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Banteer
Community Sports Field
Co.Cork
Duhallow Hurling Academy
Finding Inspiration in Every Turn
Welcome to the Duhallow Hurling Academy! Here, we are dedicated nurturing young talent and fostering love for the game of hurling.
With experienced and a supportive environment, we aim to develop skills,
and sportsmanship in every player.
Join us and be part of an exciting journey in the world of hurling!
Our Story
U14 North Cork Hurling Team
The Duhallow Hurling Academy is now in its 5th year, having grown from just 7 participants in its 1st year to over 130 boys in 2025.
Recognising the limited progression of hurlers from the North Cork area, particularly in Duhallow, we aimed to enhance skill development for those interested in the sport.
Our training sessions are scheduled around the post schools’ half-day on Wednesdays, complemented by additional wall-ball skill sessions on Thursday evenings during the quieter winter months.
This academy not only brings together boys from Division 2 and Division 3 clubs but also strengthens their skill sets and fosters a deeper love for hurling within the community.
Meet The Coaches
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Welcome Parents
Welcome to the Duhallow Hurling Academy! We invite parents to explore the rich history and vibrant community of Duhallow GAA where we are dedicated to promoting sportsmanship through the love of hurling.
We are delighted to launch the
Duhallow Hurling Academy Club Shop,
which will be open for one week,
at regular periods, throughout the year.
We will keep Parents informed whenever
the Club Shop opens to orders.
This is a great opportunity for players to build a sense of identity with the club; however, there is absolutely no obligation for parents or players to purchase any gear.
Things a Parent/ Guardian should know about
The Duhallow Hurling Academy
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Purpose & Growth: The Academy was launched to boost hurling in the Duhallow division, especially because football is traditionally more dominant in the area.
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Cost: This is a free Coaching Academy, however commitment to training is complusory.
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Age Range: It targets younger players — specifically U13 to U16 (roughly ages 12-15) during its weekly sessions.
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Participation: Up to ~60 players train each week at Banteer Community Sportsfield.
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High-Quality Coaching: The coaching team includes GDA (Games Development) officers and experienced coaches from local clubs.
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Club Collaboration: Players come from a variety of juvenile clubs in the Duhallow area, not just from one club.
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Improving Standards: One of the goals is to raise the standard of hurling within the division and feed talent back into the local juvenile and adult clubs.
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Competitive Pathway: Thanks to the Academy’s progress, Duhallow now has a team in the Rebel Óg U15 Premier League for 2025.
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Long-Term Vision: The academy is seen as a springboard for future representative teams, development squad opportunities, and to build a stronger hurling culture long-term.
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Commitment: There’s a regular time commitment (weekly sessions), so families should be prepared for that.
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Facilities: Training is based at Banteer Community Sportsfield.
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Volunteer Involvement: The initiative depends heavily on volunteer coaches from the community.
Dick Barrett Shield Winners 2025
Communication APP
At Duhallow Academy, we prioritize clear communication our coaches and the parents or guardians of our members.
To facilitate this, we utilize SPOND APP as our primary communication platform. This ensures that everyone stays informed about important updates, schedules, and events. We appreciate your cooperation and look forward to fostering a strong partnership for benefit of our athletes.
SPOND APP
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A free app for organising sports teams and groups
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Used for messages, updates, and team communication
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Lets coaches schedule training, matches, and events
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Parents RSVP to say if their child is attending
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Helps coaches track attendance
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Can handle payments for fees or gear (optional)
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Safe and private — no sharing phone numbers
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One parent can manage multiple children or teams
How to Set Up the SPOND App for Duhallow Hurling Academy
1. Download the SPOND App
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Go to the App Store (iPhone) or Google Play (Android).
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Search “Spond” and install it.
2. Create Your Parent Account
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Open the app and select Sign Up.
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Use your email or phone number.
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Add your full name.
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You will receive a verification code—enter it to continue.
3. Add Your Child (Required for Academy Groups)
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Go to Profile → Members → Add Child.
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Enter your child’s name and date of birth.
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This ensures RSVPs and attendance are linked correctly.
4. Join the Duhallow Hurling Academy Group
You will receive one of these from the Academy:
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A group invite link, or
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A group code (letters/numbers)
To join:
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Select the correct age group (U13, U14, U15, or U16).
Below are the direct links to the U13 PODS
5. Enable Notifications
Important so you don’t miss:
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Training changes
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Match announcements
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Schedule updates
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Weather cancellations
Go to Profile → Settings → Notifications → Enable All.
6. Respond to Training & Match Invites
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Open Events.
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Tap each session and select Accept or Decline.
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Add a note if needed (e.g., “Injured”, “Running late”).
This helps coaches plan teams, drills, and numbers.
7. Use Messages for All Academy Communication
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Coaches may send information through Messages rather than WhatsApp.
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Use this to ask questions (availability, gear, changes, etc.).
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Avoid messaging individual coaches outside Spond unless asked.
8. Multiple Children?
If you have more than one child in the Academy:
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Join each relevant age group
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Spond will keep events separate and colour-coded.
9. Payments (If Activated by the Academy)
If the Academy uses Spond for:
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Academy fees
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Gear / helmet / hurley payments
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Fundraising
You’ll find these under Payments in the app.
Pay using card within the app—simple and secure.
10. Keep Your Child’s Profile Updated
Coaches rely on accurate info:
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Medical notes
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Preferred contact
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Attendance history
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Allergies (if relevant)
You can update this anytime in Profile → Members → Child.