Keady Hurling Club 'Midnight Hurling League'

Started by keadyhurling, February 01, 2010, 10:11:00 PM

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keadyhurling

Tom Daly Uachtaran Comhairle Uladh and Chairman Jim McCormack launched the first Keady Hurling Club Midnight Hurling League recently. We in Keady think that this is the first time this innovative intiiative has been tried within the GAA anywhere in Ireland and we see it as a way of providing teenagers with a worthwhile activity on a Friday night, while at the same time getting new recruits for our club and helping community spirit.


The Pat Cunningham Memorial Cup is up for grabs in a 'midnight hurling league' organised by Keady Lamh Dhearg and will run for 5 consecutive Friday nights on the floodlit astro-turf at St Patrick's High School. The idea of Lamh Dhearg's Development Committee, it aims to provide competitive hurling in a fun environment for hurlers aged 15-19 as well as providing them with a safe social outlet on a Friday night. These same young men also had a very positive input to the rule making and organisation of this tournament, which is the first of it's kind in the GAA.

The teams are made up of 8 players – one of which is a Keady Senior player who must remain in goals – and games are 5 a side, lasting 4minutes per half. 2 Running subs are allowed and encouraged in what is a fast paced high intensive spectacle. Playing rules have been conditioned to one catch of the sliothar only and puck outs/sidelines can be taken using a hand pass or a strike in order to keep games flowing as much as possible. Goals are the only way to score and there is a bonus point if any teams hit 4 or more.

As part of Keady's contribution to the ongoing Armagh Hurling Development programme, each of the 8 teams taking part are allowed 2 'guest' players from neighbouring clubs and the teams have also recruited new or past players back to the local hurling scene.

The Keady club is inviting all hurling enthusiasts to its new initiative on every Friday night in February, up to 'Finals Night' on the 26th February, where the first winners of the Pat Cunningham Memorial Cup will be crowned.

keadyhurling

Hi folks, should've introduced myself properly - our club running new hurling initiative, it started last friday night and was a superb success-even in the snow! A great atmosphere and great hurling played also. Our aim is to use this forum to publicise our idea and to update how it runs as we feel it could be rolled out throughout the country - maybe it is being done already?? Anyway all queries will be welcomed and we will update weekly on how it runs - here are some more thoughts on the opening night where we were lucky to have Paudie Butler in attendance.

National Director of Hurling Excited By New Floodlit Initiative

Speed and skill was the order of the night when An Ceide Lamh Dhearg's Midnight Hurling got under way at Keady High School on Friday night past. This new hurling initiative was designed to provide free flowing. high intensity hurling and credit must go to all the participating players who ensured this was so. Under the bright lights seven teams of seven took to the cold Astro turf but although the frost was on the ground the boys put every ounce of energy into each game although the going was very tough indeed.
The Pat Cunningham Memorial Cup is up for grabs and the competition will run for another 4 consecutive Friday nights with the main aims to provide competitive hurling in a fun environment for hurlers aged 15-19 as well as providing them with a safe social outlet on a Friday night. These same young men also had a very positive input to the rule making and organisation of this tournament, which is the first of its kind in the GAA. On the night the National Director of Hurling Paudie Butler official opened the tournament when he threw the first sloitar into play. This was very apt as Paudie has been the catalyst for many an innovation in hurling and he is very excited at the potential of the new game. Paudie was quoted "This is a fantastic game and with the advent of 3rd Generation pitches we will be trying to take this game nation wide. The boys and girls of Keady are doing so much good work and this is once again underlined here tonight."
The teams are made up of 7 players – one of which is a Keady Senior player who must remain in goals – and games are 5 a side, lasting 4minutes per half. 2 Running subs are allowed and encouraged in what is a fast paced high intensive spectacle. Playing rules have been conditioned to one catch of the sliothar only and puck outs/sidelines can be taken using a hand pass or a strike in order to keep games flowing as much as possible. Goals are the only way to score and there is a bonus point if any teams hit 4 or more.
As part of Keady's contribution to the ongoing Armagh Hurling Development programme, each of the 8 teams taking part are allowed 2 'guest' players from neighbouring clubs and the teams have also recruited new or past players back to the local hurling scene. It's also getting new recruits for our club and helping community spirit. Additionally we feel its helping hurling evolve with technology (3G pitches) and keeping the GAA up to speed with soccer and tag rugby for example, games traditionally played on these surfaces during the winter months - thus helping GAA player retention
With the first weeks competition now completed Keady Young Irelands are forging ahead with Damien's Devils coming in second place and Super Sumos in third place. There is a three way tie for forth place with Tiny's Angels just heading Liam's Ducks and Bubba Gump Shrimp Corporation on goal difference. At the back are the Underdogs who are living up to their name thus far although there is a long way to go and after the forth week of hurling the teams will be separated into the cup and shield competitions, so everyone have loads of time for success. A shortlist for Goal & Player of the Tournament is up and running with maybe top of heap is the Super Sumos super team goal which was finished of by Stephen Renaghan doubling a bullet to the net while there are numerous names in the hat for the best player including Colton, Renaghan, Gaffney, McCreesh, Fullerton, Corvan, Green and McGale amongst others.
The Keady club would like to welcome all hurling enthusiasts to come along and witness these young lads play a great new game which is set to break into the thoughts of the greater GAA family. First game commences at 8pm sharp on the Astro Turf Keady High School on Friday nights.

ha ha derry

Brilliant idea Keady, hope all goes well . I like the idea of quick high intensity games, it will definately improve stick skills for all players.

Silky

Quote from: ha ha derry on February 02, 2010, 07:35:59 AM
Brilliant idea Keady, hope all goes well . I like the idea of quick high intensity games, it will definately improve stick skills for all players.

And keep them away from the drink for a while anyway.

bennylewis

Brilliant concept, hope it goes well for them fair play