Pictured above - U11s Dundalk Gaels and Roche Emmets
And that's a wrap for our U11s season with their last development round game for the year against Dundalk Gaels with both groups of players pictured above.
Our Roche U11s have had a great year with numerous successful and memorable outings throughout the season.
The U11s have played eleven developement round games against Hunterstown, Cuchulainn Gaels, Mattock Rangers, O'Raghallaighs, Lannleire, Naomh Fionnbarra, St.Nicholas, Wolfe Tones, Oliver Plunketts, Dundalk Young Irelands and Dundalk Gaels. The U11s have made tremendous improvements as they've progressed through their developemtn round games. They have worked really hard all year at every training session. They have continuously improved on their skills, team work on the pitch, work rate, encouragement of their team mates and listening to their coaches.
The U11s also played in three U11.5yr tournaments throughout the season and they gained invaluable experience against a number of very strong and skillful opponents.
At their first tournament on 04 June 2022, the U11s were shield runner ups in the U11.5yr James Hughes Tournament, Crossmaglen Rangers, Crossmaglen and faced strong opposition against Kickhams GAC Creggan (L), Dromintee GAC (L), Culloville GAC (L), Silverbridge Harps GFC in the Quarter Final (W), Crossmaglen Rangers GAC in the Semi Final (W), Carrickcruppen GAC in the Final (L after extra time).
Back Row (L to R): Hayden Keenan, Kate Murphy, Kaitlin Griffin, Sophie McDonnell, Lorcan McArdle, Peter McArdle, Sam McGuinness, Jack Murphy, Shay Keenan, Ronan Norton, Sophie McCabe. Front Row (L to R): Conor Ward, Shay Dowdall, Chloe Lindsay, Shay Sullivan, Evin Lagan, Gerry Kirk, Ciarán Maguire, Terry Grier
On 13 August 2022, the U11s were plate winners in the U11.5yr Jim Mulholland Memorial Tournament, An Ríocht, Kilkeel and again faced strong opposition against Clann Eireann GAA (L), Clann na Banna Gaels (L), Kilcoo GAC (L), Carryduff GAA Ogs in the Semi Final (W) and St. John Bosco in the Final (W).
Back Row (L to R): Evin Lagan, Conor Ward, Ronan Norton, Shay Keenan, Sam McGuinness, James Curtis, Peter McArdle. Front Row (L to R): Ciarán Maguire, Shay Dowdall, Sophie McCabe, Kate Murphy, JJ McArdle, Terry Grier, Liam Curtis
They were quarter finalists in the U11.5yr James Smyth Memorial Tournament, Carrickcruppen, Camlough where they faced Shane O'Neills GAA (W), Crossmaglen Rangers GAC (D) and Ballyholland Harps GAC (L) and Dromintee GAC in the Q/F (L).
Back Row (L to R): Lorcan McArdle, Aaron Duffy, Peter McArdle, James Curtis, Jack Murdock, Gerry Kirk, Zachary Connolly, Evin Lagan, Ciarán Maguire, Alfie Murdock, Ronan Norton. Front Row (Lto R): Kate Murphy, JJ McArdle, Sophie McCabe, Shay Dowdall, Terry Grier, Sam McGuinness, Shay Sullivan, Conor Ward
The highlight of the season for our U11s has to be the unforgettable day out and participation in the Leinster GAA Activity day in none other than Croke Park. Our Roche U11s were one of the only eight teams selected from Louth to play a game against a team from Tinahely, Co.Wicklow in the most amazing stadium and it was a day that dreams are made of and amazing memories for all these kids to treasure for years to come.
Back Row (L to R): Adrian Lagan, Paul Grier, Brian McGuinness. Middle Row (L to R): Lorcan O'Brien, Harry McGuinness, Ronan Norton, Lorcan McArdle, Sam McGuiness, Shay Keenan, Shay Dowdall, Kaitlin Griffin, Aoife Ward. Front Row (L to R): Sophie McCabe, Kate Murphy, Ciarán Maguire, Adrian Lagan, Conor Ward, Terry Grier, Shay Sullivan, Luke Campbell, Chloe Lindsay
The future looks bright for this hardworking, enthusiastic and ambitious group of kids. Thank you to all the players, coaches, parents, guardians and supporters for supporting the kids in the 2022 season.
