Little Jack has been dreaming of playing hurling for the Bridge ever since he saw Aidan Quilligan raise the Canon Hamilton back in 2013 when the Bridge won the county final. Back then he was only 3 and his parents told him he was too young to go training yet. In 2015 when Caimin Morey repeated that fate and lead the Bridge hurlers into the square in a magical homecoming Jack looked up at that stage and again asked when he could start playing for the Bridge just like those boys who were now his heros. Again he was told next summer which seemed like an eternity to a young boy.

So this morning when Jack woke up and found out that he had no school Monday and he was going to Thurles on Sunday to see Clare in the National hurling league final Jack thought things could not get any better, or so he thought ....

But then when Jack was listening to Garney FM radio this morning and heard U6 Coaching CoOrdinator Martin Conlon announce in his press conference that U6 hurling training for Sixmilebridge GAA will commence on Friday next, May 6th he thought he was in dreamland ....

Start Date: Friday 6th May (and every Friday evening (4 Months))

Time: 6pm (1 Hour)

Venue: O Garney Park (SMB GAA Main Field)

Who: All boys born in 2010 & 2011

The sessions will be Coordinated by Martin Conlon who is well known in Bridge and Clare hurling circles. Martin won an All Ireland Club medal in 1996 with the Bridge and represented Clare at all levels. He is a fully qualified hurling coach as well as a Strength & Conditioning coach and as part of his day to day work is qualified in Medical emergency procedures and First aid. To say our stars of the fututre are in great hands is an understatement.

Just like all organisations volunteers are the key. Based on some analysis earlier in the year we figured ideally the Volunteer/Coach:Player ratio should be 1:6 and with the huge numbers expected at training we are asking for all parents to get involved. Based on the big response to the Parent & Players night and the recent foundation level coaching course we are confident everyone should feel they have something to offer to this setup.

Irrespective of your own sporting career there is a skill everyone can bring to the setup whether it be simply arranging kids in a line, encouragement or helping with drills (which Martin will explain and demonstrate each time) we hope to see you there helping out. Any parents who would like to assist in the training could they please contact Martin or turn up next friday night (6th May) and names will be taken.

While teaching the basic skills of hurling is one of the fundementals of training a large emphasis will be on having fun and making new friends for life - friends that Jack may some day walk into the square in Sixmilebridge with, carrying the Canon Hamilton.

Hope to see you all friday 6th May.. Mol an Oige agus tiocfaidh siad