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.

Live stream updates – new platform – live.leitrimgaa.ie

This week is the last of the free to view games as the stream team head to Annaduff GAA pitch for the Smith Monumentals Round 5 Intermediate clash between Annaduff and Gortletteragh.  The throw-in is at 7pm and we plan to go live around 6:45 with the popular pre-match build up including interviews.

For the last number of games we utilised our YouTube account but from this point on wards we will be moving over completely to our new video streaming platform which has been carefully chosen to offer the best opportunities to view games on as large a selection of devices as possible.

Last week we made available a sneak peak of the login process to allow you to start activating your accounts and familarising yourselves with the process – this was achieved by clicking on a link on this website.   A large number of people have already created their accounts which is a free account and is a relatively simple process – no credit card information is required at this stage.

This week the full blown platform is being unveiled and this weeks livestream will be available to view free of charge.  This weeks game or any future games will NOT be available on Youtube.
The link to the new home for our live streams is:   Live.LeitrimGAA.ie

All of the previous free games are already available on the new platform as we have moved them over from YouTube and they will remain free to view in their new home.

It is advisable to create your account now and view some of the previous free games to familiarise yourself with the variety of devices upon which you can view the games.  We suggest that you don’t leave it until 5 minutes before throw-in to figure out how it works !

There is a 24/7 support website available at https://support.inplayer.com/  with advise to solve most problems.   A support person is available 2 hours before throw in to assist with login issues – support@inplayer.com

As many have already found out creating an account is quick, easy, free and can be done by a simple 1 step connection to your favorite social media account like Facebook, Twitter or via a more traditional email & password combination (recommended).  Only use the social media login option if you are going to view on a device that you already use for social media.     If logging in directly on something like a Smart TV it is advisable to use the email/password combination as social media quick logins may not work.  As mentioned above credit card information is NOT required at this stage.

The video player is web browser based to provide access to as large a selection of devices as possible.  All games should be easily viewable on ios based devices like iphones, ipads,  Windows based devices like standard laptops, phones, etc,  and Android based devices like smartphones and tablets.  Basically any device that has a browser should be able to reach the platform

The video player is compatible with Chromecast & Airplay to allow you to view on your TV via your connecting device as listed above – you will need to use mirror mode which is an extra step in the process and if using an ipad/iphone to cast then you may need to utilise a 3rd party app.

Some Smart TV’s will allow streaming without any issues from within their built-in browser however chromecasting or similar is recommended – please note you will need to cast using the mirror option which is an extra step compared to the single click option with YouTube.

If you have an Android based SmartTV and not using casting then the recommend browser for streaming is PuffinTV.  For more assistance please go here.  This can also be used for all other Android devices like smartphones – please test your device’s capability well in advance of a live event.

Some quick pointers for a successful viewing experience:

  • on most devices Chrome (PuffinTV on android)  is the preferred browser to get to Live.LeitrimGAA.ie 
  • using Social Media logins may not work on some devices  – the traditional username/password is recommended especially on devices that you don’t normally use for social media
  • your broadband download speed should be in excess of 5mbs
    (as we aim to stream in Full HD* (1080p) where possible from Quarterfinals onwards    .) 
  • If a stream should fail please refresh your browser and this should help you to reconnect. 
  • if casting you will need to use the mirror screen option from your device – chromecasting or similar is the recommended approach and if using an ipad/iphone to cast then you may need to utilise a compatible 3rd party app. 
  • Try out various options well in advance of your chosen event in order to find the method that suits your device(s).

Unfortunately it is not possible to integrate YouTube into a paywall system and 6 different paywall systems were evaluated during extensive trials over a number of weeks.   We believe that we have chosen the system that offers the public the easiest access, easiest payment method and the ability to play back on the largest number of devices.  Many of the other paywall systems tested did not allow casting so watching on a small screen was the only option.  Also other systems did not adjust the speed to try and match your broadband connection speed – in a lot of cases if your broadband speed dipped then you would lose the picture.  To avoid all these issues we are using Vimeo the 2nd most popular player to YouTube and it successfully integrates with the paywall software.

Please note that the sharing of your account with others is not possible as the system is designed to detect account sharing and will block all simultaneous connections.

For any login or registration-related questions please visit:
https://support.inplayer.com/

A support team member will also available 2 hours before a scheduled live game to provide assistance.

Officials associated with Leitrim GAA will not be in a position to provide support.

Details of payed services and possible packages will be announced closer to the quarter final stage.

I hope you enjoy the new platform and advise you to test it out well in advance of next weekends game !

Brendan Doyle
IT officer

*subject to a reliable upload connection at venue

 

 

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.

