The GAA has published the report of the Fixtures Calendar Review Taskforce with a series of 32 recommendations for the Association which would impact across all levels of club and inter-county competition.
At the heart of the recommendations is the objective of striking a better balance and degree of certainty to the playing of club fixtures alongside the inter-county fixture programme.
To help achieve this, a key recommendation is the creation of a new Oversight Unit that would see four full-time Fixtures Analysts appointed (one in each province) who would assist Counties in planning Club Fixture programmes.
This new Oversight Unit would have responsibility for helping to ensure clubs had more access to their county players, that all available dates to play club games with county players are utilised and would have the power to impose sanctions on counties for breaches of rule.
It would also be responsible for ensuring counties submit club fixture plans by the end of December and for ensuring inter-county teams respect the closed season and the various other restrictions on inter-county activity outlined in the GAA rulebook. Under these proposals inter-county training would not start back before December 1.
It is also recommended that 16 teams be the maximum number of teams allowed in senior and intermediate club championships.
In terms of the inter-county calendar, the report suggests it can be condensed further by playing the All-Ireland senior hurling and football finals on consecutive weekends. This would increase the time available in the current spring-time club window as well as increasing the time available post the inter-county championships for club activity.
In addition to this, the Taskforce has studied the possibility in the future of having multiple set windows put within the fixture calendar where club matches could potentially be interspersed between inter-county matches.
In relation to the All-Ireland senior football championship, there are two possible formats presented, which each have two options in terms of their schedule in the calendar and how they could facilitate club games.
Format 1 – Four provincial football championship competitions each consisting of eight teams, split into two groups of four. Played in a round robin format, final league positions in these groups would determine further progress in the Championship.
Format 2 – Repositioning of the Allianz Football League to the Summer months as a basis for the Championship and playing Provincial Competitions in the February/March period. The League would then determine the pathway for counties to qualify for All-Ireland SFC quarter-finals.
The report also looks at the implications of retaining the present Football Championship structures while simultaneously taking action to improve the overall balance between the time currently available for club and inter-county games.
All of these formats also cater for a Tier 2 Football Championship.
The report is in favour of the current All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship format and recommends that the Hurling Development Committee examines the potential and impact of increasing the Munster and Leinster groups from five up to six teams.
The recommendations have the potential to triple the number of club-only fixture weekends in the April-October period compared to 2015 when the GAA embarked on its current programme of tightening the inter-county schedule.
In 2015 there were only five weekends in the period from April – October that were totally free of inter-county activity. That figure now stands at 12 in the majority of cases. These new recommendations are capable of increasing this figure to 15 club-only weekends for the majority of counties between April and October.
The report was launched by Uachtarán CLG John Horan at Croke Park in the presence of the Taskforce and its chairman Eddie Sullivan.
The Taskforce met 12 times and was comprised of stakeholders from across the full spectrum of GAA fixtures and included representatives from second and third level bodies, county secretaries, the GPA and a variety of people with experience and knowledge in the compilation of fixture programmes. The CPA contributed prior to opting out on November 18.
More than 1,300 members and supporters took part in a detailed survey via an on-line questionnaire. More than 50 different written submissions were also received by the committee relating to the fixtures calendar.
Also among the list of recommendations are proposals in favour of:
• including the Galway senior hurling club champions in the Munster or Leinster club hurling championship;
• staging U20 hurling and football championships as national competitions without provincial championships;
• designating U17 inter-county level a developmental grade;
• finishing the Sigerson and Fitzgibbon Cups earlier;
• finishing All-Ireland Post Primary A and B schools finals earlier and abolishing All-Ireland finals at C and D grades,
• abolishing the All-Ireland junior football championship.
Following the completion of the report, it will now go out to counties and clubs for debate.
The report will be presented to Central Council in January, after which it is intended for there to be a series of regional seminars around the country with clubs from every county invited to have a representative present to engage and provide feedback.
It is envisaged that a number of motions will be on the Clár of the 2020 Annual Congress at the end of February, with most of the remainder being tabled at a Special Congress which will be held later next year.
If adopted, the earliest the new recommendations would be in place for is the 2021 season.
