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Messages - ROCKETMAN1

#1
Laois / Re: Underage squads 2024
June 30, 2025, 03:21:53 PM
Quote from: The PRO on June 30, 2025, 09:52:13 AM
Quote from: ROCKETMAN1 on June 29, 2025, 10:30:13 PM
Quote from: The PRO on June 27, 2025, 02:27:31 PMI'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!
#2
Laois / Re: Underage squads 2024
June 29, 2025, 10:30:13 PM
Quote from: The PRO on June 27, 2025, 02:27:31 PMI'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.
#3
Laois / Re: Underage squads 2024
June 25, 2025, 08:56:03 PM
Quote from: Ogie on June 23, 2025, 10:14:21 PMLast years U14 hurling was top class, organised and very well run / coached and I know the manager and some of the management team stayed with the U14s this year and the other half moved on up with the 15s, seems to be a good idea too to bring a good crop together hopefully

U14 Football squad well run also this year too,

I know there's always criticism but a lot of good Laois men involved with all panels, in both codes, just plenty more guidance / support ( expertise & financial ) always helps! 

Thanks Ogie, you definitely have your ear to the ground! I understand the fact that they are development squads and there is an ethos attached to that but it would be nice to get a bit more insight in to these squads, who is on them the club representation, the coaches etc. I saw Offaly had a big presentation for their academy squads at the start of the year with parents and all in attendance. It would be great for the young lads to have something similar, show them it is a big deal to represent our county! I do see some fixtures on the Laois Gaa website for the teams now which is good. I see that you say a couple of age groups have really good set ups which is great to hear, I would be hopeful that all the set ups are the same so we can push on and hopefully become a bit more successful!
#4
Laois / Re: Underage squads 2024
June 22, 2025, 07:37:16 PM
Does anyone have any idea how our academy teams are going this year? I saw u15 hurlers won something. Laois gaels post plenty of pics etc. on social media about teams but does anyone know how they are really moving. Are they competitive with the bigger counties or are we being well beaten amd we are only seeing these posts when we win a game against inferior opposition?? I would love to see all fixtures/results all the time, would give us a great indication of where we are and maybe encourage us all to go and watch a few games if  a team were indeed showing promise!
#5
Laois / Re: Underage squads 2024
May 21, 2025, 11:16:17 AM
Quote from: Mad Mentor on May 19, 2025, 07:34:53 AMIMO it is always far better to have a consistent management team at an age group then one which follows the team up through the ages.
A management team needs to know what it takes to perform at the standard of that age group. To manage a team at say u15, and then step up to u17 with the same group means too big a learning gap for the management. By the time the management figures it out time is up and roulette wheel spins again. Far better to set up long term management teams at each age group (with no parents involved) and have the players move up through the ages with experienced coaches at each level. The same goes for club or county. I don't believe the coaches have to have seen every player since they were kids. A coach who is looking at players and knows what is needed at that level is probably in a better position to judge than the one who still remembers the great goal little Johnny scored at u13 and will be blind to the fact he hasn't progressed since.
From my own observance I have also seen lads who were good enough to be in county squads but who didn't get on for what ever reason with a particular management group and then never went back. While we still rely on parents to manage our county squads, I fear we will never really progress.

I agree and disagree with you. In many cases the only people willing to do the jobs with these underage squads are parents. Is this a lack of ambition by county board in not looking for good exoerienced coaches for these squads. Perhaps. Is this parents trying to better their own sons chances? Perhaps. But having had a son involved on a development squad where there was a parent involved I could have nothing only admiration for the job that both the parent and the rest of the coaches did. I would think that the vast majority of of coaches, parents or not, have the very best interests of Laois hurling and football at heart.

Good groups of players are cyclical, and every few years, Laois will have a good group of players capable of challenging, no matter who the coaches are, a prime example being this year's minor footballers. They lost narrowly to three of the four Leinster semi-finalists, and for this, they ended up in a Tier 3 competition. This group have been close the whole way up and now the challenge is can Laois develop this group so they are challenging at U20 level.

Bridging this gap is crucially important and if it is done it will hopefully ensure we get a better quality senior player from the U20 grade.