hurling

Northern delight at 2025 U16 Táin Óg hurling finals

23 May 2025 - 4:53PM

By John Harrington

The 2025 U16 Táin Óg Hurling League ended on a high last weekend with finals taking place in Kingspan Breffni, Ballyshannon, Truagh, and Bekan.

65 clubs from 15 counties took part in the U16 grade this year as the development hurling competition continues to go from strength to strength.

Kevin Lynchs of Derry were crowned Division 1 Cup champions after victory over Roscommon Gaels of Roscommon.

Kevin Lynchs of Derry were crowned Táin Óg U16 Division 1 Cup champions.

Team manager, Kevin Lockhart, hailed the refreshing nature of a competition that wipes away county boundaries and so gives teams the opportunity to test themselves against sides they have never competed with before.

“Most of our lads are used to just playing teams from their own county so getting the opportunity to play other teams around the county is great,” he said. “It gives the opportunity to make relationships with other clubs that you can then arrange challenge matches with during the year.

“Obviously in our club we'd know the players from other clubs in our county inside out whereas in the Táin Óg it's a journey into the unknown.

“The guys don't know who they’re coming up against so they just work hard, acquit themselves well, and see where it takes us. I think it's a fantastic competition. Our boys have gotten great experience from being involved in it and I've no doubt it will bring them on.”

O’Donovan Rossa from Belfast were crowned Táin Óg U16 Division 1 Shield champions.

O’Donovan Rossa from Belfast were crowned Division 1 Shield champions after victory over Tooreen of Mayo in the Final.

Team manager, Gavin Bell, is enthusiastic about a competition he believes is the best preparation possible for the Antrim League and Championship to come.

“The lads have really developed over the last couple of months because there's no substitute for matches,” says Bell.

“So if we can get games in the Táin Óg we can try things and get things wrong and try to get line-ups right and get our plays right. It's beneficial for everyone if the coaches are getting to see that and the players are getting out and playing before the Antrim League starts.

“We'd be the first team to admit that when it comes to the Antrim League we've a lot of improving to do. So getting games in the Táin Óg helps us iron out a fiew things and gives our lads a lot of confidence going into the Antrim League and hopefully if we get a wee championship run I'd put it down to the experience of playing in the Táin Óg in the earlier part of our season.

“I'd like to thank Kevin Kelly, Kevin Hinphey, and Ciaran Kearney for organising this for us because it's been really, really beneficial. Our lads have really enjoyed it and it has certainly helped us as coaches."

Naomh Padraig of Antrim were crowned Táin Óg League U16 Division 1 Plate champions.

Another Antrim club, Naomh Padraig, got the better of Padraig Pearses of Roscommon in the Division 1 Plate Final at Kingspan Breffni.

“Getting to Breffni Park was fantastic,” said Naomh Padraig manager, Tommy Devlin. “There was some buzz about the fellas when we chatted to them about it. This particular team has really only ever won one tournament. So to come to Breffni Park and get to play on a wonderful pitch in fantastic weather was super for us and we really appreciate it.

“The Táin Óg is great because the most important thing for every hurler is playing matches. The more matches we can get the better. We have some players there on county development squads and we have some players that aren't and the more time they get on the pitch the better it is for those fellas.”

Carndonagh from Donegal were crowned Táin Óg League Division 2 Cup champions.

The great hurling development work being done by Carndonagh GAA club in Donegal in recent years was highlighted again when they defeated Ballyhaunis of Mayo in a cracking Division 2 Final.

“It means a lot,” said Carndonagh manager, Cathal Doherty. “We won the U16 Division Two last year as well and it's a different batch of players this year, we've a lot in from the U-14s of last year.

“It's a great competition and playing different teams is brilliant. You always find in club games you know this boy is good or that boy is good or whatever and you kind of go into your shell whereas in the Táin Óg you don't know who anybody is and it's great.

“Boys didn't go into their shell in the final. They were in the unknown and, really, hurling should be about the unknown, it should be off the cuff, and I think they got that in the final.

“You get a lot out of it, especially at U-16 for teams in Donegal because it's a really good competition to start the year. You get a value out of it because with the rolling subs you can give games to loads of boys.

“All of our players gotten at least 15 minutes in a game. So even if you were going on a long journey you knew you were getting 15 minutes and it was really helpful to even ge boys back down to training.”