The ancient game has never been stronger at underage level in the Wee County, as Miceal O'Broin reports. Five county competitions were played off: the McCreesh U11 Shield, the O'Broin U12 Shield and the U14, U16 and minor championships. Meanwhile, Louth county teams participated in the following: Roinn 'C' at U16, U15 Leinster blitz and U14 Leinster development squads. Due to the Foot and Mouth scare the proposed U15 and minor blitzes were cancelled. Early in the year two coaching sessions and two challenge games were played at U15 and U16 level. The Roinn 'C' competition commenced on July 4th with a game against Monaghan in Roche Emmets Grounds which Louth won by the narrowest of margins of one point, 3-6 to 3-5. Two weeks later they suffered a heavy defeat at the hands of Armagh, 1-15 to 0-4 at Dowdallshill. In their third game they received a walkover from South Antrim who were unable to field a team due to the troubles. The following panel represented Louth: Shane Callan, Ronan Byrne, Ronan Kane, Aaron Caffrey, Eamonn Petticrew, Padraig Coyle, Mark Rafferty, Eamonn McAuley, John Sharkey, Lorcan Fisher, Mark Larkin, Gerard Smyth, Gavin Kane, Patrick McCormack, John Flannery, Shane McGinn, Shane Kennedy, Shane Kerrigan, Paul Minford, Stephen Macken. Leinster U14 Coaching Skills This all-day session included all twelve Leinster counties with mini games. Talks by intercounty players and coaching were the order of the day, with medals supplied as well. Louth panel: Sean Hearty, Kevin Duffy, Brian McCabe, David Kettle, Conaill Byrne, Kevin Nally, Shane Toner, Mark Wallace, Errol Rooney, Stephen Ryan, John Roddy, David Deevey, Darren Reid, Francis O'Brien, Damien Callan, Kevin Conway, Mark Divan, Andrew McGrave, Jason Condon. Mentors - Derek Kettle, Paul Callan, Paul Ward, Tony Corcoran and Miceal O'Broin. Leinster U15 Blitz Four counties took part in this blitz at Naomh Mearnog, Portmarnock on August 18th. These were: Fingallians, Meath 'B', Rosslare (Wexford) and Louth. Rosslare were the winners. Louth were represented by the following panel: Gerard Smyth, Peter Rafferty, John Sharkey, Brian McCabe, Gavin Kane, Kevin Hilliard, Mark Wallace, Errol Rooney, David Kettle, Damien Callan, Kevin McNally, Conaill Byrne, Mark Givan, Ian McSorley, Padraig Coyle, Darie Englishby, Joe McCreavey, Christopher Lennon, Liam Woods, Christy Brassil, Jason Condon. Mentors on the day were Noel Callan, Tony Corcoran and Miceal O Broin. Leinster skills pageant This was held in Croke Park on Sunday July 8th in conjunction with the Leinster Senior Hurling Final. Louth were represented by ten pupils from the 6th classes in the Primary Schools. Louth and Meath combined and performed the skill of ground tackle. Parents of all the pupils involved were invited and enjoyed the day. O'Broin U12 blitz This competition took place in Roche Emmets on September 15th with five teams taking part. The winners were Pearse Og who defeated Naomh Moninne in the final 5-5 to 0-2. In the section 'B' final Collon defeated Naomh Feicin winning a shield as well. Results: 1st Round Naomh Moninne 2-1 Cnoc Brid 0-1 P.Og 3-4 Naomh Feicin 0-2 2nd Rd Collon 4-1 Cnoc Brid 0-2 N. Feicin 0-1 N. Moninne 2-1 3rd Rd N. Feicin 2-1 Cnoc Brid 1-1 P.Og 3-2 Collon 0-2 4th Rd P.Og 3-11 Cnoc Brid 0-1 N. Moninne 2-0 Collon 0-3 Final 'B' Section Collon 3-1 Naomh Feicin 1-2 McCreesh Shield Eight teams took part including St Pauls from the Drogheda area. Pearse Og (1-2) were the winners over a gallant Collon side (1-0). The competition was organised by the Cnoc Brid Hurling club and took place in Knockbridge on September 29th. Under 14 Championship The final was played on October 13th resulting in a win for Cnoc Brid (3-7) over Naomh Feicin (4-3). Earlier Cnoc Brid defeated Pearse Og and N Moninne while Naomh Feicin defeated Collon on the score 4-2 to 1-0. Under 16 Championship At the time of going to press Cnoc Brid who defeated P.Og and N. Moninne in the North Louth Section await the winners of the South Louth group (Naomh Feicin, Wolfe Tones and Collon) in the final. Minor Championship The winners were Cnoc Brid (4-16) over Wolfe Tones (1-7). In the earlier rounds, Collon won the play-off between themselves Naomh Moninne and Naomh Feicin. In the semi-finals Cnoc Brid defeated Pearse Og and Wolfe Tones defeated Collon. Sceim Iomana For the 4th year Coiste Iomana submitted plans to the Leinster Development Committee for the promotion of the game in Louth and have received grants of almost £7,000. Two projects are still to be completed. Projects include indoor hurling, U16 and U14 hurling development squads, U10 coaching and Feile na nGael competition. New development areas One new area has started, in Mountrush, with the help of Bob Doheny and Sean McDermots GFC, and Ardee is being revived as Juvenile club. In both areas indoor hurling is the first priority. Coiste Iomana is very pleased with these developments as well as the school activities which have been undertaken. Hurley/Helmet Scheme This scheme monitored by Coiste Iomana has been a tremendous success supplying over 160 helmets and 900 hurleys to the Primary Schools and clubs as well as the Post Primary Schools. Tweet

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