Raheny GAA - News , GeneralRaheny GAA - News , Generalhttps://www.rahenygaa.ie/news/GeneralWed, 01 Apr 2026 09:07:56 +0200http://zoho.com/sites/<![CDATA[Appointment of Acting Chairperson]]>https://www.rahenygaa.ie/news/post/appointment-of-acting-chairpersonOriginally from Shannon, County Clare, Brian has been living in Dublin for 31 years, with the past 22 years spent in the parish of Raheny. His connect ]]>

Raheny GAA is delighted to announce the appointment of Mr Brian Savage as Acting Chairperson of the club.

Originally from Shannon, County Clare, Brian has been living in Dublin for 31 years, with the past 22 years spent in the parish of Raheny. His connection with the club spans well over a decade, having first become involved in 2009 when his eldest child joined Ógra.
Like so many parents in the club community, Brian was soon “roped in from the sideline” to help out, beginning his journey in Ógra before moving into coaching with the 2005 girls’ team as they began their journey on the Dublin GAA scene.

Reflecting on those early years, Brian said that while he thoroughly enjoyed coaching, he soon recognised that his strengths lay elsewhere, leading to his appointment to the Club Executive in 2016.

Since then, Brian has made a significant contribution to the club’s development. He served on the Executive from 2016 to early 2022, supported the Strategy Group in 2018, and played a key role in the Corporate Lunch fundraiser over several years. He was appointed Club Treasurer at the AGM in late 2018 and served in that role until late 2021. More recently, Brian returned in April 2025 to assist with financial preparation and reporting, work which is now fully up to date thanks to the excellent efforts of the Finance Committee and the Treasurer.

Speaking on his appointment, Brian said:
“I am delighted to take on the position of Acting Chairperson. I am looking forward to building on the excellent work done over the last few years by the current and previous Officers and members of the Executive and various Committees.”

Brian’s vision for the future of Raheny GAA is both ambitious and inspiring. A key focus of his leadership will be working with stakeholders to improve the availability of local, year-round playing and training facilities to meet the demands of the club’s continued growth.
He also highlighted the importance of preparing the club for the upcoming unification of the three national bodies into one unified national GAA organisation, ensuring Raheny GAA is ready to meet both the opportunities and challenges this will bring.

Beyond the games themselves, Brian is passionate about strengthening the wider community role of the club.
“I have personally seen the benefits of non-game activities organised through the Club such as Scór na nÓg and Scór Sinsear. These and other initiatives help us offer more than just sports to our members and community.”

A strong advocate for volunteerism, Brian also emphasised the importance of creating a rewarding and structured environment for volunteers across all areas of the club. 

Looking to the future, his message is clear:
“Think big. We as a club need to think big and why not? We are living in an area with changing demographics, where recently and over the next 10 years there will be an influx of young families into Raheny. The sky is the limit with what the club can achieve, on and off the pitch.”

Brian is also deeply committed to supporting players, coaches and volunteers alike, with a vision of delivering best-in-class coaching, facilities and opportunities for all members, regardless of age or ability.

He spoke warmly about what makes Raheny GAA so special:
“I am always struck by the support that comes from teammates, mentors, the sideline and the Club in recognising successes and helping to overcome the tough days. We have a great tradition of being a club that conducts itself well in all aspects.”
In a message to all members, Brian encouraged everyone to continue building on the club’s proud traditions:
“Raheny GAA is a great community club, with a proud tradition of being family, player, coach and volunteer friendly. Let’s continue to build on that in the coming years and see where it takes us. There will be plenty of work to help us grow — get involved and play your part in whatever capacity that is. Volunteer. Our Club needs you!”

Everyone at Raheny GAA wishes Brian every success in his new role as Acting Chairperson.


]]>Tue, 31 Mar 2026 09:13:05 +0000<![CDATA[Coaching Corner]]>https://www.rahenygaa.ie/news/post/coaching-corner-Reflecting-to-ImproveCoaching Corner: Reflecting to Improve As coaches, we know that the real progress in player development comes not only from what happens during a sessi ]]>

Reflecting to Improve


Coaching Corner: Reflecting to Improve

As coaches, we know that the real progress in player development comes not only from what happens during a session, but also from how we reflect on it afterwards. Taking time to review what worked well, what could be improved, and how the session supported player growth is a vital part of effective coaching.

