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
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.
Paddy Phelan Hurling League Final on Saturday
Club HurlingThe Final of the Paddy Phelan Cross County Hurling League will take place on Saturday next November 16th at Avantcard Páirc Seán Mac Diarmada. County Senior Hurling Champions Carrick Hurling will take on local rivals Cluainín Iomáint in a repeat of the recent Championship Final which went to extra time. The action commences with a 2.30pm throw-in.
Tráth na gCeisteanna Boird – Comórtas Náisiúnta
ScórNational 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
Thank You Martin Cunniffe
County HurlingLeitrim GAA wishes to express its great appreciation for the efforts of Senior Hurling Team Manager Martin Cunniffe who announced his resignation from the position earlier today. Martin had been Senior Hurling Team manager for the past nine seasons but his involvement in the promotion of Leitrim Hurling goes way and beyond that significant contribution. He is the current Leitrim Hurling Chairman having previously held the roles of Secretary and Treasurer of the same committee over a combined period of time that has spanned decades, not years.
After many years of struggle to produce a competitive team, Leitrim always kept the hurling show on the road but over recent years under Martin’s management and his able allies the Leitrim Hurlers began to make inroads into competitive fare and in 2017 the hurlers reached Croke Park for the Lory Meagher Cup Final but had to settle for the runners up position against Warwickshire. In 2018 they were decidedly unlucky to lose the League Final versus Lancashire as a late rally rescued a draw for Lancashire in Ballyconnell. Our opponents went on to claim the title after extra-time.
2019 proved to be Leitrim Hurling’s greatest year as the team made it to Croke Park again in June for the Lory Meagher Cup Final and this time, despite the contest with Lancashire going to extra time, it was the Leitrim lads who had the upper hand and claimed a famous victory to gain national acclaim. It definitely was a proud day for Leitrim and there was no prouder man than Team manager Martin Cunniffe to have led his charges to the Promised Land of a Senior All-Ireland Title in Croke Park, a feat that is a first for a Leitrim Men’s Team in the famous stadium.
Leitrim GAA remains eternally grateful for the wonderful contributions of Martin and the entire Cunniffe Family to Leitrim’s Senior Hurlers over many seasons and particularly in 2019. Thank you, Martin we look forward to your continued involvement towards the promotion of the game!
Champion 15 All-Star Awards for James and Enda
County HurlingHeartiest congratulations to James Glancy and Enda Moreton who tonight were honoured with selection on the 2019 PwC Champion All-Star Awards. The duo were to the fore in Leitrim’s great Lory Meagher success of last June, the first time ever that a Leitrim Senior Male team won a title in Croke Park. What makes the achievement all the more notable is the fact that the selected 15 came from the best of the teams that participated in the Christy Ring, Nickey Rackard and Lory Meagher Competitions. We should also acknowledge the achievement of having three other players nominated this year namely Team Captain Declan Molloy, Liam Moreton and Gavin O Hagan. Congratulations to all.
Friday Night Lights is Back!!
CoachingThe highly successful Friday Night Lights series is set run through the month of November at the McGovern Centre of Excellence. The series will run on three consecutive Friday nights as follows:
Friday November 15th Boys born in 2006 and 2007 (Under 12 and 13)
Friday November 22nd Boys born in 2004 and 2005 (Under 14 and 15)
Friday November 29th Boys born in 2004 and 2005 (Under 14 and 15)
Online registration opens Wednesday 30th October.
Registration Form may be accessed here
For more information contact stephen.mcgurrin.gda.leitrim@gaa.ie
A promotional video is attached here