Leitrim GAA Live – Free livestream of Melvin Gaels v Glencar/Manor

The ‘stream team’ is on the road again this Saturday and by coincidence it is another derby clash  in the Connacht Gold SF championship as we stream all the live action from Kinlough where Melvin Gaels take on Glencar/Manor.

This will be Melvin Gael’s final game of the group stages as they have a bye in the last round and are currently 2 to the good out of 3 games.  Glencar Manor have a clean record to date and no doubt will be looking to build on momentum – it’s a throw-in time of 7pm on Saturday evening.

The Live Scores ticker will be available bringing you the latest updates from other games across the county (subject to clubs providing twitter updates).

The match commentary will be provided by John Lynch and co-commentator is Martin McGowan and apologies to followers last week as just prior to going live we had an accidental rainwater spill on a key part of our audio system resulting in reduced quality of audio on all of our content despite our best effort to remedy the issue.  The hair dryer is nearly burnt out getting everything dry and tested for this week.

As per the previous broadcasts we will be reviewing previous rounds in both Intermediate and Senior and focusing on the progress of all teams in our in depth pre-game analysis so tune in early as we aim to go live around 6:50pm

We will be announcing our final free game from the group stages early next week.

 

 

Other Livestream plans:

A dedicated Livestream page for the group stages is now available on our website.

We will continue to bring free coverage of a game in each of the remaining rounds of the group stages subject to broadband availability.  Thanks to all of the clubs who have facilitated our efforts to date.

It is planned to have a pay-per-view service for a selection of the quarter finals on wards – more details closer to those dates.

The YouTube channel is here:  Leitrim GAA – Official

If searching for the channel on a device you need to look for ‘Leitrim GAA Official’ to ensure you have the correct account.

Looking forward to our coverage from Kinlough

 

_______________
Brendan Doyle
ITOfficer.Leitrim@GAA.ie

Leitrim Club Sponsors

The Aurivo Co-Op brand, Connacht Gold has announced its continued support for Leitrim GAA as it renews its sponsorship of the Leitrim Senior Club Championship and Smith Monumentals have also continued their sponsorship of The Intermediate Championship 2020. Míle Buíochas from all at Leitrim GAA!

2020 Leitrim GAA Supporters Club Draw Results

The delayed 2020 Leitrim GAA Supporters Club Draw took place earlier tonight in Cox’s Steakhouse, Dromod. The draw which was due to have been held on March 21 last was postponed then because of the COVID-19 crisis. We are really appreciative of the response that we have received to the rescheduled draw. Clubs, officials, and supporters really rose to the challenge of this fundraising venture which has resulted in this draw being as successful as any, considering all of the factors that have been at play this year. Very well done to all concerned.

Leitrim GAA Supporters Club Draw 2020 Results

1st Prize €5,000

Sean Flanagan, Aughawillan.

2nd Prize €2,000

Carrigallen GAA Club

3rd Prize €1,000

Shane Doheny, c/o Carmel Redican New York.

4th Prize €1,000

Enda Loughlin, Dromahair.

5th Prize 2 Nights B & B + 1 Evening Meal for 2 at Holyrood Hotel, Bundoran.

Dermot O Donohoe, Dromahair.

6th Prize 2 Nights B&B for 2 at Lough Rynn Castle Hotel

Joe McGoldrick, Dromahair.

7th Prize 2 All-Ireland Final Football Tickets

Margo Kerrigan, Glencar.

8th Prize 2 All-Ireland Final Hurling Tickets

Shane and Deirdre McGowan, Hill Street, Mohill.

9th Prize €100

Rory and Brian Redican, c/o Carmel Redican, New York.

10th Prize €100

Sean Reid, Tulcon, Mohill.

11th Prize €100

Aaron Hoare, Aughnasheelin.

12th Prize €100

Sean Reynolds, Fearglass, Gortletteragh.

13th Prize €200 Voucher, Embassy Rooms, Sligo.

Aiden Flanagan, Dromahair.

Leitrim GAA would like to congratulate all the winners and we thank all patrons who supported the draw by either buying or selling tickets over the past couple of months.

We wish to record our grateful appreciation to our sponsors, without whose assistance this venture would not be possible.

Main Sponsor – Cox’s Steakhouse, Dromod.

Other Sponsors – Westlink Coaches, Drumshanbo; Kevin Quinn, Embassy Rooms, Sligo; ScanMe Ltd. Sheila Briody, Longford; Gerry O Rourke, Longford; Gerry Murray, Sligo; Rosebank Retail Park, Carrick-on-Shannon; Lough Rynn Castle Hotel; Hollyrood Hotel, Bundoran.

 

Leitrim Supporters Club Draw

The Leitrim Supporters Club Draw From Cox’s Steakhouse Will Go Out Live Tonight After 10pm On Leitrim GAA Facebook Page. Do Tune In And Good Luck To Everyone Who Has Purchased A Ticket.

