GAA Newsletter - April 2016

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F O R N E W S , V I D E O S A N D F I X T U R E S www.gaa.ie

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General F O R N E W S , V I D E O S A N D F I X T U R E S www.gaa.ie

LAOCHRA - IT’S FINALLY HERE!

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fter months of planning and preparation, the countdown is really on to April 24 at Croke Park and the LAOCHRA show which will follow the Allianz Division 1 and 2 football league finals and will mark the GAA’s official commemoration of the 1916 Easter Rising.

It is also, however, the exact Centenary to the day that the first shots were fired in the Rising of 1916 in Dublin.

82,300 capacity and add to the sense of occasion with audience participation set to be a key element of the festivities.

And the events at Croke Park on April 24 will mark the GAA’s main contribution to the national calendar of events to mark the Rising.

It’s already shaping up to be a very special day with Tyrone and Cavan meeting in an eagerly anticipated Division 2 final as new generations of Red Hand and Breffni stars showcase their considerable talents.

Such is the scale and impact of the show that a decision was taken not to try and cram it into the interval between the Division 2 and Division 1 finals.

A limited number of 1,916 tickets went up for sale at a discounted price and were snapped up and everything is on course for a special day. Tickets cost €35 for adults and €5 for Under16s and are available from tickets.ie

Then we have the magnificent prospect of a repeat of the All-Ireland final when Dublin take on Kerry with Jim Gavin’s men looking to win a staggering fourth straight league crown and Eamonn Fitzmaurice’s Kingdom eager to halt Dublin’s run of big match victories over them. And then there is LAOCHRA. This is a specially commissioned 35 minute show put together by the world-renowned Tyrone Productions company and is being billed as one of Croke Park’s ‘unmissable events.’ Sunday, April 24 is already a big day in the GAA calendar as it will be when the Allianz football league Division 1 and 2 finals are staged.

It will now take place after the Division 1 trophy has been presented and will feature all four teams who play in Croke Park that day along with a sizeable cast of performers and musicians from here and abroad. This is one of those occasions when being there will be a special moment for those lucky enough to get their hands on a ticket. Hopes are high that it will be an occasion to remember and rank alongside great events in the stadium’s recent past like the 2003 Special Olympics opening ceremony, the first floodlit match of 2007 or the Dublin-Tyrone 125 celebration match of 2009 when the stadium was packed to the rafters. A rallying call is to be made for GAA fans from every club in the country to be there on the day and help fill Croke Park to its

Niall Kelly, left, Athy GAA Club, Co. Kildare, and Tony Kelly, Ballyhea GAA Club, Co. Clare, with Irish Wolfhounds Aoife and Meabh at Croke Park for the launch of the Laochra show which saw the GAA issue a rallying call to every club in the country to make an effort to be present on April 24

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ARMAGH HERO RECALLS HIS STRUGGLE WITH GAMBLING AND WARNS GAA MEMBERS TO EDUCATE THEMSELVES TO ITS DANGERS by Cian Murphy

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isín McConville was 14 years old when he was in the bookies for the first time to put a bet on a horse in the Grand National. He can’t remember now whether the horse won or lost – but he knows from that moment on he was hooked on gambling. It was a different world. There was none of the mod cons of today’s bookmaker shops with their banks of flat screen TVs, shining surfaces, comfy sofas and coffee machines. Back then it was dark and secretive, the air thick with smoke and carrying more than a whiff of danger. Yet, for McConville, that was where he felt at home. Oisín told the Club Newsletter: “There were three guys in the bookies. Two of them were putting on 50p and there was one guy putting on cash and that’s who I wanted to be. “By the time I was 17 or 18 I was gambling every penny I had and if I wasn’t gambling I was thinking about it every minute of the day. “I was a compulsive gambler. “For people who don’t suffer from it, it can be hard to understand, but I’m not being dramatic when I say that putting a bet on

was, for me, just like a drug addict getting a heroin shot. To put a bet on would give me a sense of relief. But that relief would only last for the length of time that the race lasted. If it was a two minute race it only lasted two minutes and then I had the urge to bet again.” Defeat brought denial. The next one was always going to be the winner. Looking back now McConville knows that he actually wasn’t a good gambler and that he lost more than he won. But long before the end it wasn’t about winning or losing because he had lost control and was serving an addiction. He added: “By the time I finished gambling my debts were £100,000. I reckon I must have gambled at least treble that amount if not more in the years before. Every penny I ever had, and there was a time in my life when I was holding a half decent job and earning decent money, I was gambling it.” Of course, during this time McConville was winning Armagh, Ulster and All-Ireland club championship medals with Crossmaglen Rangers and was the key man kicking the frees. In 2002 he was a goal scoring hero in their breakthrough All-Ireland final triumph over Kerry. However, behind the façade he was suffering.

Oisín McConville, one of the greatest forwards of his generation, fought a private battle with a gambling addiction, but has turned his life around and is now determined to help others do the same

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He says: “When Armagh won the All-Ireland it was great. But through the celebrations afterwards I was thinking ‘I’d love to get away from here and put a bet on’. It’s a sad reflection on the hold that gambling had on me that I just wanted to get away. “I’d say for the last five years I was gambling I didn’t want to gamble, but it had a hold on me. “Football was great because I’d go to training and I’d have to leave the phone in the car for two hours to go out and play and that was a break away from it when I couldn’t bet and I was free from it. “Football saved my life. I had suicidal thoughts asking myself what was I at and what was I doing to my family. I’m not being dramatic, unless I went for help I don’t think I’d be around now.” The breaking point for Oisín was October 12, 2005. The day before he turned 30. He recalled: “On my last day of gambling I had got a business man to go guarantor on a huge bet of €10,000 on a horse and the horse was beaten. I went out to the car and found six or seven euro and went back in and had another bet because I felt I could get my money back. “Then I took out my phone and went down through the names in my phone looking for another ‘victim’ that I might be able to call to get money and then I realised I couldn’t because I had gone through family and friends already. “Over the next couple of days I broke down and things started to come out. I was in treatment a week later and was in treatment for 13 weeks.

Oisín battles with Tomás Ó Sé in an epic battle in the great 2002 All-Ireland final triumph for the Orchard County

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“I hadn’t cried in 16 years but I started to cry and to show emotions that I had locked up for so long.” From those dark depths Oisín has rebuilt his life. Today he has a successful career as an Addiction Counsellor working with Smarmore Castle, which is a private clinic based in Louth. He is on the road, very often the first point of contact for gamblers or more likely their friends and family who ring seeking help and seeking an intervention. He will always have a gambling addiction, but the odds are that nowadays he will win big at helping and indeed saving lives. He is passionate about ensuring that Irish society and the GAA is aware of the dangers of gambling – especially on young people. The nightmare scenario of a betting scandal in Gaelic games is not something our Association has faced and Oisín does not believe it is a threat – but he knows enough to know that we cannot afford to be complacent. He says: “There is a serious issue in society with gambling, there is a serious issue with it in sport and the GAA is not immune to that. “I’ve seen no hard evidence that there is a problem with it in the GAA on match results but we need to work hard at educating young people about the dangers of gambling. “The GPA are doing work on highlighting the danger of gambling but they only cater for inter county squads and that is only a group of 2,000 people in an Association the size of the GAA so we need to think about all the other people in the GAA. “We need to keep educating people and also let family and friends know that the one thing you don’t do to someone with a gambling problem is continue to give them money.” The GAA is heavily involved in lobbying for changes to the gambling legislation that will make it illegal to offer and take bets on sporting games involving Under 18s – something that McConville supports.

In January 2014, Oisin McConville attended the launch of the GAA/GPA Gambling Guidelines

The fact he is busy meeting people through his new role convinces him we still have a long road to travel but he feels if a focus on education programmes and support systems is in place this is a race that we have a chance of winning.

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THE GAA’S EFFORTS IN GAMBLING AWARENESS by Colin Regan

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hatever issues are impacting on Irish society across the 32 counties will also impact on the lives of GAA members. Recognising the growing prevalence of problem gambling in Ireland, the GAA and GPA, in January 2014, jointly issued Gambling Guidelines and information packs for their members. The basic points of the guidelines are simple: 1. Never bet on competitions you or your team are directly involved in 2. Educate yourself about the dangers and symptoms of problem gambling 3. Seek help early if you feel gambling is impacting negatively on your life The increasing prevalence of gambling in society is closely linked to the ubiquitous access and availability offered by smartphones and computers in the modern communications age. Gambling and sport have long gone hand in hand for many people. There is significant increase in

commercial relationships between gambling and sporting entities, while gambling parlance has entered the wider sporting lexicon (listen to any radio sports show and count just how many times the odds are mentioned). Add to this the evidence that habits within team sports especially (team bonding, killing time on journeys to away matches, macho group dynamics) can foster a culture that encourages and supports betting circles. All this means persons involved in sport, including GAA players, officers, and members, may be at increased danger of exposure to risk factors that may contribute to problem gambling. This is one of the reasons why a GAA submission to the Gambling Control Bill requests that the new Bill ‘include provisions to prohibit any bookmarker subject to its law from opening a book on a sporting event involving minors (persons under 18-years of age).’ If you or someone you know has been affected by problem gambling please call the National Problem Gambling Helpline on 1800-753-753 (ROI) or 0808-8020-133 (NI) or visit www. gamblingaware.ie for more details. You can also access the full GAA Gambling Guidelines at www.gaa.ie/community

Offaly’s Niall McNamee at the launch of the GAA/GPA Gambling Guidelines in 2014

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GAA’S NEW NATIONAL GAMES DEVELOPMENT CENTRE OPENS AT THE NATIONAL SPORTS CAMPUS

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he GAA has officially opened its new National Games Development Centre (NGDC) at Abbotstown on the site of the National Sports Campus. Uachtarán Aogán Ó Fearghail and Ard Stiúrthóir Páraic Duffy, along with members of the GAA’s Management Committee, Central Council and County Committees, joined a number of invited guests to mark the occasion. The facility will come into use with immediate effect. The recently completed project includes a total of five playing pitches - four of them full size and all of them floodlit - a 3G pitch, a hurling wall and a pavilion which houses 10 dressing-rooms, a reception area and gymnasium, and associated facilities for physiotherapy, referees, meeting rooms and dining facilities. A covered seated spectator area adjoining the pavilion can cater for 400 people. The Centre will seek to increase participation and to improve the performance of individuals (players, coaches, administrators, personnel etc.) within the GAA for the benefit of both the Association and the individuals. The primary focus will be on delivering Games Development activities but the

2 April 2016; At the official opening of the GAA National Games Development Centre, from left, Michael Hasson, President, Ulster Council, John Horan, Chairman, Leinster Council, Uachtarán Chumann Lúthchleas Gael Aogán Ó Fearghail, Ard Stiúrthóir Páraic Duffy, Jerry O’Sullivan, Chairman, Munster Council and Mick Rock, President, Connacht Council.

