What is everyone's take on this? I personally think that we should change back to the old way. The gap from u17 to senior is massive and let's be honest about it, u19 competitions are a joke. In Down, it was run off like a go games blitz and only a handful of teams entered as your best u19s are involved in seniors. It was ok the way it was!
Would rather the 13.5 or 14.5 age groups be allowed to keep lads playing with people their same year in school.
Quote from: Armagh18 on October 04, 2021, 03:12:30 PM
Would rather the 13.5 or 14.5 age groups be allowed to keep lads playing with people their same year in school.
That's worth looking at I think, it makes a big difference when they're younger.
I'm not sure it makes a big difference any more with U17 or U18. Most lads aren't breaking into senior teams until 19 or 20 because they're not physically ready. I agree the U19 wasn't run well in Down, some of our lads were playing 4 games a week at one stage with the senior league compressed as well this year. Sort of goes against the reasoning behind going to the odd numbers to reduce the demand on the players in that overlapping group.
My kids started playing soccer lately and the big advantage I see there is no crossover in ages, they've U10s, 11s, 12s etc and they're not expected to play for 2 teams, never mind across 2 ages at both codes.
Pick one setup (odd or even), stick to it, and stop f$%#ing around with it. Mayo are doing a split year which has been messy.
Quote from: Duine Inteacht Eile on October 04, 2021, 04:02:08 PM
I'm not against it but why does keeping them in school years make a big difference?
The big advantage soccer has, from what I can see, is that they don't struggle for numbers. They are able to field a few teams at every age group.
Then again, giving kids a shed load of games on a consistent and regular basis will attract them.
From my own experience, I have a wee lad who graduated from u12s to u15.5 this year as opposed to going into u14s due to the changes.
He's was in 2nd year, small-average size for his age. First night at training he was training with 4th years, some of which are touching the 6ft height and built like tanks. He was intimidated out of it but I was also worried he'd get hurt against lads so big.
As it happened he did pick up an injury which kept him out for the rest of the year and now he's very reluctant to go back.
It doesn't matter what way you look at it, a 2nd year vs a 4th year is not sensible in my mind. This is why I think they should keep it at school years.
The schools have year group based competitions for this reason.
Quote from: tbrick18 on October 04, 2021, 04:08:00 PM
Quote from: Duine Inteacht Eile on October 04, 2021, 04:02:08 PM
I'm not against it but why does keeping them in school years make a big difference?
The big advantage soccer has, from what I can see, is that they don't struggle for numbers. They are able to field a few teams at every age group.
Then again, giving kids a shed load of games on a consistent and regular basis will attract them.
From my own experience, I have a wee lad who graduated from u12s to u15.5 this year as opposed to going into u14s due to the changes.
He's was in 2nd year, small-average size for his age. First night at training he was training with 4th years, some of which are touching the 6ft height and built like tanks. He was intimidated out of it but I was also worried he'd get hurt against lads so big.
As it happened he did pick up an injury which kept him out for the rest of the year and now he's very reluctant to go back.
It doesn't matter what way you look at it, a 2nd year vs a 4th year is not sensible in my mind. This is why I think they should keep it at school years.
The schools have year group based competitions for this reason.
I've heard a few parents saying that jump from 13 to 15 seems to be bigger than 12 to 14. It's hard to get it right unless, as you said, you have the numbers to play it at each age group. Most clubs couldn't do it.
u17 a disaster
Quote from: Duine Inteacht Eile on October 04, 2021, 04:02:08 PM
I'm not against it but why does keeping them in school years make a big difference?
The big advantage soccer has, from what I can see, is that they don't struggle for numbers. They are able to field a few teams at every age group.
Then again, giving kids a shed load of games on a consistent and regular basis will attract them.
its only 11 a side
Mayo used have the primary competitions as evens, with odds starting around now (u-17 the exception, tried it a few years, didn't work). Now the tables have changed with the odds played throughout the summer, and evens starting a week or two ago. I expect it'll continue on this way.
Quote from: Duine Inteacht Eile on October 04, 2021, 04:16:20 PM
But the principle is the same? There is still a cut off date in the calendar?
A 1st year could be (almost) a year older than another first year.
I don't really think that schools have year group competitions for any other reason than that they have year groups.
Edit: Unless of course you are saying that there is a club competition for every year group and you only play your own year group.
Would clubs have the players for that? The facilities for it?
Yes that's true, but physically there won't be that huge a difference between kids in the same year group.
If you have "competitive" grades with 2nd year kids playing with and against 4th year kids then the 2nd years are not going to get much football and could also get injured against the bigger older players.
IMO, the u14, u16 age bands didn't have this as so much of an issue.
There's never going to be an ideal grouping I guess, but I think the overriding purpose of the structures should be to keep kids playing games for as long as possible and unfortunately I think the current setup doesnt do that.
There will always be clubs who don't have the numbers at every age group, which is another problem altogether.
Quote from: tbrick18 on October 04, 2021, 04:08:00 PM
Quote from: Duine Inteacht Eile on October 04, 2021, 04:02:08 PM
I'm not against it but why does keeping them in school years make a big difference?
The big advantage soccer has, from what I can see, is that they don't struggle for numbers. They are able to field a few teams at every age group.
Then again, giving kids a shed load of games on a consistent and regular basis will attract them.
From my own experience, I have a wee lad who graduated from u12s to u15.5 this year as opposed to going into u14s due to the changes.
He's was in 2nd year, small-average size for his age. First night at training he was training with 4th years, some of which are touching the 6ft height and built like tanks. He was intimidated out of it but I was also worried he'd get hurt against lads so big.
As it happened he did pick up an injury which kept him out for the rest of the year and now he's very reluctant to go back.
It doesn't matter what way you look at it, a 2nd year vs a 4th year is not sensible in my mind. This is why I think they should keep it at school years.
The schools have year group based competitions for this reason.
u13?
From what I understand , the move from u18 to u17 was made to protect the u18 who was getting pulled and dragged between numerous teams. However the vast majority of kids just play with their club and don't play county minor + adult football at that age. As mentioned by others, the gap from minor to adult football is now bigger, for the vast majority of young lads. U19 can never be a serious grade as it clashes with adult football in a way that u18 did not. The drop off rates will surely increase. There was no need to change.
Quote from: StephenC on October 04, 2021, 04:05:21 PM
Pick one setup (odd or even), stick to it, and stop f$%#ing around with it. Mayo are doing a split year which has been messy.
