At the instigation of Minister Murphy a Covid-19 Community Response Forum will be put in place for each City/County and coordinated by the Local Authority in each case.
A dedicated community support helpline will be established in Leitrim to assist at-risk members of the public in accessing non-emergency and non-medical supports and advice during the current public health emergency. The confidential phoneline service is being established by the new Leitrim COVID-19 Community Response Forum, which includes over a dozen agencies and organisations. The helpline is focused primarily on ensuring that vulnerable members of the community or those living alone can access deliveries of groceries, medicine etc. The role of the Forum is to ensure that there is a coordinated community response and to enable all voluntary statutory agencies to collaborate in support of our communities and particularly of our most vulnerable members.
Included in the Leitrim COVID-19 Community Response Forum are:
· Leitrim County Council
· Health Service Executive
· An Garda Síochána
· Leitrim Development Company
· Leitrim GAA
· An Post
· Leitrim PPN
· Citizens Information
· Alone
· Local Link Donegal Sligo Leitrim
· IFA
· Leitrim Age Friendly Alliance
· Leitrim Civil Defence
· Leitrim Volunteer Centre
· Leitrim International Community Group
· Order of Malta
· Other community, voluntary and sports representatives
The new phoneline is just one aspect of the Forum’s work. Its core aim is contributing to the community-wide effort to limit the spread of COVID-19. Leitrim COVID-19 Community Response Forum will ensure that the wide variety of groups working across the county to assist those in need, will do so in an organised, collaborative and targeted way. Leitrim COVID-19 Community Response Forum is there to ensure the very best use of the many resources assisting vulnerable persons with their daily needs at this unprecedented time, whether that is collecting medication, food shopping, social support and contact.
Chief Executive of Leitrim County Council, Lar Power, explains “There are a number of agencies and community groups currently doing excellent work in delivering care to older and vulnerable people in our communities across County Leitrim. These groups are currently operating independently of each other and Leitrim COVID-19 Community Response Forum’s role is to provide a targeted, integrated and coordinated approach to the delivery of these much-needed services to our more vulnerable citizens across the County during the COVID-19 pandemic. This public health crisis has changed life for so many, and we are there to help with that change. Leitrim County Council staff whose day-jobs have changed due to this crisis, will also be a resource in the management and operation of this community support programme along with our partner agencies/groups.
Set to come into effect from Monday 30th March, Leitrim County Council is providing a dedicated contact number – 071 9650473 – with the lines open from 9AM to 5PM seven days a week.
Contact details of this new service will be promoted on www.leitirmcoco.ie, Leitrim County Council social media channels on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram through the local press and media and through parish newsletters. An information leaflet including the new phone number and other information will be distributed around the county, particularly to vulnerable households, over the coming days.
https://www.leitrimgaa.ie/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Gen-WebNews-1-660x350.png350660Leitrim GAA PROhttps://www.leitrimgaa.ie/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/cropped-Leitrim_Crest_3d_Trans_552x552-180x180.pngLeitrim GAA PRO2020-03-29 21:00:432020-03-29 21:21:49Leitrim Community Response Forum established to assist citizens during Covid 19 – Dedicated community support helpline to be available from Monday
Leitrim GAA wishes to express its sympathies to the family of the late Brendan Gormley, Fohera, Ballinamore, Co. Leitrim, on his sad passing after a long illness on Monday, January 20th.
Brendan was to the forefront in the promotion of GAA activities in his native Ballinamore and in particular the promotion of Scór in his club throughout the 1980’s. Indeed the club has claimed many Scór honours at county, provincial and national levels. In addition to holding the position of Treasurer of Scór Liatroma, he went on to become Treasurer of Coiste Chontae Liatroma in 1985 and held the position for an unprecedented seventeen consecutive years until 2001. Brendan also served a term as Treasurer of Connacht Council GAA from 1979 to 1982.
Brendan worked tirelessly for Leitrim GAA over his period involved with the County Management Committee and Coiste Chontae Liatroma and would have taken tremendous pride in being associated with Leitrim’s on-field achievements of a quarter-century ago and beyond.
Ar dheis Dé go raibh sé.
Our sincere sympathy is extended to Brendan’s wife Rosario, sons Niall and Aaron, daughter Sinead, daughters-in-law Breege (McGovern) & Fiona (Butterly), his dear grandchildren Mya, Romy, Grace, Darragh & Meabh, his sisters Mary (Cavan), Rose Murphy (Carrick-on-Shannon), Agnes Duncan (Kilcock), Margaret Walpole (Mohill), brothers Joe (Cavan), Noel (Dublin) & Donal (Drumree, Co. Meath), brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nephews, nieces, relatives, neighbours and friends.
His remains will be reposing at Smith’s Funeral Home, High St, Ballinamore on Wednesday, January 22 from 5pm, concluding with prayers at 8pm.
House private at all times, please.
Funeral Mass in St. Patrick’s Church, Ballinamore on Thursday at 12 noon followed by burial in Oughteragh Cemetery, Ballinamore. Family flowers only, please. Donations in lieu to the North West Hospice, c/o Smiths Funeral Directors, Ballinamore.
Two Leitrim GAA clubs receive national recognition as official GAA Healthy Clubs in Croke Park
· The award-winning Healthy Clubs Project (HCP) aims to turn clubs into hubs for health in their communities
· Phase 3 of the Healthy Club Project seen over 170 Healthy Club Initiatives ran in 84 GAA Clubs across Ireland
· With almost the same number of GAA clubs as GPs across Ireland, the project offers a new setting in which to deliver health promotion and interventions
A special ceremony which ran alongside the GAA’s National Healthy Club Conference in Croke Park on October 5th, saw 84 GAA clubs recognised as official ‘Healthy Clubs’ on the island of Ireland. The day was about given recognition to the clubs and volunteers, by individually acknowledging the contribution that each GAA Healthy Club makes in bringing the vision for Healthy Ireland to life: where everyone can enjoy physical and mental health and wellbeing to their full potential.
Two Leitrim GAA clubs, Aughnasheelin and Glencar Manorhamilton can now proudly fly a flag above their grounds (endorsed by both Healthy Ireland and the Public Health Agency in NI), letting their members and communities know that they value health and wellbeing as much as leagues and championships.
In January 2018, almost 300 clubs applied to participate in Phase 3 of the project (just 60 participated in Phase 3 between 2015-2017). Many cited the dearth of services in their communities that are tackling issues such as obesity, sedentary lifestyles, mental health and suicide. They wanted to be part of the solution. Clubs engage with their members and community before identifying health themes upon which to focus on. Most common include physical activity for non-playing members; healthy eating; emotional wellbeing; engaging older members of the community; youth development; smoke free clubs; gambling, drug, and alcohol education; and inclusion and integration. These two progressive GAA clubs are amongst the first in Leitrim to receive national recognition. Their various health and wellbeing initiatives have had a tremendous impact on their clubs and wider communities.
The innovative Healthy Club model was developed in partnership with Healthy Ireland, the HSE’s health promotion division, the National Office for Suicide Prevention, and is supported by Irish Life through a CSR investment. In an era of unprecedented societal health challenges, the Healthy Club Project aims to harness the potential of the GAA club setting to deliver evidence-based health promotion information and interventions, backed up by appropriate policies and partnerships. Its potential to be replicated by other sports is currently being explored by a working group involving the FAI, IRFU, and Athletics Ireland.
John Horan, An Uachtarán Cumann Luthchleas Gael acknowledged this at the recognition day in Croke Park, “The 84 Healthy Clubs recognised today have gone above and beyond what is normally expected of a sports club. Health and wellbeing is core to what the GAA is all about
and these clubs help bring that to life. I’d like to thank our partners, Healthy Ireland, the HSE, National Office for Suicide Prevention, the Public Health Agency, and Irish Life, for helping to make the Healthy Club project the success it is. We look forward to growing it from strength to strength.”
Teresa Kilmartin, Chief People Officer, Irish Life said, “Irish Life are delighted to work with the GAA on the Healthy Club initiative. The GAA, reaches into every community on the island of Ireland, and has a significant role to play in the health of the nation through its promotion of Gaelic Games. The association’s Healthy Club initiative brings a new dimension to this work. It enables people to access health in an exciting new way. We believe this work has the potential to improve the future health of communities across the country.”
There are numerous benefits to clubs that take part in the GAA Healthy Club Project including exclusive access to Healthy Club resources and support. The independent evaluation by Waterford IT’s Centre for Health Behaviour Research of Phase 2 of the Healthy Club Project revealed its potential to increase membership, improvements in health promoting activities, better opportunity to link the local community with club activities and opening up new funding avenues all the while enhancing the health of the nation and ensuring a healthier future for everyone.
