We have now come to the end of what has been another exceptional year for hurling development here with East Cavan Gaels Hurling Club. Founded in 2009, using a regional model devised by the club, which has now grown to be seen as THE model for hurling club development throughout Cavan and further afield. In fact our model has been used to create 4 new hurling clubs in Cavan with our template with varying degrees of success.

Our older teams performed very well again this year. Our U14s reached two finals for the first time, the county Feile final and the U14 Championship Final. This was an improvement on 2012 where we reached the semi finals of both for the first time. They also finished 5th out of 12 clubs in the inaugural three county, (Monaghan, Fermanagh and Cavan) U14 league which was a great achievement as we were the youngest club in the competition. We hope 2014 will show even more improvement for these boys. With National Feile scheduled to be in Ulster in 2014 we hope to represent Cavan for the first time in this competition.

Our U13s again showed that they are the top side in Cavan at this age group by reaching both finals of the Summer and Autumn leagues. With teams from outside the county allowed to compete in these competitions we were only beaten by Lisbellaw from Fermanagh in both finals having beaten them in the inaugural final in 2012 so these boys continue to impress.

Our U12s reached their second successive Championship final this year losing to a very talented Ballymachugh side in an enthralling final. Again they remain very competitive at this age group.

We thank our coaching team of Kathryn, Maurice, Sharon and Liam for all of their hard work with the boys this year. It is not easy keeping all our teams competitive all year round so it is great credit to their continuing hard work

Our younger groups, U6,8,10 continue to get plenty of hurling. With indoor, outdoor and astroturf facilities these boys hurled from mid January to the week before Christmas playing lots of games and blitzes both in Cavan and further afield. In fact these boys have more than held their own when playing against sides from Monaghan and Fermanagh as well as the Cavan clubs. The big development this past year has been the expansion of our U8/10s with a new training group which started in February in Kingscourt. With the substantial aid of our player parents this group has been an outstanding success with 30+ boys from Kingscourt now with the club to bolster the numbers we already have in Bailieborough which means we have well over 60 boys aged between the ages of 3-10 hurling regularly with the club nearly every week. The visit of 6 time All Ireland winner Martin Comerford with Brian Geary and the Liam McCarthy Cup was one of the highlights of the year. We have also continued to cement our relationship with other local hurling clubs most notably Cootehill, Carrickmacross and Castleblayney as we ensure we give our players the opportunity to play more games locally.

All areas of our catchment now have hurlers in the club. From Killinkere to Knockbride, Kingscourt to Shercock as well as Bailieborough hurling has now really began to flourish. We in the club ensure that all our players get the required amount of hurling to help them achieve success while also ensuring they also enjoy the experience.

Hurling continues to grow in this area and with the model we have created along with the substantial assistance we receive from other sporting organisations in the area especially our partner GFCs, Bailieborough Shamrocks, Kingscourt Stars, Shercock GFC, Killinkere GFC and Knockbride GFC as well as Bailieboro Celtic AFC ensures we have a bright future. Our catchment schools, of which more than ever competed in schools blitzes for the first time and even more are expected to attend in 2014. We also hope to be represented at second level for the very first time in 2014.

Cavan GAA through its Youth Board who now make fixtures for both football and hurling have been very helpful in ensuring hurling and football fixtures do not clash, which again ensures our players get the chance to grow and improve with our club without potential burnout. This can be difficult at times as we have players from 5 GFCs on our books so we thank them for ensuring players are not playing too many games in a week. The benefits of being a dual player are there for all to see as most of our hurlers are also fine football players with their own clubs.

Cavan Hurling Development who, along with Ulster GAA, continue to provide games for our junior players both in Cavan as well as the three county blitzes which took place over the summer. They also organise all of the school blitzes from Sept-June and this gives our players even more hurling while helping to generate new players for our club. The hurling camp in August in Bailieborough was by far the biggest in the county and again helped generate new players. These initiatives are very welcome and their continued expansion will ensure our players get the required amount of hurling through school, camp and club activity.

Finally we would like to thank everyone who helped with hurling in the East Cavan area in 2013. From parents who ferry our players both near and far to games/blitzes. To their coaches who continue to aspire to the highest coaching standards thus ensuring our players are very competitive. To our schools, our partner GFCs and soccer clubs and especially our players. To Bailieborough Community School for the use of their facilities. To Kingscourt Community Development for the use of the Community Centre and to everyone who made 2013 such a successful year we say many thanks. If we have omitted anyone we apologise as it is not our intention. We really are looking forward to 2014 as again East Cavan Gaels Hurling Club will be at the forefront of hurling in Cavan at juvenile level.

We wish you all a very Happy New Year from all at
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