-11) St. Lomans, Westmeath . .
(2-09) Portlaoise, Laois . . . . . . . .
(1-08) (1-04) (0-11) (0-10) (1-06) (1-06) (0-07) (0-11) (0-09) (1-11) Carlow
Longford
Tullamore
Portlaoise
Longford
Aughrim
Drogheda
Portlaoise
Mullingar
Tullamore
AIB LEINSTER GAA CLUB SENIOR HURLING CHAMPIONSHIP
01/11 01/11 08/11 15/11 15/11 29/11
82
Clonkill, Westmeath . . . . .
Oulart the Ballagh, WX . .
Cuala, Dublin . . . . . . . . . . .
Cuala, Dublin . . . . . . . . . . .
(4-09) St. Mullins, Carlow . . . . . .
(3-08) Clough Ballacolla, Laois . .
(1-23) Coolderry, Offaly . . . . . . . .
(3-12) Clara, Kilkenny . . . . . . . . . .
(0-16) Clonkill, Westmeath . . . . .
(2-13) Cuala, Dublin . . . . . . . . . . .
(0-09) (0-13) (0-12) (0-17) (0-08) (0-13) Carlow
Portlaoise
Tullamore
Parnell Park
Mullingar
Carlow
Leinster GAA
AIB LEINSTER GAA CLUB INTERMEDIATE FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP
17/10 18/10 18/10 24/10 01/11 01/11 01/11 01/11 15/11 15/11 28/11 Ratoath Meath . . . . . . . . . .
Glynn Barntown, WX . . . .
Athlone,Westmeath . . . . .
Castledermot, Kildare . . . .
Glynn Barntown, WX . . . .
Athlone, Westmeath . . . . .
Ratoath, Meath . . . . . . . . .
Castledermot . . . . . . . . . . .
Athlone, Westmeath . . . . .
Ratoath, Meath . . . . . . . . .
Ratoath, Meath . . . . . . . . .
(2-12) St. Patricks Donabate . . . . (0-11) (2-15) Kilkerley Emmets, Louth . (0-12) (3-12) Ballymanus, Wicklow . . . . (0-08) (0-08) Clonaslee St Manmans, LS (0-05) (1-10) Rathcline, Longford . . . . . . (0-12) (1-12) O’Hanrahans, Carlow . . . . (1-04) (2-19) Railyard, Kilkenny . . . . . . . (0-06) (2-15) Ballycumber . . . . . . . . . . . . (1-15) (1-06) Glynn Barntown, Wexford (0-06) (3-12) Castledermot, Kildare . . . . (1-06) (2-13) Athlone, Westmeath . . . . . (2-09) Donabate
Killurin
Aughrim
Newbridge
Killurin
Athlone
Ratoath
Newbridge
Killurin
Ratoath
Mullingar
AIB LEINSTER GAA CLUB INTERMEDIATE HURLING CHAMPIONSHIP
25/10 25/10 25/10 08/11 14/11 28/11 Bray Emmets, Wicklow . . .
Bennetsbridge, KK . . . . . . .
Kiltale, Meath . . . . . . . . . . .
Kiltale, Meath . . . . . . . . . . .
(1-18) O. Plunketts/E. Ruadh, DB . (1-09) (2-21) Coill Dubh, Kildare . . . . . . . (1-06) (2-13) Naomh Eanna, Wexford . . (1-13) (0-18) Bray Emmets, Wicklow . . . (1-06) (2-11) Portlaoise, Laois . . . . . . . . . (1-12) (1-14) Kiltale, Meath . . . . . . . . . . . (0-13) Aughrim
Bennetsbridge
Trim
Arklow
Trim
Kilkenny
AIB LEINSTER GAA CLUB JUNIOR FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP
10/10 25/10 25/10 25/10 07/11 08/11 08/11 08/11 22/11 22/11 06/12 St Brigids Longford . . . . . .
Milltown, Westmeath . . . .
Cappincur, Offaly . . . . . . .
Grange, Carlow . . . . . . . . .
Curraha, Meath . . . . . . . . .
St. Brigids Longford . . . . . .
Milltown, Westmeath . . . .
Grange, Carlow . . . . . . . . .
St. Brigids Longford . . . . . .
Curraha, Meath . . . . . . . . .
Curraha, Meath . . . . . . . . .
