Hurling boost for Duhallow hurling as division enters Rebel Óg U15 Premier level
Participants enjoying the Duhallow Hurling Academy in Banteer. Picture: John Tarrant
A boost for Duhallow underage hurling sees a team from the Barony secure a position in the 2025 Rebel Óg Premier U15 League.
That comes from the success of the Duhallow Hurling Academy in operation for the past three years as a way of encouraging growth and participation in hurling amongst Juvenile clubs.
“Each Wednesday afternoon, up to 60 players from across the region descended on Banteer Community Sportsfield for an hour of hurling and games.
"The initiative is led by the North Cork Games Development Co-ordinators and is supported by a brilliant team of volunteer coaches and the Banteer Community Group who provide their excellent facilities every week," said Pat Spratt, a Cork Games Development Administrator.
“These players range from ages 12 to 15 years of age, from the outset, the initiative has grown from strength to strength. Due to the success of the initiative and using it as a springboard, Duhallow GAA have decided to enter the Cork GAA Premier U15 Hurling League."
This is viewed as a positive means to get players from across the division to participate in hurling at the highest standards in the county.
Clubs in the region are currently competing at Division 2 and Division 3 in their respective hurling competitions in Rebel Óg North Cork.
“Players will not only improve their own hurling in the short term but will be able to drive standards within their own individual clubs, both juvenile and adult in the medium and long term.
"Players competing at Premier hurling may also get more opportunities to participate in Cork Development Squads and beyond," said Spratt.
“Work is in progress to put a management group in place, we are hoping to have a representative mentor from each of the clubs in Duhallow that participate in hurling.
"It is great to see the initiative being well supported both from within the divisional board and the Cork County Board who have facilitated the entering of a Duhallow team," he said.
To secure Premier U15 status is a great development that if successful, will help Duhallow hurling thrive and develop for years to come.
The current academy provides young hurlers access to extra high-quality hurling coaching that they may not already be exposed to at club level.
And a surprise was in store for their closing session prior to Christmas, Imokilly captain Ciarán O'Brien from St Ita’s brought along the famous Seán Óg Murphy Cup after Imokilly’s victory over Sarsfields in the Co. Premier SHC Final.
The 2025 Duhallow panel will be managed by John O’Flynn with Gabriel Tully as coach.
App?