The full report can be accessed here REPORT OF THE FIXTURE CALENDAR REVIEW TASK FORCE
GAELIC ARMOUR ANNOUNCES LANDMARK PARTNERSHIP WITH LEITRIM GAA20th November 2024 - 9:16 pm
The late Maureen Tiernan (née Crawford), Cloone Village, Co. Leitrim,
GeneralLeitrim GAA expresses its deepest sympathies to our Central Council delegate Enda Tiernan, his brother Shane and the extended Tiernan and Crawford Families, on the death of their mother, Maureen Tiernan, Cloone. Co Leitrim.
Maureen, who has been predeceased by her husband Séan and infant son Mel, is deeply regretted by and sadly missed by her loving sons; Shane and Enda, her brothers; George and Tom, daughter-in-law; Raquel, Enda’s partner Sheila, sister-in-law; Margaret, grandsons; Séan and Conor, nephews; Kenneth and Thomas, niece; Caroline, relatives, neighbours and a large circle of friends.
Funeral Arrangements
Remains reposing at Lough Erril Private Nursing Home, Mohill (N41 XE39) on Monday (9th December) from 3.00pm – 5.45pm followed by prayers. Removal to arrive at St. Mary’s Church, Cloone for 7.00pm. Funeral mass on Tuesday at 12 noon followed by burial to Cloone new cemetery.
Ar dheis Dé go raibh sí.
Ireland Lights Up 2020
GeneralBefore the year ends, we would like to highlight the popular ‘Ireland Lights Up’ walking initiative returns in January 2020 in partnership with the GAA, Operation Transformation, and Get Ireland Walking.
In a bid to walk off the turkey and make exercise more accessible on the darker nights, clubs across the 32 counties are once more encouraged to turn on their floodlights and host community walking groups during the broadcast period of the hit RTÉ show.
Registration for clubs is now open: www.getirelandwalking.ie/GAA/
Over 270 clubs participated in Ireland Lights Up in 2019, with a total of 65,000 walkers getting out during the initiative.
The first date for clubs to host ‘Ireland Lights Up’ 2020 is Thursday, January 9th, but this year clubs are free to host their walking groups any, and as many, nights of the week as they want.
20 November 2019; Launch of Ireland Lights Up with the GAA in partnership with RTÉs Operation Transformation and Get Ireland Walking. In a bid to make exercise more accessible on the dark winter nights, Ireland Lights Up will see participating clubs turn on their floodlights/lighting for a six-week period (January 8th February 26th, 2019) as Operation Transformation returns to our screens in the New Year. In attendance at the launch at Coolderry GAA Healthy Club in Co. Offaly is Uachtarán Cumann Lúthchleas Gael, John Horan with Kathryn Thomas and Karl Henry from Operation Transformation Photo by Matt Browne/Sportsfile *** NO REPRODUCTION FEE ***
Report of the Fixture Calendar Review Task Force
County FootballThe GAA has published the report of the Fixtures Calendar Review Taskforce with a series of 32 recommendations for the Association which would impact across all levels of club and inter-county competition.
At the heart of the recommendations is the objective of striking a better balance and degree of certainty to the playing of club fixtures alongside the inter-county fixture programme.
To help achieve this, a key recommendation is the creation of a new Oversight Unit that would see four full-time Fixtures Analysts appointed (one in each province) who would assist Counties in planning Club Fixture programmes.
This new Oversight Unit would have responsibility for helping to ensure clubs had more access to their county players, that all available dates to play club games with county players are utilised and would have the power to impose sanctions on counties for breaches of rule.
It would also be responsible for ensuring counties submit club fixture plans by the end of December and for ensuring inter-county teams respect the closed season and the various other restrictions on inter-county activity outlined in the GAA rulebook. Under these proposals inter-county training would not start back before December 1.
It is also recommended that 16 teams be the maximum number of teams allowed in senior and intermediate club championships.
In terms of the inter-county calendar, the report suggests it can be condensed further by playing the All-Ireland senior hurling and football finals on consecutive weekends. This would increase the time available in the current spring-time club window as well as increasing the time available post the inter-county championships for club activity.