Leitrim GAA Live – Free Livestream of Allen Gaels v Leitrim Gaels

Leitrim GAA is delighted to announce that our newly formed ‘stream team’ will be back in action again this weekend for another Connacht Gold SFC game live from Shane McGettigan Park.

Following a very successful trial broadcast last week from Ballinamore we aim to bring you another quality HD production free of charge via YouTube on the local derby clash between Allen Gaels and the newly promoted Leitrim Gaels which has a throw-in time of 7pm on Saturday evening. 

The Live Scores ticker will be available bringing you the latest updates from other games across the county.  So tune in early to this free service and enjoy all the live action whilst keeping up to date with happening across Leitrim  (subject to clubs providing updates).

The match commentary will be provided once again by the very experienced John Lynch and ably assisted by co-commentator Martin McGowan – both men, as is very evident in their commentary, bring a wealth of knowledge of the Leitrim Club scene.

We will be reviewing previous rounds in both Intermediate and Senior and focusing on the progress of all teams in our in depth pre-game analysis so tune in early as we aim to go live around 6:50pm.

Match Sponsor opportunities exist for our live streams, if interested please email  info@LeitrimGAA.ie  or contact any county board officer.

 

Other Livestream plans:

A dedicated Livestream page for the group stages is now available on our website.

We will continue to bring free coverage of a game in each of the remaining rounds of the group stages subject to broadband availability.  Thanks to all of the clubs who have facilitated our efforts to date.

It is planned to have a pay-per-view service for the quarter finals onwards – more details closer to those dates.

We have released a new YouTube channel in recent weeks which complements our other Vimeo channel and this will be the home for our own live stream games for the group stages.  Please subscribe to the new channel and switch on the alerts option to notify you when we go live.

YouTube will allow you to be able to watch the games on most Smart TV’s and across most mobile devices.  If you don’t have a Smart TV consider using other devices like ChromeCast with your mobile or a Firestick to get our HD production on to your big screen.

The new YouTube channel is here:  Leitrim GAA – Official

If searching for the channel on a device you need to look for ‘Leitrim GAA Official’ to ensure you have the correct account.

Looking forward to continuing this exciting new service.

 

_______________
Brendan Doyle
ITOfficer.Leitrim@GAA.ie

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

 

Livestream of Connacht Gold SFC Round 2 Ballinamore Sean O Heslin’s v Aughawillan

We made history this evening with our first ever home-produced Leitrim GAA Live-streamed match, the Connacht Gold SFC derby encounter of Ballinamore Sean O Heslin’s v Aughawillan. A tight gripping encounter went all, the way to the wire with the home team edging out their country cousins on a 0-10 to 0-7 scoreline.

Our thanks to all at Ballinamore Sean O Heslin’s who helped with the preparations for this event and to cameraman Brian Blake for capturing the action.  He was assisted by Martin Costello who provided the expertise to enable the quality of output and by Brendan Doyle who worked behind the scenes on graphics and generally pulling all this together.   Last and by no means least our match commentary team of John Lynch and Martin McGowan who what they do best.

This production is available to playback for free here:  Video on Demand

Stay tuned for our next live stream which will be announced early next week.

Leitrim GAA Live – Free Live Stream via YouTube tomorrow

Leitrim GAA is delighted to announce that an in-house  ‘stream team’ has been assembled to live stream select games from the Connacht Gold SFC and Smith Monumentals Championships up to and including quarter finals in the Senior Championship and the semifinals in the Intermediate championship.  This complements the earlier announcement of Leitrim GAA’s partnership with Nemeton for the concluding stages of the Senior & Intermediate championships.

We start a trial broadcast tomorrow evening from Páirc Sheáin Uí Eislin where we will  bring you live coverage via YouTube on the local derby clash between Ballinamore Sean O Heslin’s v Aughawillan.

The match commentary will be provided by the very experienced John Lynch and ably assisted by co-commentator Martin McGowan – both men bring a wealth of knowledge of the Leitrim Club scene.

We aim to bring free coverage of a game in each of the remaining rounds of the group stages subject to broadband availability.  It is planned to have a pay-per-view service for the quarter finals onwards – more details closer to those dates.

We have released a new YouTube channel in recent weeks and this will be the home for our own live stream games for the group stages.  Please subscribe to the new channel and switch on the alerts option to notify you when we go live.   YouTube will allow you to be able to watch the games on most Smart TV’s and across most mobile devices.

The new YouTube channel is here:  Leitrim GAA – Official

A link will also be available tomorrow evening via the homepage of this website.

Looking forward to providing this exciting new service.

________________
Brendan Doyle
ITOfficer.Leitrim@GAA.ie

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.