AUGUST 2016 NUACHTLITIRLÚNASA 2016

FOR NEWS, VIDEOS AND FIXTURES www.gaa.ie Football Club General

QUICK THINKING AND CPR TRAINING SAVES MEATH CLUB PLAYER

he issue of CPR and defibrillator training these events they are urging all their clubs to be aware of among GAA Clubs remains a burning issue protocols around cardiac awareness and defib training. after the events earlier this month that saw a Meath club footballer collapse during a match. He said: “What we have been saying to our Clubs is that T having the defibrillator at the side of the pitch is vital. The Danny Battersby (22) from the Curraha club collapsed three or four minutes in getting a defibrillator from the during an IFC game against Drumbarragh in a match held in dressing room to the pitch could be crucial.” the Wolfe Tones club in Kilberry. Speaking at a recent county board meeting, Wolfe Tones It’s understood that a spectator had a defibrillator in their delegate Philip O’Brien said: “A young player collapsed and car – something which proved crucial in getting instant we were lucky to have a defibrillator that was ready to use aid to Danny – as well as the fact that two others present and that there was someone able to provide assistance for were trained in CPR and available to administer aid until about 45 minutes. paramedics arrived. “If the defibrillator wasn’t there I dread to think what might The combination of the right equipment and the right have happened.” training is being hailed as having been the difference in preventing this incident from having a tragic outcome. His team mates Neil Shorthall and Liam Hogan have been hailed for their reactions and ability to put their First aid Meath GAA PRO Martin O’Halloran says that as a result of training into action. Curraha’s Danny Battersby who is recovering from his collapse on club duty

GAA Cardiac Screening Questionnaire Is your GAA club ready to ACT?

The GAA advise that the most effective way to identify risk of cardiac issues is for players over www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZATrKDxPRU4 the age of 14 to undergo cardiac screening on one occasion. It is also advised that this process be repeated before the age of 25. Players should consult their team or family doctor if they wish Further information on the GAA Defibrillator Scheme: to get screened and screening should consist of completion of the GAA’s Cardiac Screening www.learning.gaa.ie/Defibrillator%20Scheme Questionnaire, a Physical Examination and an ECG. For further information on Player Welfare issues including For further information, including the Cardiac Screening Questionnaire see: Concussion Management and Anti-Doping see www.learning.gaa.ie/node/110300 www.learning.gaa.ie/player Football Hurling Club General

EAST LEINSTER PROJECT PLEDGES €1.5M AND MORE COACHING STAFF

major new games It is estimated that the number of development initiative in coaches working in counties will Leinster will lead to more double or even treble as part of the coaching staff being hired by work being done. Athe GAA and €1.5m invested. After the initial three years, the project will then be subjected to a review The East Leinster Project is a coaching with the hope that it can in time be and games development initiative replicated successfully in other urban designed to specifically target large areas. urban areas of population in Louth, Meath, Kildare and Wicklow. Leinster GAA Chairman, John Horan, believes the new initiative will serve Funded centrally by Croke Park, there the province well. Leinster GAA Chairman John Horan will be €500,000 a year spent on the programme over a three year period He told the Irish Independent: “This is with participation numbers, club-school an attempt by Leinster Council and the links, games programmes and club GAA at central level to deal with the obviously sees at the moment between Dublin Former GAA President Liam O’Neill will oversee coaching standards key areas of the urban sprawl outside of Dublin and to and the rest. the project on behalf of Leinster GAA. project. try and close that gap that everyone Football Hurling Club General

AMAZING AMY IS AN INSPIRATION IN FULFILLING HER POTENTIAL

ear on year column inches in Resilience is another quality that sport our national newspapers’ sports psychologists try to embed and instil pages are dedicated to tales of in their athletes. Well Amy has that in top GAA stars making amazing buckets too. Despite breaking her leg at Yjourneys back from injuries. the age of ten, which has impacted on her ability to fully extend her right knee, Amy was born with Fibular hemimelia, a she is now back playing camogie with the rare condition that left her without a fibular club and her determination on the field bone in her right leg. is an inspiration to us all. You can see for yourself on the RTE player, as Nationwide To date she has endured seven operations, visited St. Kevin’s to see Amy in action. the first at just nine-months of age – an Go to: (www.rte.ie/player/ie/show/ amputation just below her right knee. nationwide-21/10597703/).