In addition to this, the Taskforce has studied the possibility in the future of having multiple set windows put within the fixture calendar where club matches could potentially be interspersed between inter-county matches.
In relation to the All-Ireland senior football championship, there are two possible formats presented, which each have two options in terms of their schedule in the calendar and how they could facilitate club games.
Format 1 – Four provincial football championship competitions each consisting of eight teams, split into two groups of four. Played in a round robin format, final league positions in these groups would determine further progress in the Championship.
Format 2 – Repositioning of the Allianz Football League to the Summer months as a basis for the Championship and playing Provincial Competitions in the February/March period. The League would then determine the pathway for counties to qualify for All-Ireland SFC quarter-finals.
The report also looks at the implications of retaining the present Football Championship structures while simultaneously taking action to improve the overall balance between the time currently available for club and inter-county games.
All of these formats also cater for a Tier 2 Football Championship.
The report is in favour of the current All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship format and recommends that the Hurling Development Committee examines the potential and impact of increasing the Munster and Leinster groups from five up to six teams.
The recommendations have the potential to triple the number of club-only fixture weekends in the April-October period compared to 2015 when the GAA embarked on its current programme of tightening the inter-county schedule.
In 2015 there were only five weekends in the period from April – October that were totally free of inter-county activity. That figure now stands at 12 in the majority of cases. These new recommendations are capable of increasing this figure to 15 club-only weekends for the majority of counties between April and October.
The report was launched by Uachtarán CLG John Horan at Croke Park in the presence of the Taskforce and its chairman Eddie Sullivan.
The Taskforce met 12 times and was comprised of stakeholders from across the full spectrum of GAA fixtures and included representatives from second and third level bodies, county secretaries, the GPA and a variety of people with experience and knowledge in the compilation of fixture programmes. The CPA contributed prior to opting out on November 18.
More than 1,300 members and supporters took part in a detailed survey via an on-line questionnaire. More than 50 different written submissions were also received by the committee relating to the fixtures calendar.
Also among the list of recommendations are proposals in favour of:
• including the Galway senior hurling club champions in the Munster or Leinster club hurling championship;
• staging U20 hurling and football championships as national competitions without provincial championships;
• designating U17 inter-county level a developmental grade;
• finishing the Sigerson and Fitzgibbon Cups earlier;
• finishing All-Ireland Post Primary A and B schools finals earlier and abolishing All-Ireland finals at C and D grades,
• abolishing the All-Ireland junior football championship.
Following the completion of the report, it will now go out to counties and clubs for debate.
The report will be presented to Central Council in January, after which it is intended for there to be a series of regional seminars around the country with clubs from every county invited to have a representative present to engage and provide feedback.
It is envisaged that a number of motions will be on the Clár of the 2020 Annual Congress at the end of February, with most of the remainder being tabled at a Special Congress which will be held later next year.
If adopted, the earliest the new recommendations would be in place for is the 2021 season.
The full report can be accessed here REPORT OF THE FIXTURE CALENDAR REVIEW TASK FORCE
Friday Night Lights Postponed Due to Floodlight Failure
CoachingUnfortunately due to floodlight failure, Friday Night Lights, which was due to take place on Friday night, 28th November, has had to be postponed. It will be rearranged for a later date. Apologies for any inconvenience caused.
GAA 2020 Season Ticket Details
County Football, County Hurling2020 Master Fixture Plan and 2020 Diary of Events Published
County Football, County HurlingThe GAA today circulated the 2020 Master Fixture Plan and the 2020 Diary of Events which can be accessed here.
All details relating to the Allianz Football and Hurling Leagues are contained in the attachments in addition to the key championship dates for the 2020 playing season.
GAA Master Fixture Schedule Booklet 2020 – 26112019
Diary 2020 (26112019)
Allianz League Fixtures 2020 – Leitrim
The late Bernie Hamilton, Drumoughty, Gorvagh, Co. Leitrim.
GeneralLeitrim Under 20 Team Management 2020 Announcement
County FootballLeitrim GAA is pleased to announce that the Under 20 Football Team for the coming season will be under the guidance and direction of the Leitrim Senior Team Management under Terry Hyland. As the 2020 Connacht Championship is due to return to its former Springtime timeframe, the preparation of both the Senior and Under 20 teams will run simultaneously which should be mutually beneficial. We look forward to their continued progress in the new season.
