- Formal & Informal Coach Ed Roundup

- Post Primary

- Ongoing work from our GPOs

- Underage Club Activity

- County Teams

- Primary Teachers EPV Course

- Cul Camps Information

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- Laois Gaels

- Informal Coach Ed

- Formal Coach Ed

- County Teams

- Post Primary Schools Update

- GPO's

- Underage Activity

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In this short “snap pod”, Shane Keegan and Dean Malone check in after a hectic few weeks in the Laois GAA Coaching & Games office. With plenty happening behind the scenes, the lads give a quick update on recent events and preview an upcoming coaching workshop that promises to be a valuable learning experience for coaches across multiple sports.

The main focus of the episode is the Laois GAA Hurling Coaching Workshop, taking place on Saturday, March 7th at the Centre of Excellence. Shane and Dean outline what coaches can expect on the day, including presentations and practical sessions from two highly respected coaches, Tommy Dunne and Jason Ryan. The workshop will centre on session design and implementation, with a strong emphasis on developing decision-making players, using small-sided games, and understanding the “why” behind every coaching session.

Jason Ryan will open the morning with a presentation before leading a practical session on the field, while Tommy Dunne will bring his own coaching insights through discussion and a practical demonstration later in the session. The event runs from 11am until approximately 1.30pm–2pm, and is open to coaches from U13 right through to senior level, as well as coaches from other sports looking for fresh ideas.

The lads also reflect on the success of the Academy 5K Fun Run, which attracted around 400 participants and created a fantastic atmosphere on the day. They thank academy players, sponsors, volunteers, and the local community for their support, with funds raised helping to support Laois GAA academy development.

All in all, it’s a quick update episode with plenty going on, and a promise that a full-length podcast will return soon once things settle down.

Topics in this episode

• Preview of the Laois GAA Hurling Coaching Workshop
• Coaching insights from Tommy Dunne and Jason Ryan
• Session planning and modern coaching methods
• Success of the Laois GAA Academy 5K Fun Run
• Upcoming activity in Laois coaching and games development

A short but informative update for coaches, players, and anyone involved in Gaelic games in Laois.

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Shane sits down with John Kelly, Park Ratheniska man & current Safety and Facilities Officer for Laois GAA to discuss:

- Liaising with clubs across the county to develop their facilities

- O'Moore Park & COE Upgrading our Facilities

- The Energy Project

- Match Day Operations

- Future Targets

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- Laois Gaels Membership 2026

- 5Km Fun Run

- Football Workshop Review

- Hurling Workshop Preview and Confirmation

- Coach Education Award 1 & ICGG Courses

- Post Primary Success, Result & What is to come

- Club Athletic Development Program uptake

- Bonus Episode Coming this Friday

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- Upcoming Football Coaching Workshop with Stephen Rochford & Evan Talty

- Formal Coach Ed Calendar

- Laois Gaels 2026 is now live!

- F3 Athletic Dev Course Conclusion

- 2026 Cúl Camps Dates & Venues confirmed

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- 2026 Laois Gaels

- Formal Coach Ed Courses

- Upcoming Guest Coaching Workshops

- 5K Fun Run Event

- F3 Athletic Development Course Final Course Day

- 1st Year Cross Boarder Hurling Blitz

- New Interns up and running

- Academy Squads & Answering the listeners questions

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- Primary School

- Post Primary

- Coach Education

- Club Development

- Physical Development

- Laois Gaels 2026 - The rebrand

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* Primary Schools Activity

* Athletic Development Course

* Academy's up and running

* Post Primary Coaching & Games

* Hurling Nua Program

* Club Surveys

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*Primary School Cumann na mBunscol Finals Review & 2nd/3rd class blitz preview

*Club Athletic Development update

*Academy Trial Season Begins

*O'Mordha Og wind down

*GPO End of Year Reviews

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Episode 4 captures the buzz of a busy stretch. The lads open with a nod to a new show intro from media man Paul Dargan, proof that the podcast is stepping forward in small, steady ways. Listener feedback is strong, some agree, some disagree, everyone is engaged, which is exactly the point.

The main focus turns to a big week for Cumann na mBunscol football at the Centre of Excellence. There is real excitement around headline finals like Graiguecullen vs Holy Family in the girls championship, a throwback to last year’s drama, and Holy Family’s boys taking on Portarlington BNS. There is pride too in emerging schools and first timers aiming for a Shield final, a sign that growth is spreading county wide.

