Club News

Cumann Camógaíochta na nGael, as part of its National Development Strategy in conjunction with the Irish Sports Council, is seeking to appoint a full-time 2nd Level Schools Development Co-ordinator. The successful candidate will report to the Ardstiúrthóir, Cumann Camógaíochta na nGael. The position will be on a one year contract basis.

Role & Responsibilities:
• Develop Camogie in second level schools
• Improve structures at county, provincial and national level
• Co-ordinate administration training for key officers at all levels
• Organise one-day blitz events in line with the Women in Sport Project
• Work in conjunction with the current 2nd Level Schools Development Co-ordinator, administrators, Regional Development Co-ordinators and Director of Camogie Development
• Liaise with Local Sports Partnerships and other bodies where appropriate
• Work with County Boards (Camogie and GAA)
• Administer 2nd Level Schools start-up grants

Requirements
• A good knowledge of Camogie/hurling structures
• Knowledge of 2nd Level Education structure
• Strong administrative and IT skills
• Minimum education standard: Leaving Certificate/A Levels
• Own car and full clean driving licence

The ideal candidate will be enthusiastic, highly motivated and committed to the Gaelic Games ethos, with strong leadership qualities and the ability to multi-task, network and negotiate. This post is ideally suited to candidates with experience in the second level teaching profession.

Remuneration
• Commensurate with responsibilities

Applications
An application outlining the experience that will match the job specification and curriculum vitae should be submitted by email not later than 5.00pm Friday July 25th 2008 to Síle de Bhailís, Ardstiurthóir at ardstiurthoir@camogie.ie

Cumann Camógaíochta na nGael is an equal opportunities employer

                 


Bjourn Bigley, from Careys and Declan Shields from ACS (Scotland) are pictured with the winning team members Colin Knowles,
Maurice Friel and  Martin Gallagher.

Under 8s training
The under 8s training will resume at Glenconner Park, Royston Rd, on Saturday 9th August,

Ladies football league result

Dunedin Connolly's, 1-7
Tir Conaill Harps, 2-10

Club unveils latest sponsorship deal



Maurice Friel is a long standing supporter of the club, most notably in recent times has been his support of the annual awards
dinner.  He has proved to be more than willing to add his support to that given to the club by agencies like the Community Planning Partnership who
funded a new seventeen seater bus to assist with the work the club does with young people in the central and west area of the city.
  This month he has agreed a three year sponsorship of the bus to help with the running costs.  In addition he also sponsored a complete
set of O'Neill's tracksuits for the under 14s football team to wear at this year's feile. Maurice is pictured with two of the Harps under 14s stars
Jake and Yamakani.

Sponsorship of underage teams unveiled

Senior Football League Result

Glasgow Gaels 1-13
Tir Conaill Harps 0-9


Busy weekend brings plenty of success Harps way

A hectic schedule of activities ended with the Harps securing a  Provincial semi-final
football place, a first time place in the women's Camanachd cup final and the organizing of Glasgow's first ever underage hurling match. 
  Our under 14s represented Scotland in the Provincial club championships of Britain and pulled off a shock 0-5 to 0-4 win over Lancashire champions, St.Brendan's.
  There was a fantastic turn out at the underage skills day with just under fifty taking part in the under 8s and 12s tournaments.  They were joined by a few others who participated in the underage hurling and camogie coaching workshops.  Another highlight of the day at Glenconner in Garngad was the six a side hurling exhibition game played between Thorntree and St.Michael's schools.  This ended in a 2-0 apiece draw.
  The honours in the skills competition went to Aidan Main (under 8s) and Raymond Stewart (under 12s).  It was pleasing to see so many parents come along to support their children and participate in a very successful day.
The weekend concluded on a high for the club with the ladies shinty team knocking out the holders to reach their first Camanachd Final.  Well done to everyone who made it such a great weekend to be involved in our club.

Sponsored Walk and Barbecue in aid of  Under 8s trip to Roscommon

We are having a sponsored walk at Ben A’an on Sunday 13^th July.  Weather permitting we hope to have a barbecue in one of the national parks afterwards.  The walk is approximately six kilometers.  It will be a great day out for all the family and also a good way of raising some money for the Roscommon trip in September.  On this occasion we will probably need parents to help with transport as the club mini bus will not be able to cater for everyone who will take part.  We will be leaving from St.Mungo’s school car park, at 8.30am.  The plan is to do the walk, have the barbecue and finish the day off with an hour or so in Aberfoyle.  Time and weather permitting.

The Gaelic League is holding a fun Irish language and cultural summer scheme

for children of primary school age from Monday 30th June to Friday 4th July.  Each day runs from 10am to 3pm and will take place
in the Govanhill Neighbourhood Centre, 6 Daisy st.

 The week costs £30 and there are only 30 places on the course.

It's first come first served so get your registration forms asap!

at   info@cnag-glaschu.co.uk  or phone

0141 433 9495  .   Children should bring their own lunch and wear comfortable clothes. 

