New North Meath Hurling Club set for Croke Park
Teams from North Meath HC will be heading for Croke Park next week to tackle Kilkenny club Barrow Rangers as part of the overall development plan for the game in Carlanstown, Kilbeg, Moynalty, Kilmainhamwood and Nobber.
Five North Meath hurling teams (three u-18 and two u-10) took to the pitch for the first time against Gaeil Colmcille/Kilskyre selections at Grangegodden last Saturday morning.
North Meath players were sporting their new kit sponsored by Brogan's Centra in Carlanstown.
The hosts provided refreshments for parents and welcomed their neighbours by marking the occasion with a special commemorative plaque following the completion of the various games.
The North Meath Hurling initiative began last September when officials from St Michael’s, Moynalty, Kilmainhamwood and Nobber convened a meeting held with the Co Board Games Development team of Peter Durnin and Jamie Queeney with a view to trialling hurling in the area.
“Thanks to the backing and support from Brogan's Centra in Carlanstown, a Centra Hurling day was held at St Michael’s on the end of September to launch North Meath Hurling,” commented St Michael's PRO Pascal Reilly.
“Both All-Ireland trophies were available for photos while the coaching sessions were facilitated by Co Board coaches and Wexford dual star Lee Chin was in attendance to meet and greet.
“Schools in the area were then visited by Co Board coach Paraic Burke from September through to early November,” he added.
Subsequently, a decision was made to concentrate on the u-6 to u-10 age groups and games and coaching sessions were kicked off on Friday evenings in Cormeen Sports Complex in mid-October.
Three Co Board coaches conducted the sessions which were attended by up to 70 children and this carried on every Friday night over the winter finishing in late February.
A total of 16 volunteers (parents) were trained as mentors over the same period including a session provided by the National Hurling Director Martin Fogarty in Cormeen.
North Meath will continue with the go-games throughout the summer while the club's u-8s will be looking forward to a big day out in Croke Park next Wednesday 4th April, where they will play two games against Kilkenny club Barrow Rangers.
St Michael’s will host two Cul camps, a football Cul camp (9th-13th July) and a hurling Cul camp (13th-17th August).