After a mere two years of existence Ogsport Lu can justifiably claim to having made a huge impact on the GAA scene in the county. It has transformed and revolutionised underage Gaelic games with an encouraging knock-on effect on other juvenile boards. By Hugh O'Hare. Newspaper headlines from during the year can best capture its impact: Under 7 Blitz attracts 47 teams (Argus), Under 7's Don Jersey for first time (Drogheda Independent), Future looks bright (Drogheda Independent), Under 8 Blitz packs them in (Argus), Ogsport Lu an outstanding success (Argus), The house full signs go up at Darver blitz (Argus), Huge turnout for U9 Blitz at Darver (Dundalk Democrat), Darver U7 Blitz a huge success (Dundalk Democrat). What is Ogsport? Ogsport Lu caters for the U7, U9, U11 and U13 age-groups and has almost universal club support. When in March Ogsport Lu published its fixture list for the entire season, some claimed that it was 'over ambitious', nevertheless overall a total of 1,500 games were played during the season under the auspices of Ogsport Lu. During the 2008 playing season every affiliated club was requested to host at least one regional Blitz. This entailed catering for a maximum of 10 teams, preparing pitches, appointing referees and providing reports on the games. The total tireless commitment and ingenuity of coordinators throughout the county was indeed one of the highlights of the season. A total of five all county Blitzes were held at Darver and these were nothing short of spectacular. During the season upwards of 20 teenage referees were introduced and were given change of the U7, U9, and U11 games. The ability and self confidence of these young whistlers drew words of praise from all quarters. Ogsport seeks to emphasise the importance of the proper presentation of games which means well-prepared pitches, players property togged-out and games beginning on time. In the young age-groups small sided teams and non-competitive games were the norm. Ogsport Lu is serving as a recruiting agent for the clubs in the county. Such was the impact of Ogsport Lu that at the end of the normal playing season the clamour for more games resulted in a highly-successful U13 inter-regional blitz. This competition provided the shop window for this selection of an U13 development squad which has already commenced training under the expert guidance of Thomas McNamee (Ogsport Lu), Padraig O'Connor (St Fechins), Francis Lafferty (St Patricks) and Niall Lambert (Dundalk Gaels). The U13 Development Squad for 2008 consisted of: Robert Curran (Clans), Jason Murphy (Clans), James McCann (Gaels), Conor Mc Donald (Geraldines), Josh Arrowsmith (Geraldines), Shane Murphy (Geraldines), Ryan Traynor (Geraldines), Chris Reenan (Geraldines), Shane Grant (Roche), Liam Rice (Roche), Sean Watters (Roche), Aaron Rogers (Cuchulainn Gaels, Darragh Flanagan (Kilkerley Emmets), Daniel McKeown (Kilkerley Emmets), Ronan Mulholland (Kilkerley Emmets), Tiernan Gonnolly (Naomh Malachi), Oisin Halahan (Cooley Kickhams), Rohan Cull (Cooley Kickhams), Rohan Quinn (Cooley Kickhams), Jody Keenan (St. Patricks), Joseph McCann (St. Patricks), Mark Pagni (St. Patricks), Eoghan Lafferty (St. Patricks), Patrick Kirk (St. Patricks), Allo Callan (St. Patricks), Alan Matthews (Hunterstown), Ruairi Clinton (St. Fechins), Patrick Lynch (St. Fechins), Sean McConnell (St. Fechins), David Hughes (St. Fechins), Sean O'Connor (St. Fechins), Peter Bourne (St. Fechins), Ciaran O'Connor (St. Fechins), Craig Devlin (Lannleire), Dylan Crawley (John Mitchells), Conor Reilly (John Mitchells), David Lennon (St. Mochtas), Ultan Larney (St. Mochtas), Fergus English (St. Mochtas), Evan Owens (Westerns), Liam Murray (Westerns), David Carroll (St. Marys), Paddy Conlon (St. Marys), Karl Faulkner (St. Marys), Cian Murphy (St. Marys), Andy Leavy (St. Marys), Andrew Morgan (Oliver Plunketts), Dara Fanning (Oliver