DOWN COACHING DEVELOPMENT FORUM 10TH SEPTEMBER 2016

Thursday 15th September 2016

With Tipperary still in the throes of celebration, two iconic Tipperary mentors, who over the last few years have been the key men behind last week’s Liam McCarthy success, took time out to facilitate the Down Hurling Development Forum for our club Coaches, in the splendid facilities of St Patrick's Grammar School Downpatrick. Huge credit must go to them for giving up their day, to pass on their invaluable hurling experience to those Coaches that made the effort on the day.

Proceedings were opened with introductions before handing over to the headline guests Paudie O’Neill, Chairman of the National GAA Hurling Development Committee and Eamonn O'Shea,  Tipperary hurler and manager who took the coaching forum in front of a large number of club coaches from all over the county, an initiative superbly organised by the Down Games Development department.

With a large number of coaches in attendance from most clubs in Down, there was very positive interaction and discussion with the club coaches. All coaches who attended agreed the programme provided knowledge on some excellent ‘take away’ hurling ideas and tips that will help them and their clubs improve in the future. In light of the recent successes at inter county U16 and U17 levels, Paudie O’Neill emphasised that if all Down Hurling clubs and units works to the one purpose, then success at senior level is not too far away.

After a day that involved indoor interactive and Q&A sessions, and outdoor practical sessions with the Down Mageean Hurling Squad, County chairman Sean Rooney and Down Hurling representative Seamus Ennis, in closing thanked both Eamonn and Paudie for making the long track north to Downpatrick and echoed the County Boards support of such a great initiative.

Big thanks to St Patrick's Grammar School Downpatrick and Conor O’Toole for organising the fine facilities, refreshments and the sunshine.