(2-15) Amsterdam, Europe . . . . .
(4-11) Castlemitchell, Kildare . . .
(4-05) Kilmacanogue, Wicklow . .
(3-12) Round Towers Lusk . . . . . .
(0-13) Cappincur, Offaly . . . . . . .
(0-11) Naomh Fionnbarra, Louth
(1-11) Danesfort, Kilkenny . . . . .
(1-11) Barrowhouse, Laois . . . . . .
(4-04) Milltown, Westmeath . . . .
(0-16) Grange, Carlow . . . . . . . . .
(3-10) St Brigids Longford . . . . . .
(2-09) (1-07) (2-08)
(1-06) (1-09) (2-04) (1-07) (0-10) (2-06) (0-09) (1-11) Maastricht
Castlemitchell
Aughrim
Carlow
Tullamore
Longford
Mullingar
Carlow
Longford
Navan
Longford
AIB LEINSTER GAA CLUB JUNIOR HURLING CHAMPIONSHIP
25/10 Lusmagh, Offaly . . . . . . . .
25/10 Scoil Ui Chonaill, Dublin .
08/11 Lusmagh, Offaly . . . . . . . .
08/11 Trumera, Laois . . . . . . . . . .
08/11 Glenmore, Kilkenny . . . . . .
08/11 St. Fechins, Louth . . . . . . .
22/11 Lusmagh, Offaly . . . . . . . .
22/11 Glenmore, Kilkenny . . . . . .
16/1/16Lusmagh, Offaly . . . . . . . . .
(1-17) Clan na Gael, Meath . . . . . (1-06) (1-18) Moorefield, Kildare . . . . . . (2-08)
(5-26) Arklow Rock Parnells, WW (0-03) (0-17) Brownstown, Westmeath . (0-14) (3-20) Scoil Ui Chonaill, Dublin . . (0-01) (0-11) Carlow Town . . . . . . . . . . . (0-04) (3-15) Trumera, Laois . . . . . . . . . . (2-08) (5-19) St. Fechins, Louth . . . . . . . (1-09) (0-00) Glenmore, Kilkenny . . . . . . (0-00)
Trim
Scoil Ui Chonaill
Lusmagh
Archerstown
Scoil Ui Chonaill
Darver
Lusmagh
Kilkenny
Tullamore
LEINSTER GAA SPECIAL CLUB JUNIOR HURLING CHAMPIONSHIP
01/11 01/11 01/11 15/11 15/11 29/11 Broadford, Kildare . . . . . . . (2-12) Pearse Og, Louth . . . . . . . . (0-12) St. Patricks Tullow, Carlow (3-09) Moylagh, Meath . . . . . . . . (1-08) Wolfe Tones, Longford . . . (1-08) Clara, Offaly . . . . . . . . . . . . (0-10) Broadford, Kildare . . . . . . . (3-10) St. Patricks Tullow, Carlow (0-07) Ballypickas, Laois . . . . . . . . (4-05) Wolfe Tones, Longford . . . . (3-05) Ballypickas, Laois . . . . . . . . (0-12) Broadford, Kildare . . . . . . . . (0-05) Convention Report 2015
Johnstownbridge
Moylagh
Clara
Hawkfield
Edgeworthstown
Newbridge
83
Cluichí Iarbhunscoileanna Laighean
2014-2015
COMORTAS
PEIL
BUATHOIRI
NEASOIRI
Sen. F “A” Good Counsel College
Sen. F “B” St. Mary’s Academy, Carlow CBS Sen. F “C” Ardscoil Rath Iomghain Sen. F “D” Ballymahon VS
Jun. F “A” Good Counsel College Jun. F “B” Scoil Dara, Kilcock Juv. F “A” Colaiste Eoin Juv. F “B” St. Mac Dara’s CC Terenure Colle
Juv. F “C” St. Joseph’s, Rush Colaiste Choilm
Colaiste Eanna
Juv. F “D” Moyle Park College Confey College
Juv. F “E” Sec 1 Sc Uí Chonaill St. Mary’s Sec Sch, Edenderry
St. Paul’s College
Juv. F “E” Sec 2 Lusk CC St. Fintan’s HS
Col Pobal Setanta
Col Chillian
Ardgillan CC
Scoil Aodhain
Colaiste Eanna
Jun. F “A” Scoil Aodhain St. Benildus Col
Colaiste Eanna St. Declan’s CBS
Jun. F “C” Bush PP Chanel College