From there, the chat moves to the Heritage Flag programme in primary schools. Heads of Hurling and Football, Dan and Donny, have met teachers, pencilled upskilling sessions under Croke Park hours, and shared plans that help schools run better coaching, with teachers leading, and GPOs supporting.

Post primary activity is lively.

The Centre hosted a secondary schools hurling blitz with strong competition and a great response. S&C continues to build, with structured weekly sessions, and coaching support across schools like Haywood. There are fixtures for Knockbeg, a good win for CBS senior footballers, and plenty of games on the slate.

The participation pipeline gets special attention.

A county U10 and U11 programme wrapped up with jerseys for 300 kids and a final night blitz, organised chaos, and unbelievable enthusiasm. U12s continue with detailed session plans led by John Sugru, a reminder that elite coaching detail can reach every corner when the structure is right.

There is community colour too, with U9 halftime games on county final day, big smiles, and big cheers.

The episode closes with the Coach Recognition Awards, a national initiative inviting every club and school to nominate the people who keep Laois moving, nursery to talent academy, classroom to club.

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🖥️ Gaelic Time arrives on interactive whiteboards – ready-to-teach sessions that cut prep for teachers and lift participation. St Abban’s Killeen leads the way with GPO Jason Woods, weekly skill plans, and clear delivery.

🏑 Come On wristy hurls land in Castletown NS – 50 mini hurls, smiley-face cues, a “power button” grip – clever, fun, and building habits early. GPO Sean Murphy gets 5th/6th classes to paint the hurls before passing them to juniors and infants.

🏳️ Heritage Flag sees 13 schools signed up across hurling and football, year-long support and flag day celebrations.

🏐 Post-primary football blitz lights up the Centre of Excellence: six schools, ten teams, Portlaoise CBS v Knockbeg rivalry renewed. Knockbeg’s long-lunch model packs 150 players into training twice a week.

🪓 Clubs get a lift with Hurling Nua gear packs for Mountmellick & Clonad.

👦 O'Moore Óg thriving: 120+ at U10, 70+ at U11, U12s wrap up with a Faithful Fields trip to Offaly.

📊 Academy reviews with Chris Conway & Trevor Kelly focus on what worked, what needs fixing.

🏆 County final picture sharpens – Portarlington v Courtwood confirmed – and U9 halftime games return, two mini pitches, huge crowds, big memories.

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Games & Gaels Episode 2

Féile 2026 lands, Go Games rethink, and schools & clubs powering up

In episode two, Shane Keegan and Dean Malone open with a big win for the county: Laois & Carlow will co-host Féile 2026. The first prep meeting is already pencilled for next week, with both hurling and camogie strands involved. Expect major volunteer coordination, venue planning and a welcome boost for local businesses as the marquee underage festival returns.

Listener input is front and centre this week. Shane invites feedback directly — by phone — and dives into two live Go Games debates: should competitions begin at U8 rather than U7, and should underage hurling trial a no-soloing rule to encourage quicker decision-making and more striking off both sides? He’ll see that rule in action at an U11 tournament this weekend.

Schools are moving too.

The Laois GAA Schools Heritage Flag returns after a strong first year; applications are already landing, with last year’s participants showcasing noticeboards, skill “homework,” lunchtime leagues and guest visits from club/county players. On the club pathway, Athletic Development Leads are now named in around 80% of clubs, with an online info evening on Wednesday, October 1 to outline supports, resources and the new GAA athletic development course running across October–November.

Dean reports a fast start to the TY Future Leaders roll-out, combining Intro to Coaching, safeguarding and Young Whistlers accreditation — a real pipeline for nursery and Go Games refereeing and coaching. Finally, the team recaps a lively first-year hurling blitz featuring 6 schools and 8 teams, highlighting talent and enthusiasm as pupils pull on their new school colours.

Got a suggestion for Laois GAA? Reach out — the lads want your ideas.

Contacts (feedback & info):

📞 Shane Keegan — 087 657 7256

📞 Dean Malone — 085 202 1161

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In our very first episode, Shane and Dean take us on a journey through all the exciting work happening at underage level in Laois GAA.

They discuss:

• A full Academy Review, looking at how our player pathway is developing.
• The new Post Primary Plan aimed at strengthening links between schools and clubs.
• The action-packed COE Blitz Days bringing young players together from across the county.
• And the launch of Ó’Mórdha Óg, a key initiative to nurture the next generation of Laois stars.

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