Dublin GAA Coaching & Games Development Update- March 2026

Staff Training Day (Richard Bowles)

On February 18th, Dublin GAA Coaching & Games staff gathered in Parnell Park for a Staff Training Day centred around the introduction of the new Primary School Physical Education curriculum, which will soon be rolled out nationwide.

The session, delivered by Richard Boles from Mary Immaculate College, gave GPOs a great insight into how the updated curriculum can be incorporated into their lesson planning when working in schools.

The new curriculum aims to get children moving more, addressing the current decline in activity levels among young people. It will also see an increase in the amount of PE delivered in schools each week, while providing flexibility for schools to implement the programme in a way that best suits their own environment.

A big thank you to Richard for his time and for sharing his wealth of knowledge with staff. His presentation provided great guidance as Dublin GAA continues to support schools in promoting physical activity and enjoyment through sport.

Award 2 Hurling

The Award 2 Youth/Adult Hurling Course also got underway this month. The course runs twice annually, alternating between football and hurling. This year sees coaches from 12 clubs across Dublin taking part, with participants engaging in a mix of classroom learning and practical coaching sessions.

The course began with an introduction to the newly developed OTÚ model, with a focus on how coaches can develop technical proficiency in teenage and adult hurlers.

Session 2 saw coaches put their learning into practice by delivering a session they had planned with Na Fianna GAA U15 hurlers. The sessions focused on improving technique and were assessed by Coach Developers who were also on hand to guide and support the coaches throughout.

Special thanks to Ger O’Connor, Willie Cogan, Peter Beirne, Jim Ryan, Owen Mooney and Paudie O’Neill for their ongoing support and for sharing their vast experience with those taking part.

Thanks to everyone involved so far, with plenty more learning and development to come in the weeks ahead.

For more information on Award 2 courses, speak to your club GPO or Coaching Officer.

Workshops

Lavin Brothers (Friday Feb 20th)

A recent workshop on Game Sense Coaching provided hurling coaches with valuable insights into developing more astute players through the use of small-sided games and conditioned activities.

Delivered by The Lavin Brothers of Game Sense Coaching, the session focused on helping coaches at all age grades further develop their coaching skills and understanding of how players learn within game-based environments.

Throughout the workshop, the Lavin Brothers demonstrated how small-sided, conditioned games and a constraints-led approach can help improve decision-making, skill execution and overall game awareness, ultimately allowing hurlers to become more impactful players in match situations.

It proved to be a very informative and engaging session for all in attendance. Dublin GAA Coaching & Games would like to sincerely thank the Lavin Brothers for giving their time and for sharing their knowledge and experience with coaches on the night.

Also, a huge thank you to the Fingallians Senior hurlers for being in attendance to help demonstrate all of the drills.

Damian Young (Friday Feb 6th)

Another hurling workshop hosted by Dr Damian Young, at the start of the month, provided coaches with valuable insight into developing more skilful hurlers through the use of games and analysis.

A university lecturer and performance analyst with the Tipperary Senior Hurling Team, Dr Young delivered an engaging session focused on improving coaches’ understanding of the game and how skill development can be supported through modern coaching practices.

The workshop highlighted the importance of skill acquisition in developing top hurlers, demonstrating how game-based activities and the use of analysis can be effectively incorporated into coaching sessions to support individual player development.

The session proved to be both highly informative and thought-provoking for all in attendance. Dublin GAA Coaching & Games would like to thank Dr Young for giving his time and for sharing his expertise and knowledge with coaches on the night.

Also, a huge thank you to the Fingallians Senior hurlers for being in attendance to help demonstrate all of the drills.

Trí seanfhocail na seachtaine do Sheachtain na Gaeilge:

Níl bua gan dua – No victory without effort

Mol an óige agus tiocfaidh sí – praise the youth and they will flourish

Ní neart go chur le chéile – there is no strength without unity.