Moneymore on the lookout for players

Moneymore senior manager Eugene Young has made an urgent plea to bolster his squad and to save their senior team.  Last season they survived the drop to Division 3 but they are starting to feel the pinch again.

With a number of retirements their playing pool has dwindled and Ulster GAA Coaching Chief Young is actively aiming to recruit players.  

On his Facebook page [see entry below] he is hoping to call on the services of players who have become 'disengaged' with their own club.  Those talented players not getting regular football with their club. 

Geographically the clubs closest would be Ballinderry, Loup, Magherafelt, as well as Cookstown and Stewartstown over the border in Tyrone.  

A few years back Ogra Colmcille were in a similar predicament and it highlights a problem in the GAA of too many players drifting away.  A combination of study/work overseas or a falling interest which in some cases stems from not getting enough regular games.  The fixtures structure is something long serving Moneymore 'keeper Stephen Barker has been actively involved in via his FRC (Fixtures Review Committee) involvement.

In contrast Magherafelt have a Thirds team in the Junior league and after the graduation of nearly all of their Minor winning team Slaughtneil are thinking of going down the same line.   These are clubs putting structures in place to cope with a surplus of players.  Current Derry player Ryan Ferris started his career playing Magherafelt Thirds as did Slaughtneil's Michéal Kelly and in Crossmaglen Aaron Kernan played for 'The Seconds' to buildup experience.

The recent ruling from Croke Park that has prevented U17 players lining out for their club adult teams has in most quarters been greeted with open arms.  Talented players just out of U16 grade will no longer get fleeced in senior action when they are not ready for it.  It gives lads a chance to develop among their peers.

In a previous blog entry, I stated that it would help those fringe players just out of minor as they will get more chance to play regular senior football without  having to look over their shoulder for the next great white hope from U16 coming to take their jersey

At the time we also highlighted that smaller clubs would struggle.  Take the example of Moneymore, Aaron Moore and Aidan Conway are currently on the Derry U17 squad but under this ruling the duo are 'underage' for senior football.  For now Young is hoping to pickup players from bigger clubs who are no longer getting regular games and try to balance things out.  

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Eugene Young's Plea

Moneymore Gaelic Football Team play in the Derry Intermediate League. Our team has seen a big turnover of players with many seasoned players retired in the last two years. We need to recruit players. There are so many big clubs with lots of players, many of whom drift when they don't make the senior team. 

Are you a player who wants to play but have become disengaged with your club? A player with lots of ability but not playing. We would be really interested in you joining our club. I am very happy to go meet you and have a chat. We have a young team that survived intermediate football in 2015. Our squad numbers are small with the loss of two more seasoned players and we need to strengthen it.

The team is coached and managed by our own club member Eugene Young currently Director of Coaching with Ulster GAA. The sessions are varied, enjoyable and challenging with lots of coaching. Our priority is to make sure you play and enjoy the experience. 

Your club may not currently appreciate you, but we do. Please give me a call if you'd be interested in playing with us for the 2016 season. Thanks for taking the time to read this ... now ring me please on 07736359749

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