The Celtic Challenge
nominations are now being taking from clubs for the U17 Celtic Challenge Teams. We will have two teams North & South with trials taking place on the 22nd & 29th of March. Our managers are Martin Lynch (South) and Mick Byrne (North). Can all clubs please see below criteria & nomination forms to be sent back by the 18th March. (one response per club)
The following selection criteria must be adhered to :
- Players must not be a member of the county minor hurling panel
- Players must not be sitting state exams
- Players must be a member of a club who field only at Junior & Intermediate level (If numbers are not sufficient or the selection committee feel need to expand the criteria this will be done on round two)
- Clubs are to select minimum two players for trials and a maximum of five. To be submit via Surveymonkey (link below)
Details of Trials
- North Squad – 22nd & 29th of March Halo Tiles Ferns Centre of Excellence – 2.30pm
- South Squad – 22nd & 29th of March Pairc Gorman Wexford – 2.30pm
Nominations
- Can all clubs nominate via link attached : https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/KYVCXFX
- If you require any information you can contact the coaching office directly.
- Full details on the program can be found here : http://www.wexfordgaa.ie/2016/03/celtic-challenge-u16-17-hurling/
Overview
The Celtic Challenge is a developmental hurling competition for 16 and 17 year old players who are not participating in State Examinations during the months of May and June 2016. Through the Celtic Challenge players aged 16 and 17 years of age will be provided with a 7 week programme of meaningful, pre-scheduled games including five finals that will be played on Saturday 18th June. The programme is scheduled at a time of year where there is minimum interruption to Club or County Fixtures i.e. between 4th May and 18th June.
- The programme will run from Wednesday 4th May to Saturday 18th June 2016.
- The ethos of the competition is a developmental one, where a 7 week programme of meaningful games is supplemented by a 1 to 1 ratio of games to training.
- 38 teams will participate in the competition. Each team will play a minimum of 5 games through a programme that is structured on the basis of Group Stages, Preliminary Rounds and Play Offs.
- The Group Stages will consist of 7 Groups of teams selected on a geographical and developmental basis. It is recommended that matches at the Group Stages will be played on Wednesdays on a home and away basis, if possible.
- After the Group Stages, teams will be graded based on their performance and will be assigned to 1 of 5 Divisions for the Preliminary Rounds and Play-Offs where they will play against opposition of a comparative developmental
- 5 Finals will be played on Saturday June 18th 2016:
- Division 1 – Corn Michael Hogan
- Division 2 – Corn John Scott
- Division 3 – Corn William Robinson
- Division 4 – Corn Jerome O’Leary
- Division 5 – Corn Michael Feery
The Celtic Challenge is named in recognition of the original juvenile hurling club known as ‘Celtic’. The Divisional trophies are named in memory of 5 of the 14 civilians who were shot dead in Croke Park on Bloody Sunday, 21st November 1920. Michael Hogan [aged 24], John William Scott [aged 14], William Robinson [aged 11], Jerome O’Leary [aged 10] and Michael Feery, who was buried in a common grave.
Players
Player Eligibility
Player eligibility is determined on the basis of three criteria: Player’s age; Player’s involvement in the County Minor Hurling Panel; Player’s club.
Age
Players aged 16 and 17 as of January 1st 2016, who are not undertaking Junior or Leaving Certificate Examinations, are eligible to participate in this competition.
As an exception, players aged 16 and 17 as of January 1st 2016, who are sitting state examinations during May and June in the Six Counties are eligible to participate.
Involvement in the County Minor Hurling Panel
Players who are on the Inter-County Minor Hurling Panel in the following Counties are not eligible to participate in this competition: Clare; Cork; Dublin; Galway; Kilkenny; Laois; Limerick; Offaly; Tipperary; Waterford; Antrim; Wexford.
A player will be deemed to be on the Inter-County Minor Hurling Panel if he is one of the 24 named match day players in the County’s most recent Inter-County Minor Championship match of the season as of 30th April 2016.
Club
Only players who are members of clubs that meet the panel selection criteria are eligible to play. The panel selection criteria is agreed by the County Steering Committee (County Chairperson; Secretary; Coaching Officer; Games Manager) and approved by the Hurling Development Committees at Provincial and National level – see Section 3 (page 9).
