Keeping The Maroon in Tune

Westmeath GAA Coaching News. Southern Gaels/Fr. Dalton"s, Athlone, Garrycastle, Millmore Gaels, Tubberclair, Clonkill, Castlepollard, Caulry, St. Mary"s Rochfortbridge, Castledaly, St. Malachy"s/Ballinagore, Castletown Geoghegan, Tyrrellspass, Milltownpass and Rosemount all attended in Croke Park last Wednesday and Thursday in what was a "chance in a lifetime" for their U-8s as they had the opportunity to play in the Stadium. In total, 196 clubs from across Leinster were involved and no doubt all will remember their visit to headquarters for many years to come. Over a period of 2/3 years, all Westmeath clubs will get this wonderful opportunity and hopefully all involved will "Play and Stay" with Gaelic games! Westmeath GAA/VHI Cúl Camps This week"s camps are in Castlepollard, St. Loman"s Mullingar and Kinnegad while next week sees camps continue in Collinstown (Hurling/Camogie), Páirc Chiaráin Athlone (Football) and Rochfortbridge (Football). In preparation for this year"s Summer Camps, coaches attended three days training last week to familiarise themselves with all aspects of the camps. Westmeath/Offaly U14 Club Hurling League As a follow-on from successful cross border club leagues run over the last three years and U16 League earlier this year, an U-14 League with Offaly is now being planned - to start in mid July. Clubs will play an expected three games with no games involving clubs from the same county. Minor Club Secretaries have been circulated with full details and any Club wishing to be involved would need to confirm same by Thursday this week. D.J. Carey School of Hurling This week is an important week for twenty young U14 hurlers from Westmeath as they attend the D.J. Carey School of Hurling in St. Kieran"s College Kilkenny. This is a residential coaching school with the players arriving in St. Kieran"s College last Monday and returning Thursday evening. The players will be intensively coached over the four days and will also have the opportunity to meet some of their Kilkenny heroes. They will have numerous coaching sessions with DJ himself. Games will also form a keen focus for the week and the Westmeath squad will have the opportunity to play inter-county games as well as mixed blitz games. Quizzes and other such recreational activities are also factored into the programme in what should be a week to remember for all involved.