Boost for Cork football with successful underage results

It was a successful time for Cork underage football squads last weekend.

The young Rebels performed admirably in a number of finals including the U16s defeating rivals Kerry in the Fr Manning Cup decider played in front of a large crowd in Ballyvourney.

The Leesiders won on a scoreline of 2-12 to 0-12. The team was managed by Vincent Cronin with Gene O’Donovan and Aidan Dardis lead coaches.

The U15s had three squads out and won their respective finals with Eoin O'Neill the manager of that age group.

In total, Cork had 10 football squads out from U14 to U16 with a total of 250 players wearing the famous jersey.

Out of a total of 22 football games played last weekend by the Cork squads, they won 18 games, coming back with four national titles as well.

Niall Twomey, Cork GAA's head of games development officer since July 2023, was an upbeat figure when he spoke to The Echo during the week.

“Our number one principle with all of our squads is that we want to develop club players,” the former Bantry Blues player says.

Cork's Colm O'Riordan on the move against Kerry during the Fr Manning Cup decider.

“So our principle is club comes first. Our second principle is that we want to develop good citizens. After that then we layer on the football coaching on top of that.

“It was a great achievement for all our squads. We’re now seeing the benefits of having 22 staff with Paudie Crowley as games development lead with 14 regional GDCs and six GPOs for large urban clubs that are able to provide high-quality coaching.

“What we’ve also developed is a system where we centralise the coaching and the games using MTU Cork as our base for football so that we’re able to standardise the quality of coaching that goes on.

“What we’re also seeing the benefits of is a master fixtures programme between Cork GAA and Rebel Óg. There is no clash of games.

“With regards to the U14 level, we had five squads out in total. In the Leinster competition, Cork North won the final and Mid-Cork got to the final. In the Munster competition, Cork City, which is a great boost for football in the city, would have won the Munster U14 competition defeating Cork West in the final.

Cork U14 North football squad, winners of the Leinster Academy tournament.

“And again another good news story, Cork East won the Shield final there as well. So out of a total of 22 football games played last weekend by the Cork squads, they won 18 games, coming back with four national titles as well.”

While Cork football has come under scrutiny this year with regards performances and results especially at U20 and minor levels, Twomey feels the future is promising.

“Our philosophy is based on a games based approach,” he said.

“Our philosophy is also based on principles of attack and principles of defence. We have a coordinated plan when it comes to coaching our football teams.

“We get the foundations right, we know that there are plenty of footballers in Cork. If we add the extra layers of coaching and get quality games, we want to make sure that our Cork teams are competitive every single day that they go out.”

Cork have lost to Kerry in championship football in the last 13 meetings across senior, U20 and minor. So it’s refreshing for the Rebels that they did come out on top at U16 level. It’s a small step in the right direction.

Cork U16 football captain Peadar Kelly accepting the trophy after beating Kerry by six points.

“You saw a Cork team that went out there with real positive intent. Cork had real quality footballers and they were well coached.

“But you also had leaders on the field that when things needed to be done, a ball to be won, a score to be got, a block to be made, your Cork players stood up. The goal of any management group is to help the players produce a performance when it matters under pressure.

“Our U16 management certainly did that in helping the players win a national title playing a Kerry team in Ballyvourney. That’s as tough a test as you’re going to get for U16 footballers and they came through with flying colours.

“I think the most important thing that we’re putting in place now is really good structures.” Twomey concluded.

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