The Carlow Colts was set up a number of years ago to identify and recruit promising young hurlers and footballers and put them into a development set up with the view of improving the standard of the games in Carlow. The players who start at Under 14, 15 and 16 are picked from each club and will get an official invitation from the County Board for the programme as well as county gear to wear.
The Carlow Colts Talent Academy Squads have recently finished their S&C Winter Programme in conjunction with IT Carlow. The Programme has been devised with the support of Leinster GAA and supplemented by students from IT Carlow who have were interviewed last Sept. for 10 internships to work with the Colts during this phase. Ably coordinated by their fantastic volunteer Management teams, the Programme was a huge success. Carlow GAA are now preparing to scout the next wave of aspiring Colts as the U.14 Championships prepare to throw in next month.
The Carlow GAA Colts is the official name given to the Under 14, 15 and 16 Talent Academy Squads which aims to identify players who show potential at Club level and who would benefit from interaction with other talented players . The developmental system is overseen by Carlow GAA Coaching and Games Staff; Head GDA Brendan Hayden, Performance Director Michael Kehoe and GDA Seán Gannon. They also use the system to identify and upskill promising adult coaches throughout the County who can take these teams forward once the scouting process is complete.
The Colts rebrand came about after a thorough examination of Carlow GAA’s Talent Academy System and agreeing the need for a change. As we are all aware Carlow has a long established and proud equine history. A Colt is a young, male horse known for its agility, speed and spirit. It is their aim to develop these young GAA Colts into skilled, thoroughbred athletes who can compete for Carlow at the highest level.
A lot of hard work lies ahead for these boys to develop and grow both as players and young men but we are very confident that they will uphold the Carlow GAA virtues of Respect, Discipline, Hard Work and of course the Enjoyment of our national games.
Hit play below to listen to interviews with the players and trainers…
