Cork GAA media partnership with Irish Examiner

The Irish Examiner and Cork GAA are delighted to announce a three year media partnership.

The  agreement , signed at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh , guarantees live match coverage of every championship weekend for GAA fans in Cork, around the country and all over the world for the next three seasons with live streaming of football and hurling club championship games across all grades up to 2022.

Cork GAA throws in the ball for Championship 2020 this Friday night and supporters can tune in for free from the opening weekend right through to the business end of the championship. We kick off with the meeting of Premier SFC contenders Ballincollig and St Finbarrs from Pairc Ui Rinn.

Commenting at the launch of the streaming partnership, Cork GAA Chairperson Tracey Kennedy said: “This partnership is a great opportunity for our patrons to see games they might not be able to attend from the comfort of their own homes, and is particularly timely this year given the current limitations on spectator numbers.

“We have been exploring the option of streaming for some time now, and with the quality of the service provided a key priority, the Irish Examiner are the perfect partners for us. Their coverage of our games is already second-to-none, and this arrangement takes an already strong relationship to another level. My thanks to all involved in making this happen, and I look forward to tuning in myself given that, like so many other fans, I won’t be able to get to games for a while either!”

Irish Examiner editor Tom Fitzpatrick said: “The Irish Examiner continues to provide unrivalled sports coverage and with this partnership we add regular live streaming to our GAA match reports, analysis and star columnists and writers. With this partnership both organisations will work together to ensure fans get the best coverage from the Irish Examiner platforms, kicking off with our first live and exclusive stream, free to watch this Friday.”

On its website, www.irishexaminer.com, the Irish Examiner will provide live coverage of at least two to three matches over each club championship weekend during the 2020 campaigns. With a limit on attendances likely to stay in place through the 2020 season, the Irish Examiner has committed to providing free live coverage for viewers this season on the new Irish Examiner website. The Irish Examiner and Cork GAA will again provide exclusive coverage in 2021 and 2022.

The Irish Examiner is committed to bringing GAA fans an exciting matchday experience, with a top-class team that includes commentators Colm O’Connor and Des Curran, with analysis from the likes of Ger Cunningham, Mark Landers, Brian Cuthbert and Patrick Kelly. There will also be contributions from our award-winning team of GAA journalists.

The Irish Examiner and irishexaminer.com, together with our sister titles, The Echo & echolive.ie, continue to be an integral part in the lives of people in Cork and Munster.

Kevin O’ Donovan, CEO/Secretary Cork GAA said: “We are delighted to launch this special partnership with the Irish Examiner, never has the appetite for our games been so great.  As we embark on a bumper club championship our patrons will have the ability to watch games, thanks to the Irish Examiner, from the comfort of their homes.  The quality of coverage from the Irish Examiner will continue to ensure our supports can analyse and enjoy the championship throughout the season”.

Said Irish Examiner Operations manager Michael Sheehan: “We are very pleased to announce a new development for our readers with Cork GAA. This innovation will bring our coverage of Cork GAA to our readers in a new format and at a time that best suits their needs.

“It is a Partnership that we feel will be mutually beneficial for both parties and we look forward to working on these opportunities with Cork GAA and enhancing what we believe is already the best sports coverage in the country.”

The Irish Examiner Monday Sports supplement will also return next week. The first weekend of games will be covered in a bumper 32-page edition on Monday packed with the weekend’s GAA action providing unrivalled coverage of the GAA championships in our print edition. Also catch up with our pre-match analysis in Saturday’s weekend sports section.

 

Launch of Bon Secours Cork County Football Championships

Cork County Board is pleased to welcome Bons Secours Hospital Cork as the title sponsor of the 2020 county football championships, which were launched today at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh.

The Bon Secours Cork County Football Championships will commence on Friday next, and never has the appetite for our games been so great.  With almost thirty matches in each round of the group stages, the county championships offer a true festival of football, culminating in county finals in SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh later this autumn.