Mayo always did a split year even when it was evens
I know several lads in U17 who are saying this is their last year in football. U20 doesn't appeal to them. Sad situation. Should never have changed.
Quote from: Itchy on October 04, 2021, 06:14:26 PM
Quote from: StephenC on October 04, 2021, 04:05:21 PM
Pick one setup (odd or even), stick to it, and stop f$%#ing around with it. Mayo are doing a split year which has been messy.
Mayo always did a split year even when it was evens
The BS between the divisional boards and the BnO this year has been shite. Pick an age group and let us at it for the year.
Quote from: Duine Inteacht Eile on October 04, 2021, 05:04:52 PM
The U14 and U16 system would have had the 2nd year/4th year problem too. The problem isn't with the school year they are in, it's due to them being 2 years older. Therefore, no matter what cut off date you go for, the exact same issue will remain.
There are currently clubs who struggle for numbers with the 2 year age bracket. They (and many others) will never be able to field at every 1 year age group.
Add in clubs trying to facilitate all of these new teams across all codes. It's a non-runner.
Yeah, my 11 yo out this evening playing against lads who are 14 since January, because we can't field a U14 team from the 2 years. Numbers are what is killing small clubs.
Quote from: Duine Inteacht Eile on October 04, 2021, 04:02:08 PM
I'm not against it but why does keeping them in school years make a big difference?
The big advantage soccer has, from what I can see, is that they don't struggle for numbers. They are able to field a few teams at every age group.
Then again, giving kids a shed load of games on a consistent and regular basis will attract them.
So you're playing with lads you already run about with in school. Especially for lads who stay on, half the year are playing minors and half can only play senior
Because of Covid my young lad ended up playing under 12 as 11 year old in 2020 and under 13 as a 12 year old in 2021 (this year) on a panel of 25. So he's had two consecutive years as the younger age. When I say he played, that is an exaggeration. He trained and sat on the bench for games with a plethora of others.
The school years made sense - granted for one season you would play against people older than you however for the second year most of the teams you met would have players from the same year at school.
For a child it is comfortable playing against kids in your own year - even though some may be bigger you will still see them as a peer.
With it being odd numbers, even if you are in your final year at that age group and seen as the 'oldest' in the group you could still be playing against players a year above you.
The confidence that kids should feel in their final year at a level never materialises. I know for a fact clubs have lost a number of kids already & this is the core reason.
It will only get worse as well unfortunately.
Has anyone actually explained why they changed the younger grades - under 11, 13 & 15
They moved u17 because of player welfare concerns. In the old system, a talented 18 year old would have been expected to player county minor hurling and football, club minor hurling and football, club senior hurling and football. Even beyond player welfare, it's a fixture chaos situation, especially at championship time. True, most people aren't dual players. But I believe it has had the desired effect.
Keeping the grades 2 years apart (17, 15, 13) of course made sense at that point.
But in retrospect the better thing to do might have been to change the age of adulthood (eligibility for adult competitions) to 19.
I'm still not sure it solves many of the concerns discussed in this thread, as some of them are clearly related to the changeover of the system rather than the new system, while some are just blathering.
80%+ of children quit Gaelic football before they're 21 years old. It's usually because they're missing one or more of the core faculties needed to excel in a sport that requires dedication to physical conditioning, and occasionally it happens because there's just nowhere for them to go (a good, dedicated player joining the adult ranks after 5-6 years of good teams coming through before him). Dropout is rarely if ever attributable to age grade cutoffs.
Quote from: thewobbler on October 05, 2021, 08:41:42 AM
They moved u17 because of player welfare concerns. In the old system, a talented 18 year old would have been expected to player county minor hurling and football, club minor hurling and football, club senior hurling and football. Even beyond player welfare, it's a fixture chaos situation, especially at championship time. True, most people aren't dual players. But I believe it has had the desired effect.
Keeping the grades 2 years apart (17, 15, 13) of course made sense at that point.
But in retrospect the better thing to do might have been to change the age of adulthood (eligibility for adult competitions) to 19.
I'm still not sure it solves many of the concerns discussed in this thread, as some of them are clearly related to the changeover of the system rather than the new system, while some are just blathering.
80%+ of children quit Gaelic football before they're 21 years old. It's usually because they're missing one or more of the core faculties needed to excel in a sport that requires dedication to physical conditioning, and occasionally it happens because there's just nowhere for them to go (a good, dedicated player joining the adult ranks after 5-6 years of good teams coming through before him). Dropout is rarely if ever attributable to age grade cutoffs.
It is a culmination wobbler - if a child is constantly playing against bigger/older players in age levels the interest wanes until the drop off is inevitable.
They might not quit when until the older age groups however the process was set in motion earlier in their career.
You cannot estimate the knock in confidence this is having in kids.
Consistently playing against your school peers brings a kid on an awful lot
I remember seeing a stat a few years ago that 70+ % of Olympic athletes were born in the first three months of their school year. The stats for premier league footballers were similar. I wonder what the stats are in GAA and does the two year age groups impact on that. The working theory was the older kids tended to bigger stronger etc earlier and therefore came to the fore sooner and got more coaching and playing time as a result.
I have yet to see an u19 competition in Ulster or Ireland that has been taking seriously? The best players are playing senior football
Quote from: David McKeown on October 05, 2021, 09:15:37 AM
I remember seeing a stat a few years ago that 70+ % of Olympic athletes were born in the first three months of their school year. The stats for premier league footballers were similar. I wonder what the stats are in GAA and does the two year age groups impact on that. The working theory was the older kids tended to bigger stronger etc earlier and therefore came to the fore sooner and got more coaching and playing time as a result.
Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell covers this in detail. The figures are staggering. I can't see any reason why the GAA would be immune from this. Although the different age cut offs between club and school might actually be a good thing. The lad born in November is at a statistical disadvantage for club, but he would be one of the oldest on a school team. I was born in February, which was great for me. But was always a tougher ask making the school team than the club team on my "good" year, as there was more competition.
No matter where you put the cut off, there will be some lads who missed it by a month. It's up to coaches to recognise this and make allowances for it.
My concern with minor being a year early is that lads will drift away as they become forcefully disengaged. I'm not talking about the lads who would have been lost anyway , but the lad who will play if he feels he has something worth playing for , but won't if he does not. There are 17 year olds who are just not physically ready for even lower division adult football. One year makes a big difference at that age.
In my experience the school year thing is most important at primary school levels as kids are inclined to stick at it if their friends at school are also on the same team. When the GAA was calendar year then you'd some of the class playing a different agegroup to their classmates and some dropped out due to it.
