Shandrum Minor Hurlers Virtual Run to Croke Park 2021 Good Friday to Easter Monday

In normal times, around this time of year, Juvenile GAA players around the country would be looking forward to getting back out onto the field in preparation for the year of hurling ahead. Sadly, these are not normal times and therefore the playing fields remain out of bounds to us all for now.
The Shandrum Minor Hurling Panel of 2021 have been keeping busy at home in order to be as prepared as possible for the upcoming year of hurling. After winning the U16 North Cork Championship last year they are looking forward with anticipation to another successful year in Cork’s Minor Premier 2 Hurling Championship.
They have been preparing for the year ahead by means of Zoom meetings, Zoom training sessions and monthly strength and conditioning pro-grammes. These have helped the players in many ways, lifting morale, keeping them challenged, maintaining communication and keeping friendships afloat while they can’t be out on the field together.
Like us all they miss the craic they were so used to in previous years!
There is great credit due to all players and coaches for showing such enthusiasm whilst navigating the last three months with such a positive mindset.
The Juvenile club is very mindful that these are difficult times to be a teenager with no school or field activities. The Management organised two very interesting talks during February and March, namely Timmy Hammersley – a former Tipperary hurler who shared his thoughts on well-being and Johnny Holland – a former Munster Rugby player for a presentation around Nutrition.
Cork GDA Pat Spratt has also been very helpful to the club with coaching tips and ideas through his role with Rebel Óg.
To keep it light coaches/selectors have partaken in many fun challenges over the past few months to break the monotony of the lockdown.
As we all know, every difficult situation presents an opportunity and the current times in level 5 lockdown are certainly no different.
Chairman of Shandrum Juvenile Club Mike Collins is keenly aware of the challenges faced by children and teenagers within the club.
“Currently we cater for over 100 juveniles from U6 to Minor Level. Covid has forced some changes on how we as club function, with our membership going on-line, the use of ClubZap as a communication medium and our monthly meetings via Zoom. Like everyone else we will be holding onto some of these new methods post covid.
We also recognise the important role Juvenile Clubs in partnership with parents have in helping our youth adapt back into activities over the coming weeks and months.”
The club has received Gold awards from Rebel Óg in the past two years for its underage achievements and coaching structures. Club training starts at U7 level and it is great to see former club and county hurlers who have had great success become involved in helping the next generation to become the stars of the future. We have very close links with adult club players who are most generous with their time.
These young men are fantastic role models for our juvenile players.
During these times it has given club officers the chance to look at ways of improving the structure in the club. The club was very fortunate to have been chosen to take part in the Munster Club Development Programme by Cork GAA. This programme has proved invaluable in helping to provide a roadmap for its future vision. See link for more info.
newtownshandrumgaa.clubifyapp.com/articles/ 44434
Another activity going on behind the scenes has been the launch of the ClubZap Communication App for parents and supporters of the club. This app brings all GAA and Camogie activity to the one location through the app and club website.
For those parishioners who now live abroad or further afield they are now up to-date with local happenings within the club and can also support their fundraisers with on-line donations.
With the end of Lockdown Level 5 hopefully in sight over the next few weeks the players have decided to host a “Virtual Fundraising Event” which will also feed into their training regime.
The idea is to do a Virtual Run from Newtown-shandrum GAA Club to Croke Park in Dublin. Each player will run an agreed distance and the sum of all the distances will equate to the trip from the local GAA club to Croker, a distance of approximately 250 kilometres. This event will be completed over the Easter weekend, from the 2nd of April (Good Friday) to the 5th of April (Easter Monday).
As special mention to our Sponsor Grasstec Livestock Services – Jamie Coughlan who have come onboard to sponsor Training Jerseys. The players had great fun designing our Jerseys which will be worn during the event.
If there’s one thing for sure in these uncertain times, it’s that this difficult period will pass. GAA clubs and especially Juvenile clubs have a very important role in helping our youth to return to playing activities, whilst creating a good environment to grow and have fun. This is our shared ultimate objective.
If you would like to help these enthusiastic group of young men on the road to Croke Park you can visit newtownshan drumgaa.clubzap.com/products/3330/purchases/new
The GAA club motto in Newtownshandrum is embedded on the club house wall as you pass up to their magnificent pitches and it states
“Together we can do great things”
In these challenging times we would certainly appreciate your support for what this small club is doing for its youth within the parish.