Commenting on the launch, hospital manager Harry Canning said, “I am delighted to launch the inaugural Bons Secours Cork sponsorship of Cork GAA’s football club championships.  Bon Secours continue to display a commitment to the GAA throughout a variety of partnerships and we are delighted, here in Cork to be part of this unique and exciting championship.”

County Chairperson, Tracey Kennedy, said, “We are absolutely thrilled that Bons Secours Cork are joining us on this journey. The Bons Secours hospital has played a huge role in Cork life for many decades now, and it is truly fitting that two such strong Cork brands are coming together in this new partnership, especially this year as we launch our revamped county championship structure. My sincere thanks to everyone who made this happen, and especially to our new partners, Bons Secours Hospital Cork.”

Also speaking at the launch Kevin O’Donovan, CEO/Secretary of Cork GAA commented, “We are delighted to partner with Bon Secours Cork and thank them for supporting our football championship.  We expect to see a vibrant return of games to all local communities in due reward for the magnificent contribution made by club members throughout the Covid-19 pandemic.”

With the Bon Secours Cork County Football Championships commencing this weekend, we look forward to a bumper weekend of games with 26 games taking place throughout the county.

Harry Canning, Hospital Manager concluded “As ever, GAA clubs and supporters have made a huge contribution in their communities over the past several months. It is great to see the clubs back in action on the pitch.  I wish them all the very best for the 2020 championship.”

 

Cork County Board Announces Championship Match Arrangements

Cork County Board has announced that a new online ticketing system is being rolled out to safeguard all involved in upcoming county championship games. “This system will ensure minimal contact, safe regulation of numbers at venues and ease of contact tracing in the event of a Covid-19 case”, said county chairperson, Tracey Kennedy, today.
“Full details of the Ticketmaster/Universe system recommended by the GAA will be outlined to clubs early next week, and look forward to seeing it in operation next weekend,” she continued. “While operating our games with a limit of 200 in attendance is a huge challenge, we have worked hard to develop an allocation system that is as fair as possible. However, it is absolutely vital for the safe operation of our games that no-one turns up without the appropriate ticket. Everyone from players to host club members to spectators must have a ticket from the online system.”
“Arrangements for the allocation of these tickets have been sent to clubs today, along with details of priority arrangements for club season ticket and premium ticket holders, who have already paid for their tickets and will have access to the ticketing system twenty-four hours ahead of everyone else.”
“Unfortunately, the 200 limit means that we will have a maximum of 80 tickets available for supporters when teams and officials, host venue staff, media and other essential personnel are covered. These will be offered to season/premium ticket holders initially, with the remainder divided evenly between the participating clubs, and anything left after that will go on general sale.”
“A number of our games will be broadcast live on TG4 and RTE, and we will be confirming the streaming of some games in due course. I know our local media will also do a fantastic job in bringing us details of as many games as possible,” said Kennedy. “This situation is far from ideal, but in this new Covid-19 world, we are getting accustomed to making adjustments, and I am sure people will understand the restrictions under which we have to operate.”
“Once more, I would appeal to supporters not to attend games unless they have purchased a ticket via the online system, which will go live early next week, and to follow all GAA and public health guidance for attending games.”