Jun. F “B” Jun. F “D” St. Farnan’s, Prosperous Marian College
Jun. F “C” Chanel College St. Paul’s College
Jun. F “D” Marain College Col Pobal Setanta
Juv. F “A” Colaiste Eoin Colaiste Mhuire, Mullingar
Juv. F “B” Ashbourne CS
St. Mac Dara’s CC
Juv. F “C” St. Joseph’s, Rush Juv. F “D” Colaiste Eoin, Hacketstown Mercy Sec Sch, Ballymahon
Jun. F “E” Sec 1 St Paul’s CBS Jun. F “E” Sec 2 Ardgillan CC Col Chillian
Sc Uí Chonaill
Moyle Park College
Tom Quinlan Cup
IOMÁINT
Sen. H “A” Tom Quinlan Shield Sect 1
St. Kieran’s, Kilkenny St. Peter’s, Wexford
Sen. H “A” Lge St. Kieran’s, Kilkenny Borris VS
Sen. H “B” Mountrath CS
Ardscoil Ris
Sen. H “B” Mountrath CS
Gorey CS
(‘Rest of Leinster’)
Sch. S.H. “C” Cistercian, Roscrea Jun. H “A” Good Counsel College Jun. H “A” Shield Castlecomer CS
Jun. H “B” Ardscoil Ris St. Fintan’s HS St. David’s CBS Ardscoil Ris
Skerries CC
Tom Quinlan Shield Sect 2
Moyle Park Col St Vincent’s CBS
Tom Quinlan Plate
Scoil Chaitriona
Luttrellstown CC Adamstown CC
Borris VS
Juv. H “A” Colaiste Eoin Colaiste Eanna
Banagher College
Juv. H “B” St. Benildus Castleknock CC
St. Peter’s, Wexford
Juv. H “A” Lge St. Kieran’s, Kilkenny Dublin South
Juv. H “C” Blackrock College Juv. H “A” St. Kieran’s, Kilkenny Kilkenny CBS
Juv. H “D” HFCS Rathcoole St. Brendan’s CS, Birr St. Peter’s, Wexford
Juv. H “E” Greenhills College Jun. H “A” Ardscoil Ris St. Colmcille’s CS
St. Brendan’s CS, Birr Borris VS
Terenure College
Dr. Barry Cup
Juv. H “A” Power Cup
Juv. H “B” ÁTH CLIATH
Sen. F “A” Scoil Aodhain Sen. F “B” Colaiste Eanna St. Declan’s CBS
Sen. F “C” Confey College Scoil Chaitriona
Sen. F “D” St. Paul’s College Sen. F “D1” Donabate CC Sen. H “A” Ardscoil Ris Sen. H “B” Scoil Chaitriona Sen. H “C” Terenure College Sen. H “C1” Colaiste Choilm Maynooth PP
Marian College
Cabinteely CS
Jun. H “B” Lucan CBS Jun. H “C” Clonkeen College Jun. H “D” HFCS, Rathcoole Jun. H. “D1” Old Bawn CS Lusk CC
Oatlands Col
Colaiste Choilm
St. Joseph’s, Rush
LAIGHEAN THUAIDH
Sen. F “B” Gallen CS, Ferbane O’Carolan Col, Nobber
Sen. F “C” Tullamore College St. Declan’s
Sen. F “D” Ballymahon VS Ratoath College
Dundalk DLS
Salesian Col
Sen. F Lge “A” St. Pat’s Navan St. Mel’s, Longford
Oatlands College
Hartstown CS
Sen. H “C” Cistercian, Roscrea Sen. H “C1” Castlepollard CC 84
St. Kevin’s CBS
St. Joseph’s Drogheda
Killina Pres Sec Sch
St. Peter’s, Dunboyne
Leinster GAA
Juv. F “A” Col. Mhuire, Mullingar Juv. F “B” Ashbourne CS Juv. F “C” Mercy Sec Sch, Ballymahon Juv. F “D” St. Farnan’s, Prosperous Marist, Athlone
St. Mary’s Sec Sch, Edenderry
O’Carolan Col, Nobber
Tullamore College
Juv. H “C” Col Bhride Carnew Juv. H “C1” Ramsgrange CS Jun. H “B” Colaiste Mhuire, Johnstown Jun. H “C” Pres DLS, Bagenalstown Jun. H “C1” Col an Atha, Kilmuckridge Juv. F “D1” 11-a-side
Mullingar CC Jun. F “A” Moate CS St. Pat’s, Navan
Jun. F “B” Scoil Dara, Kilcock Ratoath College
Jun. F “C” Bush PP Jun. F “D” St. Fintina’s, Longwood/ Mullingar CC
