The Fermanagh Under 15 and Under 16 squads had their first sessions of the year last Saturday morning in Lissan at 10.00am. This year’s Under 15 squads will be taken by Stephen Jackson, Emmet Conlin, Cyril Dunne and Liam McDermott, with the Under 16 squad under the supervision of Brendan Rasdale, Sean Bradley, Eddie O’Reilly and Conor Doherty. Each of the coaches have built up years of coaching experience at a combination of club, county and colleges level. The groups will be working in an initial block of nine sessions (including challenge games) up to the first blitz of the year on April 30th. Thereafter, there will be a break for exams followed by a shorter block of sessions before a competition in July.
It is noticeable that the current county Minor squad is based almost entirely on the Under 16 squads of 2014 and 2015, with the 2014 group having given a particularly good account of themselves, so the pathway from Academy squads to Minor level is well established.
Under 16 coach Brendan Rasdale is clear on the plan for the groups, “We have the same aims every year, they are very straightforward. We want to develop players who have the attitude and character needed for inter-county competition, and encourage them. We have to develop an awareness of the different intensity and environment, and start to bridge the gaps from club games. Then technically, we have a few basic ideas: get organised and get set up properly during games, learn about the importance of possession leading to scores, learn how to defend properly and learn how to work off the ball. As the lads train and play together, they’ll get to know each others’ games, and they’ll gel together, so that there is continuity moving forward.”
Gerard Treacy, Chairperson of Club Eirne was keen to emphasise the group’s interest in and support for the work at the academy level. “We are very aware of how important it is to have the foundations in place which will enable Fermanagh to compete and be sustainable at higher level. Club Eirne is working hard to support this area of development going forward. Good luck to all of the coaches and young players in 2016.”
With the changes in age bands at county level, the current Under 16s will have just the one shot at playing inter-county minor football, and the Under 15s will be the first group to play the Under 17 competition in 2018. With the work to be done with these players, Fermanagh should be well organised to compete when those competitions come around.
Under 15 coach Cyril Dunne concluded by stating, “The squads are starting out for the year, but if any club feels they have a player who should be given a chance to establish himself within either group, please contact Teresa McNabb. He will be given every chance to be part of the player development process. We know also that the lads have plenty on at present, but parents and clubs need not worry, our sessions will not be organised in such a manner as would leave them fatigued for matches. Player welfare is always in our minds. ”
Current senior player Ruairi Corrigan remembers his Development Squad days very well. “ I can particularly remember going to the Monaghan grounds in 2009 with Brendy Rasdale and Ciaran Carey, and beating Tyrone 1-4 to 0-5, before drawing with Cavan 0-9 apiece. We had boys like the Cullens, Eddie Courtney, Louis Leonard and Brian McAleer on board then. That was a great day, and we learned that if we worked hard enough, we could compete. The same sort of messages have been at the centre of things ever since really: organise, work hard and be competitive.”
Both squads are below, and all clubs have been informed of players who are invited to attend. Last week’s attendance was very encouraging for the coaches, who report also that the players were very receptive to the ideas in the sessions.
U15 Players Born – 2001
Brookeborough: Timothy McCaffrey, Zak Kyle. Coa: Oisin Trainor. Devenish: Caolan Feely, Odhran Flanagan, Lorcan O’Brien, Jack O’Brien, Francis McCrystal, Chris McGowan. Derrygonnelly: Ronan McHugh, Rian McGovern, Cian Corrigan, Leigh Green, Gareth McGovern, Lee Skuce, Dara Burke. Derrylin: Mark Landers. Ederney: Ryan Maguire. Enniskillen: Conor Love, Jack Tierney, Killian Corrigan, Ben Kettyles, Barrai O Keefe, Fedhelim O’Connor-Crampsie. Irvinestown: Jack Largo Elis, Josh Largo Elis. Kinawley: Aaron McHugh, Aaron Tierney, Lorcan McKenna, Tom Keenan, Achlin O’Cathain. Lisnaskea: Ryan Gilleece, Joe McDade, Aaron Curry, Owen McCabe, Jack Collins, James McBrien, Michael McCreesh. Maguiresbridge: Luca McCusker. Newtownbutler: Calum Padian. Roslea: Matthew McMahon, Ciaran Woods, Sean Lynam, Darragh Clerkin. Teemore: Sean McNally, Aaron McManus. Tempo: Oisin Jackson, Mark Graham, Peter Rafferty, Michael McPhillips.
U16 Players Born – 2000
Aughdrumsee: Martin O’Hara. Belcoo: Ciaran Flanagan, Conor McAloon, Dermot Burns, Shane Dotherty. Belnaleck: Ryan Cassidy, Conor McGovern. Brookeborough: Seamus Moane. Derrygonnelly: Gavin McGovern, Oisin Smyth, Jack Love, Darragh McGrath, Debhan McGovern. Derrylin: Luke Flangan, Jake Smith, Declan McGovern. Devenish: Gearoid Maguire, Ruairi O’Brien, Oisin Woods, Ryan Stewart, Rian Cullen, Conor McCafferty, Oisin O’Brien. Ederney St. Joseph’s: Pol McKervey, Sean Cassidy, Luke Harron. Enniskillen Gaels: Brandon Horan, Callum Jones, Fionn Hamill, Ryan Keaney, Matthew McAleer, Jack O’Hare, James Moore, Ethan Bersford, Odhran Agnew. Erne Gaels: Brian Ryder. Kinawley: Mark Scallon, Anthony Anderwson, Oisin McManus. Lisnaskea: Dara Se Kelly, Aaron Copeland. Maguiresbridge: Anthony McElory, Ciaran Duffy, Caolan Duffy. Newtownbutler: Jordan Warren, Conor Quinn, Sean McDermott. St. Patrick’s: Jimmy Tormey, Jack Collins. Teemore: Nathan McAdam, Liam Donohue, Dara McManus. Tempo: Barra McStravick, Patrick Cassidy, Ronan McCaffrey
By Tom Mon 14th Mar
