Government Living with Covid Plan – Attending Leitrim GAA Club Matches

Following yesterday’s Government announcement and publication of the Living with Covid Plan, the return of spectators to matches has been made possible midnight September 16, albeit under certain conditions. As a result of this announcement, a maximum of 100 supporters in total may gain access to this weekend’s Vistamed Junior Football Championships quarter-finals, semi-finals, and playoff games, given the venues that these matches are taking place. The admission fee for these games will be €5 per adult and the host club will retain the gate receipts to cover ground rent and other associated costs that accrue with hosting these games. It is not anticipated, in the main, that the attendance at these games will be in excess of the 100 persons allowed.

As regards the Smith Monumentals IFC Final and Connacht Gold SFC Final which are due to take place on 26-27.09.2020 and will be live-streamed by Leitrim GAA, the fact that these games will be scheduled for Avantcard Pairc Seán Mac Diarmada which has rated capacity in excess of 5,000, there will be a maximum of 200 spectators allowed entry to each of these finals. Each participating club will be allocated 100 tickets for sale to supporters at €15 each. It is a matter for the Executive Committee of each club to decide how these tickets will be allocated individually. There will be no tickets for sale for these matches from the officers of Leitrim GAA. There will be no admission to any supporter to these matches without a ticket. Player/Official passes will be made available to participating clubs in line with the numbers as were the case for the recent semi-final matches. Media passes for the finals will be made available on consideration of a written request to secretary.leitrim@gaa.ie.

Leitrim GAA Statement on Concluding Stages of 2020 Club Championships

A Chara,
Leitrim GAA Management Committee at its meeting last night decided that the knockout stages of the Connacht Gold Senior Football Championship, Smith Monumentals Intermediate Football Championship and in all probability at least the semi-finals and final of the Vistamed Junior A Football Championship will be played behind closed doors, while the government imposed crowd limits remain at a maximum of 200 people per outdoor venue.
While this is a decision that is bound to register immediate shock, there is a strong rationale behind it. It is widely recognised that when arriving at the concluding stages of any competition, interest levels rise accordingly. Interest in our games at group stages has been heightened in the very fact that there was such a long layoff from sporting activity and we also believe that interest levels will have risen sufficiently high enough to ensure that the current restriction of a maximum of 200 people per venue, inclusive of players and officials, will not be near enough to satisfy demand.
While we are aware that the quarter-final pairings will not be decided until after Saturday’s action, it is immaterial what the various combinations of teams may become, interest levels will naturally rise. This, almost certainly, will place club officials and county officials in a near-impossible situation as regards who will gain access to the limited number of ‘golden tickets’ in match situations which would, in all practicality, see the number of tickets available to supporters reduce from a heretofore 60 per club to a number at most 50 and probably even less when one considers the various interested parties who will naturally look to attend as our competitions move towards a conclusion. With the current crowd restrictions, it is viewed as being the fairest solution to all concerned to allow access to no supporters as distinct to having to cater for an impractical situation that would arise at the local level with regard to the distribution of these few precious tickets, and the probability of inevitable confrontation that could follow at turnstiles at venues in consideration of people who have not gained a ticket.
With this in mind, all clubs will be in receipt of 40 Player/Official Passes for the aforementioned games from the weekend of quarter-finals forward. No access will be granted to venues other than to those who hold one of these Player/Official Passes. 
To counteract this move it is the intention of the Leitrim GAA Livestream Team to extend its coverage of our games to ensure that if at all possible all games in the Connacht Gold SFC, Smith Monumentals IFC, and Vistamed Junior A Football Championship (which, in the case of the JFCA, are restricted to the closed-door policy) will be covered and transmitted live. This will involve the co-operation of CCC Liatroma whose job has been made exceedingly more difficult by this decision. This committee is currently working on a solution to ensure that this may happen. CCC will communicate with you as soon as they have an inevitable reschedule agreed. Any relegation finals in the SFC and IFC are also currently covered by this policy.
Of course, we hope with confidence that coverage of our games can also be provided by the various media outlets who have done sterling work to ensure that coverage of our games has been on a par, if not greater, in this year than any year heretofore. Media personnel will not be prevented from attending our games for obvious reasons. Media personnel may apply to secretary.leitrim@gaa.ie for an official pass and this will be granted on request.
It needs also to be stressed that while we greatly appreciate the efforts that clubs have made in the excellent live coverage of games that have not been covered by Leitrim GAA Livestream when it comes to any future games that are being streamed by Leitrim GAA, permission will not be granted to alternate sources of live feed. It has been flagged from an early stage in the provision of live footage by Leitrim GAA that this would be free for the group stages and that the policy would be changing to pay per view from knockout stages. This will remain the policy going forward and details of this platform will be posted on www.leitrimgaa.ie over the coming days. Livestreaming, while having been provided free to date, does come at a cost to Leitrim GAA and this has to be naturally covered for in transmissions from quarter-finals forward and pay per view details will follow at www.leitrimgaa.ie. It is our intention to provide access to all probable patrons via this platform and while it would not be our avenue of choice in normal circumstances, we hope you all understand that this is proving to be an increasingly challenging year.
In contemplating the groundbreaking nature of this decision, we trust that you accept that it has been made in the best interests of all concerned, given that we have to ensure the safety of all, players, officials, and supporters in the midst of a pandemic that does not seem to be going away anywhere soon.
Le gach dea ghuí
Déaglán Ó Buacháin,
Rúnaí Coiste Chontae Liatroma CLG,
Barr na Cúile,
Cora Droma Ruisc,
Contae Liatroma.