Juv. H “B” St. Brendan’s CS, Birr Juv. H “C” Col Naomh Cormac Jun. H “C” Cistercian, Roscrea Tullow CS
U-19 Singles FCJ, Bunclody Col. Pobal, Rathcairn
U-19 Doubles Castlecomer CS U-17 Singles St. Finian’s CC, Mullingar U-17 Doubles Castlecomer CS U-15 Singles Grennan Col, Thomastown St. Mary’s CBS, Enniscorthy
U-15 Doubles Castlecomer CS Naas CBS
St. Fergal’s, Rathdowney
Naas CBS
Sen. F “B” St. Mary’s Academy, Carlow CBS Sen. F “C” Ardsc. Rath Iomghain Sen. F “D” Avondale CC Sen. F Lge Ardscoil na Trionoide, Athy Col Bhride, Carnew Sen. H “C1” St. Mary’s Academy, Carlow CBS Juv. F “A” Naas CBS Juv. F “B” Colaiste Bhride, Carnew Juv. F “C” Mountrath CS Juv. F “D” Col Eoin, Hacketstown Sc Dara, Kilcock
Sc Chonglais, Baltinglass
Col Eoin, Hacketstown
Knockbeg College
Good Counsel College Jun. F “B” FCJ, Bunclody Jun. F “C” Heywood CS Jun. F “D1” St. Farnan’s, Prosperous Jun. F “D2” Avondale CC Borris VS Convention Report 2015
Sc. Aireagail, Ballyhale
Wexford VC
St. Aidan’s CBS
Carlow VS
Presentation, Carlow
Colleges 40 x 20
U-19 Singles FCJ, Bunclody U-19 Doubles Col Eamann Ris, Callan U-17 Singles Wexford VC U-17 Doubles Castlecomer CS St. Mary’s CBS, Enniscorthy
U-15 Singles St. Kieran’s Col, Kilkenny St. Mary’s CBS, Enniscorthy
U-15 Doubles Col Mhuire, Johnstown Col. Chiarain, Leixlip
Good Counsel
Col Chiarain, Leixlip
St. Mary’s, Carlow CBS
First Yr. Singles Wexford CBS Castlecomer CS
First Yr. Doubles Wexford CBS Castlecomer CS
New Ross CBS
Gorey CS
Pres DLS, Bagenalstown
Sc Aireagail Ballyhale
Kilkenny VS
HANDBALL – GIRLS
Colleges 60 x 30
U-19 Singles Col Mhuire, Johnstown U-19 Doubles Castlecomer CS U-16 Singles Grennan Col, Thomastown Wexford VC
U-16 Doubles Grennan Col, Thomastown Col Bhride Carnew
First Yr. Singles Grennan Col, Thomastown Presentation, Kilkenny
First Yr. Doubles Sc Aireagail, Ballyhale Jun. F “A” St. Peter’s, Wexford
Sc Aireagail Ballyhale
Juv F “D” 11-a-side
Creagh College First Yr. Doubles Castlecomer CS Grennan Col, Thomastown
Col Naomh Cormac
Col Pobal, Rathcairn/St. Fintina’s, Longwood
LAIGHEAN THEAS
Juv. H “B” Scoil Aireagail, Ballyhale
HANDBALL – BOYS
Colleges 60 x 30
First Yr. Singles Grennan Col, Thomastown Banagher College FCJ, Bunclody
Cnoc Mhuire, Granard
St. Finian’s, Mullingar
Jun. H “B” Sen. H “C” Gaelcholaiste/Pes Carlow
St. Fintina’s, Longwood/ Col Pobal, Rathcairn
Juv H “C1” Dunshaughlin CC Jun. H “C1” Clonaslee VS Col Eamann Ris Callan
Sc Chaitriona
Bridgetown VC
Presentation, Carlow
Naas CBS
Colleges 40 x 20
Gaelcholaiste na Mara
U-19 Singles Col Mhuire, Johnstown
Col Mhuire Johnstown
U-19 Doubles Col Chiarain, Leixlip
U-16 Singles Grennan Col, Thomastown
Col Bhride, Carnew
U-16 Doubles Col Chiarain, Leixlip
Col. Bhride, Carnew
Ramsgrange CS
Gorey CS
First Yr. Singles Pres College, Kilkenny
Sc Chaitriona
Castlecomer CS
The Kings Hospital, Lucan
85
Dublin - Bórd na Móna O’Byrne Cup Winners 2015