The day will be split up into enjoyable chunks of Irish language,singing, dancing, arts, 
crafts and model making and Gaelic football. 

Mini Harps Trip to Kilkeel, Co.Down, May, 2008

Joseph and Fionbhar play a game of spot the ball with the midfield duo of Attical GAC                   The proverbial pre match huddle

 

A party of thirty travelled to An Riocht GAC, in Kilkeel, Co.Down from the club to attend the annual under 8s 11 a side competition.  With no games at local level this is the team’s second journey across the water in the past year, the first to Tulsk, Co.Roscommon, as the club strives to maintain it’s cradle to the grave philosophy by providing trips away for all of the children involved in the club to maintain both their own and that of their parents interest in gaelic games.

  We have had a link with An Riocht for over two years now with regular exchanges between the club's respective youth committees and a visit by our under 12s team.

   

   The aim of the trip was to give the young harps stars an opportunity to play in real games rather than regular training sessions and internal club blitzes.  The coaching team of Tommy Main, Willie Doherty and Brendan Friel had no high expectations of what could be achieved, but the youngsters surpassed themselves.  They came in second in the round robin league set up by winning two, drawing and losing one game.  This got them into the quarter final of the twenty two team competition where they lost by two points to Attical who themselves went on to reach the final only to lose out with the last kick of the ball.  It was a tremendous experience for the children and certainly will inspire them to continue to play the game.  We thank An Riocht for their kind invitation and also the Longstone, Co.Down and Tir na nOg, from Portadown who arranged challenge games for us. In an action packed weekend the group also managed to pack in a number of sight seeing visits to Newcastle, Warrenpoint and Silent Valley.  Preparations are already being made for the team’s next trip to Roscommon in September.

Aidan bursts through on goal on one of his mazy runs


East End Schools visit Roscommon



Two contrasting images sum up an action packed visit to Croghan, Co. Roscommon for the pupils of Thorntree and St.Michaels' schools. 
Above they are pictured with the X-Factors Louis Walsh who they met at Dublin Airport and below being put through their paces by Roscommon hurling coach,

John Porter Volunteer Award



The organising committee of the club's annual awards dinner were once again delighted with the response of sponsors
and members to this year's event.  They were also delighted that the John Porter volunteer award went to one of the committee, Sally Lafferty. Apart from the work she does for the dinner and being club treasurer she also takes on many thankless tasks very much behind the scenes. There is no doubt it was a tough choice for the family and fellow adjudicator, former club chairman, Owen McAuley to pick between the three nominees.  No doubt Fidelma McGinn and Grace McBride are names which will feature as candidates again in the years ahead.  It was pleasing to see Kevin and Emma at the event to present the award to Sally.  The committee will meet soon to announce the date for next year's dinner and look at ways of making the event even more memorable.  Book your tables now !

Scotland through to semi-final

Hertfordshire 2-05
Scotland 2-11

No fewer than six players from the club were on the junior county team who travelled for the second succesive week to
Leeds and recorded a win whcih takes them into next month's semi-final.

Clubmen Connor Manning scored 1-03 and Cathal o Kane scored 2 points.

Preparation for Anti -sectarianism exchange Begins



Pupils from Thorntree and St.Michael's Primary schools took their first steps in a two year project aimed at changing attitudes to people from different cultural and religious backgrounds.  The schools held a workshop in the Rangers
Study Centre, at Ibrox Stadium.  The club are working in partnership with the schools and have organised the exchange next week with two schools in Croghan, Co.Roscommon. There has been a a coaching input in the schools, which has been supported by Langside College.

Seniors slip Up

Senior football league, Nethercraigs.

Tir Conaill Harps 1-6
Glasgow Gaels, 0-9

The senior footballers lost their chance to go clear, but are still well positioned for a place in the final for the first time
Since 2002.


Fionbhar and Dan were two of the under 8s players who took part in a Go Games exhibition match prior to the senior
fixture at Nethercraigs.  It is planned to do this before every match this season.  It was a great outing for the youngsters as they prepare
for the trip to Kilkeel, Co.Down at the end of the month.

Biggest Ever Awards Dinner

Over 420 people crammed into the Kerrydale suite at Celtic Park for the club's annual awards dinner.
More photographs and a report will appear on the site later this week.  We would like to acknowledge the support of
a wide range of people who gave their time, money and skills to make it a memorable night for everyone.

Dom Roarty was Most Improved senior footballer pictured with Archie Graham





Baillie Gordon Matheson chaired the evening.