Down moved to the school years a few years before Croke Park started messing around with it and IMO it works for us as a club. I'd be more ambivalent to it at the older agegroups as kids are more developed and confident and can take or leave the calendar year vrs school year debate either way.
As for U19's, it patently isn't working as intended due to the overlap with adult competitions and is an end of year, in the depths of winter, box ticking competition but there were similar issues with U18's as there was an overlap with adult competitions as well but was squeezed in somewhere or other.
Moving the requirement to be over 19 to play adult competitions will be the death knell for small, rural clubs. trust me on that one.
Johnny out of curiosity, why are you thinking one more year of juvenile classification would create a death knell?
It is obviously vital to have players coming through each year. Surely the actual handover age isn't as important as the process?
By the way, I'd have no qualms with 16 year olds playing adult football myself. The problem inherent is that we are perhaps the only sporting organisation on earth in which when a player is talented enough to move up a grade, we force him to play both grades.
Quote from: thewobbler on October 05, 2021, 10:23:01 AM
Johnny out of curiosity, why are you thinking one more year of juvenile classification would create a death knell?
It is obviously vital to have players coming through each year. Surely the actual handover age isn't as important as the process?
By the way, I'd have no qualms with 16 year olds playing adult football myself. The problem inherent is that we are perhaps the only sporting organisation on earth in which when a player is talented enough to move up a grade, we force him to play both grades.
I believed you were moving it up two age groups and not the one but then U19 would still have the overlap with adult competitions with no gain for those 18yo's unless I misunderstand you.
Here's one for you. We've a 15yo who was on our U15 team this year and he plays rugby and is training with the Ulster U18 development squad yet can't play U17 intercounty hurling which he's well capable of.
Now I think the GAA are entirely right in not allowing those U15 to play U17 intercounty yet the rugby crowd have no qualms over playing a 15yo @ U18...
It would be one year up.
Currently if born in 2004 or later, you're a juvenile for all of 2021.
What I'm suggesting is that if we were to return to u18, 16, 14, then from a fixtures/burnout perspective the rule for 2021 would be better implemented as "if born in 2003 or later, you're a juvenile for all of 2021".
This would though be self-contradictory, as a lad born on 1 Jan 2003 would be an adult in the eyes of the law (and insurance makers) for an entire year before he can play senior football.
This I suppose though is fundamentally why the top brass forced in 17-15-13, for as it stands, anyone playing u17 grade this season cannot become a full adult / 18 years old during any part of the season.
——
The u19 grade is utterly pointless. It will always be a shambles as the better players will be on their club's senior panel, and the less interested players will either be living it up at uni, or earning enough coin to do things that interests them more. In Down there are maybe 4-5 clubs with a big enough pick to generate a team from what's left.
The u19 grade is a disaster and I guarantee clubs have lost more players earlier than before.
Quote from: Truth hurts on October 05, 2021, 11:48:02 AM
The u19 grade is a disaster and I guarantee clubs have lost more players earlier than before.
agreed.
the lower age groups should be aligned to school year, a simple no brainer
its a farce that one lad in a given school year can play u13 or u15 and his class mate cant, yet they play on same school team etc
u13 - all 2nd years and down
u15 - all 4th years and down
change u17 - back to u18
Quote from: Onthe40 on October 05, 2021, 11:55:00 AM
the lower age groups should be aligned to school year, a simple no brainer
its a farce that one lad in a given school year can play u13 or u15 and his class mate cant, yet they play on same school team etc
u13 - all 2nd years and down
u15 - all 4th years and down
change u17 - back to u18
Only issue I'd have there is it's a big jump for a lad coming out of U15's to be playing against lads at 18 especially with the gym work a lot of fellas do. U16 then u18 is the best way I think. (Or 16.5 and 18.5 whatever the school year is)
Quote from: Duine Inteacht Eile on October 05, 2021, 01:13:06 PM
Would it align across the country?
What is a 4th year in the south? Is their school cut off date the same as it is in the north?
This could make a balls of Féile, Ulster championships and All Irelands.
Feíle has changed drastically and you won't be having host counties and the weekend tournaments ever again. It'll be more like county winners attention regional blitzes played off in a day and at U15.
Some of the southern contributors may be able to clarify, but is junior cert @16yo and leaving cert at 18yo?
Quote from: johnnycool on October 05, 2021, 02:03:13 PM
Quote from: Duine Inteacht Eile on October 05, 2021, 01:13:06 PM
Would it align across the country?
What is a 4th year in the south? Is their school cut off date the same as it is in the north?
This could make a balls of Féile, Ulster championships and All Irelands.
Feíle has changed drastically and you won't be having host counties and the weekend tournaments ever again. It'll be more like county winners attention regional blitzes played off in a day and at U15.
Some of the southern contributors may be able to clarify, but is junior cert @16yo and leaving cert at 18yo?
Junior Cert at 15/16
LC can be 17/18 or even 19 now.
Transition year is optional
with safeguarding etc there definitely won't be any more weekend Feiles!
Quote from: DuffleKing on October 04, 2021, 05:29:11 PM
Quote from: tbrick18 on October 04, 2021, 04:08:00 PM
Quote from: Duine Inteacht Eile on October 04, 2021, 04:02:08 PM
I'm not against it but why does keeping them in school years make a big difference?
The big advantage soccer has, from what I can see, is that they don't struggle for numbers. They are able to field a few teams at every age group.
Then again, giving kids a shed load of games on a consistent and regular basis will attract them.
From my own experience, I have a wee lad who graduated from u12s to u15.5 this year as opposed to going into u14s due to the changes.
He's was in 2nd year, small-average size for his age. First night at training he was training with 4th years, some of which are touching the 6ft height and built like tanks. He was intimidated out of it but I was also worried he'd get hurt against lads so big.
As it happened he did pick up an injury which kept him out for the rest of the year and now he's very reluctant to go back.
It doesn't matter what way you look at it, a 2nd year vs a 4th year is not sensible in my mind. This is why I think they should keep it at school years.
The schools have year group based competitions for this reason.
u13?
There was no u13 here anyway....I didn't know there was such a thing.
Just to clarify, I'm not suggesting there is a competition at club level for every school year group. Only suggesting the old u12, u14, u16 groupings were better as there is less of a chance of there being huge physical differences in the kids.
I could be wrong, I'm basing it on a personal experience with my own son.
Quote from: johnnycool on October 05, 2021, 02:03:13 PM
Quote from: Duine Inteacht Eile on October 05, 2021, 01:13:06 PM
Would it align across the country?
