Dromintee has been named Underage Club of the Year in Armagh capping off a phenomenal year which saw them capture a record haul of juvenile trophies at county, Ulster and national level.
The club were informed today of the prestigious honour in recognition of the unprecedented success.
While the boys Under 15 squad were the trailblazers for the year capturing the quadruple of National and county Feile titles together with the Armagh championship and league titles, the club success spanned the age groups from Under 9.5 to Under 15 and also went across both genders with success for the girls at Under 12.5 and 14.5 level. Narrow defeats in both minor finals brought a degree of disappointment but are now staging posts on the development path of both squads.
The success of the club blitzes which are now renowned across the country, the gold mark programme for young volunteers and the success at school level, both primary and post primary also contributed significantly to the rational in granting the club the award.
The recognition in 2022 did not come about in twelve months alone as the foundations for the player pathway, team development and growing participation numbers have been years in the making. Central to the journey has been the structures put in place by the juvenile coaching coaching led by Aidan O’Rourke and backed by successive club executive committees under the stewardship of Ray Harris and Aidan Rice.
The success of the coaching programme at both primary schools, Dromintee and Jonesborough, has produced a lasting legacy now and Dromintee GAC has carried that forward in its provision of a conveyor belt of talent for the post primary sector at St Paul’s, Abbey CBGS, Sacred Heart, Our Lady’s, St Joseph’s Crossmaglen, St Vincent’s Dundalk and the Armagh Orchard academy where Dromintee have the highest participation rate across all the Armagh clubs.
The club culture which sees pride in wearing the club colours and off field discipline has been a notable feature which has resonated wherever the juvenile teams have represented their community and county and is something that has been noted by opposing teams and clubs near and far.
Any success for Dromintee GAC could not have come about without a deeply embedded partnership involving parents and sponsors and this award is as much recognition for their role in creating an environment in which the teams can and have realised their potential to date.
The work around club infrastructural development helps foster that environment whereby the teams can enjoy the best of facilities and support programmes such as athletic development and all of these factors help each child progress in their own way at their own pace.
Community initiatives including an acute and ongoing focus on juvenile mental health and well-being as well as addiction awareness evenings also assist in the creation of a supportive environment whereby our children can thrive and develop a sense of self confidence and self worth through what can be difficult and turbulent times.
The presentation of the award will take place in early December and club members will be forwarded photos from the night.
Dromintee GAC would like to thank each and every parent who have assisted in any small way and pay tribute to the children who have given their talents, dedication, commitment and endeavours to the club and hope that you can all feel a sense of ownership in this notable achievement
