A chara,
As you will be aware by now, the Irish Government yesterday published their “Covid 19: Resilience and Recovery 2021” plan. There is no immediate change for sport outlined in the plan and as per our last communication to you, it is clear that no on-field activity will be permitted – even at inter county level – until Easter at the earliest.
We will be seeking clarity on certain aspects of the provisions on sport in the new Government document and while the document does envisage the return of inter-county games at Level 4 and of some club games in Level 3, it remains impossible to plan a revised Master Fixtures calendar for 2021, as there is no indication at this point of when these Levels may kick in. The exercise is further complicated by the need to align our plans with whatever is permitted by the NI Executive for Counties and clubs in that jurisdiction.
In the interim, and despite any speculation you may read or hear to the contrary, we would again reiterate that the GAA have not decided on what competitions may or may not be facilitated in any revised national fixture programme for 2021. Such decisions will be a factor of how much time is ultimately available to us, both for an inter county season and for the broader participation levels that will be necessary for a meaningful club season at both adult and underage levels.
The next signpost on the road for society is likely to come in the week leading up to Easter. We will again communicate directly with Counties and Clubs at that point and once Government make clear whether they see any further relaxing of restrictions (for example allowing inter-county training or games) being permitted.
We also want to assure you that we will publish a revised National Fixtures calendar at the earliest possible opportunity.
We thank you again for your patience and understanding of a very trying situation and we look forward with optimism to the resumption of GAA activities at all levels later in the year.
Is mise,
Sean O hÓraín Tomás O Riain
UACHTARÁN ARD STIÚRTHÓIR
Be Ready to Play Programme workshop
“Be Ready to Play Programme” following last week’s announcement (https://www.gaa.ie/news/ground-breaking-be-ready-to-play-coaching-programme-launched/).
Coach Education are running a live launch webinar on Tuesday March 2nd at 7pm via Microsoft Teams. It would be great if you can join us, just click on the link below:
https://teams.microsoft.com/l/meetup-join/19%3ameeting_NmZkNDgwYTktOGI4Zi00ODFhLTg1N2EtNmZiOWQ5NDMwNzA0%40thread.v2/0?context=%7b%22Tid%22%3a%22ac45bc86-afd4-42a5-9fc3-3e87e1b77fce%22%2c%22Oid%22%3a%22a435cf56-8783-4469-b1f6-a4e18adcc9fd%22%2c%22IsBroadcastMeeting%22%3atrue%7d
Speakers for the launch include:
Could I ask that you do the following to help to promote the programme ahead of launch:
Registration begins through the GAA eLearning site on March 3rd https://learning.gaa.ie/bereadytoplay
The GAA Be Ready to Play Programme is a Coaching and Sports Science programme, supported by UPMC Healthcare, that will be delivered via webinars, online training programmes, instructional videos and live sessions. This is a holistic programme supporting male and female youth and adult players, and coaches during their return to training post Covid and building up to playing games again, therefore encompassing the full playing season. We aim to educate coaches and players by providing an evidence informed programme. This will hopefully result in increased enjoyment, performance, participation and reduced injury risk.
The Programme will include –
Our goal is to sign up as many Gaelic Games Coaches and players as possible and support return to play while providing a lasting educational and support resource for Gaelic Games.
Larry McCarthy, Uachtaráin Cumann Lúthchleas Gael
Cork GAA would like to send best wishes to incoming Uachtaráin Cumann Lúthchleas Gael Larry McCarthy, who takes over from outgoing Uachtaráin John Horan at Congress 2021.
This year’s GAA Congress will took place online due to Covid19 restrictions on Saturday.
McCarthy was born in Cork, where his home club was Bishopstown, where he played at under-age level with the club.
McCarthy (66) attended St Catherine’s NS and Colaiste Iognaid Rís (later Deerpark CBS) and trained to be a PE teacher at Thomond College in Limerick, now UL. He went on to win an All-Ireland club football title with Thomond College (Limerick) in 1978.
After a seven-year stint teaching in Malahide and playing with Raheny, he emigrated to New York in 1985 to do a Masters degree.
McCarthy also spent two years at Ohio State University and seven more in Georgia before taking up his current role as a lecturer in Sports Management in Seton Hall University in New Jersey.
He is involved with the Sligo football club in New York, and has served with New York GAA for a long time, as secretary for six years and chairman for three years.
Cork G.A.A. Cathaoirleach Marc Sheehan extended his warm congratulations to Larry on his elevation to the highest elected office of Cumann Lúthchleas Gael. “The Cork County G.A.A. Board are proud of your achievements and wish you every success during your term. You take over at a most challenging time for the Association but I am confident that you will do an outstanding job in your new role. Your native County are justifiably proud today and we salute you and your family on this historic occasion”.
Split season ratified at GAA Annual Congress
A proposal to split the GAA season between inter-county and club was ratified at GAA Annual Congress 2021 today.
There was no opposition to Motion 12 which stipulated that the All-Ireland Inter-County Senior Finals will from 2022 be played on or before the 29th Sunday of the year.
The exception would be where the first Sunday falls on January 1st, in which case the finals would be played on or before the 30th Sunday of the Year. In 2021, for example, the 29th Sunday of the year falls on July 18th.
The successful motion has also given Central Council the power to make other arrangements “in exceptional circumstances.”
So, for example, restrictions caused by the Covid-19 pandemic might make it impossible to play the All-Ireland Football Final by the 29th Sunday of the Year, in which case alternative arrangements would have to be made.
24.02.2021 Covid19 Update
Please find attached the latest update relating to the current Covid restrictions in light of last night’s Government announcement.
24.02.2021 Covid Update
Covid-19 update: No onfield activity until Easter at the earliest
A chara,
As you will be aware by now, the Irish Government yesterday published their “Covid 19: Resilience and Recovery 2021” plan. There is no immediate change for sport outlined in the plan and as per our last communication to you, it is clear that no on-field activity will be permitted – even at inter county level – until Easter at the earliest.
We will be seeking clarity on certain aspects of the provisions on sport in the new Government document and while the document does envisage the return of inter-county games at Level 4 and of some club games in Level 3, it remains impossible to plan a revised Master Fixtures calendar for 2021, as there is no indication at this point of when these Levels may kick in. The exercise is further complicated by the need to align our plans with whatever is permitted by the NI Executive for Counties and clubs in that jurisdiction.
In the interim, and despite any speculation you may read or hear to the contrary, we would again reiterate that the GAA have not decided on what competitions may or may not be facilitated in any revised national fixture programme for 2021. Such decisions will be a factor of how much time is ultimately available to us, both for an inter county season and for the broader participation levels that will be necessary for a meaningful club season at both adult and underage levels.
The next signpost on the road for society is likely to come in the week leading up to Easter. We will again communicate directly with Counties and Clubs at that point and once Government make clear whether they see any further relaxing of restrictions (for example allowing inter-county training or games) being permitted.
We also want to assure you that we will publish a revised National Fixtures calendar at the earliest possible opportunity.
We thank you again for your patience and understanding of a very trying situation and we look forward with optimism to the resumption of GAA activities at all levels later in the year.
Is mise,
Sean O hÓraín Tomás O Riain
UACHTARÁN ARD STIÚRTHÓIR