What is a 4th year in the south? Is their school cut off date the same as it is in the north?
This could make a balls of Féile, Ulster championships and All Irelands.
Feíle has changed drastically and you won't be having host counties and the weekend tournaments ever again. It'll be more like county winners attention regional blitzes played off in a day and at U15.
Some of the southern contributors may be able to clarify, but is junior cert @16yo and leaving cert at 18yo?
I understand the Covid present, but surely Feile was as good a lifetime experience as any in GAA terms for youth.
I just can't warm to the new system. There was nothing wrong with the old system.
Quote from: tbrick18 on October 05, 2021, 04:45:08 PM
Quote from: DuffleKing on October 04, 2021, 05:29:11 PM
Quote from: tbrick18 on October 04, 2021, 04:08:00 PM
Quote from: Duine Inteacht Eile on October 04, 2021, 04:02:08 PM
I'm not against it but why does keeping them in school years make a big difference?
The big advantage soccer has, from what I can see, is that they don't struggle for numbers. They are able to field a few teams at every age group.
Then again, giving kids a shed load of games on a consistent and regular basis will attract them.
From my own experience, I have a wee lad who graduated from u12s to u15.5 this year as opposed to going into u14s due to the changes.
He's was in 2nd year, small-average size for his age. First night at training he was training with 4th years, some of which are touching the 6ft height and built like tanks. He was intimidated out of it but I was also worried he'd get hurt against lads so big.
As it happened he did pick up an injury which kept him out for the rest of the year and now he's very reluctant to go back.
It doesn't matter what way you look at it, a 2nd year vs a 4th year is not sensible in my mind. This is why I think they should keep it at school years.
The schools have year group based competitions for this reason.
u13?
There was no u13 here anyway....I didn't know there was such a thing.
Just to clarify, I'm not suggesting there is a competition at club level for every school year group. Only suggesting the old u12, u14, u16 groupings were better as there is less of a chance of there being huge physical differences in the kids.
I could be wrong, I'm basing it on a personal experience with my own son.
We have u13 here in Tyrone.
U7.5, 9.5, 11.5 then 13, 15 and 17.
There is a smaller gap for the likes of your son. The oldest he would be up against at u13 would be someone 18 months older.
It means primary school kids play with their own class mates which encourages them to keep at it but Secondary it is aligned by the year you are born. Personally I like that split between school and club football as different players have good birthdays for school and club.
Everyone has u13
Quote from: LeoMc on October 05, 2021, 09:53:32 PM
Quote from: tbrick18 on October 05, 2021, 04:45:08 PM
Quote from: DuffleKing on October 04, 2021, 05:29:11 PM
Quote from: tbrick18 on October 04, 2021, 04:08:00 PM
Quote from: Duine Inteacht Eile on October 04, 2021, 04:02:08 PM
I'm not against it but why does keeping them in school years make a big difference?
The big advantage soccer has, from what I can see, is that they don't struggle for numbers. They are able to field a few teams at every age group.
Then again, giving kids a shed load of games on a consistent and regular basis will attract them.
From my own experience, I have a wee lad who graduated from u12s to u15.5 this year as opposed to going into u14s due to the changes.
He's was in 2nd year, small-average size for his age. First night at training he was training with 4th years, some of which are touching the 6ft height and built like tanks. He was intimidated out of it but I was also worried he'd get hurt against lads so big.
As it happened he did pick up an injury which kept him out for the rest of the year and now he's very reluctant to go back.
It doesn't matter what way you look at it, a 2nd year vs a 4th year is not sensible in my mind. This is why I think they should keep it at school years.
The schools have year group based competitions for this reason.
u13?
There was no u13 here anyway....I didn't know there was such a thing.
Just to clarify, I'm not suggesting there is a competition at club level for every school year group. Only suggesting the old u12, u14, u16 groupings were better as there is less of a chance of there being huge physical differences in the kids.
I could be wrong, I'm basing it on a personal experience with my own son.
We have u13 here in Tyrone.
U7.5, 9.5, 11.5 then 13, 15 and 17.
There is a smaller gap for the likes of your son. The oldest he would be up against at u13 would be someone 18 months older.
It means primary school kids play with their own class mates which encourages them to keep at it but Secondary it is aligned by the year you are born. Personally I like that split between school and club football as different players have good birthdays for school and club.
Is u13 (u13.5?) a new grade then?
Maybe I've missed something completely, which is more than possible. So my lad went from u12s straight to u15.5. On that year it was my understanding that it was the first year of u15.5 and normally he'd have been going to u14s so he was never near an u13s team.
Maybe he's just the exception with how his birthday falls in that he missed the entire u13 grade and had to go to u15.5.
I must go and have a chat with some of the other coaches to see if I can work this out. Either way, he'd definately be too old for u13 now.
u13, u15 and u17 is now mandatory
Quote from: Duine Inteacht Eile on October 06, 2021, 10:12:27 AM
Nobody should be going from U12 to U15.5 ffs.
yeah that's the point I was trying to make, but that's what happened my lad. I thought it was just the way of it now, but I'm starting to think now there's been a balls up somewhere along the way and he's missed a year of u13.5.
He's lost a year of football now anyway with being injured but he's reluctant to go back given his experience of making that jump straight to u15.5 even though he'd now legitimately be u15.5 as he turned 14 over the summer.
Something not adding up there.
Every county has to have u13, u15 and u17
Most counties have u11.5, u9.5 and u7.5 below that based on school ages but its not prescribed
Every county has to have one age grade above u17 to bridge to senior
Each county decides on additional grades beyond that. Big counties run the even numbered age grades also.
Quote from: DuffleKing on October 06, 2021, 11:08:38 AM
Something not adding up there.
Every county has to have u13, u15 and u17
Most counties have u11.5, u9.5 and u7.5 below that based on school ages but its not prescribed
Every county has to have one age grade above u17 to bridge to senior
Each county decides on additional grades beyond that. Big counties run the even numbered age grades also.
I think he means they were playing U12 (maybe 12.5s?) and with the restructure he went to 15s instead of 14s. Some counties went a year later than others
Quote from: bigarsedkeeper on October 06, 2021, 12:38:47 PM
Quote from: DuffleKing on October 06, 2021, 11:08:38 AM
Something not adding up there.
Every county has to have u13, u15 and u17
Most counties have u11.5, u9.5 and u7.5 below that based on school ages but its not prescribed
Every county has to have one age grade above u17 to bridge to senior
Each county decides on additional grades beyond that. Big counties run the even numbered age grades also.
