Advice to Clubs and Counties – for activities post December 1st

CLUB SPECIFIC GUIDELINES

1. Club Games

Under the new Level 3 Restrictions announced by Government and which take effect from December 1st, Club games are not permitted – only approved inter-county games can take place.

2. Club Training

In level 3, underage and adult training can take place, but must be on a non-contact basis in pods of up to 15.

All clubs and players are reminded that Health Questionnaires and all other relevant control measures must continue to be followed.

No training of any kind is permitted at club level in the Six Counties, either outdoors or indoors until midnight on Thursday December 10th 2020 at the earliest. Further advice will issue from Ulster GAA once it is available

3. Use of Indoor Team Facilities

Dressing rooms, showers and all other indoor training facilities should remain closed for club activities.

Club Gyms in the 26 Counties may be opened for use by individuals only, with protective measures in place. Players/Teams must not train in groups.

Further advice on protective measures for gyms is included as an Appendix to this document. The GAA will continue to monitor the situation with regard to club gyms and if our Covid Advisory Group are not happy that the advice for use of gyms is being properly adhered to, it may lead to their closure again.

4. Committee Meetings

No indoor meetings can be held.

5. Officer Training

All officer Training must be delivered online. Outdoor coaching education courses may be held but are subject to a 15-person maximum.

6. Club Bars

Club Bars that do not serve food must remain closed until further notice

From Friday 4 December, Club bars that are operating as restaurants (i.e. serving a substantial meal) can open for indoor dining with additional restrictions, including a requirement for meals to be prepared on site, inside the premises, and with a maximum of 6 people per table.

Club bars must follow all the relevant protocols for the sector.

All Club bars in the six counties must remain closed or in the case of those offering restaurant services continue offering take away food only until midnight of Thursday 10th December 2020, at the earliest. Further advice will issue from Ulster GAA when it is available.

7. Indoor Events on GAA Property

Commercial use of indoor halls continues to be permitted where agreement was in place prior to March and relevant insurance are in place. Use by State bodies e.g. HSE/Schools is also permitted.

These are the only instances in which indoor activity is permitted on GAA Club property.

8. Outdoor Events on GAA Property

Gatherings of up to 15 people only are permitted. As such, fundraisers such as fittest family, Couch to 5k etc should not be organised.

Drive in events may be held subject to clubs requesting extension of insurance cover from Marsh Ireland or GAA Insurance section; however patrons must remain in their vehicle for the entire duration of the event with no access to club facilities including toilets. Cars attending such events should only contain people from their own pod.

Other events such as Poc Fada or Road bowling should only be organised if they can be limited to 15 people and face coverings must be worn.

ADVICE FOR 2ND LEVEL SCHOOLS AND 3RD LEVEL INSTITUTIONS

9. Games and Training

Neither competitive nor challenge games are permitted in 2nd Level schools.

Training is permitted on a non-contact basis in pods of no more than 15 people

Games are not permitted to take place at 3rd level under the latest Government restrictions – in addition, as it is recommended that Higher Education should remain primarily on line, no training sessions are permitted in 3rd level institutions in either jurisdiction until further notice.

INTER COUNTY SPECIFIC GUIDELINES

10. Training and Games at Senior, Minor and U20

The GAA are awaiting clarity from Government as to whether U20 and Minor games can take place. We will provide this to Counties as soon as it is available.

In the interim, Teams still involved in the 2020 Minor Hurling and Football and 2020 U20 Hurling and Football Championships are permitted to resume training from December 1st on a non-contact basis in pods of no more than 15 people.

The teams still involved in the 2020 All Ireland Senior Championships are permitted to continue training as normal.

Collective Training is NOT PERMITTED for any other inter county teams currently.

2021 Inter County Competitions The GAA is currently finalising its fixture programme for 2021. Each grade will have an appropriate pre-season identified for it to allow for adequate preparation for 2021 competitions.

The fixtures programme, as well as dates on which a Return to Collective Training will be permitted will be available in the near future.

In the interim, no collective training is permitted for 2021 inter county competitions.

11. Use of Indoor Team Facilities for Inter County Teams (2020 Championships)

As senior Inter county activity has been classified as an exemption to the normal restrictive provisions by the Government, use of indoor facilities for Inter County Teams only is permitted and should be carried out in accordance with the Return to Training and Play for Inter County Teams advice document issued in September.

Counties should ensure that where multiple teams are using the same venue for training (e.g. a Centre of Excellence) that only one team is on site at a given time.

Adult Club players living in a County classified as Level 3 may travel to their Home Counties to participate in Training.

