Now in its 9th year and one of the main Development squad tournaments in the national calendar, the Michael Foley U-15 Hurling Talent Academy Tournament takes place this Saturday 27th. 14 teams will take part this year, 2 Wexford teams North and South, 2 Dublin teams, 2 Kilkenny teams, Antrim, Meath, Wicklow, Carlow, Laois, Offaly, Kildare and Westmeath all vying for a plate, Shield or Cup Final title
Group stage games get underway at 10:30am in Ferns Centre Of Excellence, Cup & Shield Semi Finals in Ferns COS and Semi Final of plate played in Farmleigh.
Michael Foley Plate Final Farmleigh 4pm
Michael Foley Shield Final Ferns COE 4:15pm
Michael Foley Cup Final Bellefield 4:15pm
| Group 1 | Group 2 | Group 3 | Group 4 |
| Wexford North | Wexford South | Kilkenny North | Kilkenny South |
| Antrim | Wicklow | Laois | Kildare |
| Dublin South | Dublin North | Offaly | Westmeath |
| Meath | Carlow | Bye | Bye |
| Venue | Venue | Venue | Venue |
| Ferns COE | Ferns COE | Farmleigh | Farmleigh |
Group Stages
- Games will be fifteen minutes per half. Groups of three will be twenty mins per half.
- If teams are even it will go head to head / and or score difference
- First placed teams in each division will go into Cup Semi Finals
- Second place team will take part in Shield Semi Finals
- Third place teams will take part in Plate Semi Finals
- Fourth place teams in group of four will play in runners up game.
Semi Final’s (All Semi Finals)
- Games will be 15mins per half
- Extra time applicable of 5mins per half
Final (All Finals)
- Games will be 15 minutes per half
- Extra time of 5 minutes per half if applicable
Every year the competition goes from strength to strength and this year will be no different giving us another chance to see and take note of our future senior hurlers
The tournament named after Michael Foley A Great Rapparees-Starlights clubman not only playing for the club at all levels and in both codes but also donning the purple and gold at Under-21 and Senior for the county.
When his own career finished, like the true stalwart that he was he became a selector with the Rapparees Senior hurling team and managed with his co-selectors to get his side to the 2001 county final.
Unfortunately, victory eluded them despite Mick’s Trojan efforts. Despite his busy lifestyle and indeed in later years despite his terminal illness, Mick became a mentor with our Under-12 hurling team, giving back to the youth of the club what he had received himself – a love of hurling and football and a loyalty and commitment to his team-mates. This team also made it all the way to the final and this time despite being very ill Mick had the pleasure of seeing them win the title and his son lifted the cup.
Tremendous credit is due to the Michael Foley Bursary committee including Mick’s family and friends and with the help of the Wexford GAA Coaching and Games Development for seting up such a prestigious competition in his memory.
Michael was an all-round sportsman playing Gaelic football and rugby, but it was the game of hurling that stole his heart and became the love of his life after his wife Terri and his family. This Under-15 Leinster tournament has proved to be a most fitting tribute to him.
