Under-12 hurling championship a breeding ground for future stars

HURLING'S version of Baseball's Little League, the U-12 championship, is no more. Last Wednesday night, after 43 years of gripping excitement, Carlow's 'little All-Ireland' enjoyed its final fling as from next year on the competition will be replaced, nationwide by 1968 - FIRST FINAL The first final had a Saturday setting and ended in an exciting draw, Carlow and Leighlinbridge scoring four goals apiece, neither managing to put the sliotar over the crossbar.

• Carlow U-12 A Hurling Championship Finals 1968-2010

Carlow girls go for glory in All-Ireland Minor camogie final

CARLOW MINOR Camogie team play in the All Ireland "C" Final at Ashbourne on Saturday next.

Mount Leinster make it five-in-a-row

MOUNT LEINSTER RANGERS 1-10 BALLINKILLEN 1-05: YOU'VE ALL heard about the ' Drive for Five' orchestrated by a centre half forward whose combination of graft and craft allied to phenomenal scoring power has lit up the hurling horizon. However, on this occasion we are not referring to Kilkenny and NoHenry Shefflin but to Mount Leinster Rangers who last Wednesday evening, powered by No 11 Chris Nolan, won a fabulous fifth successive Carlow U-12 A HC title.

Naomh Brid rattle the net to take title

NAOMH BRID 8-01 MISEAL 2-03: FITTINGLY as Carlow U-12 hurling took its final curtain call in scenic Kilbride on Thursday evening the stage was adorned by a troop of excited and talented hurlers who put on a wonderful show for the enthusiastic audience. As this was the last competitive game in this age-group for the foreseeable future, nostalgia attached itself to the fixture and many of the older spectators present remembered the fact that it was St Fintan's and Parnells, two forerunners of Naomh Brid, who contested the first ever U-12 B final back in 1984.

GRASSROOTS

Kildavin / Clonegal: Kildavin / Clonegal GAA Club will hold a Monster Auction on Sunday September 26th at 2.00 p.m. in Spellman Park Complex, Kildavin. The auction is the Club's main fundraiser this year and we hope will be well supported by not only those looking for a good deal but also by people who wish to donate saleable items for the event.

Players are facing lengthy bans

TWO CARLOW GAA match officials assaulted within a week? OK, it has happened before; all over the country, but this time it happened in Co. Carlow, and it must be viewed as a very worrying development by the administration in image terms and how Gaelic games are being run in the county.