Skryne U10’s had an enjoyable year with the training starting in mid-March. Most of the games are non-competitive so no score is kept. Also the kids were encouraged to take points instead of goals and this improved their kicking skills. The young lads are a joy to work with and once they are out on the pitch, all they want to do is kick points and pass the ball to their friends. Skryne have played plenty of football with two games per week including Saturday blitz games. Our first blitz was in Dunganny on 24th March. Skryne hosted two. We played local clubs, and also travelled for some return matches. On 21st April we entered the Community Games in Ashbourne. As some of the U10’s were over age, we called on some of the U8’s to make up the Skryne team. It was a great experience and I have no doubt they will compete well next year.
We invited two teams from Dublin to play in Skryne – Ballyboden St Enda’s and Cuala. Ballyboden had brought their best players from their seven U10 teams, and we matched them on the field. This makes you realise the potential in our team. The Cuala game was on the eve of the Meath-Dublin Leinster Final. For the second half of the game Skryne wore Meath jerseys and Cuala wore Dublin Jerseys. This really encouraged the lads more and the game was played in great sportsmanship. The U10’s were also entered into the non-competitive Summerhill League. We played roughly 18 matches throughout the year on a Tuesday night.
On 1st September we entered our one and only competitive game. This was in St Colmcilles and the lads topped the group. We were straight into a final against Ratoath and unfortunately got piped at the finishing line. The lads put in a great fight and to be honest with playing three games they were just tired. They did their club really proud.
Our last challenge game was against Sarsfields in Newbridge. The lads played well and it was an enjoyable day.
On our last training session we had the privilege of having a visit from Harry Rooney and Conor O’Brien who play with the club along with the Meath minors. They gave the lads some great tips and encouragement.
On our last day, just for fun, we arranged a game with the U10’s against the “Overs” (the Overs being the parents!) What a game it was! In the end the U10’s won by a goal and it was a really enjoyable day for parents and kids. Just to finish up we would like to thank some people for the help throughout the year. Without everybody’s help a lot of things would not have been achievable. We would like to thank Hugh Mc Nelis for the photos during the year, and Senan Mc Grath video coverage of the Overs game. We would like to thank Declan Browne, Pat Hawes, Michael O Reilly, Martin Curran, Noel Murray, George Rathbourne and Les Bartley for helping out during Blitzs & games. Also thanks to all the parents for the lovely cakes and sandwiches that were made for some of the games we hosted against the Dublin clubs and also helping out on the day. It has been said on more than one occasion that these young lads will bring plenty of Silverware home and there is no doubt that it will happen. The 2012 panel was, Aaron Murray, Alex Curran, Alex Grendon, Alex O Reilly, Connor Mc Loughlin, David Rathbourne, Gary Browne, Jack Swan, Kian Reddy, Killian Cahill, Nathan Chawke, Niall Finnerty, Niall Moreland, Oisin Keogh, Paddy Mc Eniffe, Paddy Wright, Sam Hawes, Scott Armstrong, Sean Keogh, Sean Mc Govern, Shane Smyth, Alex Bartley, Aaron Clarke, Oisin Mc Connell, Billy Reilly.
We look forward to seeing you all again in 2013 and thank you for all your help throughout the year.
Thanks
Cormac & David
U10 at St. Colmcilles FC 2012