John Porter Volunteer Award-Sally Lafferty
Senior football player of the year- Anton Gallagher
Most improved player of the year- Dom Roarty
Ladies football player of the year- Christine Aitken
Ladies football player of the year-Adele Clark
Camogie Player of the Year-Hilda Dooley
Most Improved camogie player fo the year- Fiona Grainger
Ladies Shinty Player of the Year-Catherine McGourty
Ladies Shinty Most Improved Player of the Year- Caitlin McGrath

Folúntas
Job Vacancy

Ba mhian le Conradh na Gaeilge, Ghlaschú, Oifigeach Gaeilge agus Forbairt a cheapadh.
Is post lán aimsir atá i gceist ach beidh sé fóirsteanach do chomhroinnt fosta.
Caithfidh an duine atá ceaptha, imeachtaí Gaeilge a fhorbairt, phleanáil agus a
chomhordaigh fá choinne lucht éisteachta éagsúla agus obair le grúpaí cultúir eile leis an
Ghaeilge a chur chun cinn.
Tá an post seo cistithe ag Rialtas na hÉireann, An Roinn Eachtracha, Ciste Díon, agus ní
bheidh an conradh ach ag dul ó bhliain go bliain.
An lá deireanach le iarratas a dhéanamh – Dé hAoine 30ú Bealtaine 2008
Níos mó eolas ó Chathaoirleach, Grúpa Díon, Conradh na Gaeilge Ghlaschú:
Cecilia.mcdaid@btinternet.com
Conradh na Gaeilge are seeking to appoint a full time Irish Language & Development Officer in
Glasgow. This post is suitable for Job Share.
The person appointed will develop, plan and coordinate
Irish language events, programmes and
activities for a range of audiences and work with other cultural organisations to promote the
language.
This post is funded on a yeartoyear
basis by the Department of Foreign Affairs Díon funding
Closing date – Friday 30 th May 2008
Further details available from
cecilia.mcdaid@btinternet.comCaving Day

In recent weeks many of our underage players have been have been on various outdoor adventure activities.
Last Sunday was the turn of the under 8s who had a fantastic experience trying their hand at caving.



Underage players on show this week



Some of the under 8s who will be playing at Nethercraigs on Thursday

Members have an opportunity to see the progress being made at underage level within the club
 this week with exhibition matches involving children from our community clubs drawn from various parts of the city.
On Wednesday our highly succesful under 12s Partick club, which is based in the Kelvin hall, will play
the club's under 12s in  series of seven a side games based on the Go Games concept, at St.Patrick's, from 5.15pm.  The
club bus will pick up from the Kelvin hall, at 5pm.
  The following day it's the turn of the under 8s to show their talent when the north side club plays the south side in a match prior to the senior football league game against Glasgow Gaels, at Nethercraigs.  Everyone is welcome to come along to see at first hand the effort beng put in by our team managers, community coaches and parents to further strengthen the club's long term development policy.

Scotland County team have great win in Leeds

Yorkshire  1-15
Scotland   2-13

With no fewer than six of the club's players on the team, Scotland won through a hard fought British championship 1st round match against Yorkshire at Leeds.  Having been tied at half time, full time and half time in extra time, it was a score from the Harps' Conor Manning which finally separted the teams.  They travel to Leeds again this Sunday, 11th May to play Hertfordshire in the semi-final.  The players who represented the club were Anton Gallagher, Conor Manning, Sean Rafter, Eamon Tobin, Gavin O'Kane and Eamon Honsbury.

1^st Prize Weekend for two at Connacht GAA football final. Prize

 includes two nights accommodation, match tickets and car and two passengers

on Stranraer to Belfast Ferry.

 2^nd Prize  Snooker cue signed by three Scottish World Champions                   

 John Higgins, Stephen Hendry and Graeme Dott  

 3^rd Prize.  Signed Celtic football jersey

4^th Prize   Signed Celtic football

5^th Prize  £50 Dunnes Stores Vouchers

The draw will take place at the Race Night in St.Roch's Parish Hall, on Saturday 17th May.

New Irish air link to Glasgow

bmibaby commenced its first Scottish route in February with direct flights from Glasgow International Airport into Ireland West Airport Knock – in the heart of Ireland’s unspoilt West and Northwest regions.

Bmibaby, the award winning airline with tiny fares, commenced its first route to become the only direct jet flight service to Ireland’s Western region stretching from Kerry to Donegal from Glasgow International Airport. The three times a week service will compliment bmibaby’s existing network of routes at Ireland West Knock which include daily services to Birmingham and Manchester Airports.

Within 90 minutes of arriving into Ireland West Airport Knock, you could be teeing off at one of many award winning golf courses, discovering a rich and mythical heritage, indulging in the culinary delights of a secret castle getaway or pumping with adrenalin as you dive into the Atlantic surf or cruise the inland waterways. Enjoy world class parkland and links golf courses; scenic cycling, walking and horse trails, exhilarating freshwater and deep sea fishing, magnificent scenery cruising the inland waterways, blissful spas and wellness centres, as well as exciting festival and sporting events across the region. The secrets of the West of Ireland are waiting to be discovered, and there’s something here for everyone!

Robert Grealis, CEO, Ireland West Airport Knock, said: “We are delighted that there is now a direct, quick and convenient jet flight service to the heart of the West and North West of Ireland direct from Glasgow; which share similar cultural and social heritage through the many Irish ex-patriots that emigrated to the Scottish Isles in the past. This comes as welcome news to all those visiting friends and family but will also have a positive impact on the region as a whole as we expect to welcome thousands of Scottish visitors on the new service as well as provide the opportunity to develop business links between the region and Scotland.