Coach Reflection Sheet – Single Session

To support this process, here is a Coach Reflection Sheet designed to help you evaluate each session in terms of planning, delivery, and player development. It is a straightforward but valuable tool to ensure that every training or match contributes meaningfully to our players’ progress. 

Why use it?
  • Links to Individual Development Plans (IDPs): Each session should connect back to players’ personal goals across the season, whether those are technical, tactical, physical, or psycho-social.
  • Built on the 4-Corner Approach: The reflection questions are structured around the four key pillars of development—Technical, Tactical, Physical, and Psycho-Social—encouraging a balanced, player-centred review. 
  • Practical and Flexible: You can print copies for use after training or matches or simply use it as a personal prompt for your own review and planning. 
  • Self-Rating Included: A simple coach self-assessment helps track your own development and identify areas for growth.

Looking Ahead

This is one of the steps we plan to introduce a more reflective coaching culture within the club. We have already shared a Player Reflection Sheet for players. These will bring together perspectives from players, coaches, and the club executive to provide a fuller picture of progress and development across the year.

How to Use the Reflection Sheet
  • Keep a few printed copies in your coaching bag and complete one after training or a match when it feels appropriate. 
  • Use it as a prompt for short personal reflection — jot down quick notes on what worked well and what could be improved. 
  • Revisit your reflections before planning the next session to ensure continuity and alignment with players’ Individual Development Plans (IDPs).
  • Add your own short notes at the bottom to capture key learning points or reminders for future sessions.

Why It Makes a Difference

Reflection is what turns coaching activity into real learning. By using the sheet, coaches are supported to:

  • Recognise and celebrate what went well in their planning and delivery. 
  • Identify areas where they can improve or adapt. 
  • Stay focused on supporting players’ technical, tactical, physical, and social development.

Over time, this habit develops more than just coaching skills. It helps build confident, adaptable mentors who understand the value of continuous learning, teamwork, and self-improvement.

Building a Culture of Reflection
If we make reflection a regular part of our coaching practice, we not only improve as individual coaches but also strengthen the collective standards across the club. A reflective coaching culture ensures that players benefit from more consistent, thoughtful, and development-focused sessions.

Thank you for the commitment and energy you bring to supporting our players every week.

                                                                                                               
Thanks, 
Brian
Coaching Officer


]]>Sun, 12 Oct 2025 18:36:58 +0000<![CDATA[Coaching Corner]]>https://www.rahenygaa.ie/news/post/coaching-corner1Coaching Corner: Better Together — Raising Our Coaching Game to Build Better Players, Year to Year Meeting details: Wednesday, 17th September, 8pm, Hog ]]>

Better Together 


Coaching Corner: Better Together — Raising Our Coaching Game to Build Better Players, Year to Year

Meeting details: Wednesday, 17th September, 8pm, Hogan’s Deck, Raheny GAA Clubhouse.

Looking ahead to our meeting we’ll gather in Hogan’s Deck, Raheny GAA Clubhouse for our next Coaches & Mentors meeting. While there’s a full agenda to get through, one topic we’d like you to start thinking about now is how we can add real value to coach education in our club over the next few years. The truth is that great coaching doesn’t just happen on the pitch — it’s built on shared ideas, clear roles, and strong communication. If we want to keep raising our standards, we need to tackle some recurring challenges head-on.

This is not about pointing fingers — it’s about recognising where we can improve and committing to doing it together. On the 17th, we’ll start to explore practical ways to address these issues, share success stories, and set some clear actions for the season ahead. Your voice matters. Whether you’re a seasoned coach or just starting out, your perspective can help shape the future of coaching in our club.

Some examples of topics for our meeting:

1. Lack of idea sharing among club coaches: - Too often, club coaches work in silos. Imagine the impact if we regularly swapped drills, session plans, and problem-solving tips. A culture of open exchange can lift everyone’s game.

  • Why it matters: When we keep drills and session wins to ourselves, we force others to reinvent the wheel — players miss out on proven methods.

