LONDON UNDER 16 DEVELOPMENT SQUAD – BALTINGLASS TRIP
LONDON UNDER 16 DEVELOPMENT SQUAD – BALTINGLASS TRIP
November 01, 2010
LONDON UNDER 16 DEVELOPMENT SQUAD – BALTINGLASS TRIP
The London Under 16’s finished off a very busy year with a successful trip to Baltinglass, Co Wicklow. 2010 has been the first year where a Development Plan has been in place for the London U16’s. At the beginning of the year agreement was reached by Minor Clubs where by the work accomplished by North London and South London squads in the Under 14 Feile Competitions would by extended to the London Under 16’s. North and South London squads would train separately and field separate teams for the first two phases and then come together for the last two phases. Four phases were planned with a 3 or 4 week training programme culminating in a competition. Phase 1 – March Baltinglass GAA visit to London. North London took on Baltinglass in a very competitive fixture in Greenford, North London winning by a point. Unfortunately South London were unable to field that week-end. Phase 2 – May U16 Provincial Connacht Blitz. The South London squad lost in the semi-final to one of the Roscommon Development Squad’s and North London were Finalist v Roscommon Development Squad. Phase 3 – July U16 Provincial Championship. London beat Lancashire in the semi-final in Birmingham, going on the beat Hertfordshire in the Final in a very competitive game in St Albans. London had asked permission from Provincial Council to enter two teams into the Competition however, this request was denied. Phase 4 – October Trip to Ireland to play competatitive fixture’s. This was an essential part of the plan to consolidate the work accomplished during the year culminating in the Baltinglass GAA trip.
A squad of 21 players were picked to represent London in October in a tour of Baltinglass, Wicklow and the Management team of James O’Sullivan, Paul Caulfield and Grainne O’Sullivan were appointed. On Friday the 22nd October, the squad headed to the London City Airport, our week-end started really well with everyone arriving early for our City Jet Departure to Dublin. First stop on our way to Baltinglass was to take the Museum tour around Croke Park. We had the opportunity to walk around behind the scenes at the changing rooms and stand pitch side. Karen Togher, ex-London CDA and who is now the Ladies co-ordinator at Croke Park, was able to take time out and come over and meet us. Upon arriving in Baltinglass, we were met at Quinns where we had dinner and the boys were collected by their host families.
Baltinglass GFC have excellent facilities with their own pitch with flood lights and club house. Saturday dawned and we had our first game on tour with an 11o’clock throw in v St Nicholas’s, the Wicklow Under 16 Champions. This game gave us an opportunity to brush off the cob webs and we had a convincing win against St Nicholas’s.
The evening’s entertainment involved everybody arriving back at the ground at 7.15pm for an 8pm throw in v Baltinglass, under floodlights. It was really good to see so many of the locals out to watch the game and lovely to see so many of the boy’s relatives out to support us. We started off really strong and this continued for 45 out of the 60 minutes of the game, Ben Power getting the ball rolling with a well taken goal. Going into the second half on top, unfortunately we were unable to hold onto the lead with Baltinglass finishing strongest in the last 10 minutes. Injuries to Liam McGrath, Conor Hampton and Brendan Scannell with 15 minutes to go had an impact. Presentations were made by both teams. Ryan Forde was named player of the match and received a jersey from Baltinglass.
The Management team were really pleased with both performances and the 100% effort by the 21 man squad. London were disappointed to have lost the game. Our opposition had both played seven 17year olds which was obviously a benefit for both teams.
Sunday morning, the London and Baltinglass players and management headed of to the local paint ball ground. This was and opportunity for the players to work on their target practice, primarily “Paul”.
We extend our thanks to all involved in our trip including the Baltinglass Committee, the Baltinglass team, St Nicholas’s team, the Ladies of the Club who kept us fed and watered and last but not least all the host families without whom this trip was not possible.
As with all trips, fundraising is an essential part of the process. The players and management team looked the part kitted out in London track suits, polo tops and carrying London bags. We would like to extend our thanks to our sponsors for the trip, the worlds End Pub (Camden) sponsored the polo tops and Noel and Sue Furlong sponsored the bags.