Cork GAA Physical Education Teacher Support

Rebel Og Coaching are delighted to team up with Sciath na Scol to offer Primary School teachers across the county the opportunity to provide students with remote physical education classes over the next 3 weeks. The sessions have been designed by Cork GAA Games Development Administrators (GDA’s) and cater for all students with age-appropriate activities. The classes are aimed at getting children active through fundamental movement skills in keeping with the physical education curriculum. The classes can be done at home as they are delivered on line. To ensure whole school engagement, classes will be streamed across four levels from infants right up to sixth class.
Cork GAA Games Manager, Kevin O Callaghan noted that “children across the county are disappointed they cannot get back to school to meet their friends. For many children, the highlight of the school week is based around lunch time activity and physical education classes. Cork GAA are delighted to be able to offer some support to teachers in trying to encourage students to fit in physical activity even though they are not in school. Our team of GDA’s have put a very engaging programme of activity together and I am sure that many children will have great fun when interacting with the sessions”. Sciath na Scol Chairman, Dave Collins says that “children throughout the county are struggling with Covid 19 restrictions and having a programme of physical activity will provide huge benefits in terms their physical and mental health along with helping to improve concentration levels. I would encourage all teachers to promote these classes with their students and place on record our thanks to Cork GAA for providing this support”.
The links to the classes are listed below. New classes will be uploaded each week until schools return

 

Club update re Ireland Lights Up postponed & important hurling helmet safety information

Please find below important club updates relating to the postponement of the Ireland Lights Up walking initiative until February, and a pre season safety reminder about hurling helmets and required safety standards.

Ireland Lights Up postponed to February

The GAA today received a communication from Sport Ireland who, in consultation with the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht Sport and Media, have requested the postponement of the Ireland Lights Up walking initiative until the start of February (dependent on the Government guidelines at that time). We were informed that this late change of position was prompted by the continued escalation of the pandemic here in Ireland.

The grant scheme offered by Sport Ireland and Healthy Ireland to support clubs in the delivery of Ireland Lights Up 2021 (up to a maximum of €1,000 per club, T&Cs apply) remains in place and will be activated once the green light for the commencement of the initiative is given. All GAA clubs that register to participate in Ireland Lights Up will automatically be issued details of the grant process in the coming weeks. As of today 451 GAA clubs had registered. You can continue to register here: https://getirelandwalking.ie/irelandlightsup/

Healthy Club ‘Every Step Counts’ Challenge will proceed

The GAA Healthy Club ‘Every Step Counts’ Challenge in partnership with Irish Life’s MyLife App will proceed as planned and will start on Wednesday, January 13th and will run for 7 weeks. In each province there are 3x O’Neills vouchers up for grabs – €2,500, €1,500 & €1,000. Any club that tracks more than 4,000km during the challenge will be entered into the prize draw in their province.

Register your club here: https://mylife.irishlife.ie/every-step-counts-2021 and get your members signed up to join your club’s team. Please allow 48 hours from registration for your team to appear on the App. If you have any questions or are experiencing any problems with the MyLife app, please email support@mylife.irishlife.ie

Hurling helmet safety

In advance of the 2021 GAA season, players are reminded about the need to check that their equipment is in good condition and meets the required safety standards.

The GAA would like to remind all players at all levels in all Hurling Games and Hurling Practice Sessions it is mandatory for, and the responsibility of, each individual player to wear a helmet with a facial guard that meets the standards set out in IS:355 or other replacement standard as determined by the National Safety Authority of Ireland (NSAI).

All players are advised that in the event of a head injury occurring, if the helmet being worn does not meet the standard or is modified or altered from the original manufactured state, they are not covered under the terms of the GAA Injury Benefit Fund.

The following helmet manufacturers currently provide products which meet the standards set out in IS:355 or other replacement standard as determined by the National Safety Authority of Ireland (NSAI).

  • Atak Sports
  • Azzuri
  • Cooper.ie
  • Marc Sports
  • Mycro
  • O’Neills

Players and parents should note that not all products provided by some of these manufacturers meet the standards of IS:355.

Once the helmet or faceguard is modified in anyway, the player is playing at an increased risk of injury and not covered under the terms of the GAA Injury Benefit Fund.

COVID Update 5.1.2021

Given the current exceptional rise in infection rates of Covid 19 and the increased risk of community transmission, the GAA has taken the decision that there will be no collective training permitted for inter-county teams for at least the remainder of the month of January.   

In addition, Club and County gyms must stay closed until further notice.   

As previously advised, and under the current Government Regulations in both jurisdictions, neither training nor games are permitted at club level currently.    