Section 3: Teams/Panels
This section contains an overview of the teams that are participating in The Celtic Challenge as well as guidelines and recommendations regarding the composition, selection and preparation of the teams prior to and during the competition.
Participating Teams
38 teams will participate in The Celtic Challenge Competition with 31 Counties represented.
22 teams will represent a County. 16 teams will represent regions within a County e.g. North Galway; South Kilkenny; Waterford City. The inclusion of a number of regional teams from Counties participating in the Liam MacCarthy Cup (Tier 1) serves to recognise the principle of ‘Protect the Game, Grow the Game, Develop the Game’ i.e. to allow for weaker regions within Tier 1 Counties to enter a team.
| Connacht Teams | Leinster Teams | Munster Teams | Ulster Teams |
| Galway City/West
Leitrim Mayo North Galway Roscommon Sligo |
Carlow
Dublin 1 Dublin 2 Dublin 3 Kildare Laois Longford Louth Meath North Wexford Offaly South Kilkenny South Wexford Westmeath Wicklow |
Cork City
Kerry Limerick City North Clare South/East Clare North Cork South Tipperary Waterford City West Limerick |
Antrim
Armagh Cavan Derry Down Donegal Monaghan Tyrone |
Panel Composition
It is recommended that each panel consists of a minimum 24 players and a maximum of 30 players. Please note that the match day panel can be no more than 24 players.
Panel Selection
The players selected must be eligible to participate on the basis of the criteria outlined in Section 2 (page 8).
A County Steering Committee (County Chairperson; Secretary; Coaching Officer; Games Manager) will identify a list of the approved clubs that meet the panel selection criteria for each team. Panel selection criteria may be based on a specific catchment area and/or on the basis of the relative strength of the clubs within a catchment area e.g. clubs participating at ‘B’ or ‘C’ grade in County Minor Championships.
Only players who are members of the clubs on the approved list may be selected to the panel. It is recommended that a minimum of one player from each club on the approved list should be on the panel.
Trials may be held to facilitate team selection. It is recommended that no more than 3 trials be held and that trials should not take place prior to 16th March 2016. This date does not apply to Group G
In selecting the panel, it is recommended that the management team broaden the selection beyond existing Development Squad players.
Panel Preparation
The Celtic Challenge is a developmental competition – the primary objective is to develop players through providing them with a meaningful programme of games. Panel preparation must reflect this ethos.
Training for the Celtic Challenge should not take place prior to 16th March 2016. This date does not apply to the teams in Group G.
It is recommended that a panel should not have more than 6 training sessions before the commencement of the competition and no more than 2 in any week. Challenge games will be considered to constitute a training session. If a team wants to hold more than 6 training sessions before the commencement of the competition they must seek approval – with the authorisation of the County Games Manager – from the Group Coordinator. The Group Coordinator will grant approval on the basis of the following:
- Additional training sessions will not interfere with Club fixtures within the County;
- Additional training sessions are required from a developmental perspective i.e. teams that fall within the ‘Develop the Game’ category;
- Additional training sessions do not exceed the maximum of 2 training sessions per week;
- Steps will be taken to ensure that players are monitored closely to prevent burnout and over-training.
During the Competition a ratio of 1 training session per game is recommended.
Competition Structure
This section outlines the structure of the competition as well as the grading system and the recommended schedule.
Structure
Each team will play a minimum of 5 games through a programme that is structured on the basis of Group Stages, Preliminary Rounds, Play-Offs and five Finals.
For the Group Stages, the teams will be divided into 7 groups having regard for developmental and geographic considerations:
| 38 teams (4 groups x 5 teams)(3 groups x 6 teams) | ||
| Group A | Group B | Group C |
| Carlow | Kildare | Offaly |
| South Kilkenny | Laois | Dublin 2 |
| South Tipperary | North Wexford | Meath |
| South Wexford | Dublin 1 | Dublin 3 |
| Waterford City | Wicklow | Westmeath |
| Group D | Group E | Group F |
| Cork City | Galway City/West | Cavan |
| Kerry | Mayo | Leitrim |
| Limerick City | North Clare | Longford |
| North Cork | Roscommon | Sligo |
| West Limerick | South/East Clare | Louth |
| North Galway | Monaghan | |
| Group G | ||
| Armagh | ||
| Derry | ||
| Down | ||
| Antrim | ||
| Donegal | ||
| Tyrone | ||
Group Stages:
- In Groups A, B, C and D each team plays 4 games during the Group Stages.