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centre will also be used to deliver inputs in areas such as Child Protection Health & Well-Being; Officer Development. In all €12m has been invested in the 25 acre facility which is situated adjacent to the National Aquatic Centre and close to the main entrance of the campus. Uachtarán Chumann Lúthchleas Gael Aogán Ó Fearghail said: “It gives us great pleasure to unveil this fantastic new facility and it is right and proper that the GAA and our native games have a presence in a prime location within the National Sports Campus. “The facilities on offer to the wider GAA family here rank alongside the best anywhere and great credit is due to all who have been involved from the inception of the project right through to its delivery. “The real benefits of this development will come to be seen in the months and years ahead as the Centre caters for teams of all types fostering a sharing of best practice that will enhance our games and the experience of those who play and coach them.”

High Hopes: Ard Stiúrthóir Páraic Ó Dufaigh and Uachtarán Aogán Ó Fearghail survey the glorious view from the top of the new GAA campus at Abbotstown in West Dublin.

Ard Stiúrthóir Páraic Duffy added: “It’s impossible not to be impressed by the completed facility and we are hugely enthused by the enthusiastic response from our various units regarding its use.

“The GAA would like to acknowledge our partners in this project including SSA Architects, Prunty Contracts Ltd., S&K Carey Ltd., and Tobin Consulting Engineers. Together we have delivered a facility to be proud of and I have no doubt that the new Centre will serve the GAA well for many years to come in the all-important area of games development.” The National Games Development Centre will cater for units across the countrywide and international GAA family from club to county, from second level schools to third level activity. It will also be used by the Ladies Gaelic Football and Camogie Associations and there has been a full take up of slots for the first full month of operation. Kieran Mulvey, Chairperson Sport Ireland commented: “This new Centre will be a fantastic facility and one which no doubt will be a great asset in the provision of a range of development programmes by the GAA and its affiliates. “The National Sports Campus with all the ancillary services and facilities it provides, will no doubt prove the ideal location for training, coaching and development programmes to all levels in the Association”.

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ABBOTSTOWN

OPEN FOR USE AND OPEN FOR ALL The GAA National Games Development Centre in Abbotstown is open and ready to be used by all. This is a state of the art facility and all units of the GAA at national, provincial, county or club level are welcome to use the facility which includes: FOUR FULL LENGTH PLAYING PITCHES, THREE OF WHICH ARE FLOODLIT, INCLUDING A 3G PITCH A TRAINING PITCH TEN DRESSING ROOMS A GYMNASIUM MEETING ROOMS. A FLOODLIT HURLING WALL AREA The facility is suitable for matches, coaching sessions, courses or presentations and it is located off the M50 at Exit 6 on the National Sports Campus. At present bookings can be made by emailing Derry Enright, Operations Manager at [email protected] The phone number is 01-8610045. Within a few weeks we will be in a position to take bookings online. The facility will be available seven days a week and timings are available from midmorning.

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LÁ NA gCLUBANNA

In 2016 the GAA plans to celebrate the importance of your club in your community.

Lá na gClubanna will take place on Sunday, 8th May, 2016. Every member of the GAA should mark this special day of celebration by participating at events in their Club… the real driver and engine of the GAA. For details on how to get involved and for ideas see here

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ASH DIEBACK AND THE FINE ART OF HURLEY MAKING by Peter Sweeney

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he GAA is at the forefront of the fight against ash dieback disease — the scourge that is threatening to wipe out up to 90 per cent of the ash tree population on the island of Ireland.

required in Ireland every year. That’s a lot of ash.

Ash has been used to make hurleys for thousands of years — far longer than the country of Ireland or the GAA have been in existence.

“We were to be self-sufficient in ash around 2018 or 2019 – there was enough ash planted 20 years ago for that to happen.

Other woods aren’t suitable for the job as they aren’t as supple so without ash the game of hurling could be changed irrevocably. It’s reckoned that Chalara Fraxinea, to give the disease it’s latin name, existed for centuries in eastern Russia and parts of China. Trees imported from those regions into Europe brought the problem to these shores and since 2012 it has spread through the country’s ash plantations like wildfire. It’s thought that 90 per cent of the ash population in Denmark, one of the worst affected countries, was wiped out by dieback disease and there are fears that Ireland could go the same way. This is, of course, a cause for concern for the GAA given upwards of 350,000 new hurls are

Croke Park has thrown its weight behind research into ash dieback and alternatives to all-wooden hurlers should the supply run dry.

Everyone was working to that scenario,” explained GAA Director of Games Development and Research Pat Daly, who is deeply involved in the process. “As it happens, 75 per cent of the ash used for hurleys is imported. You can continue to import, but the thinking was to have selfsufficiency.” However, he warned: “The disease is spreading; there is no ash being planted. If it’s not imported, it’s not going to be here in this country.” Ash dieback disease, a fungal infection, came to this country in infected saplings that were imported to boost Irish stocks. “The wind can carry it a long way so it can spread from one plantation to the other - it’s highly contagious,” said former Cork footballer Noel O’Leary, who works for the family tree surgery and sawmill business.

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“The wood essentially rots from the inside out. Ash bark is light in colour, but once it’s infected you notice it turn darker and brown and the leaves die. “The policy at the moment is to take out all the trees in a population if one infected tree is found. It’s terrible because it changes landscapes. This is very serious.” There are currently 15,000 acres of ash being grown in Ireland, which doesn’t take into account trees that grow wild or outside of plantations and forestry projects. It’s this country’s most successful broadleaf tree, growing quickly all over the island, with the main centres for cultivation based in Tipperary, Kilkenny, Cork, Limerick, Clare, Laois, Carlow and Wicklow. Around 50,000 trees per year are needed to keep

the hurley making business going. The primary use of ash in Ireland is the manufacture of hurleys, the rest going for firewood as it burns well without having to be dried out. The problem with making hurleys is that only the bottom part of the tree is used, with the turn in the grain where the roots begin to spread out naturally forming the bas, or head, of the hurl. Much of the GAA’s research is around trying to use the whole of the tree to make camáns while fibreglass and hybrid hurls have also been considered and tested. Croke Park are represented on the Ash Society alongside the likes of Coillte,

Teagasc and the Irish Guild of Ash Hurley Makers. Coillte are the state sponsored body that manages much of the forests in Ireland and they are heavily invested in saving Irish ash and by extension the hurley making industry. The experience of other countries struck by ash dieback is that around ten per cent of native trees are resistant to the disease.

“There are about 300 full-time jobs attached to this business. If there were 300 jobs in a factory under threat in a town in his country everyone would be falling over themselves to save them. “This is our culture, our heritage and our national game that we are talking about. This is what we are.

They are waiting to find those Irish trees that are immune and when they do they’ll start breeding from them. It’s a long process, though one which may ultimately work.

“This is arguably Ireland’s last remaining indigenous cottage industry,” said Power, who is a member of the John Locke’s club in Kilkenny and a brother of Cats’ All-Ireland winner John Power.

“There are between 250 and 300 hurley manufacturers, either full or part-time,” explained Michael Power, Coillte’s National Estate Risk Manager.

“There is a lot happening in the background on this and the GAA are very invested in the process. They are trying whatever they can.”

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MICHAEL FITZSIMONS: MY CLUB & I by John Harrington

Can you remember the first time you walked through the gates of Cuala? A: I went down and was in the nursery at a young enough age until around the age seven. Then I went away and played soccer for a bit and got dragged back when I was 13 or 14 by a friend in my class, Ciaran McAdam. He got me back, I stuck with it, and made friends for life. There was a bit more of a bond there than you would have gotten in some of the soccer clubs. Q: Did you take soccer quite seriously from the age of seven to 13? A: Ah no, not too seriously. I played with Cabinteely who are now in the First Division. I enjoyed the soccer, but I really got the bug for playing Gaelic and hurling. Our two mentors when I went back were just very charismatic – Mikey Sheanon and John Bailey, who’s a politician from the area. We were going for early morning sessions and runs before that sort of thing got famous. Just doing all sorts that created a great bond amongst that group of lads. There’s around 10 to 15 lads who are still playing from that age-group. We stuck together, and it’s because we trained so hard together and went on trips away. They put a huge amount of effort into it, and it was just something I hadn’t experienced with the soccer in terms of going away to

places as a team. We would got to Offaly or Wexford to play hurling, or up to Cavan to play in football tournaments. We’d stay a night and get a National League game in. It was just class. There was a great mix of lads from the different parts of the club’s catchment area. Lads from Sallynoggin, Blackrock, and Dalkey. Just a great mix of lads going to all different schools. It just really broadened my circle of friends and circle of interests, so that was very good. Q: For people who may not know, can you explain just how big Cuala’s catchment area is. A: It’s huge. We would draw lads as far down as Shankill and Bray and as far up as Glenageary and Sandycove. Q: With such a large catchment area, and with strong competition from rugby and soccer in that part of Dublin, how easy has it been for the club to form a presence in the community? Have you seen that develop a lot in recent years? A: Yeah, there has been huge work done. When I went down first it was the first year of the nursery, and after that they set up an Academy. They have gotten so many parents involved from around the area that it’s just huge now. I can’t remember