Thank you GDA Seán!!!

Leitrim GAA would like to record its heartfelt appreciation of the work that GDA Sean Gallagher has carried out with our Coaching and Games Development Department since his arrival in 2018, as heads to pastures new. Sean has been offered and is taking up a Primary Teaching position in the new school year and we wish him well with this venture.

A fully qualified Primary Teacher, Seán was successful in securing a vacant GDA position with Leitrim GAA back in 2018. In the intervening period, he has given his all to the clubs and young players under his watch. His professional approach towards the job has resulted in many seeds sown that will hopefully reap benefit for players, clubs and county into the future. He will be sorely missed.

We are really sorry to have to say goodbye to Seán, but we understand his position. We wish him the very best of luck in continuing with his teaching career, we know he’s not gone too far away and we look forward to any input or assistance he may be in a position to provide into the future.

Míle buíochas, a Sheáin.

Competition- How your Club Could Win Up To €25,000!

 

The Late Seán McCartin, 3 Church View, Aughnasheelin, and formerly Ballinamore and Drumreilly.

Leitrim GAA wishes to express its deepest sympathy to the family of the late Seán McCartin, 3 Church View, Aughnasheelin, formerly Lahard, Ballinamore, and Drumreilly, Co. Leitrim who passed to his eternal reward yesterday. Seán was a brother of the current Treasurer of Leitrim GAA Martin McCartin.

Seán will be sadly missed by his family Tracey, John, Anthony and Emer, their mother Bernie, brothers Joe, Gerry, Hugh and Martin, son-in-law, daughter-in-law, grandchildren, aunt, uncle, nieces, nephews, extended family, neighbours and friends.

Ar dheis Dé go raibh sé.

Reposing at Smith’s Funeral Home, High Street, Ballinamore, on Tuesday evening from 5pm until 8pm, in accordance with public health and government guidelines, all social distancing guidelines must be adhered to. Funeral Mass on Wednesday at 12 noon in St Patrick’s Church, Ballinamore, will be restricted to family and close friends, with burial afterward in Drumreilly Cemetery. Family flowers only please. Donations, in lieu, to North West Hospice, Sligo c/o Gorby Funeral Directors, Newtowngore.

 

 

Important Information Re: Connacht Gold SFC Round 1 Matches 18 July 2020

All matches in the Connacht Gold Leitrim SFC this weekend will be all-ticket events. This is to ensure that every effort is made to ensure that no more than a maximum of 200 people, in accordance with the government guidelines may gain access to the respective venues. This figure includes players and officials.
With regard to the above, clubs will be in receipt by hand delivery later today of the following allocation:
  • 40 Complimentary tickets to provide access for players, management personnel, officials.
  • 60 Match tickets at €10 each for general sale.
It is a matter for each club to decide how best to allocate/sale of their allocation of tickets. In the case of the away club, particularly with regard to the fact that the host club is permitted to profit of the respective takings on the day, the club will be responsible for the return of any unsold tickets to that host club in advance of the match taking place.
Tickets for these matches will cost €10 each and there will be no entry to the grounds permitted without a ticket, irrespective of the age of attendee. The normal concession towards Students/OAPS and the practice of Under 16s gaining free access to venues has been removed. 

