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| Drom-Inch U18 Camogie Champions |
| Last Sunday (21st Jan 2007) Drom-Inch regained the Under 18A County Championship at The County Camogie Grounds, The Ragg in rather miserable conditions against old rivals Toomevara. Click here for Photo Gallery. |
| Added By Eddie 28 Jan 2007 |
| Victory Celebration & Dinner Dance |
| This years Dinner dance will see the Senior hurlers recieve their 2006 Mid final medals: Price of tickets are €35 which includes: 3 course meal, with a choice of Beef or Salmon as main course. Live entertainment from Night Riser DJ Fleadh Nolan will end the night on a high note! Taxi's will be available on the night for anyone wishing to have a few celebrating drinks. Please support what was a very successful year. |
| Added By drominch 25 Jan 2007 |
| Eternal Optimist |
| From Irish Independent: 08-01-07 Eternal optimist Despite negative coverage, new hurling co-ordinator Paudie Butler remains upbeat EVER split your sides at D'Unbelievables sketch of lunatic underage hurling mentors while recognising, red-faced, that there may be the faintest hint of yourself or one of your own club mentors in there? Paudie Butler can do a mean impression of Pat Shortt's caricature himself and it is one of his New Year's resolution to eventually rid the GAA of such liabilities. Yet he's seen even worse abuse in reality. Worse? Like what? "Well, I saw a team line out with 22 substitutes once," he muses. "Imagine, 22 of them togged and no one playing and this was in a primary school game. It's commoner than you might imagine." The former Laois senior manager was principal in The Ragg NS outside Thurles for 25 years before quitting teaching last summer for the onerous role of the GAA's National Hurling co-ordinator. A highly-respected skills coach, such is Butler's indefatigable energy that he did two months work before the job officially started on September 1 and he has not taken a day off since in a whirlwind tour that has so far taken in 27 counties. One recent weekend was spent in St Kieran's Kilkenny with Westmeath's development squads; coaching 10 mentors and 90 children from under-14s upwards in a weekend camp which included a visit from Kilkenny star Jackie Tyrell and a certain 'Liam McCarthy' and culminated with a trip to a bowling alley. A week later he was in Wexford, admiring initiatives like Horeswood's huge indoor hurling centre and by Monday morning he was headed towards Lucan Sarsfields to discuss their hurling wall. Yet nothing much has changed nationally. In all the 'end-of-year' reviews, the headlines still scream: 'Hurling In Crisis!' Only a handful of teams can hope to win 'Liam'. Standards, with the exception of Kilkenny and Munster, have gone to pot and hurling still takes a back-seat in many quarters, most recently in Mayo where the county senior manager resigned after criticism that he spent too much training his team. Against such a backdrop, why take on the job many believe is even harder than turning Enda Kenny into a sex symbol? "You'd want to be mad, right?" Butler laughs. Only he doesn't believe that at all. A lot of people have misconceptions alright. They think he's some sort of storm-trooper sent in to sort out the senior standards and competitions. Others mistakenly think he can get them more money. He is certainly an evangelist. Anyone who has ever watched him give a coaching course knows that but all Butler's zeal and energy will be targeted at underage because he says that is the only way to raise all boats. So he has some radical plans and perhaps his most revolutionary is that whatever tinkering the Hurling Development Committee (HDC) do to the championship structures won't, ultimately, make a blind bit of difference to standards nationally. He is not even keen to cast out all the mad underage mullahs either; just change them. Their hearts are in the right place, he says, they often carry the can when others won't. It's just the competitive system that turns them into win-at-all-costs 'anti-christs'. So embrace them, he argues. Reskill them, teach them to coach correctly and above all, get rid of the one thing that turns them into lunatics: structured inter-club competitions for kids under 14. "Too many underage competitions cripples our system," he argues. "Clubs won't play without their stars, no one knows when their next match is on which neglects some and then the young stars themselves are often burnt out, which is a form of abuse." The heretical notion of scrapping competitions is one that will have some club mentors spitting fire and