Tyrone bucks a trend at Summer Camps

TYRONE has bucked the trend by maintaining a high level of participation in GAA Summer Camps, despite a drop in camp attendances nationally.

The appetite for camps in Tyrone has not diminished, with the programme attracting 4,623 children in 2025.

A team of dedicated and enthusiastic coaches continues to work hard in staging the events during the summer, Easter and Halloween breaks.

Three variations of the Tyrone camps now exist - the traditional Club Tyrone Camps, Teen Camps and GAA for All Camps, reflecting a huge effort to cater for a wider range of children in the county.

“In 2025, our camps were delivered by a small, but dedicated team of coaches, without whom we would not be able to provide as we do,” said Tyrone coaching officer, Roger Keenan, in his annual report.

“To our seven members of staff, five part-time coordinators and 113 part time coaches, we extend our thanks.

"Our thanks once again to all the clubs across the county who hosted our camps, for the use of their facilities and working with the coaches to make the camps an enjoyable experience for everyone who attended.

“A total of 44 clubs hosted football camps and 4 clubs hosted hurling camps.

"One area of growth this year was the increase in clubs hosting dual camps, with Brocagh, Derrylaughan, Derrytresk and Tattyreagh stepping forward, primarily to cater for the development of hurling in their area.

“Teen Camps have continued to grow, with many parents stating the need for an outlet for children in the 12-15 age bracket during the summer.”

These camps were hosted regionally in St Patrick’s Academy Dungannon, Holy Cross Strabane and also in Garvaghey.

The camp involves high level support in the areas of skill development, athletic development, nutrition, as well as input from Ulster GAA around the ‘One Punch’ campaign.

During the school holiday periods of Easter and Halloween, Coaching and Games continue to run a series of successful camps, which are growing in popularity.

The focus remains on developing the skills for our games, with small-sided games and skill games at camps led by staff and part time coaches.

Keenan also outlined other coaching initiatives currently being rolled out in Tyrone.

“Macartan McKenna continued his role leading the Coach Education Programme, until his departure in May," he said.

"Throughout 2025, our staff and trained tutors have overseen approximately 20 Introduction to Coaching Gaelic Games (ICGG) awards in both football and hurling.

“One Level 1 course in football was delivered in January 2025 in Aghyaran and one Level 1 hurling in Garvaghey in March 2025.

"There are two more Level 1 courses planned for early 2026 and there has been an increased interest with clubs in gaining formal coach education awards.

"I would like to thank clubs for facilitating the ICGG and Level 1 sessions and to the dedicated cohort of tutors we have in Tyrone delivering the courses.”

The coachingoOfficer urged clubs throughout the county to ensure that their coaches are equipped with all the necessary qualifications.

“In Tyrone we have over 15 highly experienced and qualified Coach Developers. I would encourage all clubs to ensure their coaches are fully qualified.

"There will be a list of courses for all coaches to upskill over the off season available.”

He added that top coaches, including Tyrone senior manager Malachy O’Rourke, took part in a conference at Garvaghey at the start of the year.

“In January, Tyrone Coaching and Games ran our first Coaching Conference in a number of years. This year, with the new rules in football incoming, there was an appetite from coaches to learn as much as possible about how to coach the new rules and how they may play out.

“Malachy O’Rourke, Ryan Porter and Sean Hurson presented on the day to over 200 coaches from across Ireland on how the rules would be implemented, refereed and coached.

“In November, we ran the second conference of the year, with a shift in focus towards hurling and how to coach/manage/develop the dual player.

“Willie Maher, the GAA’s newly appointed head of Hurling, presented his experience in managing a dual player alongside Shane Hassett, Clare Senior Hurling coach and Dunloy’s Gregory O’Kane.

"Over 60 coaches from all over Ulster attended, taking key learning points in how to develop and manage the dual player.”