Calling all Leitrim GAA Clubs-Kellogg launches nationwide competition with prizes worth €40,000 up for grabs for your local GAA club

 

Monday, July 6th: From Drumkeerin to Drumreilly, all Leitrim GAA clubs are in with a chance of claiming incredible prizes as part of Kellogg’s sponsorship of the Kellogg’s GAA Cúl camps. Former Donegal GAA star and TG4 Cúl Camps TV show coach, Kevin Cassidy was on hand, with his children Aoife, Nia and Fionn, to launch the on-pack competition. Kellogg, now in its ninth year sponsoring the Kellogg’s GAA Cúl Camps, has launched the nationwide on-pack promotion for all GAA clubs across the country to be in with a chance to win prizes worth €40,000 – their biggest on-pack prize offering ever.

At a time when fundraising has been limited, this provides GAA clubs with an incredible opportunity to claim great prizes through a simple mechanic. In order to nominate your club, all that is required is to pick up a promotional box of Kellogg’s Corn Flakes, Rice Krispies or Bran Flakes. Using the unique on-pack code, log on to kelloggsculcamps.gaa.ie/competition and nominate the club of choice. Kellogg understands how vital these funds are to clubs across the country and as result, they have updated the entry requirements to allow all nominations into the final draw to win one of three cash prizes – €25,000, €10,000 or €5,000. Previously, only clubs with 1,000 nominations would be entered into the final draw.

Cassidy is currently one of a number of GAA stars appearing on the GAA Cúl Camp television show on TG4 as part of this year’s Kellogg’s GAA Cúl Camps. The television show offers a new way for children across the country to get involved in this year’s Kellogg’s GAA Cúl Camps if they are unable to attend a camp in person. The show is already underway on TG4 with record viewers and airs daily at 10.25am with a repeat show at 5.15pm, ensuring nobody misses out on the mix of drills, skills, games, nutrition and wellness. The innovative addition to this year’s camps ensures that everyone can get involved as the show will be available on the TG4 player.  The show will continue to air until Friday, July 17th ahead of the return of camps on July 20th. To date, 57,801 children booked to attend a Kellogg’s GAA Cúl Camp this summer. The Kellogg’s GAA Cúl Camps are taking place in July and August with limited capacity still remaining on some camps – check out gaa.ie/kelloggsculcamps for the most up-to-date information.

Another first for Kellogg’s GAA Cúl Camps this year, is that the highly sought-after kits will be available to purchase directly from the Cúl Camps website for those unable to attend a camp this year. The newly designed kit is priced at €35 (excluding postage & packing) and contains a zip top, jersey and a backpack.

Ruth Hughes, Kellogg’s Market Head of Ireland said “We’re immensely proud to offer communities across the country the chance to win some much-needed funds for their clubs during these difficult times. The Kellogg’s GAA Cúl Camps have become a staple of Irish summers and we’re delighted to partner with TG4 and the GAA on the innovative TV show before the camps return later this month with strict health and safety measures in place.”

 

GAA Cúl Camps co-ordinator Charlie Harrison added “There has been a huge amount of work and effort gone into making the Kellogg’s GAA Cúl Camps happen this year and we are very grateful to Kellogg’s for their continued support. The amazing Kellogg competition, the physical camp offering and the TG4 show ensures everyone can get involved from collecting codes from cereal boxes to rounding up the family for some daily exercise.”

 

For more information on the Kellogg’s GAA Cúl Camps visit gaa.ie/kelloggsculcamps 

2020 Vistamed Junior C Football Championship

At its meeting on Monday night CCC Liatroma completed the draws for the Vistamed Junior C Football Championship which will comprise six teams this year. The competition will be made up of two round-robin groups in accordance with regulation. This is the first time we have had a Junior C Competition in many years and an attributing result of the rearrangement of this year’s competitions.