it is that very mindset in the GAA's fundamental unit - the club - that Butler must ultimately change if he is to succeed. Yet he is remarkably optimistic. He believes the GAA has cried 'stop' just in time to save hurling and that the leadership from Croke Park and provincial secretaries, particularly the appointment in the past year of paid 'hurling development officers' in many counties, will be vital in reversing the trend. Competition has served the GAA well but that model was never intended to be used down to the U10 and U8 level Butler doesn't even get thick at TV analysts who must make his teeth squeak every time they declare hurling 'a simple game'. "For some coach who is struggling with U10s in a big sprawling urban area it's of little comfort when some guru comes on the telly and says it's a simple game," Butler accedes. "That person means well, he means that when you have it mastered you must play it simply. "But what the men and women on the ground need to know is how or where do we start with the mastery, because, as everyone knows, the skills of hurling are extremely complex to learn." They can be acquired if we coach properly instead of focussing on competitions, he insists. "The big question is whether we're in the business of developing players or in winning?" he asks. "Every single parish needs to ask itself this because that's the crux of the whole thing." So, far from Croke Park on All-Ireland day, he and others will toil away at the understated end of the game: trying to stamp out ridiculous underage competitions, improving the youth coaching and ensuring that county hurling plans, from Kenmare to Cushendall, are actually implemented and supported. "Skill development, a good environment, caring adults, having fun, that's where skill develops whether in hurling, tennis or golf," he preaches. "We must change the philosophy and practice underage." But surely he's spitting in the wind here? Aren't most clubs just obsessed with winning, at every level? "No, what I see is fertile ground," Butler insists. "Competition has served the GAA well but that model was never intended to be used down to the U10 and U8 level. People recognise we have problems now, they want another model and are receptive to it." He takes solace from small things, like the man who rang him recently wondering how to petition his county convention to scrap their U12 championships and actually succeeded. But what about the recent Mayo situation? "Listen, there's great work being done in Mayo, they have doubled their playing numbers in four years," he notes. "Hurling is an expensive game and in some counties spending ANY money on hurling is considered too much but that's changing because it's changed from Croke Park." He says the ring-fencing of hurling funding in the past year especially means that officials can no longer abdicate their responsibilities. Over-played, under-played, badly coached and pulled from pillar to post; Butler has seen all the abuse and mistakes that GAA mentors make at every level. Yet, like a true evangelical, he still believes it can be turned around to rejuvenate a game which, he says, is a key part of Irish culture and worth fighting for. Butler's New Year wishes Hurling Walls "I'd love to see one in every parish. Unlike the old handball alleys they allow not two but up to 40 to practise at one time. Critically, the ball coming back to a youngster in Kilkenny or Kerry is exactly the same speed. You need consistent, predictable ball to develop fast hands and confidence. You don't necessarily get that in a game but using a wall you do." Ditch Underage Competitions "Below 14 we don't need the current structures. The new 'Go-Games' for children are ideal: seven-a-side, no subs, simplified rules and blitz formats where they get lots of games and winning's not important. Children love games but they don't necessarily worry about winning." Play 'points-only' games "This really encourages long-range skills and the inherent appreciation of point-scoring which, at the moment, you could say is only truly valued by teams like Kilkenny, Cork and Galway. I'd also like more lift-and-strike competitions." County Development Squads "These operate at U14, U15 and U16, meet eight times a-year for weekend training and lifestyle advice and should not interrupt club activity. Some counties take up to five or six from each club and they allow children and coaches alike to really improve their skills in a non-competitive environment." More initiatives like the Christy Ring and Nicky Rackard Cups "Antrim's delight at winning last year really gave them status. These competitions are an acceptance of a reality that was always there, that some people cannot win the McCarthy Cup. However, they are still true hurlers with legitimate aspirations of success and recognition, who deserve to also be show-cased in Croke Park." |
