Covid-19 Update – Safe Return to Gaelic Games

The GAA, An Cumann Camogaíochta and the LGFA have today published a plan for a safe return to Gaelic games for the three organisations.

The plan is the work of a specially appointed Advisory Committee, which included representatives of all three bodies, the GPA and a number of medical experts (see below for committee members).

It offers a route back to activity, subject to the government timelines being achieved in the weeks and months ahead.

It is broken down into sections covering Medical Advice; Preparing for a Safe Return; Information for Players and Team Personnel; Summary and Checklist; Roadmap for Return to Activity

Some of the stand-out elements of the report include:

· A gradual return to on-field non-contact activity in Phase Three of the Government plan in small groups.

· The need for an online education programme and new measures around temperature checking and completed documentation before training and games.

· A return to contact sport on July 20.

· Provisional windows for club activity and the return of inter-county training and competitions.

The document mirrors the Government roadmap and outlines the opt-in approach of the wider Gaelic games family regarding a possible return to activity and play.

It is being distributed to all units today with a view to providing them with time to put in place the necessary arrangements to facilitate a return to activity.

The complete news article from GAA.ie is located here

Avantcard Páirc Seán Mac Diarmada

Vote for Leitrim’s Dream Team 2000-2020 with Leitrim Observer

The Leitrim Observer, over the past few weeks, has been building up to the readers’ selection of the Leitrim Dream Team 2000-2020. The selection has been narrowed down to three players for each of the 15 positions and polling closes on Friday, June 12 at 5pm. This venture, in association with Leitrim GAA, is sure to arouse much debate and if you want to have your say you may access full details here

 

 

1991 All Ireland SFC Final Down v Meath- Referee Seamus Prior

The GAA website is currently hosting the 1991 All Ireland final between Down and Meath. Now apart from Down winning their 4th title the occasion was made even more memorable because The ‘Man with The Whistle’ was none other than Aughnasheelin/Leitrim Referee Seamus Prior. To date, Seamus is the only Leitrim referee to have had the privilege of taking charge of a Senior Football Championship Final. The game can be viewed on GAA.ie here

GAA MEDIA RELEASE Covid-19 Update

The GAA continues to monitor closely the ongoing pandemic and the Government’s roadmap relating to the relaxation of restrictions.

The Association notes that we remain in Phase One and await an update about the possible move to Phase Two on June 8, as outlined by the authorities.

Should the country move to Phase Two as planned, GAA Clubs will be able to re-open designated walking tracks on June 8, subject to engagement with Croke Park around a facilities management plan.

We do not envisage a return to training in small groups in Phase Two and pitches and playing areas are to remain closed. However, as per the government roadmap, this may be reviewed in Phase Three.

The GAA can also confirm that it will publish its Return to Safe Activity Document when the government signals that the country has moved to the second phase of its plan.

This document will require approval from the government’s own expert group on Return to Sport, which we continue to work with. This group currently considers Gaelic games a ‘Phase 4’ sport.

Progress has also been made in re-configuring the 2020 GAA Kelloggs’ Cúl Camps and subject to the country moving onto the next phase of its recovery, we will provide more details about this initiative.

The GAA has stuck rigidly to the government’s plan and dates from the outset of this outbreak and will continue to do so, taking advice from medical experts and our own Advisory Committee.

We re-affirm our position that no one is keener to return to games and general games-related activity but this will only be considered when it is acceptable to do so to maximise the safety and well-being of our players, members and wider society.

#LeitrimGAASupportingOthers Prize Winners

Leitrim GAA would like to again thank everybody for their great generosity towards its #LeitrimGAASupportingOthers Fundraising Campaign that has been running over the past two-plus weeks. We hope the beneficiaries are pleased with the efforts of the Leitrim Players and Management in promoting and delivering on this great team effort.

As promised, we have conducted the draw for the various prize winners in the remote presence of Leitrim Senior Footballer Ryan O Rourke, Administrator Brian Blake and Secretary Declan Bohan. The lucky winners are as follows:

Signed Leitrim GAA Jersey: Brendan Flynn

Leitrim Training Top(Yellow): Sean Reynolds

Leitrim Training Top(Black): David Mulligan

As the names were recorded exactly as they were entered by you on the GoFundMe page associated with this event, in order that you can claim your prize you need to contact Leitrim GAA Secretary, Declan Bohan, at secretary.leitrim@gaa.ie, with evidence of your personal donation receipt and the prize will be yours.

Míle Buíochas arís.