Head of Marketing at bmibaby, Jo Hurley, said: “We are delighted to launch our first Scottish flight to Ireland West Airport Knock. The three times a week service operating on Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday, is fantastic news for the region as it now offers a choice for people to travel directly to the West of Ireland from Glasgow. With fares starting from just €17.99* one way including taxes and charges, we are advising people to book their flights to Glasgow now.”

Passengers can log onto www.bmibaby.com or contact their local travel agent to book now.

* Fares include taxes & charges but exclude Ireland West Airport Knock’s Development Fee payable by departing passengers aged 12 years and over.

Pathways Youth Exchange To Shannon Gaels, Croghan, Co.Roscommon




Pat Fitzgerald delivering the workshop on club administration and young people.  Members of the youth committee
got the opportunity to meet Roscommon football legend Shane Curran at the Shannon Gaels Dinner.

Our young people got a great deal out of the Pathways Youth Exchange as did the young members
of our hosts, Shannon Gaels, from Co.Roscommon. There was a series of workshops and coaching sessions including refereeing, Go Games and club administration.  Both clubs are keen to develop this programme further and Shannon
Gaels will be coming to Glasgow later this year.
  We really appreciated the welcome extended to us, which included excellent accommodation and the sup rise invitation to their annual dinner as guests.  Our thanks to Chris O'Dwyer for pulling everything together, especially when the weather
forced a change of venue for the Go Games session.  We really appreciated also the efforts of local Roscommon GAA coach
Peter Carney and the much travelled, Pat Fitzgerald, who once again accommodated us with an excellent workshop.

Underage Awards Night



Team managers, Anton Gallagher and Fidelma McGinn, with the young award winners at the underage awards night at Partick Burgh Halls.

3^rd annuall feile na mBan,

Glasgow Women’s Celtic sports Festival

The Tir Conaill Harps GAC is delighted to announce the dates for the third annual women’s Celtic sports festival, which will be held over the weekend of 3^rd to 5^th October. The festival theme is to raise the profile of women’s gaelic sports both within the Harps club and also to the wider Glasgow community. The festival will include it’s usual programme of camogie and ladies football tournaments. coaching workshops and not forgetting the very popular Festival Hooley.

Last year nine clubs from Ireland and Scotland took part, which was a big increase on the inaugural year. We hope to build on that success with even more teams this year. Further details are available from Grace McBride on e-mail at grace.mcbride@virgin. net Regular updates will also appear on the club website

TCH V Bredagh

0-2    3-0

First match of the day saw Tir Conaill up against Bredagh. The teams were evenly match which provided an enjoyable game to watch although Bredagh managed to secure the victory with a couple of good goals from close range. Credit must be given to Aisling "Bamm bamm"?? who continually proved a threat to Bredagh and kept the Harps in the game until the very end. Great pressure was applied by forwards Grace, Roisin and Jill through the game. As is now expected, Hilda seemed to be playing all over the pitch and has formed a great partnership with our new player Aisling.

TCH V Croydon

Our 2nd match saw us up against the London stalworths Croydon who have a very strong senior team.  The Harps knew even from the start this would be a tough match given they were last year's Cup champions - this year they forged ahead to the Cup final being only narrowly beaten by the other London senior team, Father Murphy's. Obviously this was a tough match for the defence but there was a continual excellent performance through the entire match by the strong defence of Grainne, Mairi and Jude.

TCH -Cullians

2-0    1-1

In the afternoon TCH were up against the young Westmeath team in the semi final of the Shield. Fighting for a place in the final , the Harps stepped up a gear to narrowly beat the young but talented Camogie team Cullians. A long ball from Hilda dropping into the goal net was a good start for the Harps followed by a great close range goal by Roisin. With not long to go Cullians started fighting back bringing on the their subs. Given the Harps had been let down at last minute by some team members they knew that having subs was a luxury they were not fortunate to have. The  strong defence continued to fight hard with few rearrangements which now saw Grace in goals and manged to hang on fighting for every ball to secure the victory.

TCH V Gort Na Mona

In the shield final the Harps found themslves up against the formidable Belfast team, Gort Na Mona. The Belfast girls were up to a good start with a few goals in the first few minutes and kept the pressure on throughout the match. New Harp Bamm bamm proved her worth in this match as in all the rest fighting for every ball and winning most. Unfortunately think the other team had been watching her as right from the start she was closely marked. TCH fought to the end but on this occasion Gort na Mona were just too strong for the girls.

A special mention goes to Kirsy for coming out of Camogie retirement for the weekend, for Debbie who played her first 4 Camogie matches ever at the weekend and for our new Harp Aisling who would have won player of the tournament had there been an award as she was simply outstanding in every match.

She got special mention at the end for her fine performanaces throughout the day. Well done the Harps-the improvement from last year was immense so next year will be even better!!! 