| Added By drominch 08 Jan 2007 |
| AGM 2006 |
| AGM: The Annual General Meeting Drom & Inch GAA Club took place in the GAA Clubhouse on Friday 5th January before a large attendance of both members and players. Secretary Alice Costello gave an excellent comprehensive report on the playing aspects within the club covering all games played in all competitions, the highlight being the senior hurlers capturing only their third ever mid title. Alice also commented on the historic occasion that was 2006 as Drom and Inch were now fielding teams at Senior, Intermediate and Junior A level. Treasurer Sean Hicks gave a detailed account of the club's finances and he highlighted the fact of the huge costs involved in running a successful club In his final address as Chairman, Matty Ryan thanked all of those who worked with him during his five years in the chair and went back through the highs and lows experienced during his term. He was particularly proud of the fact that Drom and Inch had players involved in Tipperary teams from Senior, Intermediate, U21 and minor level. He thanked everyone that was involved in the development of the new club facilities, which puts the Drom & Inch grounds on par with most of the top clubs in the country. The committee wishes to thank everyone who attended the meeting, all who helped in any way throughout the year with the running of the club and they look forward to your continued support over the next twelve months 2007 Committee: President: Tom Everard Vice-President: Larry Looby, Donal Burke, Pakie Boyle Chairman: Tommy Butler Vice-Chairpersons: Alice Costello, Eddie Buckley, Fr. Murphy Secretary: TBA Assistant Secretary: Eddie Kinnane, Sally Young Joint Treasurers: Sean Hicks, Liam McLoughlin PRO: Seamus Walsh Co. Board Delegate: Eddie Kinnane Field Development Officers: Bill D’Arcy, Willie Cloghessey, Michael Costello, John Egan. Field Officer: Matty Ryan Mid Board Rep: Kevin Bourke Football Board Rep: Con Ryan Co. Board Draw Co-Ordinator: Ambrose Purcell IT Committee: Eddie Kinnane, Michael Cahill, Macdara butler, Seamus Walsh. Coaching Officer: Paudie Butler Social Committee Chairman: Liam Kennedy Managers elected for 2007: Intermediate: Eamon Long U21 Hurling and Football: Eamonn O’Doherty Junior Hurling: Pat Looby Junior Football: Brian Boyle Adjourned AGM: The Adjourned Annual General Meeting of Drom & Inch GAA Club will take place in the GAA Clubhouse on Friday 19th January at 8pm. |
| Added By drominch 06 Jan 2007 |
| Christmas Draw Winners!! |
| The following are the winners in Christmas draw for club members of County Board Draw. Bottle of Brandy each Denis O'Halloran, Moyne Ena De Burca, Knocka, Drom Ann & Jonathon Harrod, Holycross Tom Everard(Jnr), Bouladuff Micheal Kiely, Knocka Joe Hennessy(Jnr),Killoskehane John Kennedy,Kilvilcorris Kevin Bourke,Ballinonty Seamus Walsh,Bouladuff Phil Maher,Pallashill |
| Added By drominch 19 Dec 2006 |
| Big Challenge????? |
| Brian Boyle has recieved alot of feed back from people wanting the Big Challenge to go ahead this year. We got permission from the 'high council' to proceed if we wish. What are pleyers views? Remember it didnt go ahead last year due to Junior B county semi final Contact Brian Boyle if interested |
| Added By drominch 06 Dec 2006 |
| Railway Cup Panel |
| Congrats to Damien Youn who was selected on the munster panel that takes on Connacht this Sunday in Ennis at 2.30pm |
| Added By drominch 12 Oct 2006 |
| Quarter Final Photo Gallery |
| 35 photos from Sunday's action in Nenagh. Click Here |
| Added By drominch 25 Sep 2006 |
| Co. Semi Final Spot for Drom Senior Hurlers |
| Drom & Inch Senior Hurlers have made it to the Co Semi Final Spot for the second successive year, after a one point win over Borrisoleigh in Nenagh today (Sunday 24th September). They will play Nenagh in Semple Stadium on Sunday, 8th October in a double bill semi final. Toomevara will take on Mullinahone in the other game. |
| Added By Micheál 24 Sep 2006 |
| OnTheWing Exclusive - Hicks tipped for Elland Road Hotspot |
| La Gazetta di Sport, Italy's leading soccer newspaper has leaked a classified document which puts Roberto Hicks in pole position for the vacant Leeds Utd job. Click Here for full story. |
| Added By drominch 22 Sep 2006 |
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