I think he means they were playing U12 (maybe 12.5s?) and with the restructure he went to 15s instead of 14s. Some counties went a year later than others
Yeah that's what I meant.....only you said it better :)
With the restructuring, i didn't realise there was an u13.5 grade, and certainly within the club at the time I was told he had to move to u15.5.
It might just be an anomaly of when his birthday is and not what happened the majority.
Quote from: tbrick18 on October 06, 2021, 03:46:09 PM
Quote from: bigarsedkeeper on October 06, 2021, 12:38:47 PM
Quote from: DuffleKing on October 06, 2021, 11:08:38 AM
Something not adding up there.
Every county has to have u13, u15 and u17
Most counties have u11.5, u9.5 and u7.5 below that based on school ages but its not prescribed
Every county has to have one age grade above u17 to bridge to senior
Each county decides on additional grades beyond that. Big counties run the even numbered age grades also.
I think he means they were playing U12 (maybe 12.5s?) and with the restructure he went to 15s instead of 14s. Some counties went a year later than others
Yeah that's what I meant.....only you said it better :)
With the restructuring, i didn't realise there was an u13.5 grade, and certainly within the club at the time I was told he had to move to u15.5.
It might just be an anomaly of when his birthday is and not what happened the majority.
Are you in Armagh where I think they went the school year all the way up?
Quote from: johnnycool on October 07, 2021, 09:25:39 AM
Quote from: tbrick18 on October 06, 2021, 03:46:09 PM
Quote from: bigarsedkeeper on October 06, 2021, 12:38:47 PM
Quote from: DuffleKing on October 06, 2021, 11:08:38 AM
Something not adding up there.
Every county has to have u13, u15 and u17
Most counties have u11.5, u9.5 and u7.5 below that based on school ages but its not prescribed
Every county has to have one age grade above u17 to bridge to senior
Each county decides on additional grades beyond that. Big counties run the even numbered age grades also.
I think he means they were playing U12 (maybe 12.5s?) and with the restructure he went to 15s instead of 14s. Some counties went a year later than others
Yeah that's what I meant.....only you said it better :)
With the restructuring, i didn't realise there was an u13.5 grade, and certainly within the club at the time I was told he had to move to u15.5.
It might just be an anomaly of when his birthday is and not what happened the majority.
Are you in Armagh where I think they went the school year all the way up?
No, but not a million miles away. Tyrone for my sins.
Seen a thing on facebook/instagram outlining the underage structures across the country with the majority of counties (20) using even ages, 5 using odd ages & 7 using a mix. Just wondering if its accurate.
Derry's structures are
U7.5 (p2&3), U9.5 (p4&5) & U11.5 (p6&7) for go-games
Then u14, u16 & u18
You have 3 years at u14 if you've a "good" birthday.
In Derry there was an u12.5 league last year, mostly clubs with bigger numbers, to give players just out of u11.5 competitive football - not sure if it will be scheduled for the 2026 year group.
Quote from: cornerback on December 01, 2025, 02:50:47 PMSeen a thing on facebook/instagram outlining the underage structures across the country with the majority of counties (20) using even ages, 5 using odd ages & 7 using a mix. Just wondering if its accurate.
Derry's structures are
U7.5 (p2&3), U9.5 (p4&5) & U11.5 (p6&7) for go-games
Then u14, u16 & u18
You have 3 years at u14 if you've a "good" birthday.
In Derry there was an u12.5 league last year, mostly clubs with bigger numbers, to give players just out of u11.5 competitive football - not sure if it will be scheduled for the 2026 year group.
I know of clubs exploring the option of going to the Inishowen u12 league but apparently the county board are starting to listen to the clubs re the u12 situation
Quote from: Brendan on December 01, 2025, 05:27:16 PMQuote from: cornerback on December 01, 2025, 02:50:47 PMSeen a thing on facebook/instagram outlining the underage structures across the country with the majority of counties (20) using even ages, 5 using odd ages & 7 using a mix. Just wondering if its accurate.
Derry's structures are
U7.5 (p2&3), U9.5 (p4&5) & U11.5 (p6&7) for go-games
Then u14, u16 & u18
You have 3 years at u14 if you've a "good" birthday.
In Derry there was an u12.5 league last year, mostly clubs with bigger numbers, to give players just out of u11.5 competitive football - not sure if it will be scheduled for the 2026 year group.
I know of clubs exploring the option of going to the Inishowen u12 league but apparently the county board are starting to listen to the clubs re the u12 situation
Tyrone has u10.5, u12.5 then u14s, u16s, minor.
For those with a bad birthday coming out of u14s, they only get 1 year at u14s then straight into u16s.
Not great for development of your mid/lower tier players and contributes to a drop off in numbers imo.
I personally think the even numbers the whole way up are a better fit.
Quote from: tbrick18 on December 01, 2025, 05:45:33 PMQuote from: Brendan on December 01, 2025, 05:27:16 PMQuote from: cornerback on December 01, 2025, 02:50:47 PMSeen a thing on facebook/instagram outlining the underage structures across the country with the majority of counties (20) using even ages, 5 using odd ages & 7 using a mix. Just wondering if its accurate.
Derry's structures are
U7.5 (p2&3), U9.5 (p4&5) & U11.5 (p6&7) for go-games
Then u14, u16 & u18
You have 3 years at u14 if you've a "good" birthday.
In Derry there was an u12.5 league last year, mostly clubs with bigger numbers, to give players just out of u11.5 competitive football - not sure if it will be scheduled for the 2026 year group.
I know of clubs exploring the option of going to the Inishowen u12 league but apparently the county board are starting to listen to the clubs re the u12 situation
Tyrone has u10.5, u12.5 then u14s, u16s, minor.
For those with a bad birthday coming out of u14s, they only get 1 year at u14s then straight into u16s.
Not great for development of your mid/lower tier players and contributes to a drop off in numbers imo.
I personally think the even numbers the whole way up are a better fit.
Tyrone also just played 5 rounds of an U13 League as well. Good to see it back in the calendar.
Derry went from 2 u14 leagues of clubs with 2 teams playing on the same night in 2024 to only 1 this year so player drop off is definitely affected by this
Quote from: Goals_Will_Come on December 02, 2025, 08:53:52 AMQuote from: tbrick18 on December 01, 2025, 05:45:33 PMQuote from: Brendan on December 01, 2025, 05:27:16 PMQuote from: cornerback on December 01, 2025, 02:50:47 PMSeen a thing on facebook/instagram outlining the underage structures across the country with the majority of counties (20) using even ages, 5 using odd ages & 7 using a mix. Just wondering if its accurate.
