Nursery Management Team for 2019 The Nursery / beginners group will be looked after by Alan Kelly (Team Co-ordinator) in 2019, supported by David O'Shaughnessy, Sean Holly, Conor Duignan, Adam Keena, Florence Kelly and Dessie Dolan. Contact Alan on 087 4102490 with any queries, or to get details of training activities, etc. Garrycastle GAA Club Nursery Information: Time: Location: Purpose: The purpose of the nursery is to introduce girls and boys to Gaelic games in a safe and fun environment. The nursery is normally located at the Garrycastle GAA Club grounds but is based in the Athlone Institute of Technology Multi-Purpose Indoor Hall (during the months of October, November, January and February)Organisation: The nursery is managed by Alan Kelly (087 4102490). He is assisted by a large team of mentors and parents. Mentors are Garda vetted and have completed a fitness to practise course. All parents are encouraged to get involved in helping out in the nursery; no experience is necessary, and a series of training courses will be provided. Age Groups: The nursery caters for children age 4-7 years old.Joining the Nursery: If you want your child to participate in the nursery, simply come along any Sunday morning at 10.50 am and join in the fun. All children are welcome. If after a period of time, you decide you want your child to continue in the Nursery, then we would ask you to take out club membership, details of which are available on the website on the Registration page. No specialist equipment needed just comfortable clothing, a gum shield and a bottle of water. Parents/Guardians must stay for the entire session. Activities: In Garrycastle GAA nursery girls and boys take part in the following activities:
For more information please text David O’Shaughnessy 086-3814776 or Alan Kelly 087-4102490 Garrycastle and Westmeath player, James Dolan, brought the silverware won so far this year by the Westmeath team, the O'Byrne Cup and the Allianz NFL Div. 3 trophy, to Garrycastle on Sunday morning to show them to the Junior Nursery players.  A happy bunch of the clubs youngest players with the Westmeath Silverware!   Sam Dolan proudly holds the NFL Something to dream of for these young Division 3 trophy! players of the future! Huge thanks to James for taking time time to bring the trophies to the club! Nursery fun in AIT ! (Sunday March 24) The Garrycastle Under-6 / nursery group of boys and girls got a special treat on Sunday morning, with a special training session in the AIT International Arena!   Welcome back to all those that were involved in 2018, and a huge welcome also to all of those who are just beginning in 2019!  2018 Nursery fun, Sunday November 25th, at the Indoor running track in AIT. Click on the image to see more photos!  2016 St. Patrick's Day Parade, Athlone! The Under-6 group marched proudly in the St. Patrick's Day Parade in Athlone this year. For details and photos, please see the St. Patrick's Day page! New Kit Sponsorship from Grovelands Childcare, Athlone! The Under-6 group will have an all new kit this year, sponsored by Grovelands Childcare, Athlone!  Photo shows Mark Redmond (underage chairman, Garrycastle GAA Club), being presented with the new kit by Regina Bushell and Deirdre Bushell of Grovelands Childcare, Athlone 2015 Under-6 End-of-year party, Bowling Alley, October 19th The Under-6 group held their annual end-of-year party in the Bowling Alley on Monday evening.  Under-6 Football Blitz, Garrycastle, September 12th We held our first home under-6 blitz in Garrycastle on Saturday morning, with teams from Athlone and the Moate All-Whites in attendance. Despite missing a number of key players, the Garrycastle boys and girls gave a great account of themselves. They played two great games, with plenty of determination and skill on view from the youngest players in the club. Particularly prominent for Garrycastle were Jack Tucker, Erin McHugh, Tadhg Mulvihill, Jack Kilmurray, Ella Sweeney, Rory O'Connor, Doireann Keena and James Earley. After the games all the players were treated to crisps and drinks in recognition of their efforts. Many thank to the mentors and players from Athlone and Moate for coming in and to the Garrycastle players and their parents for the great support from the sidelines. 2014 Information Challenge match v. Athlone, August 31st Our under 6's played their first ever match last Sunday morning in a friendly against local rivals Athlone. A large crowd were treated to an exciting match with both teamsshowing great skill and sportsmanship. Athlone had the better start with a couple of early scores. However the Garrycastle boys and girls settled into the game and defended well for the remainder of the half. The second half was a closer affair and a goal from Senan Nugent got the crowd to their feet. The final score of the game went to Garrycastle with a fine point from a free by Jack Dowling. Thanks to Athlone for a good sporting game, which no doubt be the first of many times these youngsters will meet. Match Report : Colin Clyne 2013 News etc. Challenge match v. Tubberclair, October 9thThe very youngest team in the club took to the field in a hugely entertaining challenge match under lights against near neighbours Tubberclair on Wednesday evening in Garrycastle.  For practically all of these players, it was a first experience of playing for the club outside of training matches each week. In later years when they are playing competitive football at whatever age level, we hope that they may occasionally think back to these types of evening, when it was all for the fun of the game itself. On the evening we had: Conor McCormack, Luke Quilty, Senan Nugent, Darragh Clyne, Rian Gaynor, Conor Deeney, Matthew Hardiman, Van McCay, Oisin O'Donoghue, Simon Skoczen, Louie Shine, Darragh Glennon, Hannah Heneghan, Siun Lyons, Amelie Henson, Dylan Maloney, Keelan Ward, Alex Conner, Trudi Quilty. Training Training times for the Beginners group is on Wednesdays, from 6:30pm to 7:30pm. Training will normally be held on the top training pitch in Garrycastle. PLEASE NOTE : Training for this age group has started, details are texted to all parents each week. At this age group, the focus is on introducing the players to the club, and encouraging them, through fun activities, games and exercises, to play Gaelic football. With this in mind, we follow the GAA best practices, see description here. Football Beginners group - End of year party 2012  The under-6 age group had their well deserved end-of-year party on Wednesday evening in Krazy Kids, in Blyry. A fantastic turnout saw more than 50 of the clubs youngest members have a ball on the astro pitch, slides, climbing areas, etc. After a healthy (!) feed of chips, chicken nuggets and sausages, washed down with "purple" (as one of the kids called it), everyone of the players was presented with a medal to mark their year by Club and county senior players Doron Harte and Des Dolan. Our thanks to Doron and Des in taking time out from their busy training schedule leading up to the senior final on Sunday, (c'mon the Castle!). Huge thanks also to all of the group mentors and parents for helping out during the year, to the transition year students from the Marist College, (Micheal and Donal), who helped out as part of their Gaisce award, and to Cornamaddy NS for the use of the school pitch. We look forward to do it all over again next year! A slideshow of pictures from the party is included below (thanks to Des & Deirdre McEnery for all of the photos) ... Football Nursery Beginnings - 2009A decision was made in 2009 to institute a dedicated programme for the youngest members of the club, boys and girls under 6 years of age. |
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