12. Attendances at Inter County Games

In Level 3, all inter county games must be played behind closed doors.

Arrangements for the remaining games in the 2020 Championships in terms of access for additional panel members and backroom teams will be communicated directly to the Counties involved once clarity is received from Government in terms of what is specifically proposed (numbers allowed etc.)

For Minor intercounty games or training sessions staged behind closed doors and because they involve players aged 17 and under:

· One designated individual (parent/guardian) per player may attend a training session or game per child/family/group of children.

· The GAA Health Questionnaires MUST be completed by parents/guardians in advance of attendance.

Parents are NOT permitted to be in attendance at U20 games where their child (U18) is participating. However, provision can be made to allow an adult to be in close proximity (e.g. in the car park etc) in case medical or other emergency needs require their presence.

Appendix – Advice for Use of GAA Club Gyms

The following advice – taken from the Ireland Active Framework for Safe Operation should be followed when opening Gym facilities:

• Social distancing of 2m should always be maintained

• Participants should not congregate before or after activities, and facilities should design internal flows to reflect this.

• Facilities should plan for a maximum of 1 person/4 square metres* (2mx2m) and in accordance with government advice on maximum capacities for indoor activities.

• Ensure adequate ventilation, avoiding recycling of air to avoid possibility of infection, in accordance with HSE/HSA guidance

• Carry out frequent cleaning of surfaces and wipe downs of contact surfaces with single use disinfectant wipes or strong disinfectants and microfibre cloths.

• Users should not share towels, water bottles etc.

• All of the standard infection control guidance from the HSE should be heeded.

• There should be no hands-on adjustments or physical contact during training.

• Spacing of exercise machines/equipment should be undertaken to ensure 2m distance between equipment. An alternative may be to use every second piece of equipment or the closing of certain stationary equipment to ensure 2m distancing.

• Equipment which is 2m apart should not be placed where exercisers are facing each other.

• Spin bikes should be staggered and spaced 2m apart to avoid spray back.

• Loose equipment such as dumbbells, kettlebells, free weights etc. should be used by one exerciser and cleaned in between each use by users/staff.

• Booking of time slots should be employed in order to enable safe management and recording of users in the facility.

• Where spotting of weights is being undertaken, face coverings should be worn

All areas, within the gym, where social distancing is particularly challenging should be kept closed – Players should not enter the gym facility prior to their assigned reservation

Adequate signage and reminders should be provided at entrances and in strategic places within the gym providing instruction on social distancing, hand hygiene, use of cloth face coverings or masks, and cough and sneeze etiquette.

Moving Goalposts – The impact of COVID-19 on sport.

The Wellbeing Network, West Cork in partnership with Cork GAA bring you Moving Goalposts – the impact of COVID-19 on sport

About this Event

Panel will discuss the impact of COVID-19 on sporting communities and how people can be proactive about looking after the wellbeing of their communities.

‘This online event will highlight some of the community-minded and creative ways GAA clubs and the organisation have responded to this crisis and ways that players, supporters and the many others involved in sport at grassroots level, can stay connected and positive in the midst of this pandemic where the goalposts are constantly moving.’

7 – 8 pm Wednesday 9th December

PANELLISTS:

  • Ruairí Deane – Cork Senior Football Team
  • Martina O’ Brien – Cork Senior Ladies Football Goalkeeper
  • Kevin O’ Donovan – CEO Cork GAA
  • Keith Ricken – Cork U20 All Ireland Winning Team Manager & CIT GAA Officer

MC: Kieran McCarthy – Sports Editor, The Southern Star

The link to attend this online event will be sent to those registered 72 hours before the event.

Further info: https://thewellbeingnetwork.ie/movinggoalposts/

Email: wellbeingnetwork@nln.ie / Phone 087 7453933

Paul Kerrigan announces his retirement.