  • What good looks like: U12 tackling drill shared with U16s; senior match-day prep routines passed down; a living bank of session plans anyone can lift and use.

  • Try this: Bring one drill, one constraint game, and one recovery idea you rate. Be ready to explain at our meeting when you use them and why.

2.*Ad hoc approach to coaching roles* - An ad hoc approach to who does what can lead to confusion for players and frustration for coaches. Defining roles clearly — and sticking to them — helps everyone focus on what they do best.

  • Why it matters: Sometimes we fall into “whoever’s free will do it” mode. This can lead to mixed messages for players and frustration for coaches.

  • What good looks like: Clear roles set before training — who leads warm-ups, who coaches the main theme, who observes, who gives post-session feedback.

  • Try this: Write down your current role on your team. Note one area you’d happily own weekly (e.g., skill block, S&C warm-ups, video clips).

3. Incessant instruction and commentary - Incessant instruction can overwhelm players. Sometimes the best coaching is knowing when to step back and let them figure it out. Silence can be a powerful teacher.

  • Why it matters: Constant talk kills player decision-making and confidence. Silence, at the right time, creates learners.

  • What good looks like: Short cues, clear task, let them play; coach during pauses, not play; questions over commentary.

  • Try this: Pick one game where you’ll coach with a timer — For example, 90 seconds talk time, 3-4 minutes play. Track what changes.

4. Meaningful age-to-age communication - From U8 to senior, we need meaningful conversations between coaches at every level. This ensures players progress through the club with consistent messages and skills.

  • Why it matters: Players move up a year, and their new coaches start blind. Good habits get lost; old challenges reappear.
  • What good looks like: A simple handover note on each player from one mentor to another: strengths, two growth points, position exposure, attendance notes — a two-minute voice note or one-page profile. 

5. Poor coach to player ratios - Too few coaches for too many players means less individual attention and slower development. We need to think creatively about recruitment, retention, and volunteer support.

  • Why it matters: One coach to 25 players means missed reps and no individual feedback.
  • What good looks like: Smarter station design, training session plans for setup and rotations, asking for older players to mentor younger groups.
  • Try this: Identify one adult player you can invite as a session helper in the next month. Plan stations so every mentor has a clear job at training.

6. Continued absence of individual player coaching - Team sessions are vital, but so is one-to-one feedback. Even a quick personal word can make a huge difference to a player’s confidence and growth.

  • Why it matters: Team sessions build systems; one-to-ones build people. Players stay when they feel seen.
  • What good looks like: A 30-second personal cue, a micro-goal for the week, a quick “what did you notice?” after a rep.
  • Try this: Pick two players. Prepare one specific cue for each (e.g., “plant foot outside cone,” “eyes up before solo”).

What ties it all together:

  • Player-first progress: Consistency from U8 to adult so messages compound rather than reset.
  • Shared standards: We agree how we coach — and hold each other to it with care.
  • Small changes, big wins: None of this need’s new facilities — just better habits and shared ownership.

Your prep for the meeting:
  • Bring: One idea, one challenge, one success story.
  • Review: The six challenges above; think about one practical fix for each that you can trial within two weeks.
  • Commit: Choose one role you’ll own this season and one coach you’ll support.

Call to action:
  • Be there: Wednesday, 17th September, Hogan’s Deck, 8pm sharp — your voice shapes how our club coaches.
  • Own a fix: Pick one of the six challenges and think of a concrete action you’ll start this month.*
  • Share to raise: Bring a drill, a game, and a feedback habit you’ll gift to the room.

Our players deserve the best. Let’s give it to them — together. See you next Wednesday night                                                                                                                                                                                                                            

Thanks, 
Brian
Coaching Officer


]]>Thu, 11 Sep 2025 21:26:43 +0000<![CDATA[Coaching Corner ]]>https://www.rahenygaa.ie/news/post/coaching-corner

Streaming - A Topic Worth Thinking About

Coaching Corner – ‘Streaming’: A Topic Worth Thinking About

I’m always looking for ideas that can help us develop every player in our club to their fullest potential. Recently, I came across this article on streaming and it provides much food for thought. 

The piece draws on the experience and research of Dr. David Moran, who spent eight years as a Games Promotion Officer in Dublin. In that time, 
the question he was asked most often was: Should clubs stream their teams? And if so, how and when should they do it?

