Future stars shine in U12 football finals in Cusack Park
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Tommy Murphy, JP Reynolds, Padraig Conway and Julie Evans from Inny Shamrocks.Image 2 of 27
The Killucan Whites U12 side.Image 3 of 27
The Downs U12 Amber team.Image 4 of 27
The Multyfarnham U12 team.Image 5 of 27
The Garrycastle U12 Greens.Image 6 of 27
The Killucan U12 Saffron team.Image 7 of 27
The Garrycastle U12 Reds team.Image 8 of 27
The Delvin White and Maroon U12 teams.Image 9 of 27
Tony Horan, Sean Carroll, John Clune and John Goss from Delvin.Image 10 of 27
The Kilbeggan Shamrocks U12 team.Image 11 of 27
Mary Gorry, Stephen Lynch, Gary Doonan, Fergal Brennan and Mark Gorry from Kilbeggan Shamrocks.Image 12 of 27
The Tyrrellspass U12 team.Image 13 of 27
Niall Seery, Barry Murphy, Marcella O’Grady, Ciaran Geoghegan and Johnny Morgan from Tyrrellspass.Image 14 of 27
Declan Leonard, Peter Collins, Gerry Walker, Sinead Shine, Pat Collins, Ritchie Heffernan, Ronan Farrell, Michael Kelly and Barry Kelly from Coiste na nÓg Iarmhí.Image 15 of 27
Eoghan Reilly and Keith Gorry were among the referees for U12 football finals.Image 16 of 27
The Milltownpass U12 team.Image 17 of 27
Damien Loran, Tom Gorman and David Maguire from Milltownpass.Image 18 of 27
The Inny Shamrocks U12 team.Image 19 of 27
The Mullingar Shamrocks U12 team.Image 20 of 27
The Coralstown/Kinnegad U12 team.Image 21 of 27
Jason O’Connor, David Leonard, Mark Doyle and Tadhg Dinneen from Coralstown/Kinnegad.Image 22 of 27
The Moate All Whites U12 football side.Image 23 of 27
The St Loman's Whites U12 team.Image 24 of 27
The Shandonagh U12 football team.Image 25 of 27
The St Paul's U12 football team.Image 26 of 27
The St Mary's Rochfortbridge U12 footballers.Image 27 of 27
The Caulry U12 football team.TEG Cusack Park hosted the U12 football finals over the four days, starting on Friday evening, May 31, and concluding on bank holiday Monday, June 3. This initiative is the brainchild of minor secretary Peter Collins and it’s not an insignificant undertaking. Approximately 1,000 players featured in both codes in 26 matches.
Westmeath Coiste na nÓg Chairman Barry Kelly explained the importance of the finals.
“The under 12 grade in both codes is about providing games to our youngsters and there are no championships or trophies contested in either phase 1, which is nearing completion, or in phase 2, which will get under way towards the end of June. It’s important that mentors, supporters and players are cognisant of this throughout the year.
“The games certainly can be competitive as that’s in the child’s nature but the key elements in this grade are skill development, team work, representing their club and most importantly, fun,” he said.
Coiste na nÓg have recruited over 50 new referees from the competing clubs to officiate at under 12 matches. In their distinctive orange jerseys, the new cohort of whistlers have been a huge addition to the refereeing fraternity.
“Like all referees, they will make mistakes and they are learning on the job, so it’s incumbent on mentors and spectators to show patience and support for their efforts.
“Approximately 1,250 matches will be organised by Peter Collins at under 12, 14, 16 and minor level in 2024 and that requires the services of referees – it’s vital that our new referees are not discouraged from progressing in their new careers, as we’ll need many of them at the older age groups in future years,” said Barry Kelly.
The minor CCC has 11 members, Peter Collins (Lough Lene Gaels), Barry Kelly (St Oliver Plunketts), Michael Kelly (Delvin), Declan Leonard (Clonkill), Sinead Shine (Garrycastle), Paul Doolin (Mullingar Shamrocks), Ronan Farrell (Maryland), Shane Briody (Killucan), Gerry Walker (Tubberclair), Pat Collins (Mullingar Shamrocks), Richie Heffernan (Turin).
“This group helps in numerous ways to ensure our underage programme in both codes runs smoothly and their efforts are noteworthy.
“The minor board acknowledges the support of our senior counterparts in providing the use of Cusack Park over these four days. For many of our youngsters it’s their first chance to play in our county grounds and a significant milestone in their fledgling sporting careers.”