Arrangements for County Championship Games – Key Points

  1. Attendance at all games will be by ticket only.
    1. Tickets must be pre-purchased online via Ticketmaster/Universe (details to follow). We appeal to patrons not to turn up at any venue without a ticket.
    2. There will be no sale of tickets at venues.
    3. No cash sales are permitted.
    4. Anyone inside the ground at a game must have a ticket, including players, stewards, media etc (see point 2 below). Children of any age must have a ticket. No-one can be admitted to the ground without a valid ticket for each individual game.
    5. Season ticket/premium ticket/media passes can only be used in conjunction with a ticket (see point 2 below).
    6. Tickets will be scanned via mobile phone app at all venues (more details to follow).
    7. Tickets are priced at €8 for all round-robin games; no concessions are available.
  2. Ticket allocation
    1. Tickets will be allocated on the online system via individual or group codes which will be provided in advance.
    2. Participating teams and officials: 40 tickets each.
    3. Host venue/stewards/referees and officials/media etc 40 tickets allocated by the Cork GAA office.
    4. A maximum of 80 spectator tickets will be available while the 200 restriction applies.
    5. Season ticket/premium ticket holders have already paid for their tickets, and will have priority access to the online system for 24 hours before everyone else ahead of each round of games (they will be notified when this access is opened) in which to download a ticket for games they wish to attend, subject to certain limitations.
    6. Remaining tickets for each game will be offered to the participating clubs in equal amounts for optional online purchase.
    7. Subsequent to this, in the event that any of the 80 spectator tickets remain, they will be put on general sale online.
    8. It is expected that ahead of next weekend’s games, the priority window for season/premium ticket holders will be activated over the weekend, any club spectator allocation will be made available on Monday or Tuesday, and any remaining tickets will go on general sale later in the week.
  3. Broadcasting/Streaming of Games
    1. A number of County Championship games will be televised by TG4 and RTE.
    2. A number of County Championship games will be live-streamed – further details to follow.
    3. As always, any live streaming of games by clubs or individuals is not permitted.
    4. Requirements in relation to permission to video games are in place as normal.
  4. Match Arrangements
    1. The CCC has formally adopted the Croke Park match regulations to apply to all games in the Cork county championships – these have already been sent to clubs.
    2. Any public health issues arising during the championships will be examined on a case-by-case basis by the CCC in line with national GAA and HSE guidance.
    3. As previously communicated, dressing rooms and all other indoor facilities apart from toilets remain closed.
    4. All public health and GAA guidance for attending events should be followed by anyone attending a game in any capacity.
Thank you all in advance for your co-operation with these arrangements.

Kieran O’Connor RIP

The death has taken place of former Cork senior footballer Kieran O’Connor, following a long illness. From the Aghada club in East Cork, Kieran made his debut for the Cork senior football team in 2004. Regarded as a top-class man-marking defender, he won Munster Senior Football medals with Cork in 2006 , 2008 and 2009, and was a member of the All-Ireland winning panel in 2010. Kieran also played Railway Cup football for Munster.
County Chairperson Tracey Kennedy said “It was with great sadness that we learned of Kieran’s death today. He was a tower of strength on the field of play, and showed that same strength of character and courage in dealing with his illness over the past few years. He will be an unimaginable loss to his family, and on behalf of all in Cork GAA, I would like to extend our deepest sympathies to Kieran’s wife Sinéad, their three children, Isabelle, Ava and James, and also to his parents Pat and Mary, sister Aisling and brothers Patrick and John Paul. Our condolences also to his club, Aghada, his wonderful friends who did so much to support the family throughout Kieran’s illness, and all who mourn his loss.”
Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.

Updated advice on facilities and guidance on dealing with positive cases

Please find below, and in the attached document, important updates and guidance that is being forwarded to you at the request of the Ard Stiúrthóir.

Arising from a meeting of the GAA’s Covid Advisory Group last night, it was agreed on a risk stratification basis that the following GAA facilities should remain closed after July 20th and until further notice:

All Dressing Rooms

All Club and County Gyms

It was agreed that Handball alleys could be opened from July 20th but can only be used subject to the guidance and control measures outlined in the GAA Handball Return to Play Document.

Club Bars that do not serve food, are permitted to open from July 20th provided they follow the Government Regulations for the relevant sector, and all required third party insurances and assurances are in place.

Updated guidance for Clubs on “Dealing with positive or suspected cases” was also agreed as per the attached. This guidance replaces the previous advice issued to clubs and counties on June 27th.

UPDATED Dealing with positive cases JULY 7 (1)