Back L-R:Lorcan Molloy, John Small, Dean Rock, Philip Ryan, Eoin Culligan, Niall Collins, Michael Deegan, Darren Daly, Harry Dawson,
Denis Bastick, Sean Currie, Shane Carthy, Michael Darragh Macauley, Alan McCarrick, Tomás Brady, Eoghan O’Gara
Front L-R:Kevin McManamon, Cormac Costello, Jonny Cooper, Rory O’Carroll, Nicky Devereaux, Niall Scully, Michael Fitzsimons,
Emmett O Conghaile, Graham Hannigan, Jack McCaffrey
Galway - Bórd na Móna Walsh Cup Winners 2015
Back L-R:
Front L-R:
86
James Regan, Gearoid McInerney, Ronan Burke, Fergal Moore, Padraig Mannion, Dean Higgins, Padraig Breheny, Brian Molloy.
Jonathan Glynn, Eanna Burke, David Collins, Johnny Coen, Jason Flynn, Colm Callahan.
Leinster GAA
Meath - Bórd na Móna Kehoe Cup Winners 2015
Back L-R:Shane Brennan, Shane Whitty, Michael Dunne, Eoin Marsh, Keith Keoghan, Luke Martyn, Gary Kelly, Ger Foley, Sean McGrath,
Sean Quigley, Conor Murray, Anthony Donnelly.
Front L-R:Darren Reilly, Willie McGrath, Anthony Healy, Patrick Conneely, Sean Heavey (Capt), Stephen Morris, Jack Regan, Padraig Keogh,
Karl Ennis, James Toher, Ciaran Joyce, Killian O’Brien, Cormac Reilly, Charlie Bird.
Dublin - Eirgrid Leinster GAA U-21 Football Champions 2015
87
Kilkenny - Leinster GAA Senior Hurling Champions 2015
Back L-R:Mark Kelly, Rob Lennon, Michael Walsh, Colin Fennelly, Jackie Tyrell, Joey Holden (C), Shane Prendergast, Walter Walsh,
Conor Fogarty, Mathew Ruth, Lester Ryan, Padraig Walsh, John Power, TJ Reid, Brian Kennedy.
Front L-R:Kevin Kelly, Richie Hogan, Ger Aylward, Eoin Larkin, Eoin Murphy, Paul Murphy, Cillian Buckley, Kieran Joyce, John Joe Farrell,
Richie Reid.
Kilkenny - Leinster GAA Minor Hurling Champions 2015
Back L-R:Ryan Bergin, Joe Cuddihy, Bill Sheehan, Shane Murphy, Cathal McGrath, Conor Hennessy, Andrew Gaffney, Ross Butler,
Darragh Joyce, Ronan Coffey, Mark Drennan, Tommy Walsh, John Donnelly, Tadhg O’Dwyer.
Front L-R:Liam Dunphy, Conor Doheny, Richie Healy, Daren Mulan, Daniel O’Connor (C), Michael Cody, Joe Connolly, James Bergin,
Edmund Bergin, Niall Walsh.
88
Leinster GAA
Dublin - Leinster GAA Senior Football Champions 2015
Back L-R:Philip Ryan, Brian Fenton, Dean Rock, Michael Darragh Macauley, James McCarthy, Ciaran Kilkenny, John Small, Michael
Fitzsimons, Cian O’Sullivan, Rory O’Carroll, David Byrne, Tomas Brady, Denis Bastick, Diarmuid Connolly, Bernard Brogan,
Michael Savage
Front L-R:Eric Lowndes, Cormac Costello, Darren Daly, Jonny Cooper, Philly McMahon, Stephen Cluxton, Emmett O Conghaile,
Paddy Andrews, Paul Flynn, Jack McCaffrey, Alan Brogan, Kevin McManamon
Kildare - Leinster GAA Minor Football Champions 2015
Back L-R:Cian Costigan, Mark Murray, Danny O’Sullivan, Tony Archbold, Mike Joyce, Kevin O Callaghan,
David McAtamney, Ethan O’Donoghue, Brian McLoughlin, Rory Feely, Daniel Courtney, Kevin Flynn,
Daniel Mulpeter, Jack Lawler, Cathal Daffy.
