Derry Club Football & Hurling original

[greenlight]

Current Newbridge are probably a better example than anyother club re: bringing players through.


Especially from a lower graded underage structure in Derry.

Agree with that, Newbridge manage so much better with a smaller pot of players. Maybe this allows much more coaching time for individuals and much more emphasis put on holding on to everyone.

They rarely compete in the A sections but thats purely down to physical development with the numbers they have.

At u14 level the bigger clubs are able to field a full team of 3rd years and maybe 4 subs.
Our club for example may have 3 or 4 3rd years another 5 or 6 2nd years and remainder made up of 1st years. It's impossible to compete.

Thats why I would love to see it going to 2 touch at U14 grade, eliminate the big lad who runs over everyone. They generally aren't the lads who break into a senior team.

1 underage title at A grade in their history. And 11/12 SFC's.

[marty34]

Current Newbridge are probably a better example than anyother club re: bringing players through.


Especially from a lower graded underage structure in Derry.

Agree with that, Newbridge manage so much better with a smaller pot of players. Maybe this allows much more coaching time for individuals and much more emphasis put on holding on to everyone.

They rarely compete in the A sections but thats purely down to physical development with the numbers they have.

At u14 level the bigger clubs are able to field a full team of 3rd years and maybe 4 subs.
Our club for example may have 3 or 4 3rd years another 5 or 6 2nd years and remainder made up of 1st years. It's impossible to compete.

Thats why I would love to see it going to 2 touch at U14 grade, eliminate the big lad who runs over everyone. They generally aren't the lads who break into a senior team.

1 underage title at A grade in their history. And 11/12 SFC's.

As I said, something in that for sure.


Compare that with their 'noisy neighbours' Magherafelt who mop all up at underage level and have hundreds of underage players yet have won one senior championship in God knows how long.


Some uni student should do a thesis on this topic.  This is not a dig at Magherafelt but it's an interesting comparsion. Town v rural probably plays into it.


Underage should be a about enjoyment and then develop players for senior club football and hurling.