CCC2 Statement update Wednesday 7th April

A Rúnaí, a chara,

The County Youth Competitions Control Committee Two (CCC 2) responsible for the arrangement and control of all games in respect of the Age Groups under 13 to under 16 (inclusive) wish to update you on its plan for the season.

In late February the committee confirmed the football gradings for all u13, u14, u15 and u16 leagues. At that stage while we all awaited resumption date details, CCC2 felt if could still run the competition structures as outlined in the provisional juvenile master fixture schedule issued the middle of January.

In the last month CCC2 has sought and received hurling entries for the 2021 season. The committee is currently in the process of grading for u13, u14, u15 and u16 hurling leagues having already issued proposed gradings and sought / received feedback.

Last week the Government advised that non-contact underage training in pods of 15 will be permitted from April 26th and Croke Park said they will ensure advice is provided for all clubs in relation to how they can safely recommence underage activity. However, it should also be noted that these dates are conditional and will very much depend on what happens in terms of the overall COVID-19 picture in the coming weeks.

While the above is all very positive news CCC2 must nevertheless at this stage make you aware that the u13 to u16 competition format for both codes as previously outlined to you is no longer feasible to run with. When you factor in the need for players returning to play to avoid suffering injuries by pushing themselves too hard too soon, the committee is of the view the earliest it could issue fixtures of a competitive nature is the middle of June.

CCC2 intends proceeding as follows:

• await firm and solid information on when return to playing of games is allowed
• look at redesigning a games programme to maximise and ensure meaningful matches / competitions in place for the greatest numbers of players

The committee is very aware of the limited opportunity given to our young players to train / play since March 2020. While this statement is applicable to all players, CCC2 is very much cognizant of the incoming u13s. These young players along with their mentors and parents are coming from the Go Games programme provided by CCC1. Our original plan in both codes was to play u13 grading league games to be followed by an u13 league. CCC2 wish to confirm that the committee will have divisions of ten teams which will play nine games. This will apply to both hurling and football. CCC2 will issue revised u13 football league divisions for both codes early next week. No league will follow the playing of these grading games.

Earlier I made reference to 2021 entries received

• In February the committee graded 341 Football Teams covering the U13, U14, U15 and U16 football league entries received for the 2021 season. This represents an extra 21 teams compared to last year (+6.6%).

• In March the committee commenced grading 255 Hurling Teams covering the U13, U14, U15 and U16 hurling league entries received for the 2021 season. This represents an extra 27 teams compared to last year (+11.8%).

**We are still seeking 2021 contact details from Clubs and therefore continue to work off the 2020 information supplied for email distribution lists.

Stay Safe

Yours in Sport, 

Damian

Damian Ó Murchú

Damian Murphy

Rúnaí

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