Vistamed Junior C Football Championship 2020

Four relegated teams from the 2019 Junior B Championship plus any additional team which did not participate in 2019 and has not been already catered for in any higher grade in accordance with these and the 2019 Regulations (to a maximum of 5 teams). This competition to be played in a single round-robin format with the top team qualifying for the final and 2 v 3 plays semi-final match. In the event of there being six teams participating, teams to be placed in two groups of three teams each. Top two teams in each group will play semi-finals (1 v 2 and 2 v 1).

Winner of JFC C in 2020 to be promoted to JFC B 2021.

 

Vistamed Junior C Championship fixtures 2020

2020 Vistamed Junior B Championship

At its meeting on Monday night CCC Liatroma completed the draws for the Vistamed Junior B Football Championship which will comprise nine teams this year. The competition will be made up of three round-robin groups in accordance with regulation.

Vistamed Junior B Football Championship 2020

5 relegated teams from Junior A 2019 (inclusive of Allen Gaels, who didn’t participate in 2019) plus Junior B Championship Finalists and semi-finalists 2019. In the event of there being 9 teams these to be grouped in three groups of 3. Top teams in each group plus the best runner up in accordance with Rule 6.21 TO 2020 shall play semi-finals, avoiding teams from the same group playing at this stage. Bottom teams of each respective group play relegation series including a semi-final and final, drawn by lot.

 

Vistamed Junior B Championship fixtures 2020

 

Leitrim 2020 Club Championship Draws take place tonight

The draws for the 2020 Connacht Gold Senior Football Championship, Smith Monumentals Intermediate Football Championship and Vistamed Junior A Football Championship take place tonight at 8pm in the McGovern Aughavas Centre of Excellence.

These draws, which traditionally take place in the presence of club officials, will take place in a much more restricted setting with only the minimum of people present in order to carry out the process. However, the entirety of the draws in all competitions will be relayed to all interested parties via Facebook Live, commencing at 8pm.

Leitrim GAA Management Committee Approves 2020 Competition Regulations

At its meeting tonight Leitrim GAA Management Committee approved the Regulations governing its 2020 Competitions. In a departure from the previous running of championship competitions, it has also decided to have two home and two away games in the round-robin match series in all championships. Clubs will retain the gates at these matches and it is hoped that this will help clubs financially in a season in which they will have had no home league games and much-reduced access to fundraising activity. All knockout games will have a winner on day scenario, apart from the championship finals. The draws for 2020 SFC, IFC, and JFC A will take place on Friday night next and will be relayed on Facebook live. At tonight’s meeting, the regulations and gradings for all Underage Competitions were approved also.

2020 Connacht Gold Senior Football Championship

Two groups of 5 with each team playing each other in round-robin series. Top four teams of each group qualify for the quarter-finals with 1 v 4, 2 v 3, 3 v 2 and 4 v 1 across each respective group. Open Draw for Semi-Finals. The bottom-placed team in each group to play each other in the relegation final with the defeated team to be relegated.

Seeding 2020

Pot A   2019 Finalists (2 Teams)

Pot B    2019 Beaten Semi-Finalists (2 Teams)

Pot C    2019 Beaten Quarter Finalists (4 Teams)

Pot D   2019 Remaining Team plus Intermediate Championship Winners 2019 (2 Teams)

2020 Smith Monumentals Intermediate Football Championship

Two groups of 5 with each team playing each other in round-robin series. Top four teams of each group qualify for the quarter-finals with 1 v 4, 2 v 3, 3 v 2 and 4 v 1 across each respective group. Open Draw for Semi-Finals. Winner of Intermediate Championship promoted to SFC 2021. The bottom-placed team in each group to play each other in the relegation final with the defeated team to be relegated.

Seeding 2020

Pot A   2019 Beaten Finalist + 3 Relegated Teams from SFC 2019 (4 Teams)

Pot B    2019 Beaten Semi-Finalists (2 Teams)

Pot C    2019 Beaten Quarter Finalists (4 Teams)

2020 Vistamed Junior A Football Championship

Two groups of 5 with each team playing each other in round-robin series. Top four teams of each group qualify for the quarter-finals with 1 v 4, 2 v 3, 3 v 2 and 4 v 1 across each respective group. Open Draw for Semi-Finals. Winner of Junior A Championship promoted to IFC 2021. The bottom-placed team in each group to play each other in the relegation final with the defeated team to be relegated.