The GAA Healthy Club Project is now open to new applicants. GAA clubs are invited to submit expressions of interest to join the next phase of the Healthy Club Project which will commence on February 1st, 2020. There are 150 places available to interested clubs. Closing date to submit completed applications is Friday, 15th November 2019. Expression of interest forms can be completed online on www.gaa.ie/community
For more information please contact the GAA Community & Health Team on community.health@gaa.ie
5 October 2019; Biddy O’Neill, National Programme Lead, Healthy Ireland, left, and Teresa Kilmartin, Chief People Office, Irish Life, right, with the Official Healthy Club Award winners 2019 from the clubs of Augnasheelin and Glencar Manorhamilton, Co Leitrim, at the GAA Healthy Club Conference 2019 at Croke Park, Dublin. Photo by Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile
https://www.leitrimgaa.ie/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Leitrim-1.jpg8611500Leitrim GAA PROhttps://www.leitrimgaa.ie/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/cropped-Leitrim_Crest_3d_Trans_552x552-180x180.pngLeitrim GAA PRO2019-11-08 20:43:042019-11-08 20:43:04National Recognition for Aughnasheelin and Glencar/Manorhamilton
Now that the dust has settled on our magnificent 2019 Allianz League campaign, we must acknowledge a number of items. Firstly we thank our players and management for the efforts they have made on our behalf all spring in bringing a pep to the step of all associated with Leitrim GAA. Marooned in Division 4 since relegation in the Spring of 2008, it seemed at times that the interminable wait to advance up the league would painfully continue forever. However, the signs of something positive that could germinate sooner rather than later occurred during last Summer’s championship season with heartening displays, a never say die attitude and memorable days in Gaelic Park, and versus Louth and Monaghan in the Qualifiers.
This year’s campaign has brought joy and honour to our county. A brilliant league campaign that included many late but nonetheless deserved victories has concluded with the much-coveted prize of promotion to Division 3 for 2020 and a chance to test our developing young team against stronger opposition. While the result of the league final didn’t go our way, the performance of our players was magnificent on Saturday last. They gave it their all and left everything on the hallowed ground of Croke Park in pursuit of victory and for that nobody could possibly ask for more. We heartily congratulate Derry who were deserving victors on the day. We salute the efforts of Terry Hyland and his management team for getting the players to this stage in their first year at the helm as we look forward to the Connacht Championship next month in hope, a chance for continued development and further progress.
We wish to thank all media outlets, online, local and national print, local and national radio and TV, whose coverage of this journey was unparallelled in our recent history and gave a great lift to the efforts of all involved. Many thanks for your coverage which is greatly appreciated by all and painted our county and Leitrim GAA in a most positive light.
Last, and by certainly no means least we must acknowledge the magnificent support for the lads on Saturday last. Our support base has been steadily growing all season but Saturday last exceeded all expectations. The colour and noise that our supporters brought to HQ was the talk of the weekend and while it’s not that often Leitrim teams get the opportunity to play in a national final in Croke Park, our supporters were magnificent and if the players left their all on the field of play, they will also be the first to acknowledge that they were lifted by the push they received from the stands. It’s not easy to fill Croke Park with supporters cheers but our supporters more than passed that test and were truly magnificent. Special word towards the hundreds who travelled overseas to be there also. Hats off to all involved from players, management, officials and supporters! A magnificent weekend and all that was missing at the end of it was the League trophy!
https://www.leitrimgaa.ie/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Leitrim-team-pic-Div4-Final-Croke-Parka.jpeg490735Leitrim GAA PROhttps://www.leitrimgaa.ie/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/cropped-Leitrim_Crest_3d_Trans_552x552-180x180.pngLeitrim GAA PRO2019-04-01 21:49:582019-04-02 09:22:17Hats off to the Leitrim Supporters
Leitrim GAA is greatly saddened at the sudden passing of Tom Guckian, Kiltoghert, Ck-on-Shannon, who passed to his eternal reward early on Friday morning. Tom, a retired staff member of ESB, was battling with ailing health over the past couple of years but met all these challenges determinedly and refused to give in, always airing with great positivity. An avid GAA follower of all codes, Tom made it to TEG Cusack Park, Mullingar, on Sunday week last to support the Carrick Hurlers in their recent All-Ireland Junior Hurling Semi Final, such was his love for his local teams. He was due to attend the St Mary’s Kiltoghert Gala Presentation event on this Saturday night but unfortunately, this wasn’t to be.
Tom has had a lifelong association with many aspects of the GAA in Leitrim and while he never played underage football for St Mary’s Kiltoghert, he always showed a keen interest in all the club’s activities and became involved at officer level at a young age becoming Treasurer in 1983. He continued in this role for 8 years, while also playing club football at Senior and Junior level.
He captained St Mary’s to a Junior Championship final in 1988 and at this stage, his great organisational skills were becoming obvious when he became manager of the club’s second team a role he held for 10 years during which he led St Mary’s to the Intermediate title in 1995. This was the year that St Mary’s Kiltoghert took the Senior, Intermediate and Minor titles, a feat unparalleled and unlikely to be ever matched.
In 1996 he took over as Chairman of the club and held this role until 2003, during this time he spearheaded the development of the new club grounds at Castlecarra, affectionally known to all as Park Tom. This was a jewel in Tom’s Chairmanship crown and one of which he can be extremely proud. The grounds, which are a hive of GAA activity, have been of tremendous assistance to Leitrim GAA, particularly on big match day in Avantcard Páirc Seán Mac Diarmada.
Fundraising is the bane of many people’s existence and many run a mile from it. Not Tom though! He always played a big role in any fundraising for the club and took great delight when his club’s lotto team topped the sales figures. In addition to this Tom has been a long time member of the Leitrim GAA Supporters Club Committee and used his talent in this regard to great effect. Tom rarely missed the traditional annual launch of the Leitrim Supporters Club in Dublin and was an ever-present on the Leitrim Bus to Dublin for these occasions in the company of his wife Tina.
At County GAA Administration level Tom served on the county Competitions Control Committee for ten years and was its Chairman for 5 years. During this time he was always approachable and dealt with all issues fairly and in the best interest of Leitrim GAA. He left his club outside the door on all occasions when making CCC decisions and that is the very best tribute we can pay to him on his tenure in charge of that committee. In recent years he had been a member of the Connacht GAA Hearings Committee which was a great honour bestowed on him to have been chosen on the ultimate provincial disciplinary decision-making committee. Of course, Tom has had a leading role on many Connacht Council match days around the province in that most unglamorous of roles, the matchday steward which involves a time investment or erosion of time, if you look at it another way, that goes way beyond what we normally associate with attending matches.
Before the era or Fás/Tús schemes, Tom was always to be found doing voluntary work at Avantcard Páirc Seán Mac Diarmada preparing for games and became Chairperson of the Páirc Seán Committee in 2010 and oversaw many developments at the grounds over his period in charge. An abiding image of Tom on match day would have been his scurrying up and down the tunnel, keys rattling, and making sure all is in perfect working order. Post-match you would most likely see him doing a lap of the field with a fertilizer bag collecting the flags and remaining on until all had exited safely. Another example of the many unglamorous but vital GAA roles that Tom gladly took charge of, such was his enthusiasm for the association that was such a big part of his life.
As a supporter, Tom clocked up many miles supporting his club and county across many age grades and codes. He was particularly proud of the sporting achievements of his daughters Lorraine and Lisa and was the staunchest supporter of their team over the years. Despite his ailing health, he made sure to be present at all their matches, no matter where in recent years and it was a pleasure to meet him on these occasions.
On February 3rd, 2018, Tom Guckian was inducted into the Jim Lynch Leitrim GAA Hall of Fame at the County’s Annual GAA Awards Ceremony. This was a fitting tribute to all of the work that Tom had got through in a lifetime’s association with GAA and a recognition of the fact that the mountains of work that goes on behind the scenes are greatly appreciated by all. Tom was, in this regard, a hero of many and for all! Tom gloriously captained many great teams whose work goes on off the field.
We are greatly saddened by his passing, which leaves yet another large void around St. Mary’s Kiltoghert, Avantcard Páirc Seán Mac Diarmada and Leitrim GAA. However, it is his family who will feel the greatest loss and we express our sympathies to his wife Tina, daughters Lorraine and Lisa, grandson James, brothers Joe and Patsy, sister Mary B Mulvey (Butlersbridge, Co.Cavan), brothers-in-law Michael, Johnny, Charlie, Seamus, Martin, Sean and P.J, sisters-in-law Mary, Maggie, Phil, Margaret, Clare, Maura and Bernadette, nieces, nephews, relatives, neighbours and a large circle of friends.
Funeral Arrangements
Reposing at his home tomorrow, Saturday, from 2 o’clock until 6 o’clock and on Sunday from 2 o’clock until 6 o’clock. Removal to St.Patrick’s Church, Gowel on Monday morning to arrive for Mass of Christian Burial at 12 o’clock with funeral afterwards to Kiltoghert Cemetery. Family flowers only please, donations, if so desired, to Irish Motor Neuron Association (imnda.ie). House private outside of reposing times and private on Monday morning please.
Ar dheis Dé go raibh sé.
