Underage squads 2024

[The PRO]

I'm led to believe there's a serious issue on the football side of the development squads around the number of parents who are coaches for the teams their own son is on.
Can't comment on the hurling equivalents but really no parent at inter county level should be coaching a team involving his own child.

[ROCKETMAN1]

I'm led to believe there's a serious issue on the football side of the development squads around the number of parents who are coaches for the teams their own son is on.
Can't comment on the hurling equivalents but really no parent at inter county level should be coaching a team involving his own child.

Sounds interesting. What are the issues that are arising? It is a fairly common thing throughout GAA history is it not? Unless the county board actively pursue people to put in to these positions then this is what happens, however, once the people in question are doing the job fairly I don't see any issue.

[The PRO]

I'm led to believe there's a serious issue on the football side of the development squads around the number of parents who are coaches for the teams their own son is on.
Can't comment on the hurling equivalents but really no parent at inter county level should be coaching a team involving his own child.

Sounds interesting. What are the issues that are arising? It is a fairly common thing throughout GAA history is it not? Unless the county board actively pursue people to put in to these positions then this is what happens, however, once the people in question are doing the job fairly I don't see any issue.

I believe the last line of your post is the issue.
Not in all cases I might add but I'm told there are chaps on the development squads who shouldn't be anywhere near them and wouldn't be except for a bit of pull.

[ROCKETMAN1]

I'm led to believe there's a serious issue on the football side of the development squads around the number of parents who are coaches for the teams their own son is on.
Can't comment on the hurling equivalents but really no parent at inter county level should be coaching a team involving his own child.

Sounds interesting. What are the issues that are arising? It is a fairly common thing throughout GAA history is it not? Unless the county board actively pursue people to put in to these positions then this is what happens, however, once the people in question are doing the job fairly I don't see any issue.

I believe the last line of your post is the issue.
Not in all cases I might add but I'm told there are chaps on the development squads who shouldn't be anywhere near them and wouldn't be except for a bit of pull.

I agree that this is not ideal but again I believe that the likes of Shane Keegan in his role should be actively pursuing people to take up these positions. Then this would not be an issue! IMO they should be looking at ex county players as these are people young lads can look up to and relate to. Unfortunately from following threads on this forum and hearing other anecdotal stories getting people to come on board with these development squads seems to be a big problem so this is the easy way out for the powers that be!

[Spiritof1915]

Ex county players is definitely the way to go and not just confined to Laois.

Any pro active county board with a hugh surplus of income every year should be capable of paying these ex players generous expenses to help take care of development teams.

Let the appointed manager/coach pick his background team as he sees fit.

[Verbal]

Are development squad coaches paid in other counties?

If paying, would college age current players be a better use of money?

[Sideline12]

Just putting this out there for discussion...

I genuinely believe that across all clubs in Laois, we need to start  identifying tall, fast underage players as early as possible - particularly at under U13 and U15 level - and bringing them into the county development squads.

Obviously skill is crucial, but if we're serious about competing at minor, U20, and ultimately senior levels in the years ahead, we need to be developing physically strong, quick players from a young age. That kind of raw athleticism, when paired with the right coaching and game intelligence, can give Laois football the edge we've been lacking at the highest level.

Every year we see top counties feeling powerful, mobile athletes who also have great football brains. We should be building our future around the same model - players who can cover ground, win primary possession, and transition quickly.

Would be interested to hear what others think. Are we doing enough at developement squad level to build for this kind of future?

[Hurling123]

Folks.

I had previously spent a time with a squad and one of my friend was an academy manager .
The conversation and experience i had almost completely turned me any intrest in my county. I take my friends example he was involved in a development hurling squad.  They put in a great effort.  Put there personal money into purchasing things like engery drinks,slitors ,physiotherapist ect paid out of the management teams pocket not laois gaa. Built the panel up to a great level and a achieved great success then simply just dropped when it came to minor level ,i had spoken with parents of this squad who were in tears telling me how all they wanted was for the management team to stay on.  A new management team brought in that haven't a clue in what they are doing or any experience with that bunch of kids.
he and I had don't have kids of the age of academy we were coaching

And we wonder why we might struggle to get good people involved.?

