This year’s Castleknock Hurling & Football Club All Ireland Mini Leagues Blitz starts on Monday evening 5th of August with the finals taking place on Saturday the 10th in Somerton. There are in excess of 650 children playing each night, so Somerton will be a hive of activity for the week!

Details as follows:

 Location: Somerton
 Dates:  Starts Mon 5th Aug and each evening – Tues, Wed & Thurs – finals for ALL Teams on Sat 10th
 Evening games start: 6:15pm (sharp) – please arrive 15 mins prior to throw-in
 Email: Neil Devlin on neil.devlin@castleknock.net or Mark Watters mark.watters@castleknock.net

Managers – Collect Jerseys at Gazebo beside All Weather on Monday 5th
Players – Please arrive at your pitch 15 mins before each match – You will receive your team shirt from your manager at the pitch!

Blitz Rules:

• Respect the ref, the players, match officials – remember that the refs are children.
• No scores for u12s and below.
• 25 min matches – NO HALF TIME.
• 1 hop, 1 solo only – as teams are of mixed ability.
• No coaching from sidelines.
• Gum shield required.
• Equal game time for all regardless of ability – contact Neil or Mark with any concerns.
• No fixed numbers per team – if both have 10 it is 10 a side. If one team has 9, it is 9 a side and one sub is run in and out.
• If one team is too strong both managers should agree that the other team brings on an extra player.
• Each evening there will be a shop as well as a BBQ!
• The finals will be on Saturday from 9:15am to 3.30pm starting from youngest to oldest.
• A jersey & a goody bag will be given to all players.

Teams 

Pitch layout

Games schedule

Notes for Managers

• As teams are of mixed ability and ages, we are playing with the condition of one hop and one solo – then the player needs to pass or shoot.
• The main role of the manager is to get the players into position and for the match to start on time – no major tactics needed
• The first day you need to collect the jerseys at the Gazebo beside the All Weather, and then give them to the players before the 1st match – the player keeps the jersey.
• We encourage light touch management – let the kids make decisions themselves, and encourage them with positive messaging.
• Matches are 25 mins long, please start and finish on time.
• Remember that the refs are kids (under 18), and some are in training so please support them and back them up – any abuse of a ref from parents / mentors will result in expulsion from premises
• Player Numbers – as many kids on the field as possible – if both teams have 8 players, it is 8 a side, if both have 10 – it is 10 aside. If one team has one player less, one sub is run.
• Equal game time – if you are running a sub, divide the time and ask a parent to assist you with a stopwatch, so that each kid gets the same time, regardless of ability
• Lastly, have fun, and thank you for helping!

Mini League Sponsors

A big thank you to our Mini League Sponsors