 There was a fantastic take up for places among volunteers in the club for the latest round of mini-bus driving training, which
was facilitated by the North Area Transport Association.  There are still places left.  Members willing to be volunteer drivers are
asked to contact Tommy Main to book their place.

Partick Healthy Harps Club News

Drum Adventure

The club has been fortunate enough to get funding through our youth committee for 6 outdoor adventure days organised by the Drum Adventure Group.  We are now offering this out to all of our community clubs and teams.  The date for the Partick Healthy Harps club is Sunday April 6^th.  The mini bus will be picking up from the Kelvin Hall, at 10am.

    Permission letters and details of the activities we will be doing will be given out at training later this month.

Mini Bus

The club takes delivery of it’s new bus this Friday.  This bus is YOURS so if you have any activities or events you want your club to attend we will do our best to accommodate you.  In the coming months we will be using the bus for a wide range of stuff including trips to England and Ireland and outdoor adventure days.  Keep an eye on the club website for what’s coming up.

   Everyone driving the bus has to be MIDAS trained.  We have fortunately secured funding to train other drivers.  If your parents or guardians would be interested in doing the training please let me know and I will book you in.

Membership

You will know that anyone can attend our community clubs.  However, if you want to take part in the their activities the club runs such as the Drum Adventure or trips away you must become a member of the club.  This costs £5 per child or if your family want to give the club a bit of support, the whole family can join for £20.

Games

Now that we have the bus in place we are hoping to arrange some challenge matches against other clubs we run across the city.  More details in the coming weeks.

St.Patrick’s Day Festival

Our club under 8s are putting on an exhibition match at the Garngad St.Patrick’s Day Festival, on Saturday 15^th March, at 1pm.  The organisers have also agreed to allow us to have a Tombola stand in the Marquee at Glenconner Park, Royston Rd on the day to raise money for the club.  We are looking for parents to consider donating any unwanted gifts they have hidden in cupboards.  We are especially looking for toys.  These will have to be handed in to training next week.

Tommy Main

Club Development and Health Promotion Officer.   Tel 07930613874

My name is Brian O'Hara and I am the President of Stirling University Men’s Gaelic Football Club.  We are interested in appointing a team Manager/coach for next season and would appreciate if the club teams could pass this email onto those who may be interested in this position (or pass on my contact details). 

The club have vastly improved both on and off the field in just three seasons and now are now in a position to compete with teams in the Scottish University League.  To improve further we feel that the appointment of a team manger/coach for the new season (starting Oct/08) is vital.  The University is in a position to pay coaching positions as long as applicants have the necessary/appropriate experience (not necessarily coaching badges).  Those interested in a volunteer role are also welcome.

Contact me on 07821771398 or

satan12@hotmail.com

Dates for your Céilí Diary

Céilí and Irish Dancing Display Night

Saturday 8^th March 2008

Couper Institute

Clarkston Rd.

Glasgow

Come along for a great night of Irish culture.

Caroline Greene, 8 times world champion, will be putting on a display of her dancers who are competing at this years World Championships in Belfast. It includes displays by her 16 hand Figure Teams, Ceili teams and Solo Dancers.

The night will be rounded off with a céilí for everyone.

Music - ‘Ceol na hÉireann’ Céili Band.

7.30pm – Late               BAR         £5 Adults/£3child/OAP

Céilí in East Kilbride Saturday 29^th March , in aid of ORBIS charity.

More details in next Month’s ‘An Scéal’

Visit www.irishinscotland.com for all céilí news

Win a Fun Do Resource Pack for the club

Fun To Do Resource pack

We have two Fun Do Learning Resource Packs, worth Eur100 each, to give away. The GAA Fun Do Learning Resource Pack provides Coaches of all levels with the tools to enable young players from nursery age right up to the end of primary school level, in the basic skills of Football and Hurling.

To be in with a chance to win simply tell us who is the Director of Games in the GAA.

Send your answer, along with your name, address and daytime telephone number to: Fun Do Quiz, Lynn Publications, Kells Business Park, Kells, County Meath or email the same details to hogancompetition@eircom.net, before Friday 15 February 2008.


GAA fun do learning resource pack

When we see the top stars of Hurling and Football line out on an All-Ireland final day, generally it is our brightest talents performing at the peak of their careers.

But those brilliant players only reach the pinnacle after a lifetime of development that can be traced back to the very first day they held a hurley or kicked a football.

The secret to developing any young player is getting it right at the start but often the people who first introduce youngsters to our games are not necessarily certain what they should be doing.

It is regularly left to parents of young players or schoolteachers who may not have had much knowledge of the game to carry the responsibility of facilitating those vital first steps.

Existing frustrations at any perceived lack of knowledge are set to end with the launch of an exciting new learning resource pack in October by GAA President Nickey Brennan. The GAA Fun Do Learning Resource Pack provides Coaches of all levels with the tools to enable young players from nursery age right up to the end of primary school level, in the basic skills of Football and Hurling.