Derry's structures are
U7.5 (p2&3), U9.5 (p4&5) & U11.5 (p6&7) for go-games
Then u14, u16 & u18
You have 3 years at u14 if you've a "good" birthday.
In Derry there was an u12.5 league last year, mostly clubs with bigger numbers, to give players just out of u11.5 competitive football - not sure if it will be scheduled for the 2026 year group.
I know of clubs exploring the option of going to the Inishowen u12 league but apparently the county board are starting to listen to the clubs re the u12 situation
Tyrone has u10.5, u12.5 then u14s, u16s, minor.
For those with a bad birthday coming out of u14s, they only get 1 year at u14s then straight into u16s.
Not great for development of your mid/lower tier players and contributes to a drop off in numbers imo.
I personally think the even numbers the whole way up are a better fit.
Tyrone also just played 5 rounds of an U13 League as well. Good to see it back in the calendar.
Noticed this from clubs posting on facebook... is this to sort seedings/leagues for incoming u14? Is Tyrone u12.5 league football and no championship?
Quote from: cornerback on December 02, 2025, 09:47:57 AMQuote from: Goals_Will_Come on December 02, 2025, 08:53:52 AMQuote from: tbrick18 on December 01, 2025, 05:45:33 PMQuote from: Brendan on December 01, 2025, 05:27:16 PMQuote from: cornerback on December 01, 2025, 02:50:47 PMSeen a thing on facebook/instagram outlining the underage structures across the country with the majority of counties (20) using even ages, 5 using odd ages & 7 using a mix. Just wondering if its accurate.
Derry's structures are
U7.5 (p2&3), U9.5 (p4&5) & U11.5 (p6&7) for go-games
Then u14, u16 & u18
You have 3 years at u14 if you've a "good" birthday.
In Derry there was an u12.5 league last year, mostly clubs with bigger numbers, to give players just out of u11.5 competitive football - not sure if it will be scheduled for the 2026 year group.
I know of clubs exploring the option of going to the Inishowen u12 league but apparently the county board are starting to listen to the clubs re the u12 situation
Tyrone has u10.5, u12.5 then u14s, u16s, minor.
For those with a bad birthday coming out of u14s, they only get 1 year at u14s then straight into u16s.
Not great for development of your mid/lower tier players and contributes to a drop off in numbers imo.
I personally think the even numbers the whole way up are a better fit.
Tyrone also just played 5 rounds of an U13 League as well. Good to see it back in the calendar.
Noticed this from clubs posting on facebook... is this to sort seedings/leagues for incoming u14? Is Tyrone u12.5 league football and no championship?
It's played as Go-Games. Clubs grouped based on numbers, no scores officially kept etc.
Quote from: Brendan on December 02, 2025, 09:21:40 AMDerry went from 2 u14 leagues of clubs with 2 teams playing on the same night in 2024 to only 1 this year so player drop off is definitely affected by this
Was under 14 not the same this year in Derry, with 12 teams in U14A1 and of those 11 fielded a second side in the U14A1B?
IMO for some of the less talented players the difference from Go-Games (non competitive u12) to u14 is significant and the lack of competitive matches at u12 doesn't help player retention or development.
Quote from: cornerback on December 01, 2025, 02:50:47 PMSeen a thing on facebook/instagram outlining the underage structures across the country with the majority of counties (20) using even ages, 5 using odd ages & 7 using a mix. Just wondering if its accurate.
Derry's structures are
U7.5 (p2&3), U9.5 (p4&5) & U11.5 (p6&7) for go-games
Then u14, u16 & u18
You have 3 years at u14 if you've a "good" birthday.
In Derry there was an u12.5 league last year, mostly clubs with bigger numbers, to give players just out of u11.5 competitive football - not sure if it will be scheduled for the 2026 year group.
The U12.5 league in Derry was organised by the clubs, there was no county board involvement. It was a series of challenge games, mostly 13 a side on shortened pitches with the option of playing 15 if numbers allowed. No scores kept (though all the lads playing always know the score, same as gogames). It did tend to be the bigger clubs, think there were around 10 clubs involved, who had enough to field a team of mostly first years. Worked pretty well to give those lads who weren't ready for U14s some football and as a bridge from 9 a side Gogames to full pitch 15 a side games - it's a big jump. Apparently the Derry youth officers are looking at the U11.5-U14 situation at the moment.
Quote from: GTP on December 02, 2025, 10:38:26 AMQuote from: Brendan on December 02, 2025, 09:21:40 AMDerry went from 2 u14 leagues of clubs with 2 teams playing on the same night in 2024 to only 1 this year so player drop off is definitely affected by this
Was under 14 not the same this year in Derry, with 12 teams in U14A1 and of those 11 fielded a second side in the U14A1B?
IMO for some of the less talented players the difference from Go-Games (non competitive u12) to u14 is significant and the lack of competitive matches at u12 doesn't help player retention or development.
Yeah I mean in 2024 there was A1 and A1b, then an A2 and A2b
Quote from: oakleafgael on December 02, 2025, 09:59:20 AMQuote from: cornerback on December 02, 2025, 09:47:57 AMQuote from: Goals_Will_Come on December 02, 2025, 08:53:52 AMQuote from: tbrick18 on December 01, 2025, 05:45:33 PMQuote from: Brendan on December 01, 2025, 05:27:16 PMQuote from: cornerback on December 01, 2025, 02:50:47 PMSeen a thing on facebook/instagram outlining the underage structures across the country with the majority of counties (20) using even ages, 5 using odd ages & 7 using a mix. Just wondering if its accurate.
Derry's structures are
U7.5 (p2&3), U9.5 (p4&5) & U11.5 (p6&7) for go-games
Then u14, u16 & u18
You have 3 years at u14 if you've a "good" birthday.
In Derry there was an u12.5 league last year, mostly clubs with bigger numbers, to give players just out of u11.5 competitive football - not sure if it will be scheduled for the 2026 year group.
I know of clubs exploring the option of going to the Inishowen u12 league but apparently the county board are starting to listen to the clubs re the u12 situation
Tyrone has u10.5, u12.5 then u14s, u16s, minor.
For those with a bad birthday coming out of u14s, they only get 1 year at u14s then straight into u16s.
Not great for development of your mid/lower tier players and contributes to a drop off in numbers imo.
I personally think the even numbers the whole way up are a better fit.