The late Tom Guckian, pictured with Tina, Lorraine, Lisa and grandson James following St. Mary’s/Bornacoola Ladies League Final win in July 2018.
https://www.leitrimgaa.ie/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Tom_Guckian_r1-1.jpg14001633Leitrim GAA PROhttps://www.leitrimgaa.ie/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/cropped-Leitrim_Crest_3d_Trans_552x552-180x180.pngLeitrim GAA PRO2019-02-01 20:30:412019-02-02 01:14:58The late Tom Guckian, Kiltoghert, Ck-on-Shannon and St. Mary’s Kiltoghert GAA Club.
The 2018/19 Mini Sevens Regional Competitions will commence on Tuesday 18th September for the boys and Wednesday 19th September for the girls’ competition. Please consult attachment for your relevant group. Please note that these fixtures are weather dependent and may be called off at short notice if pitches are unplayable. Games throw in at 10.00 am sharp and should finish by 1.00pm. These games are seven minutes a side played by seven players. Schools may bring a panel of 10 players and unlimited substitution is allowed.
Schools are awarded 2 points for a win and 1 point for a draw. In the event of two schools ending on the same number of points, a head to head will apply. If three schools end on the same number of points there will be a three-way play-off.
Boys Competition
Annaduff GAA
St Osnat’s GAA
Ballinamore Sean O Heslin’s GAA
Allen Gaels GAA
A
Mohill
Kinlough
Fenagh
Drumcong
B
GS Liatroma
GS Cluainín
Ballinamore
Drumshanbo
C
Annaduff
Killenummery
Aughavas
Leitrim
D
Bornacoola
Drumkeerin
Drumlea
Gortletteragh
E
Carrick
Drumlease
Carrigallen
Aughawillan
Girls Competition
Annaduff GAA
St Osnat’s GAA
Ballinamore Sean O Heslin’s GAA
Allen Gaels GAA
A
Mohill
Kinlough
Fenagh
Drumcong
B
GS Liatroma
GS Cluainín
Aughavas
Drumshanbo
C
Annaduff
Drumkeerin
Ballinamore
Gortletteragh
D
Bornacoola
Drumlease
Carrigallen
Leitrim
E
Carrick
Drumeela
Cloone
5 Team Draw
Round 1 AvB, DVE
Round 2 CvD, AvE
Round 3 BvC AvD
Round 4 CvE BvD
Round 5 AvC, BvE
4 Team Draw
Round 1 AvB, CvD
Round 2 BvC, AvD
Round 3 AvC, BvD
https://www.leitrimgaa.ie/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/CnamB-logo.png500500Leitrim GAA PROhttps://www.leitrimgaa.ie/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/cropped-Leitrim_Crest_3d_Trans_552x552-180x180.pngLeitrim GAA PRO2018-09-11 20:28:352018-09-11 22:39:282018/19 INTO/GAA Mini 7s
AIB, the creators of hit shows The Toughest Trade, Jeff and Kammy’s Journey to Croker and Behind The Gates have sponsored the AIB All Ireland Club Championships for 27 years. AIB recently extended their sponsorship of the GAA All Ireland Football Championship for a further five years.
In 1998, Erin’s Isle met Castlehaven in the AIB GAA All Ireland Club Semi-Finals. With 13 minutes remaining Erin’s Isle and Dublin star player, Charlie Redmond, receives a red card widely regarded as harsh. Two points down with seconds remaining the game looks likes its Castlehaven’s. When a long ball towards the Castlehaven goal seems to be dribbling wide only to be picked up by an Erin’s Isle forward, scooped back and shot towards the net by Niall Crossan. The ball hit one post, then a second post before shooting out. The goal was awarded, Erin’s Isle claim the game by one point but the debate over whether the goal was in fact a goal still rages.
Friday, July 13th 2018: The first episode of AIB’s eagerly anticipate new series, The Toughest Rivalry, airs today. The series introduces renowned Premier League Manager Harry Redknapp and former Sampdoria, Juventus and Italy striker, manager and World Footballer of the Year in 1995, Gianluca Vialli to the culture of GAA in Ireland.
Both Premier League powerhouses will take charge of two rival GAA clubs. Vialli with Erin’s Isle in Dublin, and Redknapp with Castlehaven in West Cork. The two teams faced off in an infamous 1998 AIB GAA All-Ireland Club Semi-Final, where Castlehaven were defeated by a last-minute questionable goal. The controversial ending left both teams with unfinished business.
The series will culminate in an epic rematch, set to take place at the end of the summer with Vialli and Redknapp managing their teams and using their managerial expertise to improve and make a difference to their respective teams.
AIB, proud sponsor of both Club and County, believe that GAA, as #TheToughest sport of all, is built upon rivalries be they local, county, provincial or national. GAA rivalries, despite being as intense as any in world sport, are rivalries of the very best kind. These rivalries bring out the very best in GAA players, fans and their communities.
Over the next eight weeks, AIB’s exclusive eight-part video series will reveal how Harry and Gianluca fared as they swapped their soccer managerial skills for those of a GAA manager.
This week the two managers travel to their respective destination and get to grips with the task ahead.
AIB’s ‘The Toughest Rivalry’ will air each Friday on www.youtube.com/aib and AIB’s other social channels.
For exclusive content and behind the scenes action from Harry and Gianluca’s journey follow AIB GAA on Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat and facebook.com/AIBGAA.
https://www.leitrimgaa.ie/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/cat_LM_Crest-sq.jpg651651Leitrim GAA PROhttps://www.leitrimgaa.ie/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/cropped-Leitrim_Crest_3d_Trans_552x552-180x180.pngLeitrim GAA PRO2018-07-13 14:27:522018-07-13 14:29:27AIB/GAA Toughest Rivalry Episode 1: Meet The Managers – The Toughest Rivalry
Hurling Initiative – This year in Leitrim, Cumann na mBunscol Liatroma, in conjunction with Leitrim GAA Coaching and Games Committee decided to run a hurling initiative due to the poor number of schools registering interest in hurling competitions (3 schools out of 38). Our determination is to make hurling as accessible as possible to all primary school pupils.
The Plan – We met with National Hurling Development Manager Martin Fogarty, Connacht Hurling Development Officer Damien Coleman, Hurling Coach Michael Carroll and Leitrim Games Development Manager Thomas Keenan and explored possible issues and devised a plan. We liaised with our Games Development Manager Thomas Keenan to buy equipment (200 helmets, 200 hurls, and 200 sliotars) and we made up six packs each containing 30 of each. Each pack also contains the Hurling Fun-Do information pack which contains fun, easy-to-do skills and drills.
In this regard, we would like to acknowledge the subsidising of the equipment by Leitrim GAA to reduce the investment cost to Cumann na mBunscoil Liatroma.
We would like to thank the above people for the input and advice that they have given us to bring this initiative to a reality. We look forward to the schools of the county getting involved and we are hopeful that with the encouragement and help of the Coaching and Games Development and buy-in from our schools and teachers that current primary school pupils of all ages will enjoy an experience that will foster an interest in the camán and sliotar.
These kits will be delivered to six schools at a time for six-week “Sessions”. During this six-week session, a hurling coach will visit the teachers in the school to help them devise a six-week programme. This is designed to help make the school self-sufficient and not entirely reliant on hurling coaches. We believe that everyone can be a hurling coach. After the six-week session is over, all six schools will come together and have a blitz, giving the children a chance to use their newly-learned skills with other children who are at the same level as themselves in a fun, non-competitive way. Schools do not pay to borrow these kits for the sessions but have the option to buy the sets after the six weeks should they choose to do so. This offers them a free trial before they commit to buying the expensive gear.
We are currently piloting the scheme in six schools with a full rollout in January. There will be three sessions between Jan – June 2018 and with five sessions planned for the 2018-19 school year and the target is to have every school in the county trying hurling for six weeks for free. More info is available and Leitrim schools can register their interest at cnmb.leitrim@gaa.ie or follow us @cnmbleitrim on Twitter.
Our photographs feature pupils from Scoil Mhuire NS, Bornacoola, St Brigid’s NS, Drumcong, Aughnasheelin NS, Drumkeerin NS and St Joseph’s NS, Aughavas, making excellent use of the equipment.
Melvin Gaels GAA amongst the first official GAA Healthy Clubs to receive national recognition
· The award-winning Healthy Clubs Project (HCP) aims to turn clubs into hubs for health in their communities
· With almost the same number of GAA clubs as GPs across Ireland, the project offers a new setting in which to deliver health promotion and interventions
· Leading GAA ambassador Seán Cavanagh strongly commends the club for their leadership
November 4th – A special ceremony with governmental representation in Croke Park today saw 58 GAA clubs recognised as the first official ‘Healthy Clubs’ on the island of Ireland.
Eight Connacht clubs, including Melvin Gaels GAA in Leitrim, can now proudly fly a flag above their grounds (endorsed by both Healthy Ireland and the Public Health Agency in NI), letting their members and communities know that they value health and wellbeing as much as leagues and championships.
In January 2016, almost 100 clubs applied to participate in Phase 2 of the project (just 16 participated in Phase 1 between 2013-2015). Many cited the dearth of services in their communities that are tackling issues such as obesity, sedentary lifestyles, mental health and suicide. They wanted to be part of the solution.
