Underage structure

Since the establishment of the juvenile club in 1991 Kilburn Gaels has led the way in underage hurling in London winning over 50 county and national titles. 2003 was our most successful year, taking 9 out of 10 possible titles at underage in London and Britain. Our wealth of talent is well supported by a coaching and management staff of ten, along with parents, family and friends who always turn out to cheer out teams on.

Each year we provide players for the London U16, U18 and U21 teams for domestic competitions as well as the London U14 and British U16 panels who compete in Ireland. These trips allow our players to develop their skills and game against a higher level of opposition and provide an opportunity to represent their county.

Kilburn Gaels Hurling Club is proud to boast five teams at underage level – providing for over 80 players from the age of 7. We are currently the only team in Britain fielding consistently at all age groups.

U10, U12, U14, U16 and U18, with two or even three teams at the lower age groups, such is the number of players. Boys and girls play together up to the age of 14 when girls break away to join our local camogie clubs. Boys continue with Kilburn Gaels to the age of 18 at which point they are given the chance to progress to the adult ranks of the club with either our Junior or Senior teams.

The strength of our underage structure is reflected in particular at Junior level with ninety percent of the panel being former or current underage players. Despite the relative youth of our Junior panel, accompanied by only a handful of experienced players, the team have proven very competitive against their more seasoned opponents with victory in the majority of their outings and only the odd draw or loss.

As a successful hurling club we are aware of the need to build on what we have achieved in the past to ensure for the future. We as a club are always looking for ways to improve and expand, particularly in relation to underage development and are proud to provide the following features:

* Twice-weekly coaching sessions for all age groups to fit in with other commitments

* Coaching in schools, both primary and secondary

* Qualified, friendly and enthusiastic coaches

* A qualified first aider at all training sessions and fixtures

* Attendance at EVERY fixture, whether it be a championship final in London or a challenge match in Birmingham

* Free membership, equipment and coaching for all under the age of 18

* Visits to the county ground in Ruislip to watch top-level inter-county hurling

* Annual underage presentation night in February/March with medals for ALL players and ‘player of the year' awards

* Annual Dinner Dance and Junior/Senior presentation in March

* Participation in St Patrick's Day Parade in London every year

* Club Golf Day in July to raise funds for the year with an evening presentation and dinner

* Our annual U10/U12 7s competition in September providing a full day's hurling for over 70 children from all over Britain, a cup and shield competition and medals for all participants

* Christmas Party for our underage players with a disco, buffet and ‘Santa's Raffle' especially for the younger ones

* U16/U18 tour to Ireland every two years

All players, parents and officers are expected to follow and support the ethos of Kilburn Gaels Hurling Club which is outlined in our conctitution >>> click here to view

County/National Honours

In 2006 the following players represented their county:

U21 London team: Francis O'Dwyer, Liam Mullan (c), Liam Jordan, Tadhg Lee, Alan Troy, Patrick Doyle, Michael O'Donoghue, Patrick Kerrigan, Jimmy Delaney, Patrick Troy, John Guerin, Thomas O'Neill, James Minihan, Ryan Scullion, Chris Henry, JP O'Brien, Conor Lyons

U18 London team: Declan Mullan, Jimmy Delaney, Patrick Troy, Sean Howlin, John Guerin, Thomas O'Neill, James Minihan, Ryan Scullion, Chris Henry, Sean O'Toole, Terry Connolly, Shane Murphy, JP O'Brien, Conor Lyons

U16 London team: James Minihan, Chris Henry, Vincent Connolly, Finbar English, Sean O'Toole, Terry Connolly, Shane Murphy, Richard Davoren, JP O'Brien, Conor Lyons, Declan Ruddy

U14 London team: Dale Gillies, Martin Scanlon, Ryan McManus, Eirean Quilkin

Five of our U16 players also had the opportunity to represent Great Britain in the Ulster Youth Games in Belfast back in May of 2006:

U16 British Team: James Minihan, Ryan Scullion, Sean O'Toole, JP O'Brien, Conor Lyons

Champion Skill Awards

The skill awards are designed to encourage the development of players’ skills and reward improvement and development. There are two awards - Silver and Gold – which players can work towards during their time at the club and coaching will be geared towards the different awards throughout the year.

Taking the test

Normal playing rules apply in relation to the number of steps and catches allowed when carrying the ball and players must be kitted out in shorts, t-shirt and football boots, plus their hurley and helmet.

In order to gain either the silver or gold award ALL skills for that particular level must be completed and the pass standard for each skill must be met.

On the test day the players will have 15 minutes to practice before they begin the skills. All players will complete each skill before the group moves on to the next and each player will get three attempts at performing the skill.

SILVER AWARD

There are four skills that must be passed in order to gain the Silver Champion Skill Award:

1. GROUND STRIKING ‘strong’ side - Stand on the 20m line and strike the ball off the strong side to pass between the goalposts.

3. LONG PUCK ‘strong’ side - Strike a ball from the hand (strong side), a minimum distance of 32m from the 13m line over the 45m line.

4. LIFT AND STRIKE ON THE RUN - Run to the ball on the 20m line, jab-lift it into the hand and strike it on the run to pass between the goalposts.

GOLD AWARD

There are eight skills that must be passed in order to gain the Gold Champion Skill Award:

1. GROUND STRIKING ‘strong’ side - Stand on the 20m line and strike the ball off the strong side to pass between the goalposts.

2. GROUND STRIKING ‘weak’ side - Stand on the 20m line and strike the ball off the weak side to pass between the goalposts.

3. LONG PUCK ‘strong’ side - Strike a ball from the hand (strong side), a minimum distance of 32m from the 13m line over the 45m line.

4. LONG PUCK ‘weak’ side - Strike a ball from the hand (strong side), a minimum distance of 32m from the 13m line over the 45m line.

5. FREE TAKING TO SCORE A POINT - Point a free from the 20m line

6. FREE TAKING TO SCORE A GOAL - Score a goal from a free on the 20m line. The ball must cross over the goal line without touching the ground.

7. LIFT AND STRIKE ON THE RUN - Run to the ball on the 20m line, jab-lift it into the hand and strike it on the run to pass between the goalposts.

8. LIFT, SOLO AND STRIKE OFF THE HURLEY - Run to the ball on the 45m line, jab-lift into the hand a solo to the 20m line. Strike the ball off the hurley to pass between the goalposts.