The GAA Fun Do Pack contains a state-of-the-art interactive DVD, which combines the latest technology with a practical resource that will make it user-friendly to even the least techno-minded individual.

Linking up with the GAA’s Ú Can Skill Awards Passport, the Fun Do interactive DVD sets out an array of activities, which enable coaches to effectively plan and carry out child-friendly training sessions according to best practice.

This Resource Pack is the result of meticulous planning and preparation by the Association and compares favourably with anything that has ever been produced by any other sport in the world.

Filmed by professional cameramen in various locations around the country, the quality of the footage is remarkably good and the user will find it very easy to utilize the various aspects of the content.

"We wanted a Resource Pack for people who are coaching kids," explains Pat Daly, Director of GAA Games. "We decided to fuse technology, sport, education and health and bring them all together in a manner that would ensure kids were being introduced to the games in a quality way.

"There are over four hours of top class video footage on the DVD rom. This footage is integrated with over 1,000 activities between Hurling and Football all of which are complemented by a series of written manuals.

"What we are trying to do is to facilitate people who are involved in coaching kids and thus ensure they’re doing the best job possible.

"We are trying to insure that the activities are referenced to childhood needs.

"We then differentiated between the kids at nursery level right through to sixth class so this is programmed for kids from the start right up to the end of primary school, whether they were within schools or clubs.

"In a nursery context, we set out a generic programme that will provide the underpinning basic motor skills (agility, balance, coordination) which will enable the kids to move onto the sports specific skills.

"Then in the sports specific skills we broke it down into under-8s, under-10s, under-12s.
"In addition to the actual skills we then provide key tips surrounding games because this is all pitched in the context of ’Play and Stay with the GAA’.

"At the end of the day kids want to play a game and the game has to be appropriate to childhood needs. It is also essential that children acquire the basic skills of Hurling and Football be they technical, tactical, or team-play - in the most spontaneous and enjoyable manner possible and we are confident that the GAA Fun Do Learning Resource Park will play no small part in bringing this to fruition.

In the final analysis, the GAA Fun Do Learning Resource Park bears out the old Irish proverb "tosach mhaith leath na h-oibre - A good start is half the job"

Each GAA Fun Do Learning Resource Pack is tailored for either Gaelic Football or Hurling depending on the coach’s needs. In total each resource pack contains an interactive DVD rom, a Skills DVD, a Nursery DVD in addition to supplementary manuals on, GAA Go Games, catch and kick Coaching Classes or lift and strike

Coaching Classes, a Coach Handbook and a Nursery Manual. For further information on the GAA Fun Do Learning Resource Pack visit www.mcsport.ie or call 01 2022820.

AGM 2008



Over fifty people from underage players up to adult member and supporters gave the club it's best ever attendance at an AGM.  Although the delivery of the new mini bus was the top item up for discussion,  perhaps the most exciting development was the fact that all sixteen
Management Committee positions were filled without the traditional arm up the back encouragement.


New Committee

Chairperson (Ian Robertson)
Secretary ( Grace McBride)
Treasurer (Sally Lafferty)
Financial Controller ( Jack Trow)
Membership Secretary ( Fidelma McGinn)
County Board Delegate ( Anton Gallagher)
First Aid Officer ( Naoimh Aoife Breslin)
Womens Officer ( Janice Aitken)
Child Protection Officer (Tommy Main) ex-officio
Management Committee members (Christine Green, Christine Church, Willie Doherty,
Michelle Hayes, Christine Aitken, Michael Mullan, Jaqueline Monaghan

COMMUNITY REGENERATION COACH EDUCATION PROGRAMME (CRIF)

The Coach Education Programme aims to offer opportunities across the city over the next couple of years, and Coach Education is only one part of this fantastic initiative. The CRIF (Community Regeneration Investment Fund) initiative will look at developing opportunities within volunteering and club development as well as coaching development. 

Initially we will be looking to focus on Coaching Development. The education and training programme will be diverse and aimed at coaches and volunteers looking to up-skill or to new coaches seeking to take their first step on the coaching ladder. Coaches or Clubs based in specific areas of Glasgow will be able to utilise these courses for free. Whatever level of athlete you have a desire to coach; whether you hope to inspire the masses of youngsters entering the exciting world of sport, or whether you are longing to move through the development pathway and aspire to coach the elite level athlete.

Further details of course opportunities will appear on club development page in the new year.

Oisins too strong for Harps

Both our under 12s and 14s teams lost out in last weekend's challenge games in Manchester against our hosts Oisins GAA club.  The 14s went down 4-9 to 3-6 while the 12s lost 2-6 to 0-3.  Oisins were one of the first club's Tir Conaill Harps visited when the club was formed and we are delighted to have that link between the clubs restored.  There was a great crowd of parents went down to support the teams and the foundation is there for both teams to improve significantly in the coming year.
  It is hoped that the Oisins club will make a return trip to Glasgow in March 2008.



