Leitrim GAA Supporting Others Fundraising May 16 Update

We are actively promoting the Leitrim GAA Supporting Others Fundraising Drive which is scheduled for Saturday next May 16.

To update you on the event we have set up a dedicated Facebook page to which we are encouraging supporters who will hopefully join the event on Saturday to post pictures of your participation in this event. The dedicated page is at  www.facebook.com/LeitrimGAASupportingOthers/

With regard to the beneficiaries of this fundraising venture, Pieta House and Sláinte 2020, while the majority of people here would be aware of the excellent services being provided by the Dublin based unit, perhaps less is known of Sláinte 2020 which is a partnership consisting of The Aisling Irish Centre, Emerald Isle immigration Centre, New York GAA, New York Irish Centre and United Irish Counties, five long-established Irish not-for-profit organizations that have solid reputations, strong track records and are well known and trusted by members of the Irish community. In April Sláinte 2020 has launched its fundraising website. It plans to harness the collective reach of well-known and long-standing Irish organizations to maximize fundraising to assist individuals and families adversely impacted by the COVID-19 crisis.

Already gaining much momentum, Sláinte 2020 has raised over $150,000 in three weeks, with an additional $15,000 pledged. Of this, $148,000 has been allocated in grants to date. A thorough review process ensures that all recipients demonstrate verified financial need. While this is a great start, the volume of applications pouring in indicates an even greater need for support in the Irish community than that originally anticipated. They have received over 450 applications in three weeks and estimate that $400,000 would be required just to meet current requests for support. Given that Sláinte 2020 is now receiving on average 30 applications per day, they project that goal figure to increase considerably in the coming weeks. Although construction work may resume shortly in New York, approximately TWO-THIRDS of their applicants work in the hospitality sector. Any financial reprieve for that sector in the foreseeable future is likely to come slowly and prove sorely inadequate to counter great hardships threatening them and their families.

At Leitrim GAA we have established very strong links with the Irish community over the years and indeed on our four trips stateside since 2003 to play in Connacht SFC in Gaelic Park. Our Main Team Sponsors Seamus and Caitríona Clarke are heavily involved in Sláinte 2020 and we view this fundraising effort as an opportunity to send something back.

We look forward to your participation on Saturday & our donation link is below.

 

Brendan (Benny) Meehan RIP

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Leitrim GAA would like to express its sympathy on the sudden death of Brendan (Benny) Meehan.

Brendan, a former club player with Kiltubrid passed away suddenly at his parents’ residence, surrounded by his loving fiancée Shauna and heartbroken parents, Brian and Ann.

He will be sorely missed by his sisters and brother Deirdre, Kevin and Mairead, sister in law Niamh, brothers in law Mark and Christopher, nieces and nephews Lauren, Leona, Liam, Ciara and Ryan. Also missed by Shauna’s family, Christina, Michael, Ciara, Raymond and Granny Anna, aunts, uncles, cousins, extended family and a large circle of friends.

Brendan is a nephew of Leitrim GAA Insurance Officer PJ Meehan.

Ar Dheis De go raibh sé.

 

Leitrim Senior Players Announcement

Watch this space at 10am tomorrow for details of a Charity Fundraising Venture devised by Leitrim GAA Senior Players involving current and former players, officials, supporters, all families, and friends.

COVID 19 Update GAA MEDIA RELEASE

The GAA notes and welcomes the plans published by the government last Friday and some of the dates included relating to the possible return of sporting activity, including Gaelic games.

The Association will attempt to seek clarity around some of the issues that have arisen in internal discussions since last Friday including the challenge of social distancing in contact sport.

GAA facilities are to remain closed as part of efforts to prevent gatherings which breach the restrictions.

We are instructing our clubs and counties to continue to adhere to the restrictions and to refrain from organising on-field activity. These measures are expected to remain in place until July 20.

We will continue to monitor the dates and timelines as revealed by the Government and our arrangements will remain under constant review.

Our units are reminded that the Player Injury scheme is suspended and will remain so until an official return to action protocol is confirmed.

The GAA still firmly hopes to be able to play county and club competitions this year, subject of course to public health guidance. We can confirm however that no inter-county games are expected to take place before October.

Counties are asked, in the interest of players, to suspend all inter-county training until further notice. There will be a phased resumption of training at both club and county level to allow players to prepare appropriately for playing games.

While not categorically ruling out the possible staging of games behind closed doors later in the year, there appears to be a lack of appetite for this type of fixture-scheduling at the current time across the wider Association.