Front L-R:Jimmy Hyland, Aaron Murphy, Ciaran Kelly, Darren Lawlor, Matthew Kelly, Gavin Burke, Shea Ryan,
Wayne Cummins, Declan Campbell, Conor Hartley, Sean Healy, James Healy, Ronan Slattery, Sam Doran,
Stefan Lawler, Ryan Bannon, Eoin O’Neill.
89
Wexford - Leinster GAA Junior Football Champions 2015
Back L-R:Declan Murphy, Jim Rossiter, Niall Harney, Paraic O’Keeffe, Anthony Masterson Capt, Paul Curtis, James Breen, Lee Devereux,
Sean Gaul
Middle L-R: Pedro Travers, Conor Devereux, Glen Malone, Jim White, Graham Carty, Richard Cleary, Shane Doyle, Niall Hughes
Front L-R: Jamie Carty, Robbie Vallejo, Kevin Rowe, Ronan Devereux, Ciaran Redmond
Tullaroan (Kilkenny)
Leinster GAA Adult Club Senior Hurling League Division 1 Winners 2015
Back L-R:Joe Norton, Gavin Joyce, Martin Keoghan, Tom Fitzgerald, Ken Coogan, Richie Butler, Josh Moore, Eddie Campion, Richie Holland,
Davy Walsh, Bill Simpson, Shane Cuddihy, Dylan Simpson, John Cuddihy.
Front L-R:Shane Walsh, Daniel Burke, John Maher, Martin Walsh, Paul Buggy, Stephen Dowling, Mark Walsh, Stephen Maher, Richie Maher,
Peter Walsh, Ger Luby, David Sweeney, Bill Gaffney, John Walton, Tommy Walsh, Finn Walsh (mascot).
90
Leinster GAA
Kilmacow (Kilkenny)
Back L-R:John Guidrea, Luke Harney, Paddy O’Keeffe, Sean Flynn, Richie O’Neill, Jack McGuire, Bob Croke, Shane Gaule, Ray Hennessey,
Ian Ahearne, Johnny Hayes, Willie O’Toole, Brian Fleming.
Front L-R:Larry Vereker, Shane Power, Conor Dowling, Richie McNamara, Liam Kearns, Ryan McKenna, Andy Kearns, John Daniels,
Anthony McNamara
Maynooth (Kildare)
Back L-R:Harry Oliver, Derek Cormican, Fergal Molloy, Paul Moylan, Mark Cummins, Matthew Meile, Shane Barry, Andy Kelliher,
Neill Delaney, Mike Gillick, Michael McNamara, Conor Nolan, Tomas Quinn, Edmond Cooney, Shane Deveraux
Front L-R:Cian Forde, Phillip Murphy, Sean Bean, Ronan McCann, Alan O’Brien, Andrew Higgins, Andrew Horan, Graham Kenny,
Fiachra Lohan, Joe Brennan,
91
Oliver Plunkett / Eoghan Ruadh (Dublin)
Wexford - Bord Gais Energy Leinster GAA U-21 Hurling Champions 2015
Back L-R:
Lar McDonald, Jake Formant, Padraig Foley, Simon Donohoe.
Middle L-R:Conor McDonald, Liam Ryan, Oliver O’Leary, Tony French, Jim White, Peter Sutton, Jack O’Connor,
Shane Murphy, Luke White, Sean Kenny.
Front L-R:Andrew Kenny, Billy Kelly, Gavin Bailey, Conor Devitt, Cathal Dunbar, Sam Kelly, Eoin Conroy, James Cash,
Sean Murphy, Kevin Foley.
92
Leinster GAA
Galway - Leinster GAA Intermediate Hurling Champions 2015
Back L-R:TTadhg Haran, Declan Cronin, Emmet Mahony, Paddy Hannon, Eamon Brannigan, Dan Nevin, Darragh O’Donoghue,
Dean Higgins, Brian Molloy, Shane Cooney, Paul Flaherty, Noel McDonagh, Barry Keane, Ronan O’Meara.