Mini Harps Halloween Party

There will be a party for all under 8s at St.Mungo's school on Wednesday 31st October, from 6.15pm. It is a party with a difference as the emphasis will be on healthy eating.   Instead of the usual candy apples and sacks full of sweets the children will be provided with a selection of sugar and gluten free products.  All soft drinks will be sugar free.  There will also be a few competitions with excellent prizes.
  

Under 14s and 12s

The under 14s and 12s will play challenge matches against the Oisin's club, Manchester, this Saturday.  The oach leaves Anderston, at 7am, picking up at St.Mungo's Townhead, at 7.15am.  Fare is £10.

Under 12s on the road

Good luck to Fidelma, Adrian and our under 12s who make the long trip to Birmingham on Saturday 13th October for the All-Britain sevens.

GAA Launch Major Coaching and Education Initiatives

Oct 03, 2007

The President of the GAA Mr Nickey Brennan and An Taoiseach Mr Bertie Ahern T.D. today presided at the launch of two major new GAA initiatives at the GAA Museum in Croke Park - the Fun Do learning resource pack, an interactive aid for those coaching young children, and the Céim ar Aghaidh educational resource pack which will assist in teaching the core primary school subjects through the medium of Gaelic Games

"Both of these important initiatives have been developed with a view to promoting our core ideal of encouraging young players to play and stay with the GAA," said Mr Brennan. "The GAA Fun Do Learning Resource Pack will provide coaches of all levels with the tools to enable young players from nursery age right up to the end of primary school level to develop the basic skills of Football and Hurling in a fun, healthy, structured and relaxed environment, while the Céim ar Aghaidh initiative will be a useful resource for primary school teachers in allowing them to teach the core subjects through the medium of Gaelic Games”.

An Taoiseach Mr Bertie Ahern T.D. recognised the valuable addition these two initiatives will provide to schoolchildren throughout the country. "In the modern era, the contribution of sporting organisations such as the GAA to active citizenship cannot be underestimated," said Mr Ahern. "The Government recognises the resource the G.A.A has invested in the children of Ireland and we continue to support those volunteers who have contributed so much to the health and well being of our nation. These new initiatives can only be welcomed as they will help ensure a long and healthy future for those young people who love GAA games so much."

The GAA Fun Do Pack includes a state-of-the-art interactive DVD, which combines the latest technology with practical resources that will make it user-friendly to even the least techno-minded individual. Linking up with the GAA's Ú Can Skill Awards Passport, the Fun Do interactive DVD sets out an array of activities, which enable coaches to effectively plan and carry out child-friendly training sessions according to best practice.

This Resource Pack is the result of meticulous planning and preparation by the Association and compares favourably with anything that has ever been produced by any other sport in the world.

"We decided to fuse technology, sport, education and health and bring them all together in a manner that would ensure children were being introduced to our games in a quality way," said Pat Daly, GAA Director of Games. "There are over four hours of top class video footage on the DVD rom. This footage is integrated with over 1,000 activities between Hurling and Football, all of which are complemented by a series of written manuals. As a unique resource, it is designed to facilitate people who are involved in coaching at underage level and assist them in doing the best job possible”

He continued: "It is essential that children acquire the basic skills of Hurling and Football be they technical, tactical or team-play - in the most spontaneous and enjoyable manner possible. We're confident that the GAA Fun Do Learning Resource Park will play no small part in bringing this to fruition." He went on to thank the Irish Sports Council and the Irish Times for their help in ensuring that the project had come to fruition.

Each GAA Fun Do Learning Resource Pack is tailored for either Gaelic Football or Hurling and contains an interactive DVD Rom, Skills DVD, Nursery DVD and supplementary manuals on GAA Go Games, Catch & Kick or Lift & Strike Coaching Classes, a Coach Handbook and Nursery Manual. Further information on the GAA Fun Do Learning Resource Pack is available on the official GAA website - www.gaa.ie.

Also launched today, Céim Ar Aghaidh/Step Ahead is an innovative resource that uses the fun of Gaelic Games to deliver an exciting range of learning activities to support the primary school curriculum. The subjects covered include Gaeilge, English, Mathematics, History, Geography, Science, SPHE/PSHE, Special Needs Education, Music, Art & Design, ICT, Drama and Physical Education.

The Céim ar Aghaidh resource can be used to support teaching in a variety of subject areas and the exercises can be adapted to suit children of varying abilities through differentiated worksheets.  In keeping with the ethos of the GAA, the material is designed to promote participation for all. Finding relevant resource material for these pupils can prove difficult but the GAA hopes that the material in the Céim Ar Aghaidh/Step Ahead pack may go some way to filling that void. Céim ar Aghaidh was produced with the support of a number of partners including the Irish Sports Council, An Bord Bia, The RTE Sports department, The Irish Times, Safe Food and Forás na Gaeilge

2nd annual women's festival is success



Terence McWilliams facilitated a very succesful workshop on coaching children

All the honours went to Dublin at the second annual feile na mBan , the Glasgow women’s Celtic sports festival, at the East End Healthy Living Centre.  Skerries Harps took the camogie title with a convincing win over Gort Na Mona, Belfast in the final, but their hopes of doing the double in the football final were thwarted by county rivals Cuala, who scored three goals in the closing minutes to win the game by the narrowest of margins.