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the stats, but in terms of the numbers at underage we’re one of the biggest clubs in Ireland. In terms of creating an identity, there has been an awful lot of work done in the schools around the area. One thing that stands out when you’re going around with trophies and stuff like that is the great work the Games Promotion Officers are doing in the schools. I think the other sports are a bit behind us in that regard. You’re helping the teachers out, getting the kids out playing GAA, they enjoy it and then join the club. Damien Byrne set up the Academy and along with Denis Monaghan sat down and came up with a strategy to get people into the club and really coach the kids in a good manner. You can really notice the difference, because all of our underage teams are just producing kids who are smarter on the ball and more committed because that’s how they’ve been brought up. It’s a proper community club and it’s really well run. But we don’t own any of our pitches (they’re owned by the Dublin County Council), so that’s why there was an initiative to get to Stradbrook, because we wanted to own our own pitches. (Fitzsimons is referring to the proposed ground-sharing deal with Blackrock RFC at Stradbrook Road that collapsed)

current set-up) might keep people closer to the club. Every time we play in Dalkey we get a great crowd. But when we play in Shankill we don’t get as good a crowd because it’s a little bit more away from the actual hub. Q: You went to Johnstown Boys National School. Was there much of a GAA presence there? A: It felt like there was at the time. They have not been as strong in recent years, but it was the main sport when I was there. Q: Then you went to Secondary School in CBC Monkstown which is a famous rugby nursery. Did you play much rugby? A: I played for the ‘B’ and ‘C’ teams, nothing major. I was probably a bit too light and I wasn’t that good! Q: Any Gaelic Football there?

won the U13 League and got to an AllIreland Feile in the hurling. Everyone played both hurling and Gaelic then. We had lost the Dublin Féile Hurling Final, so we entered the Division 2 AllIreland Féile and got to a semi-final in that and lost up in Belfast. Travelling up there together really developed our bond. Then we won U16 Leagues and the U16 hurling championship and eventually went on to win the Dublin Minor football championship. Q: Was that the same group that also won the Dublin U21 ‘A’ hurling and football double in 2009? A: Yeah, that was our final year together, and it was a great way to finish up. We beat Kilmacud Crokes in the football final and wouldn’t have had anyone anywhere near the Dublin senior football team at the time whereas they had Rory O’Carroll, Kevin Nolan, and Cian O’Sullivan. It was massive,

because they’re our nearest rivals and would have been heavy favourites. Q: How happily do hurling and football coexist together at senior level in the club? A: At underage it was seamless. There was never any hassle and the system worked perfectly. At overage, there were one or two years when both teams were getting to Finals. We got to an intermediate final which was big for the footballers, and the hurlers got to the senior final. That was 2012 and things got a little bit difficult and messy because both teams wanted the same players. But for the last few years it’s been run fairly well. The number of dual players has dropped a bit, and that obviously makes it easier. There’s definitely no tensions there. All the footballers support the hurlers and vice-versa. Socially-wise, we all get on well together, there’s no divide. We’d like to

A: There was a private schools tournament set up towards the end of my time there. So we played the likes of Castleknock College and someone from Cuala came up to help out. But it wasn’t big at all in the school. You might play two or three games a year and that would be about it. And on a rugby pitch as well.

Q: Does the club need a home like that?

Q: Did you have much success at underage level in Cuala with that group of guys you grew up with?

A: I think it would be nice, because we still have to train in Bray and stuff like that. So if we had our own facilities like that we’d be able to save a lot of money. But it (the

A: I’m not sure how it was in the bigger picture of Cuala, but I think we were one of the first teams from the club that was quite successful. In my first year back there we

Celebrating silverware with Cuala

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see Mark Schutte, Cian O’Callaghan, Colm Cronin and Oisin Gough all play football at some stage. It would boost our football team massively.

Q: Cuala won the Dublin Minor ‘A’ Football Championship in 2013, so has there been an influx of talented young players onto the senior team that can help that push?

Dave in his office when I was in first-year. I didn’t think that Dave would care about someone like me from Cuala because he had so many good players in UCD at that stage.

A: Yeah, Con O’Callaghan and Martin Cahalane are Dublin U21s. Mick Spillane’s young lad, Daragh, didn’t play minor for Dublin but is on the Dublin U21 team in his first year in the grade now.

I ended up playing an intermediate game and Dave was at all of those matches and got to know me and called me up to the seniors. He straight away saw that Cuala were an intermediate club so I could play senior Dublin Championship with UCD.

Q: Do you play any hurling anymore? A: I went back once or twice but it was hard getting the touch back right. I actually played a Junior Championship game two years ago against St. Marks. I only played because I wanted to mark Dotsy (O’Callaghan). I’d know Dotsy because I played with him in UCD. He didn’t even notice it was me marking him until five minutes into the game and asked me what I was doing there! I just told him I fancied a handy game of hurling. I got a point off him that day and held him scoreless, so I was happy enough! Q: Cuala lost two Intermediate football titles in a row in 2010 and 2011 before finally winning it in 2012. That must have felt like a big moment? A: Yeah, that was huge. We had expected to win it for a while with that group of players, but we were a bit slow at getting up to the required level. It was a bit disappointing that it took that long, but it was a huge relief to finally get up to the senior grade. We still haven’t pushed on yet. I hope we will, but it’s just been very slow each year. It took us so long to get promoted to Division 1. I felt we should have done it a while back, but it’s just been little gains every year. If we continue this way, then the lads my age are running out of time if we want to win a Senior Championship. We’re hoping to up it in the next year or two.

Q: Someone like Con O’Callaghan has been touted from a very young age. Your own progression through the ranks was not as predestined, was it? For instance, you didn’t play minor for Dublin. A: It’s all a bit strange. I think I was good enough at a young age. When I came in at U13 it went well for me. But then I think I maybe got a bit tall and lost coordination and that’s why I fell out of favour around U16 level. I was on the Minor ‘B’ team in my first year in the grade. By my second year at minor I was still only a sub until they tried me corner-back. They were struggling then to find a fullback so then they tried me there and I sort of took to it well enough. When I got a chance with the senior team I got straight into it more or less after a game or two and it just sort of went from there. I found it quite enjoyable, the challenge of marking someone and trying to improve each game. I played Dublin Junior under Mick Deegan and that was my first step away from Cuala. Playing with UCD helped as well. Tony Fayne, who’s from our area and would have known David Billings, told me to go visit

I wasn’t playing Sigerson, but I was playing Senior Championship, and I didn’t feel out of my depth, so that was good. After that, Dave called me into the Sigerson team, and that helped me as well. Cuala won the Dublin U21 Championship around the same time and Dublin were looking for new players in the full-back line after 2009 and when I was given a chance I surprised myself really and maybe a few other people.

were very close to beating Ballyboden and getting to a Final. So, yeah, if we got a bit of a run and built up a bit of confidence in the group, then I think it’s a possibility. Q: So you’ve lost your first-round Championship match every year since going Senior in 2012? A: Yeah. We lost to Vincent’s the year they went on to win it (2013, St. Vincent’s went on to win the All-Ireland title). We were three points down with five minutes to go and I went on two runs and lost the ball twice and we lost by five. We were struggling to score and I just felt we needed to do something towards the end, but it didn’t work! We lost to Na Fianna by a good bit in 2014, and then we lost to Ballinteer last year when they scored a goal in the last few minutes. We have St. Judes in the firstround this year, so we’ll see how it goes.

Q: Did seeing what last year’s County Championship success by the hurlers meant to the club make everyone involved with the football team even more determined to achieve something big too? A: It definitely did. You could see they had some seriously good times after it, they enjoyed it, and it was a great journey. I don’t think anyone expects the footballers to do that as well soon, but within the panel we’d hope that we can do it. We still haven’t even won a Senior Championship game but anything is possible if you get some momentum. We all saw what Clontarf did last year. They

Michael Fitsimons lifts the Sam Maguire in 2013

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NEW RTE SWIPE TV AND GAA GO GAMES SKILL CHALLENGES

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ew GAA Go Games Skill Challenges have been developed. They are a set of hurling/camogie and Gaelic football challenges for children aged approx. 7-12.

They are designed so that children can organise and carry them out, individually or in pairs. See: www.learning.gaa.ie/gogamesskillchallenges We have joined forces with RTE Swipe TV to promote the initiative. Two videos of intercounty stars doing the challenges will be released every Wednesday at 16.30 on RTE 2 Swipe TV until May 4. Children are encouraged to download the SwipeTV app and upload videos of themselves doing the challenges. Participants will be randomly selected to play with GAA Superstars in a Go Games Blitz in Parnell Park, Dublin in mid-May.

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UACHTARAN’S BLOG – AOGÁN Ó FEARGHAIL WE ARE FOCUSED ON IMPROVING THE LOT OF THE CLUB PLAYER

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t has been a hectic few months, but so much significant work is being carried out with the Championships fast approaching. One of the main items recently was Congress which is a very busy weekend. Our world units come in first, Management and World GAA meet on the Thursday. Then on Friday we have Central Council meetings. Of course we have Congress itself, then you have the outflow afterwards. We have to make sure to see how we can best implement what has been passed and what has been decided. Congress also gives us an opportunity to check the pulse of the Association. Even if a motion isn’t passed, it is important that we assess everything. Principally I mean the Ard Stiurthoir, Páraic Duffy, and myself. We sit down to assess where the mood of the Association is on a whole range of things. Overall I was pleased with Congress. I would have preferred if certain motions were passed, but I’m happy that everybody, even those who were for and those who were against certain motions, that they are all now

acknowledging that there is an issue with the fixtures calendar. We have to address it. We have already made changes to improve the lot of the club player. That is what we are focused on. We are trying to make sure all of our decisions at Congress, at Central Council, Management, and Provincial level are improving the fixtures calendar. Congress has made a tremendous start - it will continue. There was some disappointment with certain motions didn’t receive the required two thirds majority, but that doesn’t mean it is finished. We’ve almost 2,000 GAA clubs. On the island of Ireland we have four Provincial Councils, we have a Central Council, we have 32 County Boards. That is a lot of fixture making, a lot of issues have to be addressed. We have two major field games in Gaelic Football and hurling, but we share our facilities with Ladies Football and Camogie. Very few sports would have that complex nature. We have a huge Schools Association, particularly at second and third level. There are a lot of competitions and fixtures. It won’t all happen simply, but there has been substantial

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progress, and we will continue to keep streamlining it as best we can. Remember it is a challenge rather than a problem. Some people are describing it as a crisis, it isn’t a crisis. Fixtures are always an issue for any sport, but it is simply a fact that we have more games and teams than ever. The Association is growing so it is a wonderful challenge to have. It is a challenge we are happy and pleased to try to deal with it. LÁ NA gCLUBANNA So many things are happening presently, but Lá na gClubanna is a great place for clubs to showcase their strength. We are having our club day on May 8, I hope every club really embraces it to showcase the enthusiasm I see in the clubs. The schools and clubs should all come together to showcase what is best, to invite the community in. It is a big event, I am very much looking forward to it. I hope clubs embrace it.