The GAA can also confirm the appointment of a dedicated Covid-19 Advisory Group which will advise the Association on matters relating to return to play protocols and other similar issues.

The members of this group are as follows:

Shay Bannon (Chairman) – existing Chairman of Health and Safety group

Dick Clerkin (existing Chairman of Medical Scientific and Welfare Committee)

Dr Pat O’Neill (Dublin)

Dr Kevin Moran (Donegal)

Dr Jim O’Donovan (Limerick)

Dr Seán Moffatt (Chair of Gaelic Medical Association and Mayo team doctor)

Paul Flynn (CEO Gaelic Players Association)

Stephen Mc Geehan (Head of Operations, Ulster GAA)

Tony Mc Guinness (Events and Safety Manager, Croke Park)

Sinéad McNulty (CEO An Cumann Camógaíochta)

Helen O’Rourke (CEO Ladies Gaelic Football Association)

John Horan (Uachtarán CLG)

Tom Ryan (Ard Stiúrthóir CLG)

Feargal Mc Gill (Director of Player, Club and Games Administration)

The outcome of this group’s work will be a graduated approach, informed and guided by the recently published Government Roadmap and by Government policy from Stormont.

Our units have played an important role in the community effort against the pandemic and we thank all of our members for their role in this to date.

We also underline the importance of continuing to adhere to the guidelines to ensure that the country as a whole meets its targets in the coming weeks allowing us to make progress and facilitate a return to games when it is safe to do so.

Leitrim COVID-19 Community Response Well Being Pack

This week An Post will be delivering the Community Response Well Being Pack to elderly people. This is an excellent resource to help keep people occupied during these times.

The pack includes a new physical activity initiative, featuring eight daily exercises over a four-week period, primarily aimed at older adults who are cocooning. It is being launched by HSE Community Physiotherapy in partnership with the Age-Friendly Alliance, Sport’s Partnerships, Local Authorities and Public Participation Networks across Donegal, Sligo, Leitrim, Cavan and Monaghan – Community Healthcare Organisation Area 1. Older people can follow this programme in Leitrim by tuning into Shannonside-Northern Sound FM Let’s Talk Programme.

A link to the Physiotherapy Programme HSE COMMUNITY PHYSIO LEAFLET Leitrim

Leitrim GAA Launches ‘It’s Good to talk GAA’

Leitrim GAA launches new initiative in response to Covid-19, It’s Good to Talk GAA

Leitrim GAA, working closely with Leitrim County Council, Leitrim Sports Partnership, Leitrim PPN and Leitrim Age Friendly embark on an initiative that hopefully make a difference to people who may be feeling very isolated and alone in these restricted times. People 70 and over have been ‘cocooning’ and thereby confined to the limits of their four walls over these past number of weeks, and while this evening’s news will have come as welcome relief of sorts, they will still remain largely confined. For many, the trip to the shop, the church and the local football pitch was a way of life and a daily or weekly event and these trips are still a long way off.

In this regard, Leitrim GAA wishes to offer a service that may be a degree of respite to those who are missing their GAA in particular. Inspired by a move made by former Mayo footballer David Brady, we in Leitrim GAA invite, that if there is someone in your area who would like a call from a person in Leitrim GAA, be that a current or former player or official, we will endeavour to have that connection made. It may seem like very little but to a person who is isolated and may have nobody to talk to this might brighten their day or week, particularly if it a special occasion their lives. The people of Leitrim in this age category have contributed enormously to what we have to enjoy today. We would like to offer something little back in return.

Leitrim GAA’s Poster will be included in a Well Being Pack that the Leitrim COVID-19 Community Response Forum will this week be sending out to 1,500 older people as part of its ‘In This Together’ campaign which aims to assist them to Stay Connected, Stay Active and look after their Mental Wellbeing throughout the COVID-19 Emergency.

The pack includes a new physical activity initiative, featuring eight daily exercises over a four-week period, primarily aimed at older adults who are cocooning. It is being launched by HSE Community Physiotherapy in partnership with the Age-Friendly Alliance, Sport’s Partnerships, Local Authorities and Public Participation Networks across Donegal, Sligo, Leitrim, Cavan and Monaghan – Community Healthcare Organisation Area 1. Older people can follow this programme in Leitrim by tuning into Shannonside-Northern Sound FM Let’s Talk Programme.

Also included in the pack are quizzes, word games, gardening tips, healthy eating plans and adult colouring to keep our minds and bodies active as well as some goodies such as healthy treats or seeds.