- In Groups E, F and G each team plays 5 games during the Group Stages.
- Due to examinations in the six counties during May, teams in Group G will play their Group Stage matches during March/April.
- At the end of the Group stage all teams from Group A – G are ranked 1 – 38 on the basis of the grading system (see page 13 – 14).
Preliminary Rounds:
- On the basis of their rankings after the Group Stages, the teams are assigned to different Divisions to participate in the Preliminary Rounds.
- The fixtures during the Preliminary Rounds are decided on foot of an open draw between the teams in each Division.
- In each Division 4 games are played during the Preliminary Rounds – each team in the Division receives 1 game.
- Teams ranked 1 – 8 enter Division 1 ‘Corn Michael Hogan’ Preliminary Round.
- Teams ranked 9 – 16 enter Division 2 ‘Corn John Scott’ Preliminary Round.
- Teams ranked 17 – 24 enter Division 3 ‘Corn William Robinson’ Preliminary Round.
- Teams ranked 25 – 32 enter Division 4 ‘Corn Jerome O’Leary’ Preliminary Round.
- Teams ranked 33 – 38 do not participate in the Preliminary Round but enter into Division 5 of the Play-Offs competing for ‘Corn Michael Feery’.
Play-Offs:
- The Play-Offs (PO) are held the weekend after the Preliminary Rounds.
- In Divisions 1 to 4 , the four winning teams from the Preliminary Round play against each other (Play-Offs 1 and 2) and the four runners-up from the Preliminary Round play against each other (Play-Offs 3 and 4).
- Within Division 5, the teams play against each other based upon the grading after the Group Stages.
Finals:
- The weekend after the Play-Offs the winners of Play-Off 1 and 2 play against each other in the Final.
- The winning team is ranked 1st and the runner up is ranked 2nd within the Division.
- The remaining 6 teams in the Division are ranked 3 – 8 on the basis of their displays in the Play-Offs in order to determine their final ranking so that they can comparatively assess their development.
Grading System
At the end of the Group Stages teams are graded 1 – 38 on the basis of the following:
Groups A – D (5 teams per Group/each team plays 4 games):
- 10 match points for a win
- 5 match points for a draw
- Bonus point for a team scoring two goals or more in a match
- Bonus point for a team losing by 5 points or fewer in a match
Groups E – G (6 teams per Group/each team plays 5 games):
- 8 match points for a win
- 4 match points for a draw
- Bonus point for a team scoring two goals or more in a match (max. 4 bonus points of this nature per team during the Group Stage)
- Bonus point for a team losing by 5 points or fewer in a match (max. 4 bonus points of this nature per team during the Group Stage)
Where two or more teams are on equal match and bonus points the ranking will be determined on the basis of average scoring percentage i.e. the number of points scored by a team divided by the number of points conceded by a team and then multiplied by 100. If it is not possible to distinguish between two or more teams on the basis of average scoring percentage then the total number of goals scored by each team will be used as a further tiebreaker.
If a team is disqualified, retires or loses a game on foot of a walk-over, its played games will stand but any unplayed games will be awarded to the opposing teams as a ‘win’ as per grading above. The team that is disqualified, retires or concedes a walk-over, will be docked (minus) the same sum of points as is awarded to the ‘winning’ team.
Schedule
The Programme will run from Wednesday 4th May to Saturday 18th June 2016 with each team receiving a minimum of 5 pre-scheduled games resulting in a total of 110 games being played.
In the six counties, the majority of all 15, 16, 17 and 18 year olds have exams during May and June. In light of same, it was agreed that the group stage matches for teams in Group G will be played in March/April.
