Leinster GAA U-13 & U-15 Cross County Football & Hurling Leagues 2019

A chara,

In 2019 once again, our Leinster GAA Games Development Committee chaired by Iar-Uachtarán Liam O’Neill, aim to provide more games, more games of a similar standard and also to lengthen the playing season around the province, therefore giving players more exposure to GAA for longer each year. In doing this we aim to increase participation, combat drop off and improve standards.

Due to the heavy snow in the early part of 2018, when the country came to a standstill we lost a full round of games which made it very difficult to complete some competitions. There is nothing any one could have done about this, but some later games were called off due to rain and unplayable pitches and we want to try avoid this in 2019. Taking this into consideration, we have taken the step that should a venue be unplayable, Leinster GAA will be block booking a number of astro turf venues throughout the province, which will be the alternative venue for any game which falls foul to the weather.

With the above change and the alterations from your feedback regarding deposits, gradings and distance travelled in the last two years, we endeavour to have a more definite calendar which provides games for players and clubs in the early part of the year.

Competition Structures

  • We have decided based on feedback this year to divide all teams into divisions in the North and South of the Province based on gradings advice from our County Coiste na nÓgs. Each division will be made up of groups of four, therefore giving each club three games at their own standard in their region. Following this, the top team in each group will proceed to the Provincial Cup semi-final and finals day and the second placed team in each group proceed to the Provincial Shield semi-final and finals day. This allows us to cut down on travel and try to provide games of a similar standard throughout the competition.

i.e. Cup Semi Finals:       1st place in Div 1 Group A vs 1st place in Div 1 Group B

1st place in Div 1 Group C vs 1st place in Div 1 Group D

i.e. Shield Semi Finals: 2nd place in Div 1 Group A vs 2nd place in Div 1 Group B

2nd place in Div 1 Group C vs 2nd place in Div 1 Group D

  • 2 points for a win, 1 point for a draw, 0 points for a loss
  • Head to head followed by score difference to decide placings
  • Leinster GAA and home teams County Board are responsible for appointment of referee
  • All games will be fixed for Saturdays, u13 at 1pm and u15 at 2.30pm, but should both clubs agree an alternative date the home team are responsible for appointment of a replacement referee for the refixture and notify Leinster CCC of all changes.
  • Home team responsible for payment of €35 to referee
  • All results to be returned by home team to hannah.horan.leinster@gaa.ie on the day
  • All refixed games must be played before 10th of March, league standings will be decided on 10th of March
  • All semi-finals and finals to be played as part of Leinster GAA Cross County Finals Festivals at Centres of Excellence throughout the province.
  • All teams must pay a deposit of €250 to enter and must play all games to receive a refund

Playing rules

U-13

  • u13 is 13-a-side but provision can be made for games to be 11-a-side if the need arises
  • All games 30 minutes per half
  • u13 size 4 football & sliotar to be used
  • u13 to use small goals and pitch size from 13m line to opposite 13m line. Full width.
  • Unlimited substitutions

U-15

  • u15 is 15-a-side but provision can be made for games to be 11/13-a-side if the need arises
  • All games 30 minutes per half
  • u15 size 5 football & sliotar to be used
  • u15 Full size pitch
  • Unlimited substitutions
  • Note: We are Asking the “Home Clubs” for all fixtures to make contact with their opposition at this stage with a view to finalising details for all games (Note – the 3rd Round of Games 3 v 1 and 2 v 4 will be at a neutral venue where travel time is exceedingly long – as per note on original email).Every effort was made to keep travel time for games to a minimum, but given relative standards between Clubs and geography of entries this was a challenge. 

DATES:
U-13 & U-15 Cross County Football Leagues
Round 1 – Saturday, 2nd February 2019
Round 2 – Saturday, 9th February 2019
Round 3– Saturday, 23rd Febuary 2019
Finals Festivals – Saturday, 16th March 2019

U-13 & U-15 Cross County Hurling Leagues
Round 1 – Saturday, 16th February 2019
Round 2 – Saturday, 2nd March 2019
Round 3– Saturday, 9th March 2019
Finals Festivals – Saturday, 23rd March 2019

Please note no team will be entered until the deposit of €250 (made payable to Leinster GAA) is posted to Hannah Horan, Cross County Leagues, Áras Laighean, Portlaoise, Co. Laois