What Is Streaming?
Streaming is the practice of grouping players in the same age grade into teams based on ability, rather than mixing all abilities together. It’s most relevant to larger clubs with enough numbers to field multiple teams in the same age group.

Supporters say it allows players to train and compete with others of similar ability, making the experience more enjoyable and developmentally positive for everyone. Critics worry it can feel elitist, damage confidence, and separate friends.

Potential Benefits

From Moran’s research and club experiences:

•Sense of Belonging – Players get to know their teammates better and feel part of a consistent group.

•Appropriate Challenge – High-ability players are stretched, while developing players get more touches and influence in games.
•Increased Involvement – Fringe players in mixed-ability teams often become more engaged when playing at their own level.
•Clearer Development Pathways– With regular reviews, players can move up or down as needed.

Common Pitfalls

However, streaming can go wrong when:

•Resources Are Uneven – ‘A’ teams get the best coaches, training slots, and equipment.
•Teams Become Isolated – No shared philosophy, language, or interaction between streams.
•No Flexibility – Players are “locked” into a stream for years, affecting motivation.
•Misunderstood Motivation – Particularly with lower-ability female players, whose competitive drive is often underestimated.

What Works Best

Moran’s research highlights that streaming works best when:
•All streams share a common coaching philosophy, language, and training plans.
•Coaches rotate between groups, so all players benefit from the same expertise.
•There is regular movement between streams based on development needs.
•Communication with players and parents is open and consistent.

When done this way, the club feels like one club across multiple levels rather than separate, competing teams.

Looking Ahead to the planned coaches meeting on September 17:

Streaming – its benefits and challenges – will be one of the discussion points at our upcoming Coaches & Mentors Meeting on Tuesday, 
September 17th in Hogan’s Deck, Raheny GAA Clubhouse at 8pm. It’s not the only topic on the agenda, but it’s one we’d like you to start 
thinking about now.

Consider:

•Could streaming help us get the best out of every player?
•How would we ensure fairness, flexibility, and inclusion?
•What safeguards would prevent the pitfalls seen elsewhere?

Your insights, experiences, and even your concerns will be vital in shaping any approach we take. Let’s use the meeting to explore the concept 
fully and decide if, and how, it could work for our club.

See you on the 17th – ready for an open, constructive conversation.

Brian
Coaching Officer


]]>Sat, 06 Sep 2025 16:53:34 +0000<![CDATA[Coaching Nights with Alan Breen]]>https://www.rahenygaa.ie/news/post/coaching-nights-with-alan-breen

2 Nights | 2 Age Brackets 


Hi All,

 

I’m pleased to share details of two upcoming Goalkeeper Coaching Nights with Alan Breen, Dublin Ladies Football Goalkeeping Coach and Raheny GAA club member. These sessions offer a fantastic opportunity for our goalkeepers and coaches to learn from an elite-level specialist. 


See details below. Poster is attached.

 

Kind regards,

 

Brian

Coaching Officer

Raheny GAA


        _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________


Goalkeeper Coaching Nights with Alan Breen

Raheny GAA is delighted to host two specialist goalkeeper coaching nights with Alan Breen – Dublin Ladies Football Goalkeeping Coach and proud Raheny GAA club member.

This is a fantastic opportunity for players and coaches to learn from one of the country’s top goalkeeping specialists.


        About Alan Breen
  •     Alan brings a wealth of experience both on and off the pitch:
  •     Former inter-county and club goalkeeper
  •     10+ years of elite coaching experience
  •     Specialist in shot-stopping, kick-outs, and restart tactics
  •     Has guided Dublin Minors, U20s, and Dublin LGFA goalkeepers at provincial and All-Ireland levels


    Coaching Nights – Dates & Details

        📍 Venue: Pitch 12A, Raheny GAA Grounds
        ⏰ Time: 7–8 PM

    Night 1 – Tuesday 2nd September | U11–U14 Boys & Girls

        Focus: hand-based kick-outs under pressure
        Practical drills & sample session plans provided
        Turn restarts into attacking opportunities
        Each team to bring goalkeeper(s) + one coach


    Night 2 – Thursday 11th September | U15 – Adult Female Teams


        Advanced restart techniques & formations
        Drill plans tailored for older squads
        Live drills with additional field players
        Each team to bring goalkeeper(s) + one coach (plus outfield players)

    Why Attend?


