Following a very successful indoor hurling programme 9 hurling clubs with over 200 young hurlers participated in the first outdoor u8 and u10 hurling all county blitz held by Killyclogher GAC on Friday evening.

Newly formed clubs Cuchulainns from the Ballygawley area competed in the U8 competitions and An Bhinbhorb from the Benburb area competed in the U10 competition. Drumragh Sarsfields GAC fielded teams in the u8 and u10 competitions for the first time and Fintona Pearses fielded a strong U10 team.

The traditional hurling clubs Killyclogher GAC, Omagh St Endas, Eire Og Carrickmore and Eoghain Ruadh Dungannon fielded in both competitions with Strabane Shamrocks and Naomh Colmcille fielding in the U10 competition. The newly formed club in the Cookstown area hopes to compete in the July U8 / U10 hurling blitz.

U8 s played 7 a side on 9 pitches with an emphasis on ground hurling and the U10 s played 9 a side on 4 pitches with lift and strike and one touch on the hurl. Pauric Quinn Killyclogher GAA who co-ordinated the U 10 competition was impressed with the quality of the hurling in the U10 competition while he said the format of the U8 games meant that all the games among the youngest hurlers were very even.

The increase in the number of children playing hurling is not accidental and much credit must go to Peter Kerr Chair and the Tyrone Hurling Development Committee who had the vision to support the formation of the new clubs after a county wide grassroots hurling programme as part of a five year programme.

The aim is to have 10 clubs playing hurling and establish 2 grades within our county with 10 clubs providing hurlers for our county teams. Teamtalkmag spoke with a number of former county hurlers helping at the blitz and they felt that the new and existing clubs need to be supported with further coaching and support from the County Board.

The Hurling Development Committee is presently attempting to get further financial assistance to provide an additional coach to work in the clubs and schools within the county. There is also a new U12 hurling league being piloted throughout the county with all these clubs involved. Killyclogher St Marys GAA and Omagh St Endas have also reformed senior hurling teams and will compete in a revamped senior hurling league later this summer.

On the evidence of this weekend blitz in Killyclogher hurling is gaining in popularity and is moving in the right direction within the O Neill County.

Photos courtesy of John Coney