By John Harrington
The 2023 U-15 Táin Óg League Finals day in Lisnaskea on Saturday, May 13 was a huge success.
Played out in glorious sunshine, the eight teams involved produced four terrific matches that showcased a high level of skill.
“We had a great variation of clubs from across the country at this year's Táin Óg Finals,” says the GAA’s National Development Competitions Coordinator, Ciaran Kearney.
“We had a bit of fanfare in Lisnaskea and everybody really, really enjoyed the fantastic weather which helped. There was a great display and a level of skill of hurling and exciting games which the Táin Óg is all about.
“The opportunity of the Táin Óg really is to provide more variation and different types of games at an appropriate level for the clubs involved.
“The ethos and spirit of the Táin Óg is a developmental context for hurling. We've obviously heard quite a bit about hurling development over the last number of weeks and months and sometimes we don't take into account the work that's being done in the Táin Óg region.
“We started off in the Táin Óg with U-13 competition only a number of years ago. We now have U-13, U-15, and U-17, and adult, which ultimately is the real experience for these players to build and have a life-time involvement in hurling.”
The Erins Own Lavey players celebrate after the U15 Táin Óg Hurling Finals match between Erins Own Lavey, Co Derry and Westport GAA, Co Mayo at Lisnaskea GAA club.
For the coaches and players involved, the day was hugely rewarding.
Naomh Colum Cille defeated Sean McCumhails in their final, and team mentor Niall Murphy is hopeful the experience will further fan the flame of hurling development in the Tyrone club.
“It was a big win for us and hopefully a couple of more kids will hear of that when news of it passes through the schools and we'll have an even bigger squad out next year,” he says.
“There's only so much at this level that coaching can do. Game-time is key. From going from competitions where teams are maybe not able to get enough players out on the field and literally a club that's only started three or four years ago to now getting to a day like today is just fantastic.
“You can see the confidence growing in the kids from getting to these tournaments.”
The Naomh Colmcille/Duchie Neill, Co Tyrone celebrates after the U15 Táin Óg Hurling Finals match between Naom Colmcille/Duchie Neill, Co Tyrone and Sean McCumhaills, Co Donegal, at Lisnaskea GAA club in Enniskillen.
2023 Táin Óg Final results
Naomh Colum Cille 4-8 Sean McCumhails 1-12
Castleblayney 5-9 Na Magha 0-11
Aodh Ruadh Ballyshannon 5-10 Tooreen 0-3
Lavey 0-20 Westport 1-8