Breaches of any of the above provisions will be dealt with under Rule 7.2 (e) “Misconduct considered to have discredited the Association”. The full wording of this Rule and potential penalties are included as an Appendix 1 below.  

As you are aware, the current Level 5 restrictions in the South will run until January 31st at which point the GAA will review the current situation and further advice in this context will be provided.   

Finally, it is important to note that outdoor gatherings on GAA property are not permitted – the only current exception to this is for walkways (which may stay open for use by the community with social distancing in place) and for clubs registered under the “Ireland Lights Up” walking initiative (see Appendix 2).  

I fully appreciate the frustrations these additional restrictions may place on our inter county players and management teams. However, the safety of everyone in the game and indeed in the broader community has to be our primary focus. It has never been more important for our players, coaches and officials to follow both the Government guidelines and our own provisions around training.   

I thank you for all you have done in this context to date and ask again for your cooperation and understanding as we battle to defeat the virus and finally return to normality.  

Is mise le meas,   

Tomás O Riain              Seán Ó hÓráin

ARD STIÚRTHÓIR       UACHTARÁN

 Appendix 1  

Rule 7.2 (e) Official Guide, 2020  

7.2 (e) Misconduct Considered to have Discredited the Association.  

This shall include breaches of Rule 1.12 Official Guide Part 1, and Rules 5.33 (Hurling) and 5.29 (Football) Aggressive Fouls, Playing Rules, Official Guide Part 2.  

Penalties: Member – A minimum 8 weeks suspension. Debarment and Expulsion from the Association may also be considered.  

Team/Unit – Where suspension is deemed appropriate – a minimum of 8 weeks. A Fine, Disqualification and Expulsion from the Association may also be considered. 

Appendix 2 

Ireland Lights Up 

In support of the Irish government’s current ‘Keep Well’ campaign, Ireland Lights Up 2021 will proceed within the current Covid-19 restrictions but with the delayed start date of Wednesday, January 13th.  

The ‘Keep Well’ campaign aims to support communities and individuals to mind their mental and physical health over the coming months. Healthy Ireland and Sport Ireland have made available a grant scheme to support clubs’ costs in delivering Ireland Lights Up 2021. This year, other sporting codes are also participating in the initiative to maximise its positive impact on local communities.    

Almost 350 GAA clubs have registered to date to participate. It is vital that clubs abide by public health guidelines and take every due diligence to ensure those who want to enjoy a walk at their local GAA grounds can do so safely. Walkers also have a responsibility to adhere to the latest public health guidelines (including travel restrictions, set at 5km from one’s home at time of issue).

Required steps:  

    • A risk assessment must be completed (templates provided on registration website)   
    • Clubs should register on Get Ireland Walking App which allows for walkers to book individual/household walking timeslots (link available on registration page – will be active from January 7th)   
    • Get Ireland Walking has recommended a maximum of 50 people per hour be permitted on a standard walking track surrounding a pitch (this limit is automatically set on the above App)   
    • All walkers must adhere to public health Covid-19 guidelines, including travel restrictions (currently set at a 5km radius from one’s home)   
    • Participants must walk as individuals or within their household pods   
    • Children must always remain with parents/guardians   
    • A one-way system must be in place on the track for walkers  
    • Hand sanitisation station(s) should be placed at the entrance of the track  
    • The carpark and walking track should be the only elements of the club facilities open to members/the public  
    • Covid 19 signage to be in place at the club property and on walkway   

Ireland Lights Up is delivered in partnership with Get Ireland Walking and RTE’s Operation Transformation and will be officially launch on the Wednesday, January 13th episode of the hit TV show.

GAA Covid Update 1.1.2021

Best wishes to you all for 2021 and thanks for all of your assistance over the course of last year.
Please find attached the latest guidelines for our clubs and counties in light of recent changes made by government authorities, both north and south, in the management of Covid – 19.

Cork Senior Football Appointment

Cork County Executive are pleased to announce the reappointment of Ronan McCarthy as Cork Senior football manager for a further two-year term.
His selectors will be as follows: Cian O’Neill (CIT), Sean Hayes (Nemo Rangers), John Hayes (Carbery Rangers) and Bobbie O’Dwyer (Macroom).
The committee wish to extend our sincere thanks to outgoing selector Gary O’Halloran (Ballinora) who departs for family reasons.
Commenting on the appointment, Chairperson of Cork County Committee Marc Sheehan, thanked all involved, stating, “As we all hope for a return to the top table of Senior Inter-county football in the near future, on behalf of the board I wish to again recognise the incredible contribution of all involved, in particular Ronan, ahead of what we hope will be a productive two years.