Tyrone also just played 5 rounds of an U13 League as well. Good to see it back in the calendar.
Noticed this from clubs posting on facebook... is this to sort seedings/leagues for incoming u14? Is Tyrone u12.5 league football and no championship?
It's played as Go-Games. Clubs grouped based on numbers, no scores officially kept etc.
I would've thought it was a push to keep the go-games format for first years (and will be second year by the time the season ends)... maybe this is why Tyrone have brought back the u13 league to bridge into competitive games.
I'm a big advocate of the go-games format but looking in, with primary school tournaments and the tournaments that clubs organise (and tell everyone to keep the photos off social media), that kids are mostly ready for competitive action after P7.
Quote from: cornerback on December 02, 2025, 11:06:18 AMQuote from: oakleafgael on December 02, 2025, 09:59:20 AMQuote from: cornerback on December 02, 2025, 09:47:57 AMQuote from: Goals_Will_Come on December 02, 2025, 08:53:52 AMQuote from: tbrick18 on December 01, 2025, 05:45:33 PMQuote from: Brendan on December 01, 2025, 05:27:16 PMQuote from: cornerback on December 01, 2025, 02:50:47 PMSeen a thing on facebook/instagram outlining the underage structures across the country with the majority of counties (20) using even ages, 5 using odd ages & 7 using a mix. Just wondering if its accurate.
Derry's structures are
U7.5 (p2&3), U9.5 (p4&5) & U11.5 (p6&7) for go-games
Then u14, u16 & u18
You have 3 years at u14 if you've a "good" birthday.
In Derry there was an u12.5 league last year, mostly clubs with bigger numbers, to give players just out of u11.5 competitive football - not sure if it will be scheduled for the 2026 year group.
I know of clubs exploring the option of going to the Inishowen u12 league but apparently the county board are starting to listen to the clubs re the u12 situation
Tyrone has u10.5, u12.5 then u14s, u16s, minor.
For those with a bad birthday coming out of u14s, they only get 1 year at u14s then straight into u16s.
Not great for development of your mid/lower tier players and contributes to a drop off in numbers imo.
I personally think the even numbers the whole way up are a better fit.
Tyrone also just played 5 rounds of an U13 League as well. Good to see it back in the calendar.
Noticed this from clubs posting on facebook... is this to sort seedings/leagues for incoming u14? Is Tyrone u12.5 league football and no championship?
It's played as Go-Games. Clubs grouped based on numbers, no scores officially kept etc.
I would've thought it was a push to keep the go-games format for first years (and will be second year by the time the season ends)... maybe this is why Tyrone have brought back the u13 league to bridge into competitive games.
I'm a big advocate of the go-games format but looking in, with primary school tournaments and the tournaments that clubs organise (and tell everyone to keep the photos off social media), that kids are mostly ready for competitive action after P7.
Kids are by nature competitive at any age, it's the ballbags along the line are the issue.
You know, I've found an odd thing over the past couple of seasons Johnnycool; that mentors are almost entirely more civilised and balanced at u14 football (competitive) than they are at u10.5 and u12 Go Games levels.
I'd harbour a few guesses as to why. Real referees would help. That the kids are older and don't need so much of a "protective arm" would help. That the teams are streamed more evenly would help.
But I would think the main reason is that as mentors go through the ranks and gain experience, most of them come to realise that treating a juvenile league match like a senior championship final helps nobody, but does stress everyone.
——
All under 12 footballers keep score whether the referee does or not. There's pretty much always one team cheering at the final whistle.
Quote from: thewobbler on December 02, 2025, 01:57:02 PMYou know, I've found an odd thing over the past couple of seasons Johnnycool; that mentors are almost entirely more civilised and balanced at u14 football (competitive) than they are at u10.5 and u12 Go Games levels.
I'd harbour a few guesses as to why. Real referees would help. That the kids are older and don't need so much of a "protective arm" would help. That the teams are streamed more evenly would help.
But I would think the main reason is that as mentors go through the ranks and gain experience, most of them come to realise that treating a juvenile league match like a senior championship final helps nobody, but does stress everyone.
——
All under 12 footballers keep score whether the referee does or not. There's pretty much always one team cheering at the final whistle.
I'd agree with that sentiment from my experiences as well but that's due to the coaches (and parents) being conditioned with the go-games mentality from P4 (U8.5) and P6(U10.5) that they need to involve every kid in those short sided blitzes.
Not sure how the football works @U12 in Down, but in the hurling they still involve mini-blitzes with 3 or 4 teams playing slightly longer games amongst themselves so every kid gets an opportunity to play and winning is very much for the kids and not something the coaches get excited about.
I'd not be rushing to change that in Down.
As for the intercounty model change to U17, for me it was well intentioned to take the heat out of minor in what is an exam year for a lot of kids, reduce the load on the 1% of elite players, but wasn't thought through enough in terms of the impact at club level.
The reduction to U17 meant you didn't have a transition year for 17yo's who weren't getting exposed to adult hurling and then the only hurling available the following year was adult and that can take time for some lads and some drift away.
At least with club being U18, they have their core agegroup of minor and in our case we let the 18yo's also train and play adult hurling, but those who struggle will also have their minor games to keep them involved.
That's my experiences of it, other clubs and counties will vary.
Quote from: Goals_Will_Come on December 02, 2025, 08:53:52 AMQuote from: tbrick18 on December 01, 2025, 05:45:33 PMQuote from: Brendan on December 01, 2025, 05:27:16 PMQuote from: cornerback on December 01, 2025, 02:50:47 PMSeen a thing on facebook/instagram outlining the underage structures across the country with the majority of counties (20) using even ages, 5 using odd ages & 7 using a mix. Just wondering if its accurate.
Derry's structures are
U7.5 (p2&3), U9.5 (p4&5) & U11.5 (p6&7) for go-games
Then u14, u16 & u18
You have 3 years at u14 if you've a "good" birthday.
In Derry there was an u12.5 league last year, mostly clubs with bigger numbers, to give players just out of u11.5 competitive football - not sure if it will be scheduled for the 2026 year group.
I know of clubs exploring the option of going to the Inishowen u12 league but apparently the county board are starting to listen to the clubs re the u12 situation
Tyrone has u10.5, u12.5 then u14s, u16s, minor.
For those with a bad birthday coming out of u14s, they only get 1 year at u14s then straight into u16s.
Not great for development of your mid/lower tier players and contributes to a drop off in numbers imo.
I personally think the even numbers the whole way up are a better fit.