1916 This year has been special. We have been very much involved in many events at national level with the Government’s 1916 Committee. Everything so far has gone well. We’ve had a great lecture series with packed out houses every night running through the winter and spring period. We launched our book on the GAA’s link with 1916, but our main event, and it is the showcase for the GAA is the April 24 event. It is fortuitous the way it falls, on the exact calendar date of the rebellion that just happens to be our Allianz Football League finals day. We’ve always said that the best way to commemorate is to play our Gaelic Games. The Division One and Two finals will be at Croke Park on April 24 followed by a spectacular show called Laochra. I think people will in years to come say that ‘I was there on that day’. There is a cast of almost 3,000, it will involve Irish song, music, dance. It will be a lovely and spectacular event. It is

being carried live by TG4, and ticket sales, I’m told, are booming. The GAA family will gather on that date. ETIHAD WORLD GAMES I’m very fond of what I see happening internationally. I always knew the strength of the GAA outside Ireland, but I didn’t realise that the standard was as high. The quality of play is incredible. At this stage I’ve visited all County Boards internationally in the seven units around the world. We had a World Games in Abu Dhabi and during that competition I announced that we would bring it back to Ireland for 2016. It is happening now. We have a great line up, we have more than 80 teams. It is important that people coming from elsewhere that they know that if they get to a final it will be at Croke Park. People at home will love it, they will realise how strong the GAA is internationally. It will also give them a chance to meet with their friends and loved ones.

Aogán Ó Fearghail Uachtarán Cumann Lúthchleas Gael

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INSPIRATIONAL GAA MEMBERS HONOURED AT PRESIDENT’S AWARDS

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he GAA is pleased to confirm the recipients for Gradaim an Uachtaráin 2016 which were presented at a special banquet in Croke Park.

“A club family as wide and diverse as ours would not be possible without the enthusiasm of so many people who take great pride and satisfaction in being involved in what is a movement of like-minded people.

The awards, organised with the support of club championship sponsors AIB and broadcast by TG4, are staged annually by the GAA and provide the GAA President with an opportunity to acknowledge outstanding commitment and long service across the club, and county network from people whose highly valued contribution may not be recognised on the national stage.

“Our recipients serve as an example to the legions of volunteer members who power the GAA. These people follow in the footsteps of those who did this before them and who influence the generation that will come after them. I laud each and every one of them.

The awards are made on a province and code basis and there are also Gaeilge and International Awards in addition to the presentation of the Annual Dermot Earley Family Award. Uachtarán Chumann Lúthchleas Gael Aogán Ó Fearghail, said: “I’m delighted to present these awards this evening to incredible members of the GAA, members whose tireless dedication and commitment help make the GAA what it is, the length and breadth of the country and indeed around the world.

“I would like to acknowledge AIB and Denis O’Callaghan, Head of Branch Banking AIB, for their ongoing support of these awards. “Their involvement this evening is another tangible example of their support of both our club and county activity and this relationship will be the fore in the coming weeks and months with our club and intercounty championships commanding our attention. “Míle buíochas also to TG4 and to Pól Ó Gallchóir for their assistance in helping us to bring these awards to the widest audience possible.”

The recipients of the GAA President’s Award for 2016 with Uachtarán Chumann Lúthchleas Aogán Ó Fearghail, front centre

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Buaiteoirí Gradaim an Uachtaráin 2016: MUNSTER Anne Ryan, Brickey Rangers GAA, Co. Waterford A founding member of the Waterford Supporters Club in Dublin in 1992. She became secretary of the club in 1995 and held that position until 2012 when she retired Anne Ryan has been a staunch supporter of the Brickey Rangers club for many years. On her return to Waterford after her retirement Anne focused her focus and dedication to Club Déise. Her valiant efforts also saw her claim the Jack Furlong Award in 2013. MUNSTER Denis Hurley, Sarsfields Hurling Club, Co. Cork Denis Hurley, a two-time senior county champion with Sarsfields, has devoted his life to the club and county. Having served as a selector on All-Ireland-winning senior hurling teams in four different decades at county level (66, ’76, ’84 and ’90), Denis also proved a huge addition to administration at club level and he has served in every officer position in Sarsfields for over 65 years. CONNACHT Joe McManus, Enniscrone/Kilglass GAA Club, Co. Sligo Upon his arrival in Enniscrone Joe immediately became involved in the running of the GAA club. He took up the

chairmanship role in 1965 and held the position until 1977. Over this period, he was central to the club’s success in a very fruitful period which delivered a Junior Championship in 1966, a first U16 title in 1973 and a second minor championship in 1975, as well as a Senior Championship final appearance in 1972. CONNACHT Liam Bracken, Kilbride GAA, Co. Roscommon Liam Bracken and the Bracken family have played a huge role in the running of the club for many years. Having held a number of executive positions within the club Liam also put great effort into the coaching of underage teams in the club. Along with this Liam also successfully started up a camogie club which went from strength to strength. His sons Mike, Timmy and James all played and coached at various levels within the club and have given life-long service to it and his grandchildren are now playing at underage level for Kilbride. ULSTER Sharon McGrath, Belcoo O’Rahilly’s, Co. Fermanagh Sharon has been involved with Belcoo O’Rahilly’s all her life and was instrumental in setting up Belcoo’s first Youth Committee to give everyone an equal opportunity. She has held roles within the club such as Youth Secretary, Secretary, Assistant Secretary, Assistant Youth Secretary and Development Officer, while continuing to coach and mentor Youth teams. Despite the tragic loss of her 13 year old son Oisín, she has continued to show her support for her

son’s team, despite the heartache. She has been an inspirational figure in the club and in the community. ULSTER Seán McGourty, Naomh Gall CLG, Antrim Towards the end of his playing career Seán focused his attention to the development aspect of the club both on and off the field. He introduced a juvenile section that produced many fine teams, littered with dual players. As a result St Gall’s won 13 county Senior Football Championships in 14 years, and hurling championship title at intermediate. It was no accident that in 2010 St Gall’s contested the AllIreland club finals in senior football and intermediate hurling, winning the football. There were nine dual players on the teams. LEINSTER Ned Flynn, Castletown/Finea/Coole/ Whitehall GAA Club, Westmeath Secretary of his club at the age of 18, followed by roles as Chairperson, County Board delegate and Secretary of the Westmeath Minor/Juvenile board, Ned Flynn has experienced a busy 40 years in the world of GAA. He was renowned for his work with the youth – not least in the transportation of underage players from venue to venue – and his encouragement ensuring game time for so many children down through the years. LEINSTER Paddy McMahon, Sean O’Mahony’s GAA, Louth For more than 50 years of sterling service

Paddy McMahon has worked with tireless dedication for the GAA at club, county, provincial and national level. He was always a central figure on the field and showed a leadership which he continued to display off the field where he was involved in so many crucial projects that put O’Mahony’s on a secure footing. His expertise and passion from football to poc fada, from social initiatives to child protection and health and safety, speak volumes about this man’s contribution. CAMOGIE Mary Connor, St. Annes Camogie Club, Co. Louth Mary has been a loyal and committed member of St. Anne’s Camogie Club for 51 years. She was inducted into the club’s first “Hall of Fame” award at the club’s 50th Anniversary in 2014. She has served the club in an exemplary fashion over the years as player, coach, referee and in administration. To add to her impressive CV she has also been Chair of Leinster Council and Vice President of the Camogie Association. HANDBALL Vincent Brennan, Ballaghaderreen Handball Club, Mayo Vincent Brennan from the Ballaghaderreen Club in Mayo has dedicated his life to the game of Handball, in particular the code of Hardball - the most ancient form of Handball. Vincent currently hand makes the Hardballs which is a skilled and time consuming process each year for the AllIreland Championships and has done so for over 20 years. He is widely credited as the

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main reason that the game of Hardball is still played in Ireland today. LADIES FOOTBALL Liam Shinnick, Cahir, Co Tipperary Liam founded the Cahir Ladies Football Club in 1997 and has been involved in many volunteer capacities throughout the years from coaching through to fundraising. To celebrate his 60th birthday last year he organised a weekend of fundraising in Cahir with all proceeds going to the local hospice and Climb4Clare, a fundraising initiative close to hearts of all members in LGFA. ROUNDERS Bernie Healy, Limekiln, Dublin Bernie Healy has been involved with the game of Rounders for the past 35 years. From the beginning she has helped support all teams involved, providing words of encouragement to every single player no matter what has happened on the pitch. She plays a very special part in the community by lending a hand, giving advice and general support. When it comes to the sport of Rounders she is a caring and passionate person and a natural team leader INTERNATIONAL AWARD Bernie O’Reilly A native Cavan man, Bernie O’Reilly has given almost 60 years of service to the administration and development of GAA games in the Boston area and North America. The number of clubs

in the division has more than doubled from when he first arrived, leaving Boston GAA as one of the leading divisions in North America in both adult and underage levels. In 1967 he was elected chairman of Boston GAA and since then he has been involved with the local and North American board in many different capacities. EDUCATION AWARD Tom Fitzpatrick, St. Pats College, Drumondra After a long career as a primary teacher Tom Fitzpatrick joined the staff of St Patrick’s College as the GAA officer in 2001. He has helped to establish and/ or oversee the development of 11 College teams, involving 300+ players each year across the four codes of hurling, football, camogie and ladies football. Over the past 15 years Tom has been the face, heart and soul of the GAA in the College for thousands of students. FAMILY AWARD The O’ Dea Family, Na Fianna CLG, Dublin The O’Dea family have made a huge contribution to Na Fianna GAA over the last 20 years. Anne has been on the Club Executive Committee, GPO Steering committee and also has served as Club Registrar. At County Level she is currently Cathaoirleach of Dublin Go Games Fixtures while also serving on the County Bord na nÓg Committee. Her husband John has coached many juvenile teams from

nursery level upwards. John and Anne’s three sons are also extremely active in the GAA. Mark, Paul and Eoin have all played both hurling and football for the club as well as representing Dublin at various levels and codes. GAEILGE AWARD Paddy Beag Gillespie, Naomh Columba GAA Club Ó 1970 ar aghaidh, d’athraigh baint Paddy le Naomh Columba CLG go dtí rudaí ar siúl as an bpáirc. Idir 1970 agus 1996, ghlac Paddy ról an-ghníomhach ar Choiste an Chumainn cosúil le ról an Chathaoirligh (seacht n-uaire) agus ról an rúnaí (ceithre huaire) a dhéanamh. D’oibrigh sé mar leas rúnaí an Chontae freisin i 1988. Deirtear go raibh grá Paddy don teanga an-soiléir an t-am ar fad sa Chumann, agus bhain sé dioplóma amach sa Ghaeilge in Ollscoil na hÉireann, Gaillimh i 2006. Is stairí aitiúla é Paddy faoi láthair, agus tá sé cáilithe mar thuras treoiraithe freisin. From 1970 onwards Paddy’s association with Naomh Columba also turned to off the field activities. Between 1970 and 1996 Paddy was an active member of the club executive including serving as Chairman on seven occasions and secretary on four occasions, while also serving as assistant secretary on the Donegal County Board in 1988. Paddy’s passion for the Irish language has always been evident within the club. He received a Diploma in Gaeilge from Ollscoil na hÉireann, Gaillimh in 2006 and is a local historian and a qualified tour guide.