  The festival is organised by the Tir Conaill harps GAC and is only in it’s second year is already growing in popularity with a total of twelve teams from Scotland and Ireland participating in the two competitions.  The programme also featured ladies shinty, come and try camogie and hurling and a coaching children workshop hosted by Ulster GAA officer Terence McWilliams.  The social side of the weekend was not missed with a large crowd joining all the teams at the festival Hooley in Drummonds Night Club.

   The importance of the festival in promoting minority sports and diverse cultures was not missed on the city’s sports council who helped fund the event with additional support coming from local construction firm Mevagh Contracts Ltd.

Ladies football Championship semi-final
Espieside Park, Coatbridge, Tuesday 18th September

Dunedin Connolly's, 0-4
Tir Conaill Harps, 3-9


Mini Harps turn to hit the road

It's been a busy year up to now with several of the club's teams travelling across Britain and Ireland to play
in tournaments or challenges. Now it's the turn of the club's youngest panel.  Twelve of the club's under 8s will hit the road to Tarmonbarry, Co.Roscommon, this weekend.  They will be hosted by the nearby Tulsk Lord Edwards club who have arranged a busy weeknd of activities for the children and their parents.  There will be a days coaching provided by Connacht council coach, Peter Carney, followed by a visit to Carrick on Shannon for a bit of sightseeing.  In the evening the group will be travelling to Longfod for Indoor Bowling.  On the Sunday our hosts will have a Go games sevens tournament involving our two clubs, Kilbride and Shannon Gaels.
   This will be the first visit to Ireland for many of these children and as you can imagine they are very excited about the trip. 
The mini harps clubs run in four areas of the city with future expansion planned for the east end of Glasgow.  It is part of the club's strategy to introduce children to healthy lifestyles at an early age and link it with partcipation in sport.  It is also hoped that this initiative will not only bring new players to the club but a whole new generation of parents who can take the club forward in the years ahead.



Coiste na nOg Exchange to Co. Down



The club's youth committee had a very enjoyable and informative visit to the Kingdom Youth club
in Kilkeel, Co.Down, over the weekend of the All-Ireland football final.  They are pictured above outside the
N.Ireland parliament at Stormont.  A full report and more photographs from their busy schedule will appear soon on the coiste na nOg web page.

Two year schools camogie and hurling  initiative launched

  

110 p6 children from three east end primary schools had their first taste of the ancient sport of hurling thanks to funding received from Sportsmatch and sponsorship from Advance Construction (Scotland).  Pupils from St.Michael's, Parkhead, Thorntree, Shettleston and Our Lady of Peace, Barlanark, were coached by club community coaches, Louise and Siobhan.
   The club will be working with the same group of children for the next two years.  Among the aims will be to have inter school competition, organize school exchanges with schools in Ireland and the formation of a club under 12s hurling and camogie team in the east end of the city.
  Last term all three schools took part in gaelic football coaching.




Division 2 Ladies Shinty League Table 31.08.07

Feile na mBan Taking Shape

The 2nd annual Glasgow women's celtic sports festival looks set to be a big success for the club with seven teams from Ireland
already signed up to take part.  We can also confirm that prominent Ulster GAA coach Terence Mcwilliams will be facilitating a
workshop on coaching young children.  The committee will also be running a balloon race on the Saturday and tickets are on sale now throughout the club for this.  Supporters of the club are also urged to support a Quiz Night  in the Euro Hostel on Wednesday September 12th, at 7.30pm.  Teams of three @ £10 are invited to take part.






Club Honoured at Awards Dinner in City Chambers



Fergus Ewing, Minister for Community safety for the Scottish Parliament presents Club Development
and Health Promotion Officer, Tommy Main, with a framed certificate to
acknowledge the anti sectarian work done by the club over the past year.
  The club joined in a celebration with seventy other agencies who are engaged in
anti sectarian work throughout the country at a dinner and reception in
Glasgow City Chambers.  The club recently organised an school exchange
between catholic and non denominational schools in Glasgow and St.Michael's
primary school, Co.Meath using the theme of gaelic games  as a tool to break
down religious and cultural barriers.
 

Jimmy Kelly remembered




Games across the county were preceded by a minute silence in memory of the late Jim Kelly, county board chairman
who died suddenly while on holiday in Spain last month.  The thoughts of all club members are with Jim's wife Angela and all her family.

 


Under 14s visit Co. Leitrim



Our under 14s who brought great credit to the club at the recent feile in Co.Leitrim.  They were hosted by the
Drumkerin club.

Schools Go Games




Mariani and Shevonne are photographed at the Go games Glasgow Primary schools sevens at
St.Patrick's school.  Each of the participating schools were given a set of summer camp strips, bags
and water bottles donated by the Connacht council of the GAA.