Clubs engage with their members and community before identifying health themes upon which to focus on. Most common include healthy eating; physical activity for non-playing members; emotional well-being; engaging older members of the community; youth development; gambling, drug, and alcohol education; and inclusion and integration. Almost half of the clubs (29) also opted to become completely smoke-free venues as part of their 18-month journey.
Progressive GAA club, Melvin Gaels is the first in Leitrim to receive national recognition. Their innovative Melvin Gaels Million Minutes health challenge had a tremendous impact on the club and the wider community. Collectively they achieved their target of logging a million minutes of physical activity over eight weeks. The challenge captured the imagination of all elements of the local community, young and old, from families and individuals to schools and businesses. They all contributed by logging their minutes each week, gathering each Friday evening for a health-related discussion in Kinlough Community Centre, joining the walking/running group each Saturday evening, or by kindly donating prizes or running classes for those taking part. The initiative highlighted the broad variety of physical activity that locals are engaged in, ranging from the ever-popular walking to yoga, cycling, athletics, karate, gymnastics, horse-riding, strength and conditioning, surfing, kayaking, gardening, dancing, tai-chi, to good old-fashioned play.
Former Tyrone football captain Seán Cavanagh is a big supporter of the GAA’s Healthy Club Project (HCP) and presented the clubs with their official flag and plaque in Croke Park on Saturday, November 4th. He said “I’ve seen myself how the GAA brings communities together in so many different ways so it’s fantastic to see the association taking a leadership role in developing healthier communities. The Healthy Clubs around the country are having a positive impact on so many children and young people and as a parent, I think it is fantastic. Through this project, I think people will start to appreciate the role of the GAA in our communities even more.”
The innovative Healthy Club model was developed in partnership with Healthy Ireland, the HSE’s health promotion division, the National Office for Suicide Prevention, and is supported by Irish Life through a CSR investment. In an era of unprecedented societal health challenges, the Healthy Club Project aims to harness the potential of the GAA club setting to deliver evidence-based health promotion information and interventions, backed up by appropriate policies and partnerships. Its potential to be replicated by other sports is currently being explored by a working group involving the FAI, IRFU, and Athletics Ireland.
Similar work is being undertaken across European sports associations, and for the past three years the GAA has contributed its learnings to the EU-wide Sports Clubs for Health project. This culminated with the GAA’s Community & Health manager, Colin Regan, presenting on the Healthy Club project to a sub-committee of the EU Parliament in Brussels in April.
The Healthy Clubs project is being independently evaluated by a team from Waterford IT’s Centre for Health Behaviour Research. While the final report into Phase 2 won’t be available until December, the research team have already noted significant successes (see editor’s notes for examples of successful interventions).
Aogán Ó Fearghail, An Uachtarán Cumann Luthchleas Gael said, “The 58 Healthy Clubs recognised today have gone above and beyond what is normally expected of a sports club. Health and wellbeing is core to what the GAA is all about and these clubs help bring that to life. I’d like to thank our partners, Healthy Ireland, the HSE, National Office for Suicide Prevention, the Public Health Agency, and Irish Life, for helping to make the Healthy Club project the success it is. We look forward to growing it from strength to strength.”
Recognising the achievements of the clubs in Croke Park at the Healthy Club Recognition Event is Catherine Byrne, Minister of State for Health Promotion and the National Drugs Strategy, Department of Health (ROI). She said, “Today is all about recognition for the clubs and the volunteers who make this happen at club level. I would like to congratulate all of the clubs and volunteers involved and acknowledge the contribution that they are all making to bring the vision for Healthy Ireland to life: where everyone can enjoy physical and mental health and wellbeing to their full potential”
David Harney, CEO, Irish Life said, “Irish Life are delighted to work with the GAA on the Healthy Club initiative. The GAA reaches into every community on the island of Ireland and has a significant role to play in the health of the nation through its promotion of Gaelic Games. The association’s Healthy Club initiative brings a new dimension to this work. It enables people to
access health in an exciting new way. We believe this work has the potential to improve the future health of communities across the country.”
There are numerous benefits to clubs that take part in the GAA HCP including exclusive access to Healthy Club resources and support. The independent evaluation by Waterford IT’s Centre for Health Behaviour Research of Phase 1 of the HCP revealed its potential to increase membership, improvements in health-promoting activities, better opportunity to link the local community with club activities and opening up new funding avenues all the while enhancing the health of the nation and ensuring a healthier future for everyone.
The GAA hope to extend the project to 150 clubs in Phase 3 (with expressions of interest to open in early 2018) before opening the project to all interested clubs in 2020. There are 1,600 clubs in Ireland and over 400 abroad. For more information, visit: www.gaa.ie/community Follow: @officialgaa or Like: www.facebook.com/officialgaa/ #gaahealth
For more information or to request an interview please contact:
Wilson Hartnell:
Emma Walsh, Tel: 0873170897 or E: emma.walsh@ogilvy.com
Amber Brown, Tel: 087 779 9719 or E: amber.brown@ogilvy.com
Melvin Gaels Million Minutes
Earlier in the year, Melvin Gaels GAA Club inspired its local community off the field to record one million minutes of health-enhancing physical activity. The initiative was part of the Melvin Gaels’ involvement in the GAA’s Healthy Club project and intended to increase awareness of the importance to health of regular physical activity while bringing the community together to achieve this goal collectively. The idea was the brain child of the Melvin Gaels’ Healthy Club project team leader, Katherine Williams, who was ably assisted by Mary McSharry, Ciara Barrett, and Mary Rooney. The innovative challenge captured the imagination of all elements of the local community, young and old, from families and individuals to schools and businesses. They all contributed by logging their minutes each week. The initiative highlighted the broad variety of physical activity that locals are engaged in, ranging from the ever-popular walking to yoga, cycling, athletics, karate, gymnastics, horse-riding, strength and conditioning, surfing, kayaking, gardening, dancing, tai-chi, to good old-fashioned play. Each Friday of the eight-week challenge participants were invited to gather at the Kinlough Community Centre to log their weekly minutes of physical activity and to enjoy an array of health-related workshops and speakers covering topics such as healthy eating and nutrition, healthy checks, functional movement, mental fitness and emotional wellbeing.
Final Top Team in each Group to contest the Final.
13 a side
Bornacoola/St.Marys
Dromahair
Kiltubrid
St.Francis
St.Josephs
Fixtures to be made later.
Each team to play each other once.
Final Top Two Teams to contest the Final.
Rule 6.21(4) will determine Table Placings in both Competitions.
Venues: First team out to have home advantage. If home team’s pitch or home team’s nominated pitch is unplayable they must travel to their opponent’s pitch. If the opponent’s pitch is unplayable the CCC will decide on an alternative venue.
Finals at neutral venues
The 13 a side will start on Sunday, October 29th @ 12 noon.
The start date for the 15 aside will depend on Aughnasheelin/Mohill progress in Connacht Club Championships.
https://www.leitrimgaa.ie/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/IMG_20170807_160338-01-e1502120408240.jpeg180320Leitrim GAA PROhttps://www.leitrimgaa.ie/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/cropped-Leitrim_Crest_3d_Trans_552x552-180x180.pngLeitrim GAA PRO2017-10-17 11:14:382017-10-17 11:16:412017 Under 21 Football Championship Draws
Cumann Lúthchleas Gael is Ireland’s leading sporting and cultural organisation with membership approaching one million people and in excess of 500,000 playing participants at all levels. Inspired by its amateur status and supported by the voluntary efforts of all its members, the GAA devotes its entire resources to the development of Gaelic Games and Culture nationally and in local communities.
Connacht GAA in conjunction with Leitrim GAA County Board wishes to recruit a Games Development Administrator who will have responsibility for overseeing the implementation of agreed GAA games development policies and programmes in Leitrim.
Key Responsibilities
Organise, coordinate and implement (where necessary) a regular programme of Games appropriate to the age and ability of the various playing groups as outlined by the County Games Development Manager.
Organise, coordinate and implement a series of Coaching and Skill Development projects and initiatives appropriate to the age and ability of the various playing groups as outlined by the County Games Development Manager.
Deliver a programme of courses and workshops appropriate to the requirements of Coaches, Administrators and Referees, which allows such stakeholders to fulfil their various functions in a Games Development context.
Support Clubs, Primary Schools and Post Primary Schools through coaching inputs and strategic support.
Report on the implementation of programmes/projects on a regular basis and, in particular, ensure that accurate data relating to the implementation of the programmes/projects is available on a quarterly basis through the use of the GAA Games Development Information Management System (MIS).
Maintain key lines of communication with project stakeholders to ensure the successful completion of the projects.
Introduce and implement a variety of initiatives to support the development of a sustainable sports system by managing the identification, recruitment and training of key personnel within Clubs, Schools and the County to effectively develop Gaelic Games in the community.
Work as part of a team in conjunction with other full time and voluntary personnel to deliver set goals and objectives for all GAA sports.