Leitrim Under 17 Team Management 2020 Announcement
County FootballLeitrim GAA is delighted to announce the appointment of Brendan Guckian as Leitrim Under 17 Team Manager for 2020.
Brendan has a host of managerial experience across all levels, most recently having held the position of Leitrim Senior Team Manager over the 2017 and 2018 seasons, in the latter season having guided his Senior charges to that nailbiting and exciting victory over New York in Gaelic Park and subsequently to Round 3 of the All-Ireland Football Qualifiers and a last 12 meeting with Monaghan. Previous to that he enjoyed a term as Leitrim Under 21 Team Manager and guided his club St Mary’s Kiltoghert to consecutive County Senior Finals.
Brendan has assembled an excellent and experienced Management Team to assist him in his future role and we wish them all the very best of luck as they plot the development of this group of players for the 2020 season.
The full makeup of the Management Team is as follows:
Team Manager: Brendan Guckian
Selectors: Jimmy Guckian and Emlyn Mulligan
Goalkeeping Coach: Kevin Ludlow
Strength and Conditioning/Physical Trainer: Enda Lyons
Stats/Analysis: Alan Doonan
Nutritionist: Philip Howard
Scór na nÓg Liatroma 2020
ScórCoiste Scór Liatroma has announced that Scór na nÓg Liatroma 2020 Finals will take place on Sunday, December 15th. The event will commence with Tráth na gCeist at 12.30pm followed by the stage events which will commence at 2.oopm. All finals will take place in the Mayflower, Drumshanbo. Best wishes to all clubs as they prepare for the staging of the first Official GAA Competition of 2020.
A copy of Rialacha Scór 2020 can be accessed here Rialacha Scór 2019
Leitrim Senior Hurling Team Manager 2020
County HurlingHurlers Launch Fundraising Draw
County HurlingLast night at the Bush Hotel, Leitrim Hurlers launched a fundraising draw to conclude on Saturday, December 21st with a Grand Draw Function in Flynn’s Bar Ck-on-Shannon.
The Draw will have a number of attractive prizes on offer:
1st Prize Flights to New York for 2 and 3 nights Accommodation at The French Quarters Guest Appartments Sponsored by Frank Dwyer, New York.
2nd Prize FA Cup Semi-Final Tickets of your choice at Wembley Stadium including Flights and Accommodation for 2 for two nights in London. Sponsored by David McHugh, Role, London.
3rd Prize One Night B and B at Lough Eske Castle, Donegal for 2. Sponsored by Clement Gaffney, Gowel.
4th Prize One Night B and B at Galway House Hotel for 2. Sponsored by Declan Molloy, Galway.
5th Prize One Night B and B at Castleknock Hotel, Dublin for 2. Sponsored by Mark Chandler, Leitrim Gaels.
Tickets costing €20 each are available from all players and at the following outlets:
Gurn’s Bar, Manorhamilton.
Supervalu, Manorhamilton.
Scollan’s Shop, Drumshanbo.
Prior’s Bar, Ballinamore.
Smyth’s Siopa Ól, Ballinamore.
Flynn’s Bar, Ck-on-Shannon.
The Swan Bar, Ck-on-Shannon.
The Anchorage Bar, Ck-on-Shannon.
Donnellan’s Bar, Leitrim Village.
Baxter’s Centra, Mohill.
You may also buy a ticket online using a Smartphone with 3 simple steps:
Step 1 Add Seán Ó Riordáin on Whattsapp +353873471695
Step 2 Text name, address and phone number to Seán.
Step 3 Transfer €20 via the ‘REVOLUT’ app.
You will then receive a picture of your ticket for confirmation.
Michael Dwyer presents hi nephew Padraig McWeeney with 1st prize Sponsorship on behalf of his brother Frank Dwyer, New York. Also in the picture is cousin Stephen Goldrick.
Prize Sponsors Clement Gaffney and Mark Chandler pictured with Padraig McWeeney and Padraig Clerkin
Leitrim Senior Hurling Panel 2019 at last night’s launch.