One of the Sligo teams competing at a Connacht GAA U14 Academy Day in July.
By Cian O'Connell
Three of Connacht GAA's five U14 Academy days took place this year with a different approach.
In order to maximise involvement for all players, the decision was taken to adopt a seven-a-side as opposed to a traditional 15-a-side format.
Cathal Cregg, Connacht GAA Provincial Coaching & Games Manager, explains the model. "The primary reason for transitioning to seven-a-side gameplay for the U14 Academy days was to maximise involvement for all players at this age-grade when participating in games at the Centre of Excellence," Cregg says.
"Based on tracking of results and feedback from county coaches and Connacht GAA staff, it was clear that there was a trend for games to be dominated by two or three players at this age-grade, therefore compromising the benefits and experience of players.
"It was hoped that a switch towards smaller-sided gameplay would address the large score differences observed between teams during 15 a-side gameplay."
So, how did the event operate? "Each county in the province is asked to register multiple squads of 27 players," Cregg responds. "These squads of 27 are then split into three teams of nine facilitating seven-a-side gameplay with two rolling subs per team. Each county will submit between two and four squads depending on the size of the county.
"When organising fixtures for the day, two squads of 27 players from opposing counties are allocated to a pitch, similar to the traditional format.
"Instead of playing 15 v 15 games, the two counties play three, seven-a-side games on three small pitches running from side-line to side line. Each game lasts 10 minutes with five minutes recovery between games."
Cregg highlights the fact that technical skills, decision making, and physical fitness are all developed. "Research from sport science and coaching has shown that appropriately designed small-sided games are associated with improvements in technical skill execution, decision-making as well as improving components of fitness," Cregg says.
Connacht GAA Provincial Coaching and Games Manager Cathal Cregg. Photo by Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile
"These benefits have been found to provide players with three times more ball involvement on average, as well as opportunity to perform abilities and make decisions in a game setting that is indicative of the full game."
Will Connacht GAA use this method again next year? "In 2024 we ran three of the five U14 national academy days in the above format," Cregg says.
"The other two days were in the traditional 15-a-side format. We are currently completing a review of the whole programme with the seven-a-side format part of that.
"We will decide before the end of the year on the course of action from there. The intention is to implement this format at older age-grades for sure as part of the overall games programme.
"How this transpires remains up for discussion with all stakeholders. Rather than exclusively using small-sided game competition, we may look to alternate between full-sided game days and small-sided game days for U15 and U16s.
"Full-sided competition is still important, particularly at older age-grades, as tactical nuances become more influential."
The reaction from the western counties has been broadly positive according to Cregg. "All counties in the province have been very supportive of trialling this format and without their co-operation we wouldn’t be able to run these days," Cregg says.
"The feedback has been positive with many coaches and county staff referencing the increased involvement in the day from a player’s perspective - full game time, more game involved and engaged with the game more.
"They would also feel that the 15-a-side element is important so we need to strike the right balance as the player transitions through the pathway."
