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.

 

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 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.