Today I am announcing my retirement from inter county football. I consider it a huge privilege to have represented and captained Cork. It is something I’ve never taken for granted. I’ve been lucky enough to meet and work with some fantastic people and will treasure the friendships I’ve made.
I’d like to thank the four managers and their back room teams I’ve played under for having faith in me and giving me the opportunity to live out my dream.
I would also like to thank the Cork County Board and my club Nemo Rangers for their support.
I’ve been fortunate to play with some of Corks best ever footballers and achieve the ultimate goal of winning Sam Maguire.
I look forward to watching this current team in the years to come, who i firmly believe can also achieve great things.
I’d like to thank my family and wife for their constant support down through the years. I look forward to continuing with my club Nemo Rangers with whom I hope to enjoy further success.
Rebels Abu
Paul Kerrigan

“ONE CORK” – New brand to drive future success for Cork GAA

“ONE CORK” – NEW BRAND TO DRIVE FUTURE SUCCESS FOR CORK GAA
Programme has ambition to realise €20 million+ in revenue over the next five years
Cork GAA has unveiled an ambitious new programme of investment and commercial activity that it expects will realise over €20 million in revenue over the next five years.
The income – through commercial revenue including; Cork County Board and stadia sponsorship, concerts and stadium rental and advertising – will be used to invest heavily in clubs across Cork, and in a better resourced county structure.
One Cork amalgamates all of the existing organisations working to further the sport across the county, including the Cork County Board, the SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh Stadium Board, Cairde Chorcaí, the clubs and the army of dedicated supporters of Cork GAA.
The ambition of One Cork is to make Cork GAA one of the most successful sporting organisations in the country, both on and off the pitch. By investing properly in clubs, schools and county structures, One Cork will lay the groundwork for future success at every level from Rebel Óg to Inter-County.
The plan will build upon a series of strategies in key areas, namely sponsorship, commercial opportunities at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh, ticket sales and advertising. 
A group of dedicated Cork GAA supporters with vast commercial experience has been working on the commercial strategy for One Cork for a number of months. Their stated goal is to introduce a commercial engine that will deliver the required return to drive a vision and ambition for Cork GAA.
In terms of sponsorship, One Cork is looking to activate a number of new opportunities that will realise the true potential of a world class stadium like SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh. This includes the naming rights for elements of “the Páirc”, its development as a national venue for events and its appeal as a year-round destination.
One Cork will also look at using its existing real estate for new advertising opportunities, using a model that has worked extremely well for other sports.
One Cork will deepen links with the clubs and their communities. The goal is to ensure that every player, from the 5-year-old starting out to the inter-county star, will see the benefits of the programme. This has already begun with the Rebels’ Bounty, a revamped draw format that will see clubs directly benefit from improved ticket sales.
Seán Ó hÓrain, Uachtarán CLG said “One behalf of the wider Association I wish Cork well in their endeavours in establishing ‘One Cork’. The project is ambitious and innovative and has the potential, if fully supported by the wider Cork GAA family, to harness the huge goodwill that exists towards our games in what is the biggest county with the largest number of clubs in the GAA”. 
Tracey Kennedy, chairperson of Cork County Board said, “One Cork realises a long-held ambition to drive Cork GAA forward united, as befits the largest county in Ireland. By embracing this vision of what Cork GAA should be, every member of every club will be on a firmer footing for the future, both in terms of finance and structure. From this point on, there is a single purpose – the success of the entire organisation with a view to benefitting all our players and all our clubs, and ensuring that the Rebel red is once again a regular feature in Croke Park. I would like to thank those who have given so much of their time to putting this plan in place, and I look forward to being part of the team that brings it to fruition.”
Michael O’Flynn is part of the One Cork steering group. He said, “Cork GAA has always evoked passion from its supporters, but that passion wasn’t always translated into real commercial success that feeds its growth. I am happy to have been asked to lend my support, and I am proud that One Cork has developed a new vision for Cork GAA. Our plan will bring a strong commercial focus to our activities to ensure that at both club and inter-county level the necessary resources are in place to support players. What is crucial now is that we bring a real focus to executing successfully the plans that have been developed. I firmly believe that One Cork will result in tremendous growth at every level of the game, and I would ask every GAA supporter to become part of it”. 
Ted Owens from Cairde Chorcaí said, “Our mission has always been to help Cork GAA teams to succeed at the highest level. We believe that this objective and our efforts to improve training facilities and support coaching can best be achieved under the One Cork model. Cairde Chorcaí looks forward to now being incorporated into One Cork, and we ask every GAA member here and abroad to fully support the initiative”. 
The One Cork steering group includes: Kevin O’Donovan (Chairperson), Ted Owens (Vice-Chairperson), Michael O’Flynn, Jim Woulfe, Kieran Calnan, Tracey Kennedy, Marc Sheehan, Diarmuid Gowen, John Mullins, Tomás Mulcahy, Conor McCarthy, Seán O’Brien and Sinéad O’Keeffe.

County Committee Report – 24/11/2020

The County Committee met via Teams on Tuesday 24 November 2020. The minutes of the previous meeting November 3rd were taken as read, having been sent out to clubs previously.