Plunketts), Conor McGill (O'Connells), Andrew Keenan (O'Connells), Conor Kiernan (O'Connells), Cian Doyle (O'Connells), Dan Bannon (Stabannon), David Connolly (Glen Emmets), James Butler (Glen Emmets), Conor Cusack (Glen Emmets), Liam Clarke (Sean O'Mahonys), Paddy Byrne (Sean O'Mahonys), John Connolly (Sean O'Mahonys), Kyle Carroll (Sean O'Mahonys), Ben McLoughlin (Sean O'Mahonys), Derek Williams (Sean O'Mahonys), Sean McLoughlin (Dundalk Young Irelands), Ryan O'Hanlon (Dundalk Young Irelands), Jason McCourt (Na Piarsaigh), Conal Shields (Na Piarsaigh), Stephen Maguire (Na Piarsaigh) In addition an eight team well-attended invitation Blitz was played recently at Darver. The competing teams were: Donaghmore Ashbourne (Meath), St Margarets (Dublin), O'Tooles (Dublin), O'Raghallaighs, Oliver Plunkets, Wolfe Tones, Eire Og, Na Piarsaigh, Clann na nGael, Dundalk Gaels, Dowdallshill, Sean O'Mahonys. The Director of Operations was Donal McNally. In addition, the U12 Dundalk winter league is currently up and running. Ogsport website (www.ogsportlu.ie) began operation in March. Hits in March amounted to 2,000. Come August the monthly figure had increased to 46,000. The year's total was a staggering 198,000 which proves that nothing succeeds like success. The success and influence of Ogsport has lit a flame and provided the stimulus to other underage groups - hurling, camogie and girls football, to intensify their efforts. The example of Tyrone has proven comprehensively that the future is now. Muna gcuirfidh tu san Earrach ni bhainfidh tu san Fhomhar. Under-age Ladies Football A total of fifteen clubs compete at underage level. Over the last three years four new clubs have come on board at juvenile level - St Brides, Geraldines, Dowdallshill and Glyde Rangers, with Glyde being the latest addition in 2008. Non-competitive blitzes are held every fortnight from mid-May at U10 level. Competition begins at the U12 age group. Eleven clubs competed in the U12 League and Championship in 2008. The very successful all county U13 blitz and the Celtic Cup took place for the second time in Darver this year, over two weekends. Peil Na mBunscol, Cumann na mBunscol 2008 proved to be a very successful year for Cumann na mBunscol Contae Lu. The first finals took place at the end of April when Stabannon played host to the INTO Mini 7's Boys Football finals. Darver then played host to the girls football, camogie and hurling finals. In June the summer finals took place and for the second year Cumann na mBunscol were able to avail of the excellent facilities provided by Darver. 2008 also meant Cumann na mBunscol Co. Lu taking its turn to host the INTO Mini 7's all Counties Hurling blitz. Once again Darver was the venue and the teachers and children from the other Counties were suitably impressed. Our final events of the year took place in October and November. O'Raghallaigh's GFC played host to both the Urban and Rural schools final over two separate Saturdays. Cumann na mBunscol would like to thank everyone involved in making 2008 the success it was and let's hope that 2009 proves even more successful. Under Age Hurling A nucleus of five clubs - Knockbridge, Pearse Og, Naomh Moninne, St Fechins and Mattock Rangers - are currently the shining lights of the game in the county. However progress is being made at juvenile level and in U8 and U10 a total of eight clubs: Naomh Moninne, Knockbridge, Pearse Og, Mattock Rangers, Termonfeckin, Wolfe Tones, Cooley Kickhams and Tallanstown are becoming involved. The first ever U8/10 outdoor Blitz held in Collon in May was a roaring success and six clubs participated. At this level also great use has been made of the indoor facilities of D.L.C (Drogheda) and J.J.B (Dundalk). A tie up with Ogsport Lu would surely transform the juvenile hurling scene in Co. Louth. Tweet

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