Liaise with Provincial and County Games Development Personnel and attend meetings and personnel training as required, to support the development of the function and the role.
Complete any other duties as may reasonably be assigned by the County Games Development Manager, Designated County Officer or the County Games Development Committee.
Essential Criteria:
Excellent Gaelic football coaching skills with a minimum of 3 years’ practical coaching experience in a professional or voluntary capacity;
Third Level degree in Sports Science or a related area;
Award 1 level GAA coaching qualification;
Clear and detailed knowledge of the GAA’s coaching schemes and initiatives;
Strong organisation and problem solving skills with a demonstrable ability to work in high-pressure situations;
Exceptional interpersonal and teamwork skills with a demonstrable ability to build and sustain good relationships and manage conflict;
Strong administrative, IT and reporting skills;
Demonstrable ability to effectively manage multiple projects and deadlines; hands-on approach to getting things done.
Desirable Criteria:
Qualified GAA Tutor;
Have completed the GAA Child Protection in Sport awareness programme.
Other specific requirements
Access to own car with a full clean driving license;
Ability to work and attend evening and weekend meeting/activities in addition to normal day to day activities.
Please note the post is subject to Garda Vetting.
Candidates interested in the above role should apply with an up to date cover letter and Curriculum Vitae at https://www.jobs.ie/ApplyForJob.aspx?Id=1651142 on or before 3pm on Friday, 29th September 2017.
The GAA is an equal opportunities employer.
Coaching and Games Development – Leitrim GAA
https://www.leitrimgaa.ie/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/IMG_20170807_160338-01-e1502120408240.jpeg180320Leitrim GAA PROhttps://www.leitrimgaa.ie/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/cropped-Leitrim_Crest_3d_Trans_552x552-180x180.pngLeitrim GAA PRO2017-09-20 10:36:052017-10-02 22:13:27Job Advertisement – Games Development Administrator – Leitrim GAA
Due to Kennedy Park, New Ross, having been deemed unplayable, Allianz League Rd 1 Wexford v Leitrim has been moved to Belllefield, EnniScórthy. Throw in 2pm.
27-Jan-16 by Declan Bohan – PRO
https://www.leitrimgaa.ie/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/cat_Leitrim_crest.png100100Leitrim GAA PROhttps://www.leitrimgaa.ie/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/cropped-Leitrim_Crest_3d_Trans_552x552-180x180.pngLeitrim GAA PRO2016-01-27 00:00:002016-01-27 00:00:00Allianz League Fixture Change of Venue
GAELIC ARMOUR ANNOUNCES LANDMARK PARTNERSHIP WITH LEITRIM GAA20th November 2024 - 9:16 pm
Leitrim Community Response Forum established to assist citizens during Covid 19 – Dedicated community support helpline to be available from Monday
GeneralAt the instigation of Minister Murphy a Covid-19 Community Response Forum will be put in place for each City/County and coordinated by the Local Authority in each case.
A dedicated community support helpline will be established in Leitrim to assist at-risk members of the public in accessing non-emergency and non-medical supports and advice during the current public health emergency. The confidential phoneline service is being established by the new Leitrim COVID-19 Community Response Forum, which includes over a dozen agencies and organisations. The helpline is focused primarily on ensuring that vulnerable members of the community or those living alone can access deliveries of groceries, medicine etc. The role of the Forum is to ensure that there is a coordinated community response and to enable all voluntary statutory agencies to collaborate in support of our communities and particularly of our most vulnerable members.
Included in the Leitrim COVID-19 Community Response Forum are:
· Leitrim County Council
· Health Service Executive
· An Garda Síochána
· Leitrim Development Company
· Leitrim GAA
· An Post
· Leitrim PPN
· Citizens Information
· Alone
· Local Link Donegal Sligo Leitrim
· IFA
· Leitrim Age Friendly Alliance
· Leitrim Civil Defence
· Leitrim Volunteer Centre
· Leitrim International Community Group
· Order of Malta
· Other community, voluntary and sports representatives
The new phoneline is just one aspect of the Forum’s work. Its core aim is contributing to the community-wide effort to limit the spread of COVID-19. Leitrim COVID-19 Community Response Forum will ensure that the wide variety of groups working across the county to assist those in need, will do so in an organised, collaborative and targeted way. Leitrim COVID-19 Community Response Forum is there to ensure the very best use of the many resources assisting vulnerable persons with their daily needs at this unprecedented time, whether that is collecting medication, food shopping, social support and contact.
Chief Executive of Leitrim County Council, Lar Power, explains “There are a number of agencies and community groups currently doing excellent work in delivering care to older and vulnerable people in our communities across County Leitrim. These groups are currently operating independently of each other and Leitrim COVID-19 Community Response Forum’s role is to provide a targeted, integrated and coordinated approach to the delivery of these much-needed services to our more vulnerable citizens across the County during the COVID-19 pandemic. This public health crisis has changed life for so many, and we are there to help with that change. Leitrim County Council staff whose day-jobs have changed due to this crisis, will also be a resource in the management and operation of this community support programme along with our partner agencies/groups.
Set to come into effect from Monday 30th March, Leitrim County Council is providing a dedicated contact number – 071 9650473 – with the lines open from 9AM to 5PM seven days a week.
Our support staff can also be contacted by email at covidsupport@leitrimcoco.ie ”
Contact details of this new service will be promoted on www.leitirmcoco.ie, Leitrim County Council social media channels on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram through the local press and media and through parish newsletters. An information leaflet including the new phone number and other information will be distributed around the county, particularly to vulnerable households, over the coming days.
The Late Brendan Gormley, Fohera, Ballinamore, Co. Leitrim.
GeneralLeitrim GAA wishes to express its sympathies to the family of the late Brendan Gormley, Fohera, Ballinamore, Co. Leitrim, on his sad passing after a long illness on Monday, January 20th.
Brendan was to the forefront in the promotion of GAA activities in his native Ballinamore and in particular the promotion of Scór in his club throughout the 1980’s. Indeed the club has claimed many Scór honours at county, provincial and national levels. In addition to holding the position of Treasurer of Scór Liatroma, he went on to become Treasurer of Coiste Chontae Liatroma in 1985 and held the position for an unprecedented seventeen consecutive years until 2001. Brendan also served a term as Treasurer of Connacht Council GAA from 1979 to 1982.
Brendan worked tirelessly for Leitrim GAA over his period involved with the County Management Committee and Coiste Chontae Liatroma and would have taken tremendous pride in being associated with Leitrim’s on-field achievements of a quarter-century ago and beyond.
Ar dheis Dé go raibh sé.
Our sincere sympathy is extended to Brendan’s wife Rosario, sons Niall and Aaron, daughter Sinead, daughters-in-law Breege (McGovern) & Fiona (Butterly), his dear grandchildren Mya, Romy, Grace, Darragh & Meabh, his sisters Mary (Cavan), Rose Murphy (Carrick-on-Shannon), Agnes Duncan (Kilcock), Margaret Walpole (Mohill), brothers Joe (Cavan), Noel (Dublin) & Donal (Drumree, Co. Meath), brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nephews, nieces, relatives, neighbours and friends.
His remains will be reposing at Smith’s Funeral Home, High St, Ballinamore on Wednesday, January 22 from 5pm, concluding with prayers at 8pm.
House private at all times, please.
Funeral Mass in St. Patrick’s Church, Ballinamore on Thursday at 12 noon followed by burial in Oughteragh Cemetery, Ballinamore. Family flowers only, please. Donations in lieu to the North West Hospice, c/o Smiths Funeral Directors, Ballinamore.
National Recognition for Aughnasheelin and Glencar/Manorhamilton
Club DevelopmentTwo Leitrim GAA clubs receive national recognition as official GAA Healthy Clubs in Croke Park
· The award-winning Healthy Clubs Project (HCP) aims to turn clubs into hubs for health in their communities
· Phase 3 of the Healthy Club Project seen over 170 Healthy Club Initiatives ran in 84 GAA Clubs across Ireland
· With almost the same number of GAA clubs as GPs across Ireland, the project offers a new setting in which to deliver health promotion and interventions
A special ceremony which ran alongside the GAA’s National Healthy Club Conference in Croke Park on October 5th, saw 84 GAA clubs recognised as official ‘Healthy Clubs’ on the island of Ireland. The day was about given recognition to the clubs and volunteers, by individually acknowledging the contribution that each GAA Healthy Club makes in bringing the vision for Healthy Ireland to life: where everyone can enjoy physical and mental health and wellbeing to their full potential.
Two Leitrim GAA clubs, Aughnasheelin and Glencar Manorhamilton can now proudly fly a flag above their grounds (endorsed by both Healthy Ireland and the Public Health Agency in NI), letting their members and communities know that they value health and wellbeing as much as leagues and championships.