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GAA OFFICIAL GUIDES Following GAA Congress in February, updated versions of the GAA Official Guides are available to download. Click on the Guides to view online.

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C LI C K TO V IE W

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DAVID GOUGH: A YOUNG REFEREE MAKING A BIG IMPRESSION

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his year’s Hogan Cup final referee David Gough commands huge respect in the sport - he still plays football with Slane and is himself the proud holder of a Hogan Cup medal with St Pat’s of Navan. Gough won the post-primary ‘A’ medal in 2001, to compliment a county U21 ‘C’ title with his club. The Slane man also holds a Trench Cup medal and a Division 2 League title with St Patrick’s College in Drumcondra.

a lot to the family obviously. The Hogan Cup is such a brilliant competition. A great breeding ground. You can see the stars of the future coming through like trains sometime and then other times, for guys who don’t make intercounty teams down the line, the Hogan Cup gives them tremendous memories for the rest of their lives.

the well-known Games Development Administrator at Drumcondra and upon leaving college began a refereeing course in Meath before starting to officiate in late 2007. His first competitive inter-county fixture was a 2011 O’Byrne Cup match between Offaly and UCD on a wet Wednesday night in Rhode but he received a high 95 per cent from referee assessor Joe Moynagh that night and hasn’t looked back. Gough refereed the 2013 All-Ireland Under-21 Football Championship final between Galway and Cork, the 2014 Allianz FL Division 2 final between Donegal and Monaghan, the final of the 2015 O’Byrne Cup between Dublin and Kildare and the 2015 All-Ireland minor football final.

The year before he won at post primary level, his brother Stephen was on the Hogan Cup winners’ podium.

“The quality of the football is unreal and games are played at a serious pace. We consider it a serious honour to be officiating at the Hogan Cup final and again, for Stephen and I, it holds serious meaning. The fact that we were both here years ago ourselves is very poignant.”

“Yes, Stephen played corner back in 2000 for St Pat’s when they won the Hogan Cup,” David says. “They beat St Mels in the Leinster final, St Jarlaths in the AllIreland semi-final, and St Pats Armagh in the final so no one can say they didn’t deserve it.

A primary school teacher, Gough has progressed through the refereeing ranks quickly but throughout he has always kept his backroom team tight and familiar. “It’s a family mafia business,” he laughs. “All Goughs from Slane.”

“I was on the panel myself a year later in 2001 when again we beat St Mels, then Colaiste Na Sceilige and eventually St Jarlaths in the final. It was a great feeling to win.

Along with Stephen, his other three umpires are father Eugene, Uncle Terry and cousin Dean, who have assisted him with every game since he started.

“I play quite a high level of tennis. You need to keep yourself as fit as you possibly can because the higher up you go, the tougher the games and the more fit you have to be,” he says.

Gough has played football in his county since the age of seven but is also by now a very experienced as a top referee. He was introduced to the art by Tom Fitzpatrick,

He’s been an ace in the refereeing department for a while and we expect to see more of him in the years to come as a top GAA match official.

“Colm O’Rourke managed both teams. I have great memories of that time and so does Stephen. It meant and still means

David Gough with his team of umpires – a real family affair of all Goughs from Slane

He’s also a keen tennis player at class two level in Dublin; a member of Stackallen in Meath and Glasnevin tennis club in the capital.

David Gough is presented with his Allianz Football League D2 2014 referees’ medal by Pat McEnaney, Chairman of National Referee Committee, left, and Frank Burke, Vice-President of the GAA

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2016 NATIONAL CLUB DRAW PRIZES & WINNERS

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he GAA’S National Club Draw 2016 has been hailed as a major success with more than €1.67 million raised through the draw and with all funds retained by clubs who took part. Congratulations to all the individual winners and the clubs themselves who picked up additional prizes in the newly introduced club specific draw - view the full list below of winners, with more information available on the National Club Draw page here National Club Draw Prizes and Winners 1. A NEW OPEL CORSA Joanne McKenna - Derrygonnelly Harps (Fermanagh) 2. TRIP WITH THE 2016 ALL-STARS Mary Dowd - Emmet Óg (Longford) 3. TRAVEL VOUCHER TO THE VALUE OF €1,500 Don Reynolds - Eslin (Leitrim) 4. ALL-IRELAND HURLING & FOOTBALL FINAL CORPORATE PACKAGE 2016 Andy Moore - Round Towers Lusk (Dubin) 5. ALL-IRELAND HURLING & FOOTBALL FINAL CORPORATE PACKAGE 2016 Danny McCloskey - Beragh Red Knights (Tyrone)

6. ALL-IRELAND HURLING & FOOTBALL FINAL CORPORATE PACKAGE 2016 John Keogan - Kilmainhamwood (Meath) 7. ALL-IRELAND HURLING & FOOTBALL FINAL CORPORATE PACKAGE 2016 Callum Mairs - Ardmore St. Mary’s (Derry) 8. ALL-IRELAND HURLING & FOOTBALL FINAL CORPORATE PACKAGE 2016 Joe Chambers - St. Michael’s (Galway) 9. SHOPPING VOUCHER TO THE VALUE OF €1,000 Tom Geoghegan - Eire Óg (Carlow) 10. SHOPPING VOUCHER TO THE VALUE OF €1,000 John Egan - Ballycumber (Offaly) 11. ALL-IRELAND HURLING FINAL CORPORATE PACKAGE 2016 Marie O’Neill - St. Mary’s Ahoghill (Antrim) 12. ALL-IRELAND FOOTBALL FINAL CORPORATE PACKAGE 2016 Deirdre Smith - Ballygunner (Waterford) 13. ALL-IRELAND HURLING FINAL PACKAGE 2016 Margaret Fleming - Robert Emmets (Dublin) 14. ALL-IRELAND FOOTBALL FINAL PACKAGE 2016 Killian O’Reilly - Mountnugent (Cavan)

CLUB SPECIFIC DRAW €5,000 overall prize winners 1. Clonmore (Carlow) 2. Baileborough (Cavan) 3. Cloughbawn (Wexford) €1,000 PRIZE WINNERS Renvyle (Galway), St. Osnat’s (Leitrim), Belmullet (Mayo), Elphin (Roscommon), Western Gaels (Sligo), Ruairi Óg Cushendall (Antrim), Corrinshego Thomas Davis (Armagh), Baileborough (Cavan), Coleraine Owen Roes (Derry), Naomh Brid (Donegal), Teconnaught (Down), Devenish St. Mary’s (Fermanagh), Drumhowan (Monaghan), Beragh Red Knights (Tyrone), Newmarket on Fergus (Clare), Nemo Rangers (Cork), Ballyheigue (Kerry), Fr. Casey’s (Limerick), Newport (Tipperary), Roanmore (Waterford), Clonmore (Carlow), Naomh Barróg (Dubin), Round Towers (Kildare), Rower Inistioge (Kilkenny), Clonguish (Longford), Seán O’Mahony’s (Louth), Dunshaughlin (Meath), Camross (Laois), Birr (Offaly), Milltown (Westmeath), Cloughbawn (Wexford), Dunlavin (Wicklow) €1,000 prize winners for the highest ticket sales in each Province Connacht: Davitts (Mayo) Ulster: Shamrocks Loughgiel (Antrim), Munster: Mungret St. Paul’s (Limerick) Leinster: Na Fianna (Dublin) For more details on the draw, visit gaa.ie/ news/national-club-draw/

GAA Vice President and Chairman of Leinster Council John Horan presents Jennifer Connaughton, a niece of the winner Joe Chambers, St. Michael’s, Galway, during the presentation of prizes to the winners of the GAA National Club Draw. Joe won an All-Ireland Hurling & Football Final Package 2016

GAA Vice President and Chairman of Leinster Council John Horan, 3rd from left, makes a presentation to Davitts GAA Club, Ballindine, Irishtown, County Mayo, members, left to right, Mick Roche, Frank Hyland, Michael Waldron, Tom Carey and Laurence Daly, during the presentation of prizes to the winners of the GAA National Club Draw

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GAA ANNOUNCES LIST OF OFFICIAL CHARITIES

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ive charities from around the country and representing a range of different causes were selected by the Association to be charity partners for this year. The quintet were unveiled at a special photo call at Croke Park earlier today. The charities are The Cormac Trust; The Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust; Shabra Charity Foundation; Pieta House and Cliona’s Foundation. Each of the designated charities will receive a €20,000 donation from the GAA. This is part of an on-going GAA initiative stretching back to 2010 that has seen the GAA select a number of specific charitable organisations and foundations each year in a bid to assist them in raising awareness about their work and also champion them in their fund-raising efforts throughout the coming year. Aogán Ó Fearghail, Uachtarán CLG, said: “We are immensely proud of the position that the GAA holds within Irish society and of the work that we do at enriching the lives of our members and the communities in which they live”. “We take our role and responsibility in the community seriously and a part of that responsibility is in areas such as this where

the GAA can be a positive influence”. “As people, the generosity of the Irish in helping others in times of need is well known. In the GAA we are an Association with a big membership and a big heart”. “The charities selected for 2016, like those that have gone before them, are all in their own unique way doing work that is as phenomenal as it is inspirational in its effort to make an extraordinary difference to the lives of ordinary people”. “We hope that through their link to the GAA as one of our official charities in 2016 that their work gains more deserving recognition and that their fundraising efforts are also enhanced.” The Cormac Trust Established by the family of the late Tyrone All-Ireland winning senior footballer Cormac McAnallen, who died from sudden cardiac arrest at his home in March of 2004 at the age of just 24. Since then the Cormac Trust have done pioneering work: To raise awareness of sudden cardiac deaths in young people, and its causes; To promote cardiac screening for young people, especially for athletes; To provide education and information to raise awareness at government level and among other authorities as to the value of providing facilities for the screening