Front L-R:John Keane, Kevin Lane, Shane Caulfield, Adrian Tuohy, Eanna Burke, Darragh Burke, Kevin McHugo, James Skehill,
Colm Flynn, Shane Maloney, Jason Kennedy
Ballyboden St. Enda’s (Dublin)
AIB Leinster GAA Club Senior Football Champions 2015
Back L-R:Sean Prendergast, Collie Dunne, Seamus Keane, Conor Dooley, Sam Molony, Robbie McDaid, Declan O’Mahony, Ciaran Archibald,
Michael Darragh McAuley, Daniel Grimes, Stephen Ward, Collie Basquel, Conor McCormack, Paul Durcan, Fearghal Purcell,
Conal Keaney, Ryan Basquel, Stephen O’Connor
Front L-R:Bob Dwan, Aaron Waters, Donagh McCabe, Stephen Hiney, Cian Mellett, Brian Bobbett, Shane Durkin, Andrew Kerin,
Darren O’Reilly, Shane Clayton, Darragh Nelson, Darragh Gogan, Barra McGarry, Daniel Davey, Sean Gibbons, Tom Hannifin.
Management team: Andy McEntee, Noel Basquel, Finnian Hyland, Shane Brooks, Paul Waters, Eugene Duffy and John Coughlan.
93
Oulart - The Ballagh (Wexford)
AIB Leinster GAA Club Senior Hurling Champions 2015
Ratoath (Meath)
AIB Leinster GAA Club Intermediate Football Champions 2015
Back L-R:Jack McGowan, Gavin Quigley, Brian Daly, Michael Fogarty, Keith McCabe, Darragh McGill, Shane Duffy, Francis Coyne,
Richie Lombard, Cian O’Brien, Bryan McMahon, Patrick Quinn, Niall Donnelly, Mark Daly, Paddy Kennedy
Front L-R:Paul Flaherty, Gavin Eiffe, Conor Rooney, Gavin McGowan, Brian Power, Brian O’Connor, Colm Nugent, Bobby O’Brien (C),
Joey Wallace, Darragh Kelly, Gareth Rooney, Stephen O’Brien, Ger Brennan.
94
Leinster GAA
Bennettsbridge (Kilkenny)
AIB Leinster GAA Club Intermediate Hurling Champions 2015
Back L-R:Dylan Walsh, Luke Dowling, Maurice Walsh, Aidan Byrne, Shane Byrne, Ben Tynan, Shane Nolan, Brian O’Neill, Ronan O’Connor,
Edward Fitzgerald, Sean Wemyss.
Middle L-R:Enda Cleere, Paul O’Neill, Nicky Cleere, Patrick O’Neill, Kevin Brennan, Aidan Cleere, Bill O’Neill, William Murphy, Brian Lannon,
Joseph Murphy, James Moran, Enda Morrissey (C).
Front L-R:Cormac Wafer, Darragh Wafer, Jason Cleere, Kevin Blanchfield, Micheal Shiel, Robert Lennon, Liam Blanchfield, Sean Morrissey,
Edward Murphy, Hugh O’Neill.
Curraha (Meath)
AIB Leinster GAA Club Junior Football Champions 2015
Back L-R:Niall Murphy, Stephen Morgan, Mark Jackson, Ian McManus, Lockie Keogh, Andrew Doyle, Conor Joyce, Luke McCarthy, Danny
Battersby, Liam Hogan, Seamus Hogan, Brian Joyce, James McEntee, Sean O’Hanrahan, Brian Murphy, Padraic O’Hanrahan,
Simon McDermott, Conor Moriarty, Niall Moriarty.
Front L-R:P.J. McMahon, Ciaran Phelan, Robert Reid, Sean Keogh, Daniel Doran, John Mangan, Thomas Morgan (Mascot), Gavin Coyle (C),
Phelim Dowling, David Coyle, Evan McGovern, Andrew Battersby, Neil Shortall, Ciaran O’Hanrahan, Mark Phelan.
95
Ballypickas (Laois)
AIB Leinster GAA Club Special Junior Hurling Champions 2015
96
Leinster GAA

Comhairle Laighean CLG

Transcription

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