In January 2018, almost 300 clubs applied to participate in Phase 3 of the project (just 60 participated in Phase 3 between 2015-2017). Many cited the dearth of services in their communities that are tackling issues such as obesity, sedentary lifestyles, mental health and suicide. They wanted to be part of the solution. Clubs engage with their members and community before identifying health themes upon which to focus on. Most common include physical activity for non-playing members; healthy eating; emotional wellbeing; engaging older members of the community; youth development; smoke free clubs; gambling, drug, and alcohol education; and inclusion and integration. These two progressive GAA clubs are amongst the first in Leitrim to receive national recognition. Their various health and wellbeing initiatives have had a tremendous impact on their clubs and wider communities.
The innovative Healthy Club model was developed in partnership with Healthy Ireland, the HSE’s health promotion division, the National Office for Suicide Prevention, and is supported by Irish Life through a CSR investment. In an era of unprecedented societal health challenges, the Healthy Club Project aims to harness the potential of the GAA club setting to deliver evidence-based health promotion information and interventions, backed up by appropriate policies and partnerships. Its potential to be replicated by other sports is currently being explored by a working group involving the FAI, IRFU, and Athletics Ireland.
John Horan, An Uachtarán Cumann Luthchleas Gael acknowledged this at the recognition day in Croke Park, “The 84 Healthy Clubs recognised today have gone above and beyond what is normally expected of a sports club. Health and wellbeing is core to what the GAA is all about
and these clubs help bring that to life. I’d like to thank our partners, Healthy Ireland, the HSE, National Office for Suicide Prevention, the Public Health Agency, and Irish Life, for helping to make the Healthy Club project the success it is. We look forward to growing it from strength to strength.”
Teresa Kilmartin, Chief People Officer, Irish Life said, “Irish Life are delighted to work with the GAA on the Healthy Club initiative. The GAA, reaches into every community on the island of Ireland, and has a significant role to play in the health of the nation through its promotion of Gaelic Games. The association’s Healthy Club initiative brings a new dimension to this work. It enables people to access health in an exciting new way. We believe this work has the potential to improve the future health of communities across the country.”
There are numerous benefits to clubs that take part in the GAA Healthy Club Project including exclusive access to Healthy Club resources and support. The independent evaluation by Waterford IT’s Centre for Health Behaviour Research of Phase 2 of the Healthy Club Project revealed its potential to increase membership, improvements in health promoting activities, better opportunity to link the local community with club activities and opening up new funding avenues all the while enhancing the health of the nation and ensuring a healthier future for everyone.
The GAA Healthy Club Project is now open to new applicants. GAA clubs are invited to submit expressions of interest to join the next phase of the Healthy Club Project which will commence on February 1st, 2020. There are 150 places available to interested clubs. Closing date to submit completed applications is Friday, 15th November 2019. Expression of interest forms can be completed online on www.gaa.ie/community
For more information please contact the GAA Community & Health Team on community.health@gaa.ie
5 October 2019; Biddy O’Neill, National Programme Lead, Healthy Ireland, left, and Teresa Kilmartin, Chief People Office, Irish Life, right, with the Official Healthy Club Award winners 2019 from the clubs of Augnasheelin and Glencar Manorhamilton, Co Leitrim, at the GAA Healthy Club Conference 2019 at Croke Park, Dublin. Photo by Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile
Hats off to the Leitrim Supporters
County FootballNow that the dust has settled on our magnificent 2019 Allianz League campaign, we must acknowledge a number of items. Firstly we thank our players and management for the efforts they have made on our behalf all spring in bringing a pep to the step of all associated with Leitrim GAA. Marooned in Division 4 since relegation in the Spring of 2008, it seemed at times that the interminable wait to advance up the league would painfully continue forever. However, the signs of something positive that could germinate sooner rather than later occurred during last Summer’s championship season with heartening displays, a never say die attitude and memorable days in Gaelic Park, and versus Louth and Monaghan in the Qualifiers.
This year’s campaign has brought joy and honour to our county. A brilliant league campaign that included many late but nonetheless deserved victories has concluded with the much-coveted prize of promotion to Division 3 for 2020 and a chance to test our developing young team against stronger opposition. While the result of the league final didn’t go our way, the performance of our players was magnificent on Saturday last. They gave it their all and left everything on the hallowed ground of Croke Park in pursuit of victory and for that nobody could possibly ask for more. We heartily congratulate Derry who were deserving victors on the day. We salute the efforts of Terry Hyland and his management team for getting the players to this stage in their first year at the helm as we look forward to the Connacht Championship next month in hope, a chance for continued development and further progress.
We wish to thank all media outlets, online, local and national print, local and national radio and TV, whose coverage of this journey was unparallelled in our recent history and gave a great lift to the efforts of all involved. Many thanks for your coverage which is greatly appreciated by all and painted our county and Leitrim GAA in a most positive light.
Last, and by certainly no means least we must acknowledge the magnificent support for the lads on Saturday last. Our support base has been steadily growing all season but Saturday last exceeded all expectations. The colour and noise that our supporters brought to HQ was the talk of the weekend and while it’s not that often Leitrim teams get the opportunity to play in a national final in Croke Park, our supporters were magnificent and if the players left their all on the field of play, they will also be the first to acknowledge that they were lifted by the push they received from the stands. It’s not easy to fill Croke Park with supporters cheers but our supporters more than passed that test and were truly magnificent. Special word towards the hundreds who travelled overseas to be there also. Hats off to all involved from players, management, officials and supporters! A magnificent weekend and all that was missing at the end of it was the League trophy!
The late Tom Guckian, Kiltoghert, Ck-on-Shannon and St. Mary’s Kiltoghert GAA Club.
GeneralLeitrim GAA is greatly saddened at the sudden passing of Tom Guckian, Kiltoghert, Ck-on-Shannon, who passed to his eternal reward early on Friday morning. Tom, a retired staff member of ESB, was battling with ailing health over the past couple of years but met all these challenges determinedly and refused to give in, always airing with great positivity. An avid GAA follower of all codes, Tom made it to TEG Cusack Park, Mullingar, on Sunday week last to support the Carrick Hurlers in their recent All-Ireland Junior Hurling Semi Final, such was his love for his local teams. He was due to attend the St Mary’s Kiltoghert Gala Presentation event on this Saturday night but unfortunately, this wasn’t to be.
Tom has had a lifelong association with many aspects of the GAA in Leitrim and while he never played underage football for St Mary’s Kiltoghert, he always showed a keen interest in all the club’s activities and became involved at officer level at a young age becoming Treasurer in 1983. He continued in this role for 8 years, while also playing club football at Senior and Junior level.
He captained St Mary’s to a Junior Championship final in 1988 and at this stage, his great organisational skills were becoming obvious when he became manager of the club’s second team a role he held for 10 years during which he led St Mary’s to the Intermediate title in 1995. This was the year that St Mary’s Kiltoghert took the Senior, Intermediate and Minor titles, a feat unparalleled and unlikely to be ever matched.
In 1996 he took over as Chairman of the club and held this role until 2003, during this time he spearheaded the development of the new club grounds at Castlecarra, affectionally known to all as Park Tom. This was a jewel in Tom’s Chairmanship crown and one of which he can be extremely proud. The grounds, which are a hive of GAA activity, have been of tremendous assistance to Leitrim GAA, particularly on big match day in Avantcard Páirc Seán Mac Diarmada.
Fundraising is the bane of many people’s existence and many run a mile from it. Not Tom though! He always played a big role in any fundraising for the club and took great delight when his club’s lotto team topped the sales figures. In addition to this Tom has been a long time member of the Leitrim GAA Supporters Club Committee and used his talent in this regard to great effect. Tom rarely missed the traditional annual launch of the Leitrim Supporters Club in Dublin and was an ever-present on the Leitrim Bus to Dublin for these occasions in the company of his wife Tina.
At County GAA Administration level Tom served on the county Competitions Control Committee for ten years and was its Chairman for 5 years. During this time he was always approachable and dealt with all issues fairly and in the best interest of Leitrim GAA. He left his club outside the door on all occasions when making CCC decisions and that is the very best tribute we can pay to him on his tenure in charge of that committee. In recent years he had been a member of the Connacht GAA Hearings Committee which was a great honour bestowed on him to have been chosen on the ultimate provincial disciplinary decision-making committee. Of course, Tom has had a leading role on many Connacht Council match days around the province in that most unglamorous of roles, the matchday steward which involves a time investment or erosion of time, if you look at it another way, that goes way beyond what we normally associate with attending matches.
Before the era or Fás/Tús schemes, Tom was always to be found doing voluntary work at Avantcard Páirc Seán Mac Diarmada preparing for games and became Chairperson of the Páirc Seán Committee in 2010 and oversaw many developments at the grounds over his period in charge. An abiding image of Tom on match day would have been his scurrying up and down the tunnel, keys rattling, and making sure all is in perfect working order. Post-match you would most likely see him doing a lap of the field with a fertilizer bag collecting the flags and remaining on until all had exited safely. Another example of the many unglamorous but vital GAA roles that Tom gladly took charge of, such was his enthusiasm for the association that was such a big part of his life.
