Sport

The 2015 GAA Player Academy at Jordanstown comes to a close

The 3fivetwo Ulster Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) Player academy 2015 launched on Monday at the Jordanstown Ulster University campus with 120 selected athletes participating in the two day event.

The players were selected from across all nine Ulster counties by showing ‘great promise’ in their chosen sport.

The current Monaghan full forward Kieran Hughes spoke to The Irish News about his experiences attending the academy: “I was big-time excited as I didn’t know many players from across Ulster, anyone I did know were from Tyrone or Armagh.

“The three-day training camp was top-notch, brilliant coaching and Sean Cavanagh came in and spoke to us, took my breath away. This is the man I was watching on television week in and week out with a couple of all-Irelands to his name, and now he’s speaking to me about how we could make a difference for our county.”

The event hosts a full range of GAA sports, such as Gaelic football and Camogie. And also includes a number of athletes with disabilities.

“The 3fivetwo Group Ulster GAA Player Academy is a fantastic initiative to develop bright young players who are showing real promise through their county development squads,” Ulster GAA president Martin McAviney said.

“We are delighted to include young handballers and wheelchair hurlers in the Academy this year, and I have no doubt the event will be a great experience for these promising young players.”

The Player Academy is sponsored by the 3fivetwo private healthcare group, who work closely with the GAA and provide a range of medical services to their players.

Group development director of 3fivetwo Mark Regan said: “This Academy identifies and develops future Gaelic stars and provides important guidance on players looking after their health, both mind and body.

“We at 3fivetwo Group are also about promoting healthy lifestyles and offer a range of medical services to GAA players, clubs and individual members.”