Seeding 2020

Pot A   2019 Relegated Teams from IFC 2019 (4 Teams)

Pot B    2019 JFC A Finalists (2 Teams)

Pot C    Remaining teams (4 Teams)

Vistamed Junior B Football Championship 2020

5 relegated teams from Junior A 2019 (inclusive of Allen Gaels, who didn’t participate in 2019) plus Junior B Championship Finalists and semi-finalists 2019. In the event of there being 9 teams these to be grouped in three groups of 3. Top teams in each group plus the best runner up in accordance with Rule 6.21 TO 2020 shall play semi-finals, avoiding teams from same group playing at this stage. Bottom teams of each respective group play relegation series including a semi-final and final, drawn by lot.

In the event of there being 8 teams these to be grouped in two groups of four. Top two teams in each group shall play semi-finals (1 v 2, 2 v 1). Bottom teams of each respective group play relegation final. Defeated team

There shall no seeding in this draw.

Vistamed Junior C Football Championship 2020

Four relegated teams from the 2019 Junior B Championship plus any additional team which did not participate in 2019 and has not been already catered for in any higher grade in accordance with these and the 2019 Regulations (to a maximum of 5 teams). This competition to be played in a single round-robin format with the top team qualifying for the final and 2 v 3 plays semi-final match. In the event of there being six teams participating, teams to be placed in two groups of three teams each. Top two teams in each group will play semi-finals (1 v 2 and 2 v 1).

Winner of JFC C in 2020 to be promoted to JFC B 2021.

There shall no seeding in this draw.

As regards a schedule of when these competitions will commence you are advised of the following:

Connacht Gold Senior Football Championship and Smith Monumentals Intermediate Football Championship

Round 1 WE July 18/19

Round 2 WE July 25/26

Round 3 WE Aug 01/02

Round 4 WE Aug 08/09

Round 5 WE Aug 15/16

Quarter-Finals/Relegation Final WE Aug 29/30

Semi-Finals WE Sept 12/13

Finals WE Sept 26/27

Vistamed Junior A Football Championship

Round 1 WE July 25/26

Round 2 TBC

Round 3 TBC

Round 4 TBC

Round 5 TBC

Quarter-Finals/Relegation Final TBC

Semi-Finals TBC

Final TBC

As you may appreciate, TBC dates above will be confirmed by CCC at a later date once the final makeup of the JFC B and C is confirmed.

Leitrim Senior Hurling Championship Final WE 03/04 October.

Covid-19 Timeline Return to Play Update

The following changes to the return to activity guidelines are being made after recommendations from this morning’s Covid-19 Advisory Committee. These changes were subsequently endorsed by the GAA, the Camogie Association and the LGFA.

This week

  • Open pitches for Adult training next Wednesday, June 24th. 
  • Open for Minor and below from Saturday, June 27th.
  • Both of the above on a non-contact basis and on the understanding that players and all participants have completed the eLearning module and are following the control measures in place (health questionnaire etc).
  • On the basis of a maximum of 15 players in a designated area of the field (26 Counties) and 10 players in a designated area of the field (6 Counties).
  • Coaching numbers for underage teams to be consistent with Code of Behaviour.

From June 29th

  • Allow contact training and challenge games for all from Monday, June 29th (26 Counties).
  • We await guidance from the NI Executive in relation to 6 Counties – non-contact training in the numbers outlined above in the interim.
  • We also await clarification on what will constitute a close contact versus a casual contact.
  • Restriction on participants-only attending training sessions to be relaxed from June 29th – subject to government-specified maximum of 200 people in the ground. 
  • Allow Club Fixtures from Friday July 17th.
  • No change to inter-county dates (Sept 14th for training; competitions to start on Oct 17th as planned).
  • All control measures for players, coaches and other team personnel (completion of health questionnaire, eLearning education etc) is to remain in place until advised otherwise; dressing rooms to remain closed until July 20th
  • The Advisory Committee is considering the position in relation to other GAA buildings (such as Club bars that are serving food, Gyms, Handball alleys etc). Guidance will be provided in this context before June 29th.