As a supporter, Tom clocked up many miles supporting his club and county across many age grades and codes. He was particularly proud of the sporting achievements of his daughters Lorraine and Lisa and was the staunchest supporter of their team over the years. Despite his ailing health, he made sure to be present at all their matches, no matter where in recent years and it was a pleasure to meet him on these occasions.
On February 3rd, 2018, Tom Guckian was inducted into the Jim Lynch Leitrim GAA Hall of Fame at the County’s Annual GAA Awards Ceremony. This was a fitting tribute to all of the work that Tom had got through in a lifetime’s association with GAA and a recognition of the fact that the mountains of work that goes on behind the scenes are greatly appreciated by all. Tom was, in this regard, a hero of many and for all! Tom gloriously captained many great teams whose work goes on off the field.
We are greatly saddened by his passing, which leaves yet another large void around St. Mary’s Kiltoghert, Avantcard Páirc Seán Mac Diarmada and Leitrim GAA. However, it is his family who will feel the greatest loss and we express our sympathies to his wife Tina, daughters Lorraine and Lisa, grandson James, brothers Joe and Patsy, sister Mary B Mulvey (Butlersbridge, Co.Cavan), brothers-in-law Michael, Johnny, Charlie, Seamus, Martin, Sean and P.J, sisters-in-law Mary, Maggie, Phil, Margaret, Clare, Maura and Bernadette, nieces, nephews, relatives, neighbours and a large circle of friends.
Funeral Arrangements
Reposing at his home tomorrow, Saturday, from 2 o’clock until 6 o’clock and on Sunday from 2 o’clock until 6 o’clock. Removal to St.Patrick’s Church, Gowel on Monday morning to arrive for Mass of Christian Burial at 12 o’clock with funeral afterwards to Kiltoghert Cemetery. Family flowers only please, donations, if so desired, to Irish Motor Neuron Association (imnda.ie). House private outside of reposing times and private on Monday morning please.
Ar dheis Dé go raibh sé.
The late Tom Guckian, pictured with Tina, Lorraine, Lisa and grandson James following St. Mary’s/Bornacoola Ladies League Final win in July 2018.
2018/19 INTO/GAA Mini 7s
Cumann na mBunscolThe 2018/19 Mini Sevens Regional Competitions will commence on Tuesday 18th September for the boys and Wednesday 19th September for the girls’ competition. Please consult attachment for your relevant group. Please note that these fixtures are weather dependent and may be called off at short notice if pitches are unplayable. Games throw in at 10.00 am sharp and should finish by 1.00pm. These games are seven minutes a side played by seven players. Schools may bring a panel of 10 players and unlimited substitution is allowed.
Schools are awarded 2 points for a win and 1 point for a draw. In the event of two schools ending on the same number of points, a head to head will apply. If three schools end on the same number of points there will be a three-way play-off.
Boys Competition
Girls Competition
5 Team Draw
Round 1 AvB, DVE
Round 2 CvD, AvE
Round 3 BvC AvD
Round 4 CvE BvD
Round 5 AvC, BvE
4 Team Draw
Round 1 AvB, CvD
Round 2 BvC, AvD
Round 3 AvC, BvD
AIB/GAA Toughest Rivalry Episode 1: Meet The Managers – The Toughest Rivalry
GeneralAIB, the creators of hit shows The Toughest Trade, Jeff and Kammy’s Journey to Croker and Behind The Gates have sponsored the AIB All Ireland Club Championships for 27 years. AIB recently extended their sponsorship of the GAA All Ireland Football Championship for a further five years.
In 1998, Erin’s Isle met Castlehaven in the AIB GAA All Ireland Club Semi-Finals. With 13 minutes remaining Erin’s Isle and Dublin star player, Charlie Redmond, receives a red card widely regarded as harsh. Two points down with seconds remaining the game looks likes its Castlehaven’s. When a long ball towards the Castlehaven goal seems to be dribbling wide only to be picked up by an Erin’s Isle forward, scooped back and shot towards the net by Niall Crossan. The ball hit one post, then a second post before shooting out. The goal was awarded, Erin’s Isle claim the game by one point but the debate over whether the goal was in fact a goal still rages.
Friday, July 13th 2018: The first episode of AIB’s eagerly anticipate new series, The Toughest Rivalry, airs today. The series introduces renowned Premier League Manager Harry Redknapp and former Sampdoria, Juventus and Italy striker, manager and World Footballer of the Year in 1995, Gianluca Vialli to the culture of GAA in Ireland.
Both Premier League powerhouses will take charge of two rival GAA clubs. Vialli with Erin’s Isle in Dublin, and Redknapp with Castlehaven in West Cork. The two teams faced off in an infamous 1998 AIB GAA All-Ireland Club Semi-Final, where Castlehaven were defeated by a last-minute questionable goal. The controversial ending left both teams with unfinished business.
Episode 1 is now available to view here: https://youtu.be/GiTIrRcJYUU
The series will culminate in an epic rematch, set to take place at the end of the summer with Vialli and Redknapp managing their teams and using their managerial expertise to improve and make a difference to their respective teams.
AIB, proud sponsor of both Club and County, believe that GAA, as #TheToughest sport of all, is built upon rivalries be they local, county, provincial or national. GAA rivalries, despite being as intense as any in world sport, are rivalries of the very best kind. These rivalries bring out the very best in GAA players, fans and their communities.
Over the next eight weeks, AIB’s exclusive eight-part video series will reveal how Harry and Gianluca fared as they swapped their soccer managerial skills for those of a GAA manager.
This week the two managers travel to their respective destination and get to grips with the task ahead.
AIB’s ‘The Toughest Rivalry’ will air each Friday on www.youtube.com/aib and AIB’s other social channels.
For exclusive content and behind the scenes action from Harry and Gianluca’s journey follow AIB GAA on Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat and facebook.com/AIBGAA.
Allianz Cumann na mBunscol Hurling Initiative
Cumann na mBunscolHurling Initiative – This year in Leitrim, Cumann na mBunscol Liatroma, in conjunction with Leitrim GAA Coaching and Games Committee decided to run a hurling initiative due to the poor number of schools registering interest in hurling competitions (3 schools out of 38). Our determination is to make hurling as accessible as possible to all primary school pupils.
The Plan – We met with National Hurling Development Manager Martin Fogarty, Connacht Hurling Development Officer Damien Coleman, Hurling Coach Michael Carroll and Leitrim Games Development Manager Thomas Keenan and explored possible issues and devised a plan. We liaised with our Games Development Manager Thomas Keenan to buy equipment (200 helmets, 200 hurls, and 200 sliotars) and we made up six packs each containing 30 of each. Each pack also contains the Hurling Fun-Do information pack which contains fun, easy-to-do skills and drills.
In this regard, we would like to acknowledge the subsidising of the equipment by Leitrim GAA to reduce the investment cost to Cumann na mBunscoil Liatroma.
We would like to thank the above people for the input and advice that they have given us to bring this initiative to a reality. We look forward to the schools of the county getting involved and we are hopeful that with the encouragement and help of the Coaching and Games Development and buy-in from our schools and teachers that current primary school pupils of all ages will enjoy an experience that will foster an interest in the camán and sliotar.
These kits will be delivered to six schools at a time for six-week “Sessions”. During this six-week session, a hurling coach will visit the teachers in the school to help them devise a six-week programme. This is designed to help make the school self-sufficient and not entirely reliant on hurling coaches. We believe that everyone can be a hurling coach. After the six-week session is over, all six schools will come together and have a blitz, giving the children a chance to use their newly-learned skills with other children who are at the same level as themselves in a fun, non-competitive way. Schools do not pay to borrow these kits for the sessions but have the option to buy the sets after the six weeks should they choose to do so. This offers them a free trial before they commit to buying the expensive gear.
We are currently piloting the scheme in six schools with a full rollout in January. There will be three sessions between Jan – June 2018 and with five sessions planned for the 2018-19 school year and the target is to have every school in the county trying hurling for six weeks for free. More info is available and Leitrim schools can register their interest at cnmb.leitrim@gaa.ie or follow us @cnmbleitrim on Twitter.
Our photographs feature pupils from Scoil Mhuire NS, Bornacoola, St Brigid’s NS, Drumcong, Aughnasheelin NS, Drumkeerin NS and St Joseph’s NS, Aughavas, making excellent use of the equipment.
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Official GAA Press Release – Melvin Gaels GAA Club – Healthy Clubs Project
GeneralMelvin Gaels GAA amongst the first official GAA Healthy Clubs to receive national recognition
· The award-winning Healthy Clubs Project (HCP) aims to turn clubs into hubs for health in their communities
· With almost the same number of GAA clubs as GPs across Ireland, the project offers a new setting in which to deliver health promotion and interventions
· Leading GAA ambassador Seán Cavanagh strongly commends the club for their leadership
November 4th – A special ceremony with governmental representation in Croke Park today saw 58 GAA clubs recognised as the first official ‘Healthy Clubs’ on the island of Ireland.
Eight Connacht clubs, including Melvin Gaels GAA in Leitrim, can now proudly fly a flag above their grounds (endorsed by both Healthy Ireland and the Public Health Agency in NI), letting their members and communities know that they value health and wellbeing as much as leagues and championships.