 

Thank you very much from #Leitrim GAASupportingOthers

It’s been a week since #LeitrimGAASupportingOthers brought together many Leitrim Players, current and past county players, club players, supporters young and older, female and male alike, right across the globe in unity to raise money for very worthy causes. What commenced as an initiative and was driven by the current Leitrim Senior Football Team and Management became very much a team effort, with a vigorous media campaign leading into the weekend and the intensity of that campaign drove the message home to such a degree that the initial €10k target was more than doubled by this weekend and has concluded at €20,415!

The organising committee and Leitrim GAA is really indebted to all who made contributions to this cause and you will be pleased to know that we will be making a donation of €5k to each of Pieta House and North West Stop with the remaining balance being presented to Sláinte 2020. The two Irish organisations, Pieta House and North West Stop provide an excellent service in the provision of help to people who are facing mental health challenges and we appreciate the efforts they make to help those in need. Sláinte 2020, is New York based and has only recently been formed in response to the chronic need that is among the Irish in New York as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.

After what has turned out to be a memorable campaign, we again thank all for their effort, sacrifice and donations to these worthy causes and thank all the people behind the scenes, too numerous to mention, who made this happen, in all aspects of the promotion and coverage received both in the lead up to and in the aftermath.

As promised there were three pieces of Leitrim gear, including a signed jersey to be raffled among those who made donations, and this raffle will take place on Tuesday night at 8pm.

The final word on this goes to the main beneficiaries of this fundraiser, namely the crisis-stricken Irish people in New York, and on behalf of the organising committee of Sláinte 2020, we have a message from JP Clarke’s Saloon, McClean Avenue, Yonkers, which includes Caitríona and Seamus Clarke, Main Leitrim Team Sponsors and Lisa Sorohan, Drumshanbo and Stephen Maguire, Drumreilly.

Míle Buíochas ó chroí do gach éinne.

Bridie Connaughton RIP

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Death of Bridie Connaughton, mother of Patsy Connaughton, Ballinamore Seán O’Heslins GAA

 

Coiste Contae Liatroma would like to express condolences to Patsy Connaughton, Rúnaí of Cumann Sheáin Uí Eislin, Béal an Átha Móir, on the death of his mother Bridie Connaughton, Oran, Co Roscommon. Sympathy to Patsy’s wife, Geraldine and family; Paddy, Cáit and Eoin and extended family. Bridie’s funeral will take place tomorrow, 23 May, at 11.00am in Cloneycolgan and will be private to family members only in line with Covid- 19 restrictions. Go dtuga Dia sonas síoraí dí.

TG4 unveil GAA matches for June

Another month of classic matches ahead as TG4 announce All Ireland Gold schedule for June
#AllIrelandGold

Sunday 7 June

2.25pm  All Ireland Gold – Kerry v Offaly 1980

A chance to see Kerry v Offaly in the 1980 All Ireland Senior Football Championship Semi Final. Commentary by Michael O’Hehir. This match was played in Croke Park on the 24 August 1980 and the spectators were treated to a pulsating game of football. Kerry were managed by Mick O’Dwyer and the Kingdom included stars such as Pat Spillane, Mikey Sheehy, Eoin Liston, John Egan, Ger Power, Ogie Moran and 1980 Player of the Year Jack O’Shea. The Offaly footballers were managed by Eugene McGee and his team included Gerry Carroll, Richie Connor and Matt Connor who was one of Offaly’s greatest ever sportspeople. Matt Connor was the championship’s top scorer in 1980 and he also won Offaly’s only GAA All Star Football Award that year. Offaly were confident going into this Semi-Final having been crowned Leinster Football Champions after beating Dublin – the Dubs were going for their seventh Leinster title in a row.

 

4.00pm  Limerick v Galway 2018

A chance to see Limerick v Galway in the 2018 All-Ireland Senior Hurling Final from Croke Park. 82,300 were in attendance at GAA headquarters to see the 131st All Ireland Hurling Final. Galway went into this Final as the defending champions and were looking to win their sixth All-Ireland Senior title. John Kiely was managing a Limerick team who were appearing in their first final since 2007 and were looking for an eighth All Ireland title – their last win was in 1973. The two counties had played each other in the final twice prior to this: in 1923 and 1980 with Galway winning both. Commentary by Garry Mac Donncha.

