By Damien Madigan (identity revealed to highlight the super job he did as Media, Admin and Coach for the team and management all year)

The Under 10 hurlers wrapped up their 2018 season on Friday Oct 19th with an action packed final night of their Munster League.   After a long season attendance for the Munster League games was almost 100% which gives an indication of how the competition captured the boys imagination. 
With an official Match Program to commemorate the historic event  the evening kicked off with a piper led parade around the pitch before each captain introduced their team to Senior 'Bridge player Brain Corry.  The first round of games saw major upsets with defeats for the top two teams (Limerick and Cork).  This meant  they faced off in a 'winner takes all' final round game with Cork prevailing in the end. 
The squad, parents and supporters then made their way to the hall for tea, buns and some in-depth post game analysis (the common consensus suggesting that Limerick may have expended too much energy in the pre-game parade). 
With Syl O'Connor as master of ceremonies, all players were presented with a grip by Senior players Evan McInerney and Kevin Lynch.  The victorious Cork team members were also awarded with a sliotar with Sean Flynn presenting the Johnny Flynn Memorial Cup to team captain Charlie Keane.

A few individual prizes were also awarded including:

• Zak Phelan - most catches during the Munster League
  
• Stephen Gavin - Most Skillful 2008 Born Player based on our squad Skills Assessment during the year
  
• Tommy Healy - Most Skillful 2009 Born Player based on our squad Skills Assessment
  
• Conor Gleeson - Most Improved Player over the year
  
• Rory Chaplin, Jack O'Halloran and Charlie Keane - for playing in all tournaments and blitzes in 2018

Earlier in the week, the squad entered a team in the Niall Donohoe tournament hosted by Michael Cusacks in Kilbecanty.  After a great campaign the team were defeated in the final by a stronger Glen Rovers (Cork) side.  Incidentally, the squad played 23 teams from outside the county over the course of the year and acquitted themselves very well in all occasions.  The list of clubs they played against include a lot of big names on the club scene:

• Limerick:  Na Phiarsaigh, Monaleen, Ahane, MurroeBoher
  
• Tipperary: Newport, Ballina, St Marys Clonmel, Carrick Swan
  
• Galway:  Clarinbridge, Michael Cusacks, Loughrea, Gort, Kinvara, Athenry
  
• Cork: Midleton, Newtownshandrum, Sarsfields, Glen Rovers, Ballyea, Erins Own
  
• Dublin: Cuala, Kilmacud Crokes
  
• Kilkenny:  James Stephens
  

So, what a season - the squad met 72 times between February and October and played in 20 blitzes\tournaments overall.  It combined a lot of fun and hard work and we hope everyone enjoys their well earned break.
Before we could sign off for the year we played a final blitz in Gurteen on Saturday morning.  Incoming U10 head coach David O'Connor (who described the blitz as 2019 pre-season training) was on hand to run the rule of our 2009 boys who will be leading the charge next year.  With 24 of our current squad moving to U12 next year and an expected 25+ 2010 born boys joining the U10 squad next year, the Sixmilebridge conveyor belt is truly rolling!
Finally, a lot more goes into running an underage squad than what you see at training and blitzes.  The U10 coaches would like to thank the following for their support throughout the year:

• Mike, Orla, Kieran and all at the Minor Club.
  
• Grace Fawl, Frances Downes and Christy Murray for managing pitch bookings, hall bookings and lights throughout the year.
  
• Our groundsmen for always having the facilities in superb condition.
  
• Guest Coaches: Martin Conlon, Paidi Fitzpatrick, Derek Fahy and Brian Culbert.
  
• Referees throughout the year especially Mikey Corbett, Kieran Liddane, Kevin Phelan, Sean Lynch and Tommy Liddy.
  
• Linda Quinn for ordering any gear required over the year.
  
• O’Flynns Centra for sponsoring the squads tops.
  
• Our Social Media (Clubify, Twitter, Facebook) Administrators.
  
• Everyone who helped out in our final night especially Syl O'Connor, Sean Lynch, Kevin Lynch, Brian Corry and Evan McInerney
  
• All parents who helped with catering at our home games.
  
• And finally, all the players and their parents for their commitment throughout the year!