In January 2016, almost 100 clubs applied to participate in Phase 2 of the project (just 16 participated in Phase 1 between 2013-2015). Many cited the dearth of services in their communities that are tackling issues such as obesity, sedentary lifestyles, mental health and suicide. They wanted to be part of the solution.
Clubs engage with their members and community before identifying health themes upon which to focus on. Most common include healthy eating; physical activity for non-playing members; emotional well-being; engaging older members of the community; youth development; gambling, drug, and alcohol education; and inclusion and integration. Almost half of the clubs (29) also opted to become completely smoke-free venues as part of their 18-month journey.
Progressive GAA club, Melvin Gaels is the first in Leitrim to receive national recognition. Their innovative Melvin Gaels Million Minutes health challenge had a tremendous impact on the club and the wider community. Collectively they achieved their target of logging a million minutes of physical activity over eight weeks. The challenge captured the imagination of all elements of the local community, young and old, from families and individuals to schools and businesses. They all contributed by logging their minutes each week, gathering each Friday evening for a health-related discussion in Kinlough Community Centre, joining the walking/running group each Saturday evening, or by kindly donating prizes or running classes for those taking part. The initiative highlighted the broad variety of physical activity that locals are engaged in, ranging from the ever-popular walking to yoga, cycling, athletics, karate, gymnastics, horse-riding, strength and conditioning, surfing, kayaking, gardening, dancing, tai-chi, to good old-fashioned play.
Former Tyrone football captain Seán Cavanagh is a big supporter of the GAA’s Healthy Club Project (HCP) and presented the clubs with their official flag and plaque in Croke Park on Saturday, November 4th. He said “I’ve seen myself how the GAA brings communities together in so many different ways so it’s fantastic to see the association taking a leadership role in developing healthier communities. The Healthy Clubs around the country are having a positive impact on so many children and young people and as a parent, I think it is fantastic. Through this project, I think people will start to appreciate the role of the GAA in our communities even more.”
The innovative Healthy Club model was developed in partnership with Healthy Ireland, the HSE’s health promotion division, the National Office for Suicide Prevention, and is supported by Irish Life through a CSR investment. In an era of unprecedented societal health challenges, the Healthy Club Project aims to harness the potential of the GAA club setting to deliver evidence-based health promotion information and interventions, backed up by appropriate policies and partnerships. Its potential to be replicated by other sports is currently being explored by a working group involving the FAI, IRFU, and Athletics Ireland.
Similar work is being undertaken across European sports associations, and for the past three years the GAA has contributed its learnings to the EU-wide Sports Clubs for Health project. This culminated with the GAA’s Community & Health manager, Colin Regan, presenting on the Healthy Club project to a sub-committee of the EU Parliament in Brussels in April.
The Healthy Clubs project is being independently evaluated by a team from Waterford IT’s Centre for Health Behaviour Research. While the final report into Phase 2 won’t be available until December, the research team have already noted significant successes (see editor’s notes for examples of successful interventions).
Aogán Ó Fearghail, An Uachtarán Cumann Luthchleas Gael said, “The 58 Healthy Clubs recognised today have gone above and beyond what is normally expected of a sports club. Health and wellbeing is core to what the GAA is all about and these clubs help bring that to life. I’d like to thank our partners, Healthy Ireland, the HSE, National Office for Suicide Prevention, the Public Health Agency, and Irish Life, for helping to make the Healthy Club project the success it is. We look forward to growing it from strength to strength.”
Recognising the achievements of the clubs in Croke Park at the Healthy Club Recognition Event is Catherine Byrne, Minister of State for Health Promotion and the National Drugs Strategy, Department of Health (ROI). She said, “Today is all about recognition for the clubs and the volunteers who make this happen at club level. I would like to congratulate all of the clubs and volunteers involved and acknowledge the contribution that they are all making to bring the vision for Healthy Ireland to life: where everyone can enjoy physical and mental health and wellbeing to their full potential”
David Harney, CEO, Irish Life said, “Irish Life are delighted to work with the GAA on the Healthy Club initiative. The GAA reaches into every community on the island of Ireland and has a significant role to play in the health of the nation through its promotion of Gaelic Games. The association’s Healthy Club initiative brings a new dimension to this work. It enables people to
access health in an exciting new way. We believe this work has the potential to improve the future health of communities across the country.”
There are numerous benefits to clubs that take part in the GAA HCP including exclusive access to Healthy Club resources and support. The independent evaluation by Waterford IT’s Centre for Health Behaviour Research of Phase 1 of the HCP revealed its potential to increase membership, improvements in health-promoting activities, better opportunity to link the local community with club activities and opening up new funding avenues all the while enhancing the health of the nation and ensuring a healthier future for everyone.
The GAA hope to extend the project to 150 clubs in Phase 3 (with expressions of interest to open in early 2018) before opening the project to all interested clubs in 2020. There are 1,600 clubs in Ireland and over 400 abroad. For more information, visit: www.gaa.ie/community Follow: @officialgaa or Like: www.facebook.com/officialgaa/ #gaahealth
For more information or to request an interview please contact:
Wilson Hartnell:
Emma Walsh, Tel: 0873170897 or E: emma.walsh@ogilvy.com
Amber Brown, Tel: 087 779 9719 or E: amber.brown@ogilvy.com
Melvin Gaels Million Minutes
Earlier in the year, Melvin Gaels GAA Club inspired its local community off the field to record one million minutes of health-enhancing physical activity. The initiative was part of the Melvin Gaels’ involvement in the GAA’s Healthy Club project and intended to increase awareness of the importance to health of regular physical activity while bringing the community together to achieve this goal collectively. The idea was the brain child of the Melvin Gaels’ Healthy Club project team leader, Katherine Williams, who was ably assisted by Mary McSharry, Ciara Barrett, and Mary Rooney. The innovative challenge captured the imagination of all elements of the local community, young and old, from families and individuals to schools and businesses. They all contributed by logging their minutes each week. The initiative highlighted the broad variety of physical activity that locals are engaged in, ranging from the ever-popular walking to yoga, cycling, athletics, karate, gymnastics, horse-riding, strength and conditioning, surfing, kayaking, gardening, dancing, tai-chi, to good old-fashioned play. Each Friday of the eight-week challenge participants were invited to gather at the Kinlough Community Centre to log their weekly minutes of physical activity and to enjoy an array of health-related workshops and speakers covering topics such as healthy eating and nutrition, healthy checks, functional movement, mental fitness and emotional wellbeing.
2017 Under 21 Football Championship Draws
Club Football2017 Under 21 Football Championships
The following are the Groups & Regulations for the Under 21 Championships
15 a side
Group 1
(A) Ballinamore-SOH (B) Fenagh/Gortletteragh (C) Melvin Gaels
Group 2
(A) St.Brigids (B ) GlencarManorhamilton (C) Mohill
Round 1 A v B C Bye
Round 2 B v C A Bye
Round 3 C v A B Bye
Final Top Team in each Group to contest the Final.
13 a side
Bornacoola/St.Marys
Dromahair
Kiltubrid
St.Francis
St.Josephs
Fixtures to be made later.
Each team to play each other once.
Final Top Two Teams to contest the Final.
Rule 6.21(4) will determine Table Placings in both Competitions.
Venues: First team out to have home advantage. If home team’s pitch or home team’s nominated pitch is unplayable they must travel to their opponent’s pitch. If the opponent’s pitch is unplayable the CCC will decide on an alternative venue.
Finals at neutral venues
The 13 a side will start on Sunday, October 29th @ 12 noon.
The start date for the 15 aside will depend on Aughnasheelin/Mohill progress in Connacht Club Championships.
Job Advertisement – Games Development Administrator – Leitrim GAA
Club FootballGames Development Administrator
Leitrim GAA
Cumann Lúthchleas Gael is Ireland’s leading sporting and cultural organisation with membership approaching one million people and in excess of 500,000 playing participants at all levels. Inspired by its amateur status and supported by the voluntary efforts of all its members, the GAA devotes its entire resources to the development of Gaelic Games and Culture nationally and in local communities.
Connacht GAA in conjunction with Leitrim GAA County Board wishes to recruit a Games Development Administrator who will have responsibility for overseeing the implementation of agreed GAA games development policies and programmes in Leitrim.
Key Responsibilities
Essential Criteria:
Desirable Criteria:
Other specific requirements
Please note the post is subject to Garda Vetting.
Candidates interested in the above role should apply with an up to date cover letter and Curriculum Vitae at https://www.jobs.ie/ApplyForJob.aspx?Id=1651142 on or before 3pm on Friday, 29th September 2017.
The GAA is an equal opportunities employer.
Coaching and Games Development – Leitrim GAA
Allianz League Fixture Change of Venue
County FootballDue to Kennedy Park, New Ross, having been deemed unplayable, Allianz League Rd 1 Wexford v Leitrim has been moved to Belllefield, EnniScórthy. Throw in 2pm.
27-Jan-16 by Declan Bohan – PRO