The Runaí began the meeting with correspondence including the following queries:

· Paul McCarthy (Kinsale) asking if an appointments committee had been set up. The chairperson reported that the Executive had not met since the defeat of the Cork footballers last Sunday but that she expected that this issue would be examined in due course and reported back to the County Committee.

· John O’ Flynn (Freemount) asked what type of accounts would be presented for the stadium at Convention and the Runaí said that full accounts were to be presented.

· John Feeney (Dripsey) asked about Rebels’ Bounty and inability to put forward questions during the meeting. The Runaí said questions submitted were being answered, and that the Rebels’ Bounty would come up later in the meeting. The Chairperson explained the difficulties of an interactive meeting on Teams with such a large group of delegates but said it was planned to have a fully interactive convention taking place on December 17th.

The Runaí reported that were no motions for County Convention, and that in relation to correspondence received, there was no election for Development Officer or Children’s Officer as these were appointed positions.

The Runaí then spoke about the new One Cork group which will be launched on Thursday. He explained that it was 12 months in the works and was the coming together of Cork GAA, Chairde Chorcaí, the stadium board and the financial advisory and planning sub-committee. It would be dealing with the stadium finances, with games and with the County Board finances. It is a sub committee and would be a support structure under Cork County Board. It has been approved by Executive . The Cathaoirleach welcomed the new initiative, which had been approved by the Executive and thanked all involved in its development and reported that the launch would take place online on Thursday evening.

The Runaí spoke about the Rebels’ Bounty and the correspondence that had been received. A number of objections had been raised by approximately 20% of clubs, while much positive feedback had also been received. A support committee had been set up to support those clubs who had reservations, and the Executive felt that the time was right to move on with the project. The brochure was complete and had been approved. The website would be live on the first weekend December and this model would be in place for 3 years. The Cathaoirleach described the Rebels’ Bounty as a fantastic opportunity for clubs and hoped that both County Board and clubs would soon reap the benefits.

The Runaí read out the reports on Inter-County teams. The Chairperson said that the exiting of the Championships were disappointing for everyone but that she felt certain no-one was more hurt and disappointed than the players and management, and thanked all players, managers and backroom staff for their efforts throughout a very challenging year.

The Chairperson thanked Richard Murphy, Niamh McCarthy, Eoghan Brennan and Michael Byrne for all their hard work in ensuring the games passed off in a safe manner and that the stadium was in a condition we could all be proud of.

The Runaí said he was hoping to see the Cork Minor teams and Under 20 hurling team in action before Christmas, but that this would become clearer in the next few days.

The Runaí briefly mentioned SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh and the legal case involving an outstanding issue and OCS which had been reported in the media, and while not being able go to into any details, he assured the County Committee that there was an excellent team working on it, including the best professionals and the best volunteers.

The Runaí spoke about the county championships. He said there would be no change in the resumption dates of the 2020 championships in early 2021. The 2021 championship draws would not take place until there was national calendar in place for 2021. He said the minor changes made in 2020 would remain in place for 2021, but the structure approved by the clubs in 2019 would remain in place for 2021. In relation to Independent teams, these would be vetted by CCC.

The Chairperson said that County Convention would take place on Thursday December 17th and that it was planned to be fully interactive. The count for the election of officers would still take place on Friday December 4th and that count team was still being finalised.

In relation to bye-laws, the Runaí delivered a clarification from Croke Park in relation to finance-related sub-committees. As the Executive is the Finance Committee according to general rule, other finance-related committees can still be set up by the Executive and the County Committee but need not be enshrined in bye-law.

Ahead of County Convention it was confirmed the following had been appointed by the Executive as incoming officers: President – Brian Barrett (Nemo Rangers), Development officer – Noel O’Callaghan (Clonakilty), Children’s Officer – Eoghan O’Connor (Erin’s Own), Rebel Óg Chairperson – Michael O’ Mahony (Blarney), Referees’ Administrator – Niall Barrett (Carrigtwohill), IT Officer Terry Brady (Ballygarvan).

The schedule of meetings for the year ahead was agreed. The first meeting will take place on Tuesday January 12th 2021 followed by meetings on the first Tuesday of every month.

The votes of sympathy were read out and a moment’s silence observed.

As it was her last County Board meeting, the Chairperson thanked the delegates for their help, support and friendship over the three years of her term but also the nine years of her time as an officer. She said she would never forget the support offered to her by delegates during her illness some years ago, and through all the difficult times. Meetings were often tough, but exchanges were always characterised by respect and courtesy. She concluded by wishing them all well for the years ahead.