The underage hurlers of Moylagh have been making plenty of waves of late and the progress being made was illustrated with the annexation of two championships in recent years. That success bears testimony to the hard work which is being carried out by the likes of underage hurling secretary Paul Foley and many other dedicated coaches. Like in the majority of GAA clubs in the Royal County, hurling is very much the poor relation to football in Moylagh. Making the county underage football team rather than the hurling team is of far more appeal to aspiring young GAA players and with little tradition in the small ball code within the county, it will always play second fiddle to the bigger ball game. That's something which Moylagh's Paul Foley is only too well aware of but it doesn't stop him doing his best to spread the gospel. The morning Royal County contacted Paul he was on his way up to the Moylagh field where the hurling Summer Camp was in progress. "We have twenty odd kids attending this year's camp," he revealed. "The kids really enjoy the Summer Camps. They're learning different skills and doing different drills with the main emphasis placed on enjoyment. That's what it's all about." The underage teams of Moylagh have been enjoying their hurling ever since Mattie Nolan established the underage section of the club in 1996. Two years later they captured their first piece of silverware when claiming the U14 title at the expense of neighbours Kilskyre. There was more celebrating 12 months later when the U13 crown was also garnered. Evidence, if evidence was required, that the small ball code is flourishing in the north-Meath club. A Gala Presentation ceremony was organised by the club late last year to present medals to the victorious teams, in both football and hurling, and the presence of Offaly star Johnny Dooley, Meath All-Ireland winning captain Graham Geraghty and former Meath hurling great Paddy Kelly ensured that it was a night to remember for the youngsters of Moylagh. Unfortunately there was no championship wins to report on in 2000 but Paul says that the club did themselves proud in the U14 and U11 competitions and can certainly hold their heads up high. "Wolfe Tones beat us in the semi-final of the U14 while Kiltale beat in the semi-final of the U11. So I suppose you could say that we had a relatively successful year, considering the small population we have to pick from, with both teams doing so well in their respective competitions. "There's not many youngsters growing up in the parish at the present time but we're still doing ok. We field four teams at underage levels, in the U11, U13, U14 and U16 grades." Paul has been involved with hurling in Moylagh since 1996 - the year the underage section got up and running - when he was elected secretary of the underage. The aforementioned Mattie Nolan, who Paul says "singlehandedly" set the ball rolling, is chairman. Others who dedicate their spare time to the promotion of hurling in the club include Eugene Growney, Brendan Dolan, Gerry Mahon, Ollie Reilly, Seanie Grall, Ollie Melia, Eamon Boyle, Ned Boyle and Maura Melia and Mary Nolan who look after first aid. Paul says their contribution could never be overestimated while he expressed the hope that more adults would get involved. "It would be fantastic to see a situation whereby more of the parents got involved and take some of the pressure of those of us who have been there from the start. It can be very time consuming but it is also well worth it. The more the merrier as they say." 1989 was the year that junior hurling was first introduced in Moylagh. Frank McEvoy was the main catalyst behind that move. John Smith was also involved in the early days. The club have contested a couple of junior deciders since, under the guidance of Brendan Dolan, but, unfortunately, championship success has yet to visit their doorstep. Hence you don't need to be a rocket scientist to figure out what ambitions Paul and co harbour for the future of hurling in Moylagh? "In another year or so I believe we will have a relatively strong junior team and it certainly would not be out of the question to see us winning that. "The players are probably too young to make an impact at this level at the present time but once they mature physically I certainly envisage them being able to hold their own with any other junior team in the county. "The material is there but the big problem we have is keeping them together and interested. There's so many distractions nowadays that it may be difficult to keep hurling near the top of their priorities but that is something which we will have to work hard on when the time comes. I'd be confident though that if we can succeed in keeping them playing hurling then the club can really go places." The talent certainly appears to be present in Moylagh to back up Paul's claims. Four of their players, namely Joey Melia, Damian Smith, Enda Mulvaney and Paul's own son, also called Paul, have represented the county at U14 level. Joey and Damian have also graduated to U16 level. As secretary of the Moylagh underage club, Paul is only too well aware of the high costs attached to keeping the ship afloat. Endless fundraising is required to supply the kids with the hurls, helmets and sliothars but he adds that Moylagh have been fortunate in that locals have not been found wanting when it comes to delving into their pockets. "Running a hurling club is extremely expensive, it adds up to about £2,000 each year when hurleys, helmets and sliothars are taken into account. Then there's also transport costs. We run a couple of fundraisers each year and it must be said that people in the parish have been very generous with their support." Paul admits that he knew little or nothing about hurling when first getting involved but adds that he has "had to learn quickly!". And the underage hurlers are benefiting from his enthusiasm. "Of course hurling will never be as popular as football in Meath but there is still a lot of enjoyment to be gained from playing the game and coaching it. Otherwise we wouldn't be doing it," he concluded. Tweet

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