Uachtarán Chumann Lúthchleas Gael Aogán Ó Fearghail with Colin Bell, from left, The Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust, Bendan McAnallen, The Cormac Trust, Brendan and Terry Ring, Cliona Foundation, Rita Sha, Shabra Charity Foundation and Brian J. Higgins, CEO of Pieta House, at the announcement that five charities from around the country and representing a range of different causes were selected by the Association to be charity partners for this year

of young people; To provide automated external defibrillators (AEDs) for sports clubs in the local region, for the use of the entire local community, and to train people in Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and the use of defibrillators. The Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust The trust aims to alleviate the financial hardship of bereaved families repatriating the body (or bodies) of a loved one (or loved ones) who have died abroad in sudden or tragic circumstances back to Ireland. It is dedicated to the memory of Kevin Bell who was a talented Gaelic footballer and Irish dancing champion from Newry who was killed in a hit and run incident in New York in June, 2013. Shabra Charity Foundation Based in Monaghan, Shabra Charity was founded by Rita Shah and the late Oliver in Castleblaney in 1989. Their fund-raising efforts go towards donating equipment for heart and cancer research in Ireland while they also support the children who are orphaned by parents who died due to HIV and Aids by building a suitable orphanage and school facilities in Kenya and Nigeria.

To date they have donated over €600,000 to these needy causes. Pieta House Pieta House is a centre for the prevention of self-harm or suicide and opened its doors a decade ago in Lucan in County Dublin the centre of operations. In the intervening years they have helped over 20,000 people in suicidal distress or engaging in self-harm, and established eight subsequent centres, three in the greater Dublin area - Ballyfermot, Tallaght and Finglas and five further centres to cater for the rest of the country in Limerick, Cork, Tipperary, Galway and Kerry. Cliona’s Foundation In 2007, Terry and Brendan Ring created Cliona’s Foundation following the death of their daughter Cliona in 2006, who died from an inoperable brain tumour. Terry and Brendan founded Cliona’s Foundation as a non-profit Irish charity to help keep Cliona’s memory alive by helping families with a child suffering from a life threatening illness. To date Cliona’s Foundation has helped over 280 families throughout Ireland, raising over €1,000,000.

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ETIHAD AIRWAYS GAA WORLD GAMES LAUNCHED

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ore than 1,700 Gaelic footballers, hurlers and camogie players from 10 regions around the globe are bringing Gaelic games home to Ireland for the 2016 Etihad Airways GAA World Games in Dublin this August. A total of 87 teams from 20 countries will travel to Dublin for a week-long festival of Gaelic games activity between August 7 and 14 at UCD’s Belfield campus, with the finals being played at Croke Park. Teams from as far away as Australia, South Africa, and Argentina will be present, as well as teams from China, Canada, the Middle East, the US, Europe, and Britain. It is expected that as many as 7,000 people will be involved in the Etihad Airways GAA World Games festival in Dublin between players, team officials, administrators, families and supporters. The GAA will host the visiting teams in a grand opening ceremony at Croke Park before the All Ireland senior hurling semi-final on August 7, an event that will have a massive TV audience through RTE, Sky, and GAAGo. More than 500 games will be played over the course of the week-long festival. The visiting teams will also take part in a major cultural heritage night and concert at the Helix Theatre in DCU and a dedicated coaching forum before a closing ceremony at Croke Park at the end of the week. Aogán Ó Fearghail, Uachtarán CLG, said: “The

success of last year’s Etihad Airways GAA World Games in Abu Dhabi is still fresh in the memory and everyone involved in the GAA is very eager to see that we continue to develop this exciting initiative. “In the years immediately after the formation of the GAA in 1884, Michael Cusack described the growth and expansion of Gaelic games activity as “being like a prairie fire.” This event will showcase the extent to which the passion and participation for Gaelic games has now spread far beyond our shores and will acknowledge the keepers of this flame. “It is an event that simply would not be possible without the support and commitment of Etihad Airways which has played an integral part in making the dream of a GAA World Games become a reality. GAA President Aogan O Fearghail pictured with Tyrone footballer Colm Cavanagh and Kilkenny hurler Colin Fennelly. “It is also important to recognise the support of Tony Towell and all in O’Neill’s for ensuring that every team that competes here in August will really look the part.” Beatrice Cosgrove, General Manager for Ireland at Etihad Airways, said: “Etihad Airways is delighted to be a part of the continuing success story that is the GAA World Games. Through the Etihad Partners’ expansive network of routes we are constantly reminded of the global reach of the Irish diaspora and of the integral part that the GAA

Uachtarán Chumann Lúthchleas Aogán Ó Fearghail with Joan Flynn, Ard Stiúrthóir, Cumann Camogaíochta na nGael, left, Beatrice Cosgrove, right, General Manager Ireland, Etihad Airways, with Colm Cavanagh, left, Tyrone, Colin Fennelly, right, Kilkenny, and Bo Zhang, UCD student and member of the China Ladies Gaelic football team at the Etihad Airways GAA World Games 2016 launch

and Gaelic Games play in the lives of the Irish communities overseas. “Just as our sponsorship of the GAA Hurling All-Ireland championship is a chance for us to be part of something special, we are excited that the GAA World Games is a competition that will grow and has the potential to be an integral part of the GAA calendar.” The scale of the 2016 Etihad Airways GAA World Games represents a tripling in size of the inaugural GAA World Games which was hosted by Etihad Airways and successfully staged in Abu Dhabi last summer. It is planned to twin each of the visiting teams with a host club from Dublin, Kildare, and Meath which will enable them to forge new links with Ireland and also gain expert coaching while they are here. It will also increase their support base. This event is being held in Dublin this August to highlight the phenomenal global expansion of GAA clubs overseas with more than 400 GAA clubs now in existence outside of Ireland. From Abu Dhabi to Zambia, the games that

are played in every corner of Ireland are now being played in every corner of the world. It means that the GAA now has an active world-wide club presence from Montreal to Madrid, Mullingar to Moscow and Melbourne. A key feature of the 2016 World Games event will be that the growing number of new GAA clubs made up of non-native Irish people who have discovered Gaelic games and have made it their sport of choice. Among others, this diversity will be evidence by a native Chinese ladies football team and a native South African men’s football team who have confirmed that they will travel to take part. The GAA will support the event with a major publicity campaign, as well as providing an army of volunteers who will help run the event over 10 pitches out in Belfield. The finals will then be played at Croke Park on August 11 in football, ladies football, hurling, and camogie with eight finals covering the four codes and with a decider for Irish born and also non-Irish competing teams.

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VETTING FOR UNDERAGE COACHES NOW COMPULSORY

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he Dept of Justice and Equality has announced that the National Vetting Bureau (Children and Vulnerable Persons) Acts will commence on April 29, 2016.

Minister for Justice the National Vetting Bureau, formerly known as the Garda Central Vetting Bureau, will come into being. The immediate issues that require our attention in the GAA are:

The introduction of this legal requirement means that any person who fulfils a role of responsibility or as the Act states works in a regulated position with children must be vetted, prior to taking up this role. The requirements of the Act also apply to those who work with vulnerable adults.

1. The immediate vetting of any person currently working with children and who has not been vetted by the GAA to date. This process is called ‘retrospective vetting’ 2. Commencement of E Vetting by the GAA on 1 May 2016 thus replacing the ‘paper’ vetting applications used since 2009 3. Vetting of any ‘new applicants’ i.e. people who were not previously vetted and are new to the role of working with children

This measure will bring us in line with current practices in the Six Counties and with other European Countries. When the Acts are commenced by the

GAA policy is that we will only vet people over 16 yrs. of age. While certain leeway has been agreed so as to enable us retrospectively vet those who, for whatever reason, are currently working with children in the GAA and have not been vetted to date, no such leeway exists for new entrants i.e. people who seek to work for the first time with children in the GAA after that date. Almost 75,000 people have been vetted by the GAA since we first commenced Garda Vetting in late 2009 and as we embark on these three immediate tasks we will gradually engage in the re-vetting of those who were previously vetted by the GAA prior to the commencement of the Act. The provisions of the Act provide for all persons that have been vetted prior to the commencement of the Act to carry over their vetting status under the new Act and it shall be at the discretion of their own Association e.g. the GAA to decide when and how often they require to be re-vetted. Given that vetting of those who work with children in the six counties is already a legal requirement what this effectively means is that the GAA practice of vetting personnel who work with children as part of our voluntary good practice procedures will now became a mandatory requirement on the island of Ireland both North and South.

Apart from those covered by ‘retrospective vetting’ any other person who has not been vetted seek on our behalf to work with children and or vulnerable adults after the Act commences they will be in breach of the law. Should we employ or recruit a person to do this work who has not been vetted we will also be in breach of the law. What does the Act state in relation to vetting personnel e.g. coaches of underage teams In accordance with the Act it is an offence if we fail to vet a GAA nominated person who subsequently works with children on our behalf. Section 12 of the Act prohibits the engagement of persons to do relevant work or activities relating to children or other vulnerable persons, unless that person has been subject to the vetting procedures under the Act. Any person currently vetted by the GAA is covered under the Act as their vetting acceptance in essence transfers over under the new Act. For the purpose of clarification the National Vetting Bureau Act in GAA terms applies to any person who carries out a role of responsibility with an underage player i.e. a person who is under 18 yrs. of age. This also applies to any coach, manager, selector of a senior squad if that squad includes a person under 18 yrs. of age. The Act also covers those who work with vulnerable adults.

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E-Vetting replacing paper vetting applications On the commencement of the Act the National Vetting Bureau will introduce E-Vetting or a system of applying on line for vetting. The E-Vetting system will be limited to four organisations in the first instance, one of whom is the GAA. The GAA is pleased to have been one of the four chosen organisations along with the Teachers Council, Volunteering Ireland and the DAA. The piloting of E-Vetting by the National Vetting Bureau indicates that we can get turnaround times for the processing of vetting forms down to a few days rather than many weeks as experienced in the past. All interaction with the vetting applicant will, following completion of an initial identity verification form, be done via email.

verification of a person applying for vetting will be required at local level before the applicant can access the vetting form and submit it on to Croke Park for processing with the National Vetting Bureau.