Group Stages
Group G
| Sat. 5th March | Sat. 12th March | Sat. 19th March | Sat. 26th March | Sat. 2nd April |
Groups A – F
| Wed. 4th May | Wed. 11th May | Wed. 18th May | Wed. 25th May | Wed. 1st June |
During the Group Stages, the Group Coordinators are responsible for overseeing fixtures.
It is recommended that all games be played on a Wednesday evening to minimise fixture clashes. If both teams playing a match want to schedule the match for a different date they must seek approval from the Group Coordinator. The Group Coordinator will grant approval on the basis of the following:
- A re-fixture does not interfere with Club fixtures within the County/Counties concerned;
- The proposed re-fixture is for the same week as the original fixture;
- The rationale for the re-fixture is clear.
It is recommended that, during the Group Stages, matches be played on a ‘Home’ and ‘Away’ basis in order to keep games local, minimise travel costs and maximise local promotional opportunities due to the holistic and developmental nature of the competition. Alternatively, with the approval of the Group Coordinator, arrangements may be made within each Group to play at neutral mid-way venues having regard for travel times, availability of venue etc.
Preliminary Rounds
| Sat. 4th June |
During the Preliminary Rounds, the Provincial Coordinators are responsible for overseeing fixtures.
The Preliminary Rounds are fixed for Saturday 4th June. They will take place in four venues nationally – 1 per Province: Abbottstown; Ballyhaunis; Garvaghy; Carriganore. Teams will be assigned to the venue that is most suitable having regard for travel times.
Play-Offs
| Sat. 11th June |
During the Play-Offs, the Provincial Coordinators are responsible for overseeing fixtures.
The Play-Offs are fixed for Saturday 11th June. They will take place in four venues nationally – 1 per Province: Abbottstown; Ballyhaunis; Garvaghy; Carriganore. Teams will be assigned to the venue that is most suitable having regard for travel times.
Finals
| Sat. 18th June |
10 teams will play in 5 Divisional Finals on Saturday 18th June. The National Coordinator is responsible for overseeing fixtures. The finals will all be hosted at the same venue.
Rules
- The Celtic Challenge will be played under the full Playing Rules of Hurling – GAA Official Guide, Part 2;
- All matches will be played on a 15-a-side basis over 30 minutes per half;
- A match-day panel will be confined to a maximum of 24 players and 4 members of the backroom team;
- The match-day panel must be listed on the team sheet which is to be completed by an Official of each team and lodged with the Referee no later than 30 minutes before the scheduled commencement of a Match;
- The rules governing substitution are replaced by interchange;
- A team may make a maximum of 10 interchanges per half, but only during a stoppage in play and with the permission of the Interchange Coordinator. Only one Player per team may be interchanged at any time. The following procedure will apply to the interchange of players during a match:
- The Maor Foirne shall advise the Interchange Coordinator of the team’s intention to replace a Player who is currently on the Playing Field for another Player listed on its team sheet;
- Upon being satisfied that the replacement is permitted, the Interchange Coordinator shall approve the replacement;
- A team may interchange the Players concerned within a period of 3 minutes from the time approval is given by the Interchange Coordinator, after which the approval shall lapse;
- The Players concerned shall leave and enter the Playing Field through the Interchange Area;
- The Interchange Area is constituted of two areas – 5m Wide – marked adjacent to and either side of the Centre Line – on one side of the Field – through which players may enter and leave the Playing Field. No more than one player per team may enter and leave at the same time;
- In the event of a breach of procedure – player enters pitch before player being replaced (unless injured) has exited the interchange area – total number of interchanges (10) is reduced by 1.
- Team officials are not allowed to encroach on to the Field of Play without the permission of the referee;
- In addition to sanctions set out in the Official Guide, any team participating in The Celtic Challenge that has been proven to be illegally constituted will be debarred from the competition;
- The CCC of the Celtic Challenge reserves the right to impose sanctions, including debarment from the competition of teams that fail to comply with the rules of The Celtic Challenge.
Respect Initiative
The operation of the competition will reflect the ethos of the GAA Respect Initiative, which aims to promote positive behaviour including respect for and from all participants on and around the field. One of the aims of The Celtic Challenge is to improve the culture of communication between players/team officials and the Referee.