  • Train with an All-Ireland–level goalkeeping specialist
  • Learn modern kick-out and restart strategies
  • Gain data-driven insights on possession retention
  • Coaches receive drills and tactical frameworks to bring back to their teams


    Registration

    To register, please email: coaching.officer@rahenygaa.ie
          Include the following details:

                Goalkeeper(s) name(s)
                Coach name
                Age group attending


⚡ Elevate your last line of defence—make every kick-out count



]]>Mon, 25 Aug 2025 11:57:59 +0000<![CDATA[Corporate Lunch Raffle 5th Sept 2025]]>https://www.rahenygaa.ie/news/post/Raffle-Corporate-Lunch-2025]]>

🎉 Win Fantastic Prizes in Raheny GAA’s Corporate Lunch Raffle! 🎉


Raheny GAA is excited to announce our Corporate Lunch Raffle, open to everyone, with a spectacular draw taking place on Friday 5th September 2025. This is your chance to win amazing prizes while supporting your local club!


Top Prizes include:

🏟 Liverpool Home Game Tickets (x2)

🏨 Two nights B&B + Dinner at the Rose Hotel, Tralee

🎭 3Arena Premium Tickets – Counting Crows (x2)


And that’s not all – there are over 30 other fantastic prizes up for grabs, such as golf fourballs, luxury getaways, restaurant vouchers, hampers, distillery experiences, concert tickets, and much more!


Tickets:

🎟 1 Ticket – €30

🎟 2 Tickets – €50

Simply scan the QR code on the poster to buy your tickets

OR click the links below 

1 Ticket for e30 https://rahenygaa.clubzap.com/products/30271/purchases/new

2 Tickets for e50 https://rahenygaa.clubzap.com/products/30269/purchases/new


Whether you’re a sports fan, a foodie, a music lover, or just in it for the thrill, there’s something for everyone. Don’t miss out – get your tickets today and be in with a chance to win big while supporting Raheny GAA!


Corporate Lunch Main Sponsor: Mahony Fleet


]]>Tue, 19 Aug 2025 15:43:41 +0000<![CDATA[Important Notice to All Members ]]>https://www.rahenygaa.ie/news/post/Notice-to-all-members]]>
]]>Tue, 19 Aug 2025 15:43:41 +0000<![CDATA[Raheny GAA Ireland Lights Up Walk ]]>https://www.rahenygaa.ie/news/post/Radio-live-broadcastWhen the winter nights seem long and it’s cold outside, it’s easy to hit pause on our fitness goals. But not here in Raheny GAA!!! Our weekly Wednesda ]]>

40 Day Health Challenge & Ireland's Classic Hits Radio Live Broadcast from Raheny GAA as part of Ireland Light Up Walks 
​

When the winter nights seem long and it’s cold outside, it’s easy to hit pause on our fitness goals. But not here in Raheny GAA!!! Our weekly Wednesday night walk as part of the “Ireland Lights Up” initiative demonstrates our community’s commitment to keeping active, having fun, all the while strengthening our community connections! But don’t take our word for it – here’s a sneak peek into our fun evening made extra special due to some very special guests last night!


Participating in the “Ireland Lights Up” initiative, Raheny GAA Club’s aim is to promote exercise during the winter nights across the entire Raheny community. And this year, we’re delighted to get behind and support our local Raheny-community member Trish Buckley on her 40 Day Health Challenge. 


Last night, we were delighted to welcome not only all five Dublin partners participating in the 40 Day Health Challenge, we were fortunate to have Ireland’s Classic Hits Radio broadcast live from the Raheny GAA Club. With the fabulous Ruth Scott on the decks, our enthusiastic walkers headed off into the cold night energised thanks to the atmosphere, tunes and the craic!



How do I get involved, I hear you say? 