 

 

Sunday 14 June

2.35pm   All Ireland Gold – Antrim v Offaly 1989

A chance to see Antrim v Offaly in the 1989 All-Ireland Hurling Semi Final from Croke Park. This hurling match produced one of the biggest stories of the 1980s.  Offaly had defeated Kilkenny in the Leinster Final and were up against Antrim who had been crowned Ulster champions after beating Down. Antrim manager Jim Nelson and his team were hoping to reach their first All-Ireland Final in 46 years with players such as Terence McNaughton, Olcan McFetridge, Aidan McCarry, Danny McNaughton and captain Ciaran Barr. The date was August 6th 1989 and 64,127 were at Croke Park to see the Saffrons take on The Faithful County.

 

4.00pm    Dublin v Mayo 2017

Action from Dublin v Mayo in the 2017 All Ireland Senior Football Final from Croke Park. This was the fourth occasion that the two counties met in the final, following matches in 1921, 2013 and 2016. Jim Gavin’s Dublin team were seeking their third consecutive All-Ireland title, while Mayo, under Stephen Rochford’s management were aiming for their first All-Ireland since 1951.  82,243 were packed into Croke Park on the 17th September 2017 to see this match.

 

 

Sunday 21 June

2.35pm   All Ireland Gold – Donegal v Dublin 1992

A chance to see Donegal v Dublin in the 1992 All Ireland Senior Football Final from Croke Park. Brian McEniff was the man in charge of the Donegal team that day which included Martin and James McHugh, Brian Murray, Declan Bonner, Matt Gallagher, Manus Boyle and captain Anthony Molloy. Dublin entered the match as heavy favourites to win what would have been their 22nd All-Ireland title – their first since 1983, while Donegal were hoping to win their first All-Ireland title. The 105th All Ireland Football Final was played on the 20 September 1992.

 

4.05pm  Galway v Kilkenny 2019

Action from Galway v Kilkenny in the 2019 All Ireland Senior Camogie Championship Final at Croke Park. Galway were aiming for their third All-Ireland Camogie title having previously won it in 1996 and 2013. Kilkenny were going for their fourteenth title, their first since 2016. The two teams had only met in the final once before — in 2013, when Galway won. Kilkenny had beaten Tipperary in a high scoring Semi Final while Galway reached the Final after beating Cork in the other Semi Final. The 88th All-Ireland Camogie Final was played on the 8th September 2019.

 

 

Sunday 28 June

2.40pm  All Ireland Gold – Cork v Wexford 1976

A chance to see Cork v Wexford in the 1976 All Ireland Senior Hurling Final at Croke Park.  Wexford were going for their first All-Ireland title since 1968 while the Leesiders had won it last in 1970. The Cork team were managed by Fr. Bertie Troy and included players such as Jimmy Barry Murphy, Seanie O’Leary, Charlie McCarthy and captain Ray Cummins who played at full forward and was also the first player to win an All Star in both codes. The Slaneysiders were managed by Tom Neville and had Willie Murphy, John and Martin Quigley, Mick Jacob, Colm Doran, John Nolan, Mick Butler and Texaco Hurler of the Year Tony Doran in their team. The 90th All-Ireland Hurling Final was played on Sunday 5 September 1976.

 

4.05pm  Dublin v Kerry 2019

2019 All Ireland Football Final Replay

A chance to see Dublin v Kerry in the 2019 All Ireland Senior Football Final Replay at Croke Park. Both teams were back in GAA Headquarters two weeks after drawing 1-16 a piece in an enthralling drawn match.  82,300 were packed into Croke Park on this Saturday evening to witness a historic match Sunder the lights. Dublin went into the final aiming for an unprecedented five-in-a-row of All-Ireland titles. Kerry and Dublin had met in 13 previous All-Ireland finals, with Kerry winning eight of these and Dublin five.

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GAA Media Release – MyLife GAA Healthy Club Assets

Press release

Keep active and help your club win with the Irish Life Healthy Club Steps Challenge


4 x €2,500 O’Neill club vouchers up for grabs during June challenge

 

Throughout the Covid-19 emergency, GAA clubs across the 32 counties have been helping their members and communities stay healthy and connected within the restrictions of public health advice.

To help reward this contribution and to celebrate the importance of staying active, the GAA’s Community & Health Department has teamed up with Irish Life, CSR partners to the Healthy Club Project, to launch a special ‘Steps Challenge’ set to run during the month of June.

Four lucky clubs will win a €2,500 voucher with O’Neill’s. All clubs must to do is:

  • Register your club’s participation by June 1st on Irish Life’s MyLife App
  • Get a minimum of 15 participants to register on the club page on the MyLife App
  • Get walking! (See below for detailed registration instructions.)

