Monday
6–7 PM
A4U17A
A5U15B
7–8 PM
A4U14A
A5U15A Girls
8–9 PM
A4Juniors
A521s
Cregmore Claregalway F.C.
Player Development
Our long-term player pathway keeps enjoyment, inclusion, learning and progression at the heart of football.
02
Player Development Structure
Our philosophy
We take a holistic, long-term approach aligned with the FAI Long Term Player Development plan. Our aim is to grow confident footballers and positive young people—with enjoyment, inclusion and learning at the centre.
“Player development and enjoyment come before winning.”
Results are secondary to quality of play, freedom of expression and learning. Young players should be encouraged to make decisions, try new things and learn from mistakes.
As players grow older, coaching becomes more team-focused—while development, inclusion and enjoyment remain at the heart of the club. Our pathway continues beyond underage football into 16+ and senior adult teams.
YOUNGER PLAYERS
Fun • Freedom • Discovery
Small-sided games, movement and maximum time on the ball.
DEVELOPING PLAYERS
Skill • Confidence • Decisions
Technique and game understanding through guided discovery.
16+ & ADULT PLAYERS
Teamwork • Performance • Results
Competitive senior football, tactical development and a clear pathway into adult teams.
Our goal: Create confident players who enjoy the game and are supported to reach their potential.
TRAINING TIMETABLE
Weekly Training Schedule
Weekly team training from Monday to Friday, followed by our Saturday Soccer Academy sessions.
Saturday Academy: 5 Sept – 19 Dec
| Time | Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6–7 PM | A4U17A
A5U15B
|
A1U12 G A+B
A2–3U13 ABC
A4U12 Boys
A5U12B
|
A4U14G
A5U15 Boys
|
A1U12 Girls
A2–3U13 ABC
A4U17C
A5U15 Boys
|
A4U11 Girls
A5U11 Boys
|
| 7–8 PM | A4U14A
A5U15A Girls
|
A1U16C
A2–3U14BCD
A4U17C
A5U16A
|
A4U17A
A5U15A Girls
|
A1U16C
A2–3U14BCD
A4U14A
A5U16A
|
A4U13 Girls
|
| 8–9 PM | A4Juniors
A521s
|
A1U16B
A2U18A
A3Ladies
A4U17B
A5U15
|
A4U16 Girls
A5U18 Girls
|
A1U16B
A2U18A
A3U17B
A4Juniors
A521s
|
— |
Tuesday
6–7 PM
A1U12 G A+B
A2–3U13 ABC
A4U12 Boys
A5U12B
7–8 PM
A1U16C
A2–3U14BCD
A4U17C
A5U16A
8–9 PM
A1U16B
A2U18A
A3Ladies
A4U17B
A5U15
Wednesday
6–7 PM
A4U14G
A5U15 Boys
7–8 PM
A4U17A
A5U15A Girls
8–9 PM
A4U16 Girls
A5U18 Girls
Thursday
6–7 PM
A1U12 Girls
A2–3U13 ABC
A4U17C
A5U15 Boys
7–8 PM
A1U16C
A2–3U14BCD
A4U14A
A5U16A
8–9 PM
A1U16B
A2U18A
A3U17B
A4Juniors
A521s
Friday
6–7 PM
A4U11 Girls
A5U11 Boys
7–8 PM
A4U13 Girls
8–9 PM
—
Saturday Soccer Academy
5 Sept – 19 Dec
Carnmore Astro
U8 Boys
U9 Boys
U10 Boys
U10 Boys
Claregalway Secondary School
U6 Boys · Indoor
U7 Boys · Outdoor
U10/11 Girls · Outdoor
U6/7 Girls · Indoor
U8/9 Girls · Outdoor
Claregalway indoor sessions exclude 3 Oct & 12 Dec.
Training times and pitch allocations shown here have been reproduced from the club training schedule supplied for this page.
THE PLAYER DEVELOPMENT PATHWAY
Five Stages. One Journey.
From a player’s first touch at U6 through to competitive senior football, there is a place to develop, compete and belong at every age.
01 • U6
Active Start
- Fun and enjoyment
- Basic movement skills
- Introduction to football
- Small-sided games
02 • U7–U10
Fundamentals
- Develop core skills
- Build game understanding
- Make decisions
- Grow confidence
03 • U9–U12
Learning to Train
- Develop technique
- Build tactical awareness
- Learn team play
- Improve physical literacy
04 • U13–U16
Training to Compete
- Performance focus
- Position-specific awareness
- Competitive purpose
- Prepare for senior football
05 • 16+
Training to Win
- Senior and adult football
- High-performance standards
- Tactical and physical preparation
- Compete, lead and achieve
Every player’s journey matters—from academy football to competitive senior teams. We support long-term development, ambition and lifelong involvement in the game.
UNDERAGE STRUCTURE IN IRELAND
FAI Small-Sided Formats
Games grow with the player. Formats are designed to maximise touches, decisions, confidence and enjoyment. GFA development games begin at U10/U11; learning and equal participation remain more important than league tables.
4v4Under 6/7Fun, movement and maximum time on the ball.
5v5Under 8/9Simple decisions, teamwork and growing confidence.
7v7Under 10/11Development games every two weeks with learning first.
9v9Under 12A supported transition towards larger-sided football.
Open the FAI football pathways guide
PLAYING FORMAT SUMMARY
U6 to U16
| Age | Format | Match | Squad | Referee | Playing time | Tables | Pitch | Goal | Ball |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| U6 | 4v4, no GK • Twin | 4 × 10 mins | 10 | No | 75% | No | 30–35 × 20m | 1 × 3m | Size 5 / 290g |
| U7 | 4v4, no GK • Twin | 4 × 10 mins | 10 | No | 75% | No | 30–35 × 20m | 1 × 3m | Size 5 / 290g |
| U8 | 5v5 • Twin | 4 × 12 mins | 12 | No | 75% | No | 40–45 × 25m | 2 × 5m | Size 5 / 290g |
| U9 | 5v5 • Twin | 4 × 12 mins | 12 | No | 75% | No | 40–45 × 25m | 2 × 5m | Size 5 / 320g |
| U10 | 7v7 • Twin | 2 × 25 mins | 16 | Yes | 50% | No | 60–65 × 35–40m | 2 × 5m | Size 5 / 320g |
| U11 | 7v7 • Twin | 2 × 25 mins | 16 | Yes | 50% | No* | 60–65 × 35–40m | 2 × 5m | Size 5 / 320g |
| U12 | 9v9 • Normal | 2 × 30 mins | 16 | Yes | 25–50% | Yes | Box-to-box | 2 × 5m | Size 5 / 370g |
| U13 | 11v11 • Normal | 2 × 30 mins | 16 | Yes | 25–50% | Yes | Full | Full | Size 5 / 370g |
| U14 | 11v11 • Normal | 2 × 35 mins | 16 | Yes | 25–50% | Yes | Full | Full | Size 5 / 370g |
| U15 | 11v11 • Normal | 2 × 35 mins | 16 | Yes | 25–50% | Yes | Full | Full | Size 5 / 450g |
| U16 | 11v11 • Normal | 2 × 40 mins | 16 | Yes | 25–50% | Yes | Full | Full | Size 5 / 450g |
Format note: Roll on / roll off substitutions apply at all ages. U11 league tables are not used in the development format.