Tyrone also just played 5 rounds of an U13 League as well. Good to see it back in the calendar.
I thought u13 league was totally uncalled for. U14s start very early with u12s coming in behind. Then U13s, made up of younger u14s and u12.5s, starting end of october and only finishing on sat past. Players at that age (and then coached) going from Jan to end of Nov is too much imo.
Plus the games are all fixed for 11 on a sat morning - with no time changes allowed. Meaning quite a few games conceded (Fianna conceded all games). Sat mornings this time of year usually have soccer/basketball/swimming.....it just feels to me like it's not needed and doesn't suit too many lads.
Quote from: Fr. Cyril McDuff on December 02, 2025, 10:43:41 AMQuote from: cornerback on December 01, 2025, 02:50:47 PMSeen a thing on facebook/instagram outlining the underage structures across the country with the majority of counties (20) using even ages, 5 using odd ages & 7 using a mix. Just wondering if its accurate.
Derry's structures are
U7.5 (p2&3), U9.5 (p4&5) & U11.5 (p6&7) for go-games
Then u14, u16 & u18
You have 3 years at u14 if you've a "good" birthday.
In Derry there was an u12.5 league last year, mostly clubs with bigger numbers, to give players just out of u11.5 competitive football - not sure if it will be scheduled for the 2026 year group.
The U12.5 league in Derry was organised by the clubs, there was no county board involvement. It was a series of challenge games, mostly 13 a side on shortened pitches with the option of playing 15 if numbers allowed. No scores kept (though all the lads playing always know the score, same as gogames). It did tend to be the bigger clubs, think there were around 10 clubs involved, who had enough to field a team of mostly first years. Worked pretty well to give those lads who weren't ready for U14s some football and as a bridge from 9 a side Gogames to full pitch 15 a side games - it's a big jump. Apparently the Derry youth officers are looking at the U11.5-U14 situation at the moment.
That's an issue alright.
15-a-side and big goals. Compare that to Go Games.
Now granted, only a few may make that jump in the first year but they seem to adjust ok.
For the other lads, they play on a 'B' team or the younger age team and it isn't as fast and furious. So maybe tht's a good introduction for them.
But the goalie gets its tight in the big goals and kicking it out. Although the keeper in the younger team can kick from his hands.
I think having one or two 0.5 age groups up along is a great idea. It gives the children who were unlucky with their birthday a boost.
I'd be in favour of the .5 age groups, keeps you in the school year
Quote from: Armagh18 on December 03, 2025, 10:44:53 AMI'd be in favour of the .5 age groups, keeps you in the school year
No issue in principle. It becomes a problem for some players when the .5, changes to u14s.
Example, any players with a July birthday who are at best average, when they come out of u12.5s they go straight into competitive u14 football, where its going to be difficult to get them competitive football. They don't progress as much as they might have if getting plenty of games, and then at the end of 1 year, they have to go up to u16 grade due to their birthday.
By this stage they will really struggle to get football and in all likelihood drop away.
An alternative approach is to keep everything .5 age groups, OR the 2 year age groups ensuring all players are guaranteed 2 years at every level - giving them a chance to progress which should help with player retention.
That half/half approach doesn't work when the switch over happens imo.
There's no perfect answer, but I think that current approach in Tyrone is the least best approach.
Quote from: tbrick18 on December 03, 2025, 11:57:35 AMQuote from: Armagh18 on December 03, 2025, 10:44:53 AMI'd be in favour of the .5 age groups, keeps you in the school year
No issue in principle. It becomes a problem for some players when the .5, changes to u14s.
Example, any players with a July birthday who are at best average, when they come out of u12.5s they go straight into competitive u14 football, where its going to be difficult to get them competitive football. They don't progress as much as they might have if getting plenty of games, and then at the end of 1 year, they have to go up to u16 grade due to their birthday.
By this stage they will really struggle to get football and in all likelihood drop away.
An alternative approach is to keep everything .5 age groups, OR the 2 year age groups ensuring all players are guaranteed 2 years at every level - giving them a chance to progress which should help with player retention.
That half/half approach doesn't work when the switch over happens imo.
There's no perfect answer, but I think that current approach in Tyrone is the least best approach.
Sorry, meant keep it the same right up, Armagh did 14.5, 16.5 and 18.5 a few years ago and it was grand, not sure why they went back. Keep players in their school year right through.
I don't think it's a better way Armagh18.
Somewhere along the line lads have to work out if lads a couple of school years above them are better, or vice versa.
What you're suggesting here is in effect putting that on hold until they're adults.
Furthermore the unintended consequence of keeping everyone in school years is that their development then takes place in silos, and integration at adult level can only become more difficult.
And last but not least, all you actually end up doing is taking the best month to be born in away from January, and placing it firmly in July. For the July birthdays then get it better at club level as well as at schools level where they've always had it.
for us the .5 school year works to keep the friendship groups forged in the school together at training and blitzes and they're more likely to stick at it.
When it comes to secondary education they are split up anyway so its not so important and hopefully by then we've been able to nurture the grá for the game before that.
Larger clubs pulling from more than one primary school don't probably see it as an issue either way.
Quote from: johnnycool on December 03, 2025, 03:31:55 PMfor us the .5 school year works to keep the friendship groups forged in the school together at training and blitzes and they're more likely to stick at it.
When it comes to secondary education they are split up anyway so its not so important and hopefully by then we've been able to nurture the grá for the game before that.
Larger clubs pulling from more than one primary school don't probably see it as an issue either way.
I agree with that. The only gripe I have is the changing it from .5 to evens part way through. That is the point in time when lads start to consider stopping playing anyway as it get maybe too competitive, but makes it really difficult for lads who maybe haven't fully developed yet and have bad birthdays to only get 1 year at u14.
So my point is, .5's or evens are both valid options, but don't change it half way through the age groups.
I don't mind the Derry model, .5 age groups at primary school to keep class groups together but it then jumps from u11.5 to u14. This means a bad gaa birthday gets 2 years at u14 and a good gaa birthday gets 3 years. However, I still think they need to keep an intermediate u12.5 age group to help some bridge the gap from u11.5 to u14.
The LFGA model in Derry stops the .5 age groups at u10.5 and then u12. u12 isn't a competitive league but it's a step up from go-games - usually a proper ref (albeit probably from the home club) and can be 11-a-side or 13-a-side depending on the league entered. This does mean some girls will only get 1 year at u12.
Local soccer is just year of birth so bridges 2 primary school classes and there really is no issues, boys and girls might gravitate to their peers but overall it's just one team.