The club in each province that records the highest average number of steps during the challenge period will win. Participants must be aged 18 and over. The Steps Challenge, which officially begins June 3rd, is open to all GAA clubs. (See below for step by step guide of how to register your club.)

GAA President John Horan thanked Irish Life for their on-going support: “Irish Life, along with Healthy Ireland, the HSE, and the National Office for Suicide Prevention, has worked with the GAA as our valued CSR partner for the Healthy Club Project since 2014, helping us to engage 300 clubs to date in this health-focused project.

“This Steps Challenge celebrates and rewards the fact that GAA clubs are supporting the wellbeing of their members and their communities even when our official training and games have been forced to stop.”

Commenting on this initiative, Declan Bolger, Chief Executive, Irish Life Group said: “MyLife is Irish Life’s innovative Health & Wellbeing App that can be downloaded and used by everyone.  It is a great tool to help us all stay healthy and fit along with offering rewards to Irish Life customers.  As the CSR partner to the GAA Healthy Club Project we are delighted to collaborate on the Steps Challenge, and help people in our communities and GAA clubs stay active and well during this challenging and unusual time.”

The Challenge starts on June 3rdt and ends June 30th, 2020.

What do I need to do to take part?

Register your club’s participation by June 1st on the following link:

https://mylife.irishlife.ie/Gaa-Healthy-Clubs-2020

How do club members join the challenge?

  1. Download the MyLife app from the App store or Google Play store
  2. Register your details
  3. Tap on the social tab on the MyLife app
  4. Select challenges
  5. Select the challenge for your province

Tap on join & select your club!

(For MyLife support and help: Email support@mylife.irishlife.ie or call 01 704 1943)

 

 

 

The West Is Awake!

Connacht G.A.A. ensures the West is well and truly awake!

The G.A.A. dressing rooms, pitches, walkways and training grounds around the country maybe desolate, however, it’s cultural wing, Scór, is busier than ever. From Manorhamilton in North Leitrim down to beautiful Kinvara in South Galway, and from Achill on the Atlantic coast to Tarmonbarry on the Roscommon/Longford border, there’s barely a club in the mighty West left untouched by GAA Scór activities. How fitting so are the words of Thomas Davies’ rousing ballad ‘The West’s Awake’, to celebrate Scór participation in Connacht during these unprecedented times and represent the province in Virtual Scór.

This memorable rendition of a song synonymous with wonderful sporting days for western teams, features over 30 musicians and singers from 14 clubs across the province. With all local and county rivalries put aside, these performers have contributed their time and expertise for this special collaboration in a spirit of goodwill and pride befitting our country’s response to the challenging times we are living through. A great surprise to many was the inclusion of G.A.A. legends Jimmy Murray (Roscommon), Joe McDonagh (Galway) and of course, who many would regard as the original voice of Gaelic games, Dublin’s, Mícheál Ó hEithir.

The project was co-ordinated by Tom Murray, Rúnaí of Coiste Scór Chonnacht, who put the call out to Connacht Scór officials and delegates from each county to liaise with people at local level. Seán Ó Murchú, Cathaoirleach, Coiste Scór Chonnacht, has praised the efforts of all involved saying “it’s so heartening to see the great calibre of talent in the west making such a united contribution to ‘Virtual Scór’”. These sentiments were echoed by Gerry McGovern, Uachtarán, Comhairle Chonnacht, who remarked “all in Connacht G.A.A. can be immensely proud of this initiative”.

Ensuring that the final product was successfully brought together, the expertise and experience of Gareth McGreevy from Saul GAA in Co. Down was brought on board. Gareth has been responsible for some excellent ‘Virtual Scór’ collaborations over the past few weeks which have seen singers and musicians from all over Ireland record versions of the ‘May the Road Rise to Meet You’ and Dana’s ‘All Kinds of Everything’. Connacht Scór is indebted to Gareth for lending his time and professionalism to his fellow Gaels in the west.

‘Virtual Scór’ has been a source of tremendous entertainment, distraction and fun over the past two months. The absence of our native field sports and club activities has left an indelible void in the lives of many and presented an obstacle to the natural expression of our Irishness offered through Cumann Luthchleas Gael. ‘Virtual Scór’ has hugely helped to counteract this void for many Gaels all over the country and beyond, and so Connacht Scór would like to dedicate this song to the men behind the movement, Aodán Ó Braonáin, Chairman of the National Scór Committee, and Rúnaí, Jamie Ó Tuama (Páirc an Chrócaigh), for their tireless work and efforts in keeping Scór to the fore in this novel way.

