Page 29 - 2020ClareCamogieBoardAGM

CLARE CAMOGIE FOUNDED 1934

Covid 19 restrictions moved to level 3 on October 8 and the subsequent move to level 5 until
th
December 1 and the consequential ending of the u14 intercounty development season ended
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the season for this group.

While it was a disappointing end to activities from the managements perspective as we did not get
to work with and develop the group over the summer, we were satisfied that given the year, it was
not entirely wasted, we had one Winter program completed and this was of benefit in that the
players fitness, speed and skillset had progressed well by the end of February and would have
prepared the squad well to develop further and focus on game and tactical development over
the summer.

From the players perspective, they would have been disappointed not to have gotten the
opportunity to represent Clare in 2020 but received good exposure to what is required of county
development groups going forward across fitness, S&C and from a skillset perspective. Hopefully, it
will have whetted their appetites to sustain their county representation into 2021 at the u15 grade.
It is hoped that the u15 grade is a substantial engagement in 2021 to make up in some way for the
disappointment of a severely curtailed u14 2020 campaign.

From a developmental perspective, as players move to u15’s and beyond, it is important to reduce
numbers for focused development but for u13s/u14s, we believe a target of getting over 100 players
consistently, yearly to experience a training block (6 to 12 weeks preferably) where they are
introduced to expectations at county level can only be good for long term development of
camogie in Clare. It should have benefit in that players can bring this knowledge back to their clubs
and it should increase the quality playing pool over time. Furthermore, we had great support at the
regional centres this year from a range of club coaches. We see it as important that this continues
and that club coaches are invited and encouraged to join these sessions to help elevate standards
and expectations in clubs.

We would like to thank the County Board Secretary Marie Louise Kaiser for her continuous support
and advice throughout the year and over the period of Covid uncertainty. Support was always
there to get the most out of the year for the players but unfortunately, a window did not open to
get Clare jerseys on them. Also, from when we started out last October, Clare Development Officer
Jimmy Kenny was of constant assistance and advice and together with Derek Morris supported us
in developing the Winter Program. We would like to thank all those who helped coach and
administer the regional sessions. These were Francie O’Halloran (Ruan), Niamh Perill (Crusheen),
John O’Connor & Emmet Moran (Doora Barefield), Catherine Tobin (The Banner), Trena Alford
(Wolfe Tones), Aimee McInerney (Newmarket), Adrian Reilly (Scariff Ogonnelloe), Kieran Connolly
(Sixmilebridge) and Sinead O’Brien (Bodyke). Trena Alford volunteered to become the group’s
Covid Supervisor in September, facilitating both September training sessions that we thank her for
that while Niamh Perill, Adrian Reilly. Kieran Connolly and John O’Connor also helped coach at
these September sessions. We would like to thank the parents for encouraging, supporting and
transporting the players throughout all the sessions. Your continued support and positivity is and will
be invaluable in the years ahead. Finally, we would like to sincerely thank all the players who
completed the winter program and later, the development squads. Your dedication, willingness to
learn and good humour made it very enjoyable for us as coaches to work with you and that attitude
will stand you in great stead in your endeavours to represent your county and enjoy your camogie
next year and in the years ahead.

U14 Management Team – 2020 - Cormac Heffernan, Paul Queally and Anthony O’Looney