Photo: Sligo GAA
The county’s U21s, now being managed by Mike Solan, have a busy January to look forward to. For the last few years the U21s have taken part in the Hastings Cup but for 2016 they’ll be competing for the newly established U21 North West Cup. Also taking part in the new tournament are Sligo, Donegal and Fermanagh.
The competition was launched the other day at the Sligo Centre of Excellence in Scarden, at which the trophy to be used for it was handed over. This was kindly donated by the McPartland family in memory of the late Mary Mc Partland, an avid GAA supporter. The photo above was taken at the launch earlier in the week.
The fixtures facing the U21s in this competition are as follows:
- Fermanagh v Mayo, 2nd January at Belcoo;
- Mayo v Sligo, 9th January at James Stephens Park, Ballina;
- Donegal v Mayo, 16th January at Ballybofey;
- Cup and Shield Finals, 23rd January at Sligo Centre of Excellence.
I’ve no idea, I’m afraid, about throw-in times for any of these matches.
Further details on the competition are on the Mayo GAA website – here.
be great if they finished the club u-21 before sending the county team into action
Has the Hastings cup been scraped or what’s the story? I’ve heard very little about it.
I’d doubt it was scrapped, was a decent comp! 3 away games for the 21s. Hell of a pre season but it’s good in the lead up to the championship. 4 games in total which is very good for Solan to get to know his squad
But, again, the structure needs to be looked at. Be far better served if you had to grade players. IE grade either for senior or u21 by the 1st Feb. Not both. And that goes for club and county. For one, it leaves a gap for other lads to develop, widening the development potential. Secondly, cuts out burnout. Too much football. It’s insane
Mayo.Mick,
The Hastings Cup has returned to what it originally was, a north midlands tournament involving neighbours of organisers Longford. It expanded greatly, particularly in recent years, but as Croke Park tries to keep a size on tournaments to avoid excess games it had been brought back to its original size. The NW cup fills the gap for the NW counties.
Ah well, was hoping the Fermanagh game would be in Brewster Pk. Would have gone…then again Belcoo is only 20 mins drive from the future in-laws. They might let me out to see it 🙂
F’Deelin, Belcoo is closer than Enniskillen to Mayo, via Sligo take road to Dromahair and Manorhamilton and swing a left in Blacklion and cross the bridge.
GAAloopy,
You are going round the world for sport if going via Drumahair.
You should take the N16 from Sligo direct to Manorhamilton/Blacklion/Belcoo.
Coming from Mayo cross the bridge in Sligo on the relief road, then take the second right N16. Turn left at the next lights for N16 Manorhamilton/Enniskillen. Straight on through Manorhamilton to Blacklion and left across the bridge for Belcoo. Belcoo GAA is off the Garrison road, turn left in centre of Belcoo. [There is also a pitch in Blacklion, Shannon Gaels GAA, Co Cavan]
Thanks for that info AndyD.
Andy D, do not go into sligo at all, after Colloney junction go to Balisodare roundabout and go right to Ballygalley/Castle Darkan road to dromahair and then through glenfaren passing the famous rainbow dance hall, you will save a fortune in time to manorhamilton, the sligo manorhamilton road is lethal with ice in January. If anybody is coming from Dublin avoid Enniskillan and head for Ballyconnell. Local knowledge!!!
Hastings cup 2016 is back to its old format of two groups of 4.
Leitrim,Longford,Offaly,Wicklow
Cavan,Roscommon,Meath,Westmeath
Laois running a U21 tournament of their own. Again two groups of 4.
Laois,Wexford,Down,Tipp
Carlow,Kildare,Galway,Clare
Yes GAAloopy, but I’ll be in Enniskillen for New Years! And on the Mayo Gaa website, I see it’s fixed for Belleek. Which coming from Mayo one would be better travlling to Ballyshannon and folliw the signs from there.
GAAloopy,
You are far more likely to meet floods and diversions on the road you suggest, south of Lough Gill, than frost on any other road in the area. Sligo is not exactly the Arctic and the two roads suggested are only a few miles apart. In any case if going via Drumahair you will be joining the N16 at or before Manorhamilton and Glenfarne [and the Ballroom of Romance] is on the way to Blacklion/Belcoo. I am a long time in the area and believe in keeping things simple.There is also a great chance of getting lost on those rural roads unless you are a good map reader or know the area.
If coming from Dublin then take the N3 to the border, continue on [the A509] through Derrylin, veer left for Kinawley and on to the Enniskillen – Swanlinbar road A32, turn right for Enniskillen for a few miles before turning left at Florencecourt and going straight on to Blacklion, then turning right across the bridge for Belcoo. The Ballyconnell road [N87] is a much poorer road [unless you want to dine in the Slieve Russell on your way].
Of course if it is fixed for Belleek its a different story. Then it’s via Ballyshannon for Mayo [although Bundoran/Ballyshannon is now bypassed] and via Enniskillen form Dublin, keeping south of the Erne all the way [A509 and A46]
jaysis lads I hope we dont get the weather ye are expecting or its hard to see how the U21s will fulfill this fixture at all whether they go through ballygawley or florencecourt.
MASSIVE YEAR IN U21 for Mayo , MASSIVE !!!
the successful minor teams will come into this bracket for the next two years , they need to be brought to the next level !
MASSIVE !!!
Did I mention what a big year this is for our U21s?
Massive year for everyone! Merry Christmas to all you bloggers. Tiocfaidh ar la.
Keep the faith.
Have a very happy Christmas, and peaceful new year, they say it is better to give than receive, well WillieJoe you give great pleasure and information on this site,I don’t know how you do it but you do , long may it continue
Hi All,
Just a quick message to wish you and all your families a very happy and peaceful Christmas and all the very best in 2016. I am really looking forward to a great year of football and I am also looking forward to a spin to Kilkenny cheers to you all and talk soon.
Kind Regards,
Martin the Dub
A merry Christmas to one and all.. And all the best for 2016