• May 1 2016: The GAA shall commence E-Vetting and shall as a matter of priority concentrate on retrospective vetting and on the e-vetting of new applicants.

Ending paper vetting in the GAA As ‘paper vetting applications ‘ come to an end the GAA will be required to wind down that process in preparation for the introduction of E Vetting as quickly as possible after 29 April 2016. Once the Association commences E Vetting we will not be permitted to revert to ‘paper applications’ by the National Vetting Bureau.

Re-vetting of current GAA personnel who have been previously vetted To date the GAA has vetted almost 75,000 people through the Garda Central Vetting Bureau.

What this means is that the GAA must make itself ready and be in a position to deliver on E-Vetting following the commencement of the Act on 29 April 2016. This will be a challenge but as we have proven in relation to player registration in the past working on-line is not an insurmountable task for our Association.

• End of paper vetting: From 7 April 2016 the GAA ceased accepting any paper vetting applications from members and units of the Association.

As we move towards E-Vetting we will utilise the services of both our Club and County Children’s Officers to enable this happen. For example identification

To enable us prepare for commencement of this new service the following dates in relation to vetting shall apply in the GAA:

• April 15 2016: The Garda Central Vetting Bureau shall cease accepting vetting forms from GAA in advance of the commencement of E Vetting on 15 April 2016. Any forms that have been accepted by the Garda Central Vetting Bureau up to and including that date shall be processed.

We will not commence the E-Vetting of persons previously vetted until later this year as it is not an immediate requirement of the Act. When the new E-Vetting structures have been fully tested and when necessary training at County level has taken place we will then announce the re-vetting of personnel in the GAA which will take place on a County by County basis. Each County will receive sufficient notice and an agreed timescale in which to complete the e-vetting of those who work with children in the GAA. To facilitate each Club in identifying who has been issued with a GAA vetting acceptance letter to date we shall issue, via the County Secretary, a list of all personnel vetted on a Club by Club basis (as registered by them in their vetting application form) in early May. This will assist Clubs in each County to identify who amongst their membership may still

require to be vetted due to their roles with underage teams or personnel. Briefing on E-Vetting for County Childrens Officers As part of our series of Child Welfare Information Seminars, organised by the National Child Welfare and Protection Committee, the next Information Seminar on 23 April in Croke Park, 10.30 am to 1.30 pm, will receive a detailed presentation on the new E-Vetting system and how it will operate in the GAA. Each County Children’s Officer has been invited to this Information Seminar and should they be unable to attend please ensure that a substitute delegate attends in their place. County Children’s Officers from LGFA and Camogie have also been invited to attend. http://www.gaa.ie/the-gaa/childwelfare-and-protection/

Further information on the new vetting procedures may be obtained by contacting the GAA National Childrens Office in Croke Park or by emailing [email protected]

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CLUB HEALTH AND WELLBEING OFFICER TRAINING

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ver the last number of years significant developments have occurred within the Health & Wellbeing Section of the GAA. In the initial months, the establishment of the National Health & Wellbeing Committee was the first major milestone, followed then by County Health & Wellbeing Committees which created a structure similar to other sections of the Association. In order to fully emulate parallel sections however, and to achieve the ultimate goal of the National Health & Wellbeing Committee - make the Association a healthier place for everyone to enjoy the next and perhaps most important component of the Health & Wellbeing structure is being developed. As of this year, all clubs should have appointed a Club Health & Wellbeing Officer who will be tasked to help ensure their club is a healthier place for everyone to enjoy. This position, which has evolved from the former ASAP Officer Role will be supported by their Club Executive and their County Health & Wellbeing Committee, the latter of which has been offering training to all Club HWO’s throughout February and March and concluding now in April of this year. This training is being delivered by a network

Colin Regan is the head of the GAA’s Community Health and Wellbeing section, based at Croke Park

of over 50 specifically trained Tutors, from 25 different counties, who received their training at the beginning of 2016. The entire Training package, including the Tutor training, has been developed by a working group involving members of the National Health & Wellbeing Committee as well as interested members from our clubs who were invited to become involved.

With training delivery period coming to an end soon, we are encouraging all new Club Health & Wellbeing Officers to avail of training either in their own county or a neighbouring county as may be necessary. If you would like to find out more information about Club Health & Wellbeing Officer Training in your county, or when and where it is taking place, please contact your

County Health & Wellbeing Committee at: chair.hwc.[county name]@gaa.ie More general information relating to the role of Club Health & Wellbeing Officer and the development and provision of training may also be found at gaa.ie/community or by emailing: [email protected]

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DERMOT EARLEY YOUTH LEADERSHIP INITIATIVE CONTINUES TO INSPIRE NEXT GENERATION

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n the same week as thousands of secondary school pupils were presented with copies of the national flag and the Proclamation at a special event in Croke Park in advance of the Easter Rising centenary commemorations, 12 young GAA members aged 15 – 18 years from North Dublin clubs Craobh Chiaraín, St. Vincent’s, Simonstown, Fingal Ravens, Raheny, Lucan Sarsfields, Whitehall Colmcille and Erín go Bragh presented findings of their team research projects conducted as part of the Dermot Earley Youth Leadership Initiative. The Dermot Earley Youth Leadership Initiative, brought together by the GAA, Foróige and National University of Ireland Galway, commenced in September 2015. This unique initiative evokes and honours the values Dermot Earley Snr. epitomised and aims to foster them in a new generation of young Irish leaders. Those who successfully complete all three modules between September 2015 and May 2016 – which involves 30 instructional hours and 20 hours of community action in total – will be eligible to receive a FETAC level 6 Foundation Certificate in Youth Leadership and Community Action from NUIG. Research projects presented on the night

centred on the topics of Mental Health, Homelessness and Equality. The young people from North Dublin gave fantastic, thought provoking presentations on their findings in front of a large audience which included parents, siblings, members of the GAA and Foróige, the Dublin GAA Health and Wellbeing Committee and members of the Earley family including Dermot Earley Snr’ wife Mary and their two daughters Anne Marie and Paula Earley. One group in particular developed an online equality awareness campaign called #TogetherWeAreOne to get a particular message across “Gender equality is not a woman’s issue, it is a human issue. It affects us all”. They hope it will have a domino effect to get as many people as possible aware of the issue. Anne Marie Earley who sits on the National Steering Committee said “My father would have been very proud tonight. He had a great belief in education and it is fantastic to see you are educating yourselves and others about these topics. He was also a great advocate for teamwork and teamwork is certainly something that came across very strongly in your presentations.” The night finished with a huge round of applause for all the hard work and commitment by the young people and the adult tutors Stephen Maguire and

Dublin North Group at the DEYLI

Marc Gallagher who have facilitated the programme with the group since September. The young people have shown fantastic leadership skills and are role models for the other young people in the GAA clubs. All participants along with 80 other GAA members will graduate from NUI

Galway this October with a FETAC level 6 Foundation Certificate in Youth Leadership and Community Action. For more information on the Dermot Earley Youth Leadership Initiative visit www.gaa.ie/community

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INVESTING IN LEADERS, INVESTING IN YOU!

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major new and exciting training programme for club officers has now been delivered in 16 counties with over 850 different club officers participating in training since it was launched back in January. The Club Leadership Development Programme (CLDP) aims to provide the principal officers in each Club - namely the Chairperson, Secretary, Treasurer and PRO - with an opportunity to gain the key knowledge and skills to fulfil their roles in a confident and competent manner. Sixteen County Committees in conjunction with their Provincial Councils have organised the programme after their applications to receive it were successful. Uachtarán CLG, Aogán Ó Fearghail launched the programme back in January and remarked that ‘this much needed initiative which will significantly help club officers who require training, education and continuous support to carry out their roles effectively.’ Páraic Duffy, Ard-Stiúrthóir CLG, sees the provision of continuous support for club officers as one of the most important priorities for the Association over the next few years and he noted in his Annual Report to Congress that ‘the programme represents a milestone in the training and development of club officers, one that promises to strengthen considerably the management of clubs.’

Since its launch, 83 modules have been delivered in 16 counties with over 850 different officers taking part. As all officers participant in several modules, it can be noted that there have been over 1,500 participants in the various modules. Officers have learned from vastly experienced Leadership Associates who have completed extensive training last year in Croke Park for delivery of training. Each module ran for two hours and contained a lot of learning activities to encourage idea sharing, problem solving and networking among club officers. Continuous support for club officers is a strategic priority for the Association at present and while the CLDP represents a major milestone in this regard, there is a lot more coming in the near future. To keep up-to-date with the latest happenings, visit learning.gaa.ie/ administrator ONLINE RESOURCES FOR CLUBS Club Advice Manual The Club Advice Manual is a resource for all Club officers. It contains information on many aspects of Club activity and administration, such as: • Mission, Vision and Values of the GAA • Introduction to the Club Manual • Club Activity Checklist • Club Committee Structure

• • • • • •

Role of the Club Chairman Role of the Club Secretary Role of the Club Treasurer Role of the Public Relations Officer Other Club Officer Roles Property Ownership – Vesting of Property and the Appointment of Trustees • Effective Club Meetings • The Club Annual General Meeting – AGM

• Coaching and Games Development in the Club • Communication in the Club • Membership and Registration • Financial Matters in the Club • Insurance and the GAA Injury Benefit Fund • Culture and Heritage in the GAA Club • The Inclusive GAA Club • Volunteer Recruitment Toolkit • GAA Fundraising Toolkit

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To access it, visit - www.learning.gaa.ie/ clubmanagement IT Resources A central library of supports and resources for the GAA’s IT systems is available online. Resources are available for: • Office365 • GAA Management System • Yendo – The official GAA Club Accountancy Software • Injury Benefit Fund Claims System To access these resources, visit - www.learning.gaa.ie/ itresources MEMBER AND PLAYER REGISTRATION Membership Cards Membership cards will not be available for Clubs to request in 2016.  As part of the GAA Strategic Plan 2015-17, the possibility of establishing a membership benefits programme for all registered members is being explored and good progress is being made on the initiative.  It is hoped that the Association will be in a position to update Clubs further on developments in the autumn of 2016.   Annual €2 Membership Fees In accordance with Rule 2.2 of the Official Guide, each Club must submit, through its County Secretary, an annual fee of €2 for every registered Full and Honorary Member who has paid his/her Club Membership Fee for the year. Please note that only after 11 April will Clubs be able to generate an invoice to calculate how much is owed for every Full and Honorary Member.  Only an invoice has been generated, please make a cheque payable to the GAA and forward the cheque to your County Board. The County Board will collect from all Clubs and forward to Central Council. Step-by-step guidance on generating an invoice can be found here - servasport.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/ articles/203575948-Annual-2-Fees