 

 

Singers and musicians involved in the production are:

Cian and Caoimhe Kearns (Owenmore Gaels GAA, Sligo), Niamh Farrell (St. Mary’s GAA, Sligo), Damien McGuinness and Deirdre Kilgannon (St. Farnon’s GAA, Sligo), Carmel Costelloe (Menlough/Skehana GAA, Galway), Ellen Keane, Emily and Emmet Greaney (Abbeyknockmoy GAA, Galway), Siobhán Breathnach (Kilconly GAA, Galway), Paula Kiernan (Carrigallen GAA, Leitrim), Fionnuala Maxwell (Annaduff GAA, Leitrim), Laura Crossan and Eleanor Smith (St. Mary’s Kiltoghert GAA, Leitrim), Sarah Keane (Elphin GAA, Roscommon), Fiachra Guihen, Elizabeth Earley and Rachel Noone (St. Ronan’s GAA, Roscommon), Mary Murray, Claire and Anne Marie Murray, Lisa and Tom Murray, Louise Fallon, Ciara Dempsey, Áine O’Connor Flynn, Padraig and Gordon O’Connor, Donncha and Alastair Beegan (St. Dominics GAA, Roscommon, Ann Forry and Fiona Connaghan (CLG Acla/Achill GAA, Mayo), Joanne McAndrew (Kilfian GAA, Mayo).

The production was launched at 8pm on Friday evening on Connacht G.A.A.’s Facebook page. In less than 20 hours it has over 21,000 views from right across the world.

In the words of Thomas Davies “but hark a voice like thunder spake, the West’s Awake, the West’s Awake!”

 

#LeitrimGAASupportingOthers has had good night’s sleep!!

Following yesterday’s highly successful fundraising campaign on behalf of  Sláinte 2020 and Pieta House, there is still an opportunity for people to participate and to contribute to this effort. If you feel you could complete a walk, run, cycle or jog today then why not join the many who did yesterday across the globe and be part of this movement!! As with yesterday, we would be delighted if you could post a message with your footage at the details below!  Be part of a great Leitrim On the Move effort!!

If you would like to join us today, please post your footage to www.facebook.com/LeitrimGAASupportingOthers/

The proceeds of this fundraising will be Sláinte 2020 and Pieta House. This morning the fund has just exceeded  €19k of its current €20k target so let’s break that barrier!!

You may make a donation by accessing our Gofundme page at  https://www.gofundme.com/f/leitrim-gaa-supporting-others

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 tomorrow to post pictures of your participation in this event. The dedicated page is at  www.facebook.com/LeitrimGAASupportingOthers/

Looking forward to your participation!!

#LeitrimGAASupportingOthers Rests Overnight

What brilliant day it has been in the #LeitrimGAASupportingOthers as the people of Leitrim and Leitrim people and their friends around the globe joined the Leitrim Players, past and present, officials and supporters, in covering literally thousands of kilometers, whether walking, jogging, running or cycling in aid of our two nominated charities Sláinte 2020 and Pieta House.

The promotional build-up to today has been phenomenal from the usual suspects who gave so many hours in the preparation and promotion. Our gratitude is extended to the Players and Team Management Personnel who kept the push on this as we approached the weekend. We are deeply indebted to you the public who have rallied behind this event to push it well beyond our expectations in terms of contributions, which is what it was all about at the outset. We are very proud of you all!!

However, this is far from finished and will remain open across the remainder of the weekend and next week as there are still people out there whom we know for fact who will only be in a position to complete this tomorrow and across the days ahead. So Brendan Doyle and Brian Blake, and PRO Barbara who have manned this forum ALL of today, you are far from finished! And in mentioning Brendan and Brian,  we have to say the amount of time you, in particular, have invested in what has essentially been a team effort has been phenomenal all week!!

If you would like to join us tomorrow, please keep sending or post your footage to www.facebook.com/LeitrimGAASupportingOthers/

The proceeds of this fundraising will be Sláinte 2020 and Pieta House. Today the fund has just exceeded  €18k and a new target of €20k has been set so let’s join in tomorrow to help reach this magic figure!!

You may make a donation by accessing our Gofundme page at  https://www.gofundme.com/f/leitrim-gaa-supporting-others

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 tomorrow to post pictures of your participation in this event. The dedicated page is at  www.facebook.com/LeitrimGAASupportingOthers/

Looking forward to ‘seeing’ you again tomorrow!!