The clubs  don't help certain clubs send in all players of the age in for trials with a view of getting  as many as possible on to the squad.

There is parents  involved  and they make sure that there kids stay involved.  I got so pissed off of laois lack of interest  in the squad and seen how the older squad management  are treated I just had enough and threw in the towel.
Laois simply want to tick a box to statify  certain people  that we have accmedy structure. Laois gaa don't give a shite about the squad. This is my personal  experience. Shane keegan  has not helped in fact I would now view that his predecessor in fact done a much better job. If we wanted someone to talk or do a podcast contact shane but to change and improve i won't be shane.

[Voice of tReason]

Laois simply want to tick a box to statify  certain people  that we have accmedy structure. Laois gaa don't give a shite about the squad. This is my personal  experience. Shane keegan  has not helped in fact I would now view that his predecessor in fact done a much better job. If we wanted someone to talk or do a podcast contact shane but to change and improve i won't be shane.

I think the hurling management teams that Ogie detailed last week are of a very high standard. I'm sure the U14-16 management team you have referenced in the past (passed over for minor job in 2025) did a fine job but I think the depth and quality of the groups currently in place suggest Keegan is on the right track despite your obvious disappointment.

[Laois345]

Folks.

I had previously spent a time with a squad and one of my friend was an academy manager .
The conversation and experience i had almost completely turned me any intrest in my county. I take my friends example he was involved in a development hurling squad.  They put in a great effort.  Put there personal money into purchasing things like engery drinks,slitors ,physiotherapist ect paid out of the management teams pocket not laois gaa. Built the panel up to a great level and a achieved great success then simply just dropped when it came to minor level ,i had spoken with parents of this squad who were in tears telling me how all they wanted was for the management team to stay on.  A new management team brought in that haven't a clue in what they are doing or any experience with that bunch of kids.
he and I had don't have kids of the age of academy we were coaching

And we wonder why we might struggle to get good people involved.?

The clubs  don't help certain clubs send in all players of the age in for trials with a view of getting  as many as possible on to the squad.

There is parents  involved  and they make sure that there kids stay involved.  I got so pissed off of laois lack of interest  in the squad and seen how the older squad management  are treated I just had enough and threw in the towel.
Laois simply want to tick a box to statify  certain people  that we have accmedy structure. Laois gaa don't give a shite about the squad. This is my personal  experience. Shane keegan  has not helped in fact I would now view that his predecessor in fact done a much better job. If we wanted someone to talk or do a podcast contact shane but to change and improve i won't be shane.

No truer words at the end there.

[Leixman]

He does love a good podcast!

[Blueforever]

Just after reading a piece from Waterford gaa Chairman he stated that Waterford had dropped the ball at underage level for a lot of years until those with the interest of Waterford hurling was brought to the table we can all mow see the results . I WONDER is there anyone on our fair county capable of picking up the ball or will we continue as is
All we can do is live in hope
 

[marty34]

Just after reading a piece from Waterford gaa Chairman he stated that Waterford had dropped the ball at underage level for a lot of years until those with the interest of Waterford hurling was brought to the table we can all mow see the results . I WONDER is there anyone on our fair county capable of picking up the ball or will we continue as is
All we can do is live in hope
 

Was that in a newspaper?

[The real town]

There's a good interview on off the ball on how Tyrone develops it's underage they don't do trails they have lads at every underage game coming back with information on how lads are developing.Also bring back 12/16/18 grade see lads playing senior now and another year of minor would really benefit them as player. I think that is going to happen but when who knows.probably when one of the lads on the country boards club have a good team we will go back to the old grade .i think there's over 20 county's gone back to the old grade

[Downtheroad]

There's a good interview on off the ball on how Tyrone develops it's underage they don't do trails they have lads at every underage game coming back with information on how lads are developing.Also bring back 12/16/18 grade see lads playing senior now and another year of minor would really benefit them as player. I think that is going to happen but when who knows.probably when one of the lads on the country boards club have a good team we will go back to the old grade .i think there's over 20 county's gone back to the old grade

A lot of counties have gone back to Under 18 including Offaly. However the difference from years ago is that u18 can't play adult as is the case in Offaly.