E-mail and Telephone Support Each Club will have access to the system either through their Secretary or Registrar.  For any queries on access to the system, or on the system functionality, please e-mail or call the Servasport Helpdesk on: Email: [email protected]  Phone:  ROI: 04890 313 845 NI: 02890 313 845 International: +44 2890 313 845   Support hours until 31 March are as follows: Monday to Friday – 9am to 10pm Saturday to Saturday – 10am to 6pm   User Forums The GAA Management System provides Clubs with functionality to: • Add, view and register members and players • Set-up teams, groups, committees and families for reporting and communication purposes • Communicate with these groups via bulk text message and e-mail • Generate team sheets in Irish and English • Generate registration reports • Pay and record fees • Affiliate teams and pay Injury Fund subscriptions • Request membership cards • Create amalgamations • Access resources and supports A number of helpful online forums are available where you will find User Guides and FAQs for these sections.  Please visit - https://servasport.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/ categories/200193026-GAA-Management-System  or google ‘GAA Help Desk.’    Online Training Documents The GAA Learning and Development Portal contains a GAA Membership Training Manual and videos explaining the system.  To access this information, visit - http://learning.gaa.ie/ gaamanagementsystem

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CORK’S CATRIONA CASEY IN FINE FORM

Robbie McCarthy of Westmeath is the toast of Irish Handball after winning his third consecutive Senior Singles title, whilst Cork’s Catriona Casey defied the form book to defeat reigning Irish & World Champion Aisling Reilly in the Ladies Final. See more www.gaahandball.ie/news/ mccarthy-seals-treble-as-caseytakes-ladies-in-the-third

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THE GAA MUSEUM

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he GAA Museum offers an unrivalled state-of-the-art visitor experience! The museum celebrates Ireland’s unique national games of hurling and Gaelic football and features collections and exhibits which illustrate the rich history of these national games, highlighting the significant contribution the GAA has made - and continues to make - to Ireland’s cultural, social and sporting heritage. The museum includes exhibition galleries, a

Hall of Fame, match footage, and a magnificent new trophy display. Visitors of all ages can also test out their own hurling and football skills in the interactive games zone – see how fast they can react, check out their passing skills, practice a fingertip save or the art of the high catch!

IN W IN W IN W IN W W IN W IN WIN A FREE TOUR OF THE STADIUM AND MUSEUM AT CROKE PARK Many thanks to those of you who entered our competition last month for a free tour of the GAA Museum. The winner was Clair Hurley from Clonakilty, Co Cork who correctly answered that the GAA Museum is located in the Cusack Stand at Croke Park. Send this month’s answer marked ‘Competition’ to [email protected] before April 30.

As well as its permanent exhibitions, the GAA Museum hosts a range of temporary exhibitions.

Q: ON WHAT DATE WERE THE FIRST SHOTS OF THE 1916 RISING FIRED IN DUBLIN?

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FOIRNE AR AN MBEALACH AR AIS Le Cian O’Connell

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g tús mí na Nollag, 2013 sheas Colm Collins i lár Páirc na nGael, Luimneach. Bhí An Chreatlach tar éis taispeánteas bríomhar a thabhairt in aghaidh laochra móra Crócaigh, Chill Airne. Chaill fir Chondae an Chláir i gCluiche Ceannais Clubanna na Mumhan, ach d’fhág siad le rud éigin tabhachtach. Bhí misneach acu arís. Dhà bhliain go leith ina dhiadh an choimhlint sin beidh Condae an Chláir ar ais i bPáirc an Chròcaigh. Tá áit bainte amach acu i Roinn 2 don Sraith Allianz i 2017, ar bhealach tá sé cosúil le tús na nóchaidí arís nuair a bhí John Maughan ar an taobhlíne. Ag an am sin, d’éirigh go maith le Condae an Chláir, ar ndóigh bhuaigh siad Craobh na Mumhan. Níl duine ag rá go bhfuil siad chun é sin a dhèanamh go luath, ach tá feabhas ollmhór taghta orthu. Taithníonn an stíl ciúin agus éifeachtach atá ag Collins le himreoirí an Chláir, agus tá éacht mór déanta acu an séasur seo. Anois tá deis acu i gcoinne foireann eile atá ag teacht ar aghaidh freisin. Tá neart déanta ag an traenalaí Cian O’Neill le hiománaithe Thiobraid Arainn, agus peiledóirí Mhaigh Eo agus Ciarraí. Faoi láthair tá Cill Dara ag iarraidh céimeanna a thógáil iad féin. Rinne siad go maith i Roinn 3 agus tabharfaidh an ócáid seo seans eile do na leaids óga atá sa phainéil cluiche a imirt i gCeannarás CLG. Níl aon dabht go bhfuil painéil lán le himreoirí scilúil agus aclaí ag Cill Dara, ach caithfidh siad samhradh maith a bheith acu. Sin atá uathu agus déanfaidh O’Neill a mhíle dhícheall. ‘Sé an spreagadh atá ag Cill Dara ná a bheith ar ais ag an staid sin i mí Iúil agus Lúnasa. Cinnte, tá Cill Dara ar an mbóthar arís, Condae an Chláir freisin. Dul chun cinn déanta ag an mbeirt acu, tá siad ag taisteal go dóchasach.

Cian O’Neill, bainisteoir Cill Dara

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KELLOGG’S GAA CÚL CAMPS 2016 LAUNCHED AT CROKE PARK

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ith over 100,000 children taking part last year, Kellogg’s GAA Cúl Camps is Ireland biggest summer camp and the 2016 programme was launched by David Rawle, star of the TV hit series Moone Boy. David joined an all-star GAA panel of Aidan O’Shea, Ashling Thompson, TJ Reid and Aimee Mackin for an impromptu training session at Croke Park. Kellogg’s GAA Cúl Camps are for children aged 6-13 and involve an action-packed week that focuses on acquiring new skills, improving well-being, forging new friendships and, ultimately, having fun whilst participating in Gaelic games. The camps, which started nine years ago, run from July through to August and this is Kellogg’s fifth year of sponsorship.

camp at €55 per child, all young participants will receive a complimentary GAA zipped training top, jersey and backpack. In addition, one camp in each province will receive a surprise visit from one of the four Kellogg’s Cúl Camps’ GAA ambassadors; Ashling Thompson, (Cork, camogie), Aidan O’Shea, (Mayo, football), TJ Reid (Kilkenny, hurling) or Aimee Mackin (Armagh, ladies Football). Each of the Cúl Camp’s ambassadors will join in with the training and coach the children the fundamental skills of the GAA games, making sure they are put through their paces in a fun and engaging way that may one day have them playing at an All-Ireland Championship at Croke Park. Powering Play through nutrition

Moone Boy’s David Rawle is a Cúl Camps enthusiast, having attended his local Co. Leitrim camp in 2008, and according to David, whilst his skills were somewhat questionable his commitment and effort were legendary. The camps offer training in all four disciplines, hurling, camogie, football and ladies’ football as well as rounders and in some camps, handball. Not only do they take place in Ireland but such is the popularity of the camps they are now also organised in the UK, Australia, Hong Kong, Saudi Arabia, the US, Canada and across Europe. Recognised as Ireland’s best-value summer

The benefits of Kellogg’s GAA Cúl Camps extend beyond active play and research amongst children attending last year’s camps showed that 100% responded that they now know that eating healthy food gives them energy and helps them to grow. All children surveyed also confirmed that they now understood the importance of drinking water and keeping hydrated when playing sport. A key component of Cúl Camps is a nutritionbased programme, Kellogg’s Powering Play, which was launched last year and helps children understand the importance of healthy eating and in particular, the

TV star Moone Boy, David Rawle, joined a host of GAA stars today at Croke Park to launch Kellogg’s GAA Cúl Camps 2016. Pictured are Cork camogie player Aisling Thompson, Mayo footballer Aidan O’Shea, Kilkenny hurler TJ Reid and Armagh ladies footballer Aimee Mackin, with children from Gaelscoil Choláiste Mhuire

importance of nutrition in fuelling physical activity. All participating children will receive packs with nutritional information to help promote greater awareness for the food choices they should be making to help power their play, both on and off the pitch. Speaking at the launch of the 2016 Kellogg’s GAA Cúl Camps, GAA President, Aogán Ó Fearghail said: “The Kellogg’s GAA Cúl Camps are a huge part of community life in Ireland, teaching children fundamental skills not only in GAA but with a strong focus on improving physical wellbeing and empowering them with information on nutrition. Ultimately, the camps are about encouraging friendships and fun, which is what being a child is all about. With more than 100,000 children attending the camps in 2015, its popularity is increasing year on year, and this year it’s going to be even better with an action packed schedule planned for all the youngsters.” Kellogg’s Managing Director for Ireland Jim

McNeill said: “With over 500,000 members, GAA is incredibly influential in Ireland and has a particular relevance to local communities, appealing to both adults and children. Last year, Kellogg’s Cúl Camps attracted more than 100,000 participants and we are incredibly proud of our association with this programme and the way in which it has grown, year-on-year. Our ambition and hope are that even more children will join us this year and experience the fun and benefits of Cúl Camps. The programme for this year’s Cúl Camps really emphasises the link between making healthy food choices to benefit physical performance both on and off the pitch.” This year, Kellogg’s is giving families the opportunity to win €5,000 worth of training gear for their local club, plus a €500 family voucher by purchasing special packs of Kellogg’s cereal and snacks in-store. For more information parents can log on to www.kelloggsculcamps.gaa.ie

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MÍLE BUÍOCHAS Our thanks to all of those who have played a part in the production of the GAA Club Newsletter. Produced by the GAA Communications Department at Croke Park and edited by Cian Ó Murchadha, and designed by DBA, Blackrock Co Dublin. Feedback welcome to [email protected]