If there is anybody who think might like to avail of Leitrim GAA’s offer, contact secretary.leitrim@gaa.ie or call 0876888978. Alternatively, you may call Leitrim Covid 19 Helpline on 1800 852 389

Pictured at the launch earlier today at McGovern Aughavas Leitrim GAA Centre of Excellence are Cathaoirleach Leitrim GAA Enda Stenson and Rúnaí Declan Bohan.

 

Problem Gambling Support Resources

Individuals with gambling problems may be more servery impacted from Covid-19 due to stress, financial worries, job losses, lack of other social outlets, etc. This can be the case for those who are recovering from a gambling addition as well as those currently experiencing symptoms. This week we hosted a webinar with Oisín McConville, Justin Campbell and Niall McNamee focusing on this topic. Attached you will find the presentation that was given on the evening and a sample club gambling policy. You can also find a link to problem gambling supports here: Problem Gambling Supports. A link to the webinar will also be made available and circulated next week.

 

 

Covid-19: Resources for Older Adults

Following on from previous articles we will be now issuing our communications in a more streamlined and targeted approach to ensure that you are not being overwhelmed with information. Today’s communication is directed specifically for older adults. We have pulled together multiple resources relating to this population group and have put them into one document for you. Please feel free to circulate this document throughout your own networks. It will also be available to view on a new page on our website which can be accessed here; Supporting our members, communities and volunteers during Covid-19

Coivd-19 Supports and Resources – Some More Useful Information

We hope that you all had a lovely Easter. Please find a number of additional supports and resources below that may be of interest to yourselves and your networks;

SHINE YOUR LIGHT

Just a wee message to let you know that The Lights at Leitrim The Centre Of Excellence at Annaduff will be turned on tonight at 9pm as part of the “Shine Your Light” campaign. We encourage you to join with us by lighting up your home with a Candle or other such lights for all who are sick, all who have lost their lives and the loved ones who are grieving their loss at this very challenging time  – Please be mindful of Fire Safety at all times!

COVID-19 RESOURCES

Our Health and Wellbeing is very important and as we approach the long weekend please see below and attached a number of resources that may be beneficial for you to share with your networks;

 

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Covid-19 Correspondence for GAA Units – Aibreán 3 2020

Latest Update from Tomás Ó Riain and Seán Ó hÓráin Croke Park

We hope you, your families, members and friends are keeping well since we were last in touch.

Thank you for your ongoing support and attached are further guidelines addressing some of the issues that have been raised by our clubs and counties recently.

Included is advice and updates around the following:

  • Pitch maintenance (which is permitted within certain guidelines)
  • GAA Volunteer guidelines for all Volunteers (both 26 and Six Counties)
  • Emergency template for access to GAA facilities
  • Individual county by county contact numbers for Local Government Community Support (only 26 Counties set up at this point)
  • An open letter to our members
  • Latest HSE advice and information

Yesterday the Irish government launched the ‘Community Call’ initiative which aims to encourage everyone to assist those in need of help in their immediate locality.

The GAA’s ‘Club Together’ Initiative with SuperValu and Centra falls under the auspices of this government plan and much of the information provided along with this email relates back to the Government programme.

While of immediate relevance to our units operating in the 26 counties, much of it is applicable to all of our units.

The most successful and best attended GAA games development initiative each year is our Kelloggs Cúl Camps programme.

In this regard the association is committed, and planning is ongoing, to provide a Cúl Camp programme in 2020 for our young Gaelic games enthusiasts over the summer.

We are looking forward to arrival of 172,000 kits starting the end of April.

For more and regular updates stay in touch with our website.

Once again, we would like to re-iterate our gratitude to you all for helping us and the country as a whole at this challenging time.

The community spirit shown across a raft of different but equally vital initiatives and the adherence to the government guidelines has been hugely important in our collective efforts to deal with the Covid-19 outbreak.

As ever, queries can be sent to communcations@gaa.ie.

We appreciate there is a considerable amount of information attached with this email and while all of it may not be relevant to every GAA unit, club and county officers can decide what is of most use to them and their members and use accordingly.

Please stay safe and continue to play your part with social distancing, cocooning and coughing/sneezing etiquette.

Go raibh maith agaibh,

Tomás Ó Riain      Seán Ó hÓráin

Ard Stiúrthóir         Uachtarán

 

AS and Uachtaraěn Message

Covid 19 Home Crime Prevention Advice

GAA Covid-19 GAA 26 Counties

Framework for Community Support-Information Leaflet (1)

Essential Works and Property Checks

Covid-19 Club Emergency Poster

COVID_19 Comm Response Contact Info

COVID_19 Advice gov volunteer supports