You don’t need to be a member of Raheny GAA Club and you don’t need to play camogie, hurling or gaelic football! All you need is a comfy pair of shoes and a warm jacket. We’ll supply the hi-vis, a walking partner if you don’t have one and there’s even a warm cuppa in the club afterwards where you can have a friendly chat. We also have lots of fruit and bottles of water if you prefer the healthier option! All proudly sponsered by our wonderful Supervalu Raheny store.


Our final walk in the Ireland Lights Up is taking place next Wednesday 5th February at 7pm. So get those comfy shoes on and get down to the Raheny GAA Club Hall for 7pm! Raheny GAA is currently topping the Ireland Lights Up leaderboard in Leinster thanks to all our wonderful community members out pounding the pavements.


Finally, we would like to extend our sincere thanks to everyone who contributed to making this week’s walk an amazing success!


Health & Wellness Committee



]]>Tue, 28 Jan 2025 14:55:26 +0000<![CDATA[New Coaching Officer]]>https://www.rahenygaa.ie/news/post/new-coaching-officerIntroducing our new Coaching Officer Mr. Brian Curtis]]>

Raheny GAA is proud to introduce our new Coaching Officer
​Mr. Brian Curtis

Dear Mentors and Club Members,

My name is Brian Curtis, and I am honoured to introduce myself as the new Coaching Officer for our club. 

I have been a mentor and manager with Raheny GAA teams for approximately 15-16 years. My coaching journey began with an Adult Football Team (AFL5), and after several years of effort, we successfully gained promotion to Intermediate Football. I had the privilege of mentoring and developing that team in Intermediate Football for a couple of seasons before being asked to manage our Minor A football team for three seasons. In 2017, I joined our Senior Football management team, where I served for seven seasons, gaining invaluable experience at the highest level of Dublin GAA club football.

Throughout my time with Raheny GAA, I have continually sought to enhance my coaching knowledge through various means, including webinars and coaching seminars. In the academic year 2011/2012, I completed a FETAC Level 7 Course in 'Certificate in Conditioning for Gaelic Games' at TU Dublin, Blanchardstown, facilitated by Martin Kennedy (Dublin GAA). Recently, I completed GAA Club Coaching Officer training. I also hold live Certificates for Garda Vetting and Child Safeguarding (in person & online refresher courses). I also hold certificates up to Award level 2 Coaching.

As your Coaching Officer, my aim is to provide practical content and details on coaching workshops and courses, both in person and online, to help all club mentors upskill themselves in their roles. I am delighted to have the support of the club's top coaches, experienced senior selectors, and managers. I will get to work on creating a Club Coach Development Plan and Program.

I am committed to supporting our mentors across all codes, ensuring we continue to develop and succeed as a club. If you have any queries, ideas, or suggestions, please feel free to contact me.

I look forward to working with each of you and contributing to our shared success.

 Brian

Brian Curtis 
Club Coaching Officer
Mobile: 087 764 1000
]]>Wed, 22 Jan 2025 17:39:39 +0000<![CDATA[Ireland Lights Up Walk - Raheny GAA]]>https://www.rahenygaa.ie/news/post/ireland-lights-up-walk-raheny-gaa**Irelands Light Up Walks will commence on Jan 15th @ 7pm**  It’s back! The Health and Wellbeing Committee are delighted to announce that Raheny G ]]>

**Start date** Wed 15th Jan 2025 for 5 weeks 

**Irelands Light Up Walks will commence on Jan 15th @ 7pm** 

It’s back! The Health and Wellbeing Committee are delighted to announce that Raheny GAA will once again be participating in the 'Ireland Lights Up' initiative! Last year was an enormous success, with 640 proud Raheny people walking more that 91,000km, making us the No.1 club in Ireland!

The walks will begin on Wednesday the 8th of January at 7pm and will be on every Wednesday for 5 weeks. 

Our goal is to make exercise more accessible on those dark winter nights and provide local communities with a chance to come together and socialize in a healthy way. Plus, there's an exhilarating steps challenge, boasting a €30,000 prize fund up for grabs for the club. 

Please download the Irish Life 'MyLife' App and register for the 'MyLife's Every step counts' challenge (under social > challenges) and select Raheny before the first walk. 

Thanks we hope to see you there
Get Started Now
]]>Tue, 07 Jan 2025 10:16:35 +0000