On Saturday the 22nd of June from 11am-4pm in the SBI HQ in Carlow, SBI held a special team training day with our National Coach PJ Nolan and Pro Snooker player Aaron Hill to help prepare our players for the 2024 Celtic Junior Challenge which be held in Wales on Saturday the 29th of June in Terry Griffiths Matchroom Llanelli South Wales.
The 2024 Team
This event features the top six Under 14 and the top six Under 16 players in this annual Junior Celtic Challenge against the Welsh. The team for 2024 Joe Shannon Team Captain, Lorcán Ó Curraoin, Max Kennedy, Aaron Donnelly, Oscar Ellison Gibbons, James Stewart O Reilly, Cathal Horgan, Liam Dunne, Scott Cooke, Cormac Crowe, Aaron Horan and Luke Mundy.
National Coach PJ Nolan will be at the event in Wales and PJ will be the Team Coach/Manager for this event. Wales are the defending Champions after they beat Ireland in Carlow in 2023.
Coaching on the Day
Aaron was invited to this junior training camp to pass on advice to the young Irish Stars of the future. Aaron played all the players in mini games during the day and it was a great day of learning for our young players as only a few years ago, Aaron himself was captain of the last winning Celtic Challenge Team in Wales.
Latest Coaching Aids
PJ held session on Break-Building, Safety, Long Potting and Technique checks. The latest training aids were used to help to get the players on the line of aim and develop a smoother stroke in their delivery.
- The Master Doctor
- Q-Line
- Str8aim G-5 & SA-2
- Chris Henry Balls
- Academy laser
- EBSA Coaching Balls
All the players played a match against Aaron Hill and the the players played some drills to imporove cue ball control, safety and long potting. Aaron was very impressed with the safety play of our young stars.
SBI President Jim Leacy was in attendance today at the camp and he also wished our players the best of luck in Wales and he hoped all the players really enjoy the event in playing for Ireland and wearing the Irish waistcoat.
SBI would like to thank Aaron Hill for coming up to play and motivate our young stars of the future. It was a great day of training and SBI hope all the players enjoyed the camp and we wish them good luck over in Wales.
Full Travel Details
- Dates – Friday 28th, Saturday 29th & Sunday 30th June
- Venue – Terry Griffiths Matchroom Llanelli South Wales
- Departure time from Rosslare is 19:30 on the 28th June
- Irish Team and Supporters to meet at Reception at Rosslare Harbour at 18.00
- The return Departure time is 14:00 on Sunday 30th June
- The players boat and hotel Costs covered by SBI on a twin-sharing basis.
- All players must be accompanied by a Parent or Guardian
- Travel by Boat to Fishgaurd from the Rosslare Euro-port in Wexford
- Ferry Crossing time 4 hours
- Hotel – Sessile Oak hotel Llanelli
- All Hotel / Ferry bookings for SBI players/parents done through SBI
- Hotel Cost is approx. £110 for a twin room per night.
- All players to wear White Long Sleeve Shirts/ Black Pants and Shoes and Bow-Tie plus National Team Waistcoat
- Boat cost as foot passenger group rate is approx. €60 per adult and €40 per U-16
Travel from Wales to Llanelli and back to Ferry will be arranged by Welsh association
The Under 16 Team with Aaron Hill
The Under 14 Team with Aaron Hill
Good luck Team Ireland