Subsequent limb-lengthening operations St. Kevin’s GAA Club is an official participant (at aged four and 12) required the breaking in Phase 2 of the Healthy Club project, and lengthening of her femur bone. The involving 60 clubs, at least one in each mental and physical strength required to county. The project aims to put health endure such procedures goes well beyond and wellbeing at the heart of participating what most sports star will muster over an clubs’ activities and ethos, and involves a entire career. partnership with the HSE and is supported prosthetics, advises anyone else out there by a CSR investment by Irish Life. Social with Fibular hemimelia to “do what you Yet despite all this, and months, even years, inclusion is a core value at the St. Kevin’s want, and don’t let anyone else tell you what or rehabilitation, Amy remains an active club and children with physical and you can and can’t do.” member of St. Kevin’s, where, she is honing intellectual disabilities are supported and her considerable camogie skills, having encouraged to integrate with various teams We would like to wish Amy all the best with first tried her hand at football. Her three ranging from juvenile football, camogie and her operation. younger sisters, Lucy (10), Sally (8) and Kelly hurling. Coaches and mentors are provided (4) all play Camogie and football with St. with extra training to support this, ensuring For further information on the GAA’s Healthy Kevin’s too, and her mum, Caitriona trains that the club truly is at the heart of the Club project visit Inspirational Amy Sheridan the u10 camogie team. Her proud dad, community and the central hub for all in the www.gaa.ie/community Shay, explains how her condition and her Philipstown area. prosthetic leg “has shaped the person she is and the person she is going to be”. Amy, who is interested in exploring the creative inspiration required to make Football Hurling Club General

DUCKSY WALSH RIP

t is with deep regret and wide circle of Handball friends at generation who are thriving in sadness that GAA Handball this sad time. Handball today and that will be wish to advise of the passing his legacy. of Handball legend Michael Uachtarán Ó Fearghail said: I“Ducksy” Walsh who passed “But that he has been taken away following a short battle “For a generation of Gaels he from us at such a young age with illness. was the face of Handball – it’s and when he was still so active biggest name and it’s brightest and successful in his beloved Ducksy was a tremendous star on the back of the incredible sport is a deep shock and we competitor, a sportsman par success that he achieved extend our condolences to all excellence and an iconic figure throughout a career that will involved in Handball and to his whose loss has left the entire stand the test of time in the many friends and in particular handball community numb with annals of the GAA as being one to his wife Sheena, son Dylan, grief. A winner of an incredible 38 of the most prolific enjoyed by daughters Megan and Niamh, Senior All-Ireland titles including any individual. his brothers John, Billy and a record 16 Senior Softball Jimmy, his sisters Vera and titles, his name will forever be “He wasn’t just an outstanding Regina and wider family. synonymous with the sport. athlete – he was also a gentleman. “Ní bheidh a leithéid arís GAA Handball would like to ann. Go dtuga Dia solas na extend it’s deepest sympathies to “I’ve no doubt that he helped bhFlaitheas dá anam uasal.” The late Ducksy Walsh in action Ducksy’s family, friends and his inspire the talented young

38 All-Ireland Senior Titles 16 All-Ireland 60x30 Senior Singles Titles 7 All-Ireland 40x20 Senior Singles Titles

1st in 1985, his last in 2001. Included an incredible 13 consecutive titles 1st in 1986, his last in 1998. Included 5 consecutive titles from 1985 – 1997 from 1986 – 1991

10 All-Ireland 60x30 Senior Doubles Titles 5 All-Ireland 40x20 Senior Doubles Titles

1st in 1985, his last in 1997. Included 5 consecutive titles from 1987 – 1991 1st in 1989, his last in 1998 Football Hurling Club General

WHETHER IN FOOTBALL, OR LIFE, IT’S THE LITTLE THINGS THAT COUNT

n football or hurling, it’s the for yourself and others that will have inches that count. a positive impact on how you feel and how you cope. • You can find out more about the I #littlethings and about mental Little things can have a huge impact on the outcome of a game. Al wellbeing on Pacino’s oft-quoted speech from www.yourmentalhealth.ie the classic American Football movie ‘Any Given Sunday’ really brings this These little things include easy to home. remember mantras such as: • ‘Boost your mood with healthy food’ “The inches we need are everywhere • ‘The more you move the better your around us,” Pacino reminds his team mood’ before they enter the fray. The inches • ‘Do things with others, there’s and the little things that we all need strength in numbers’, or in our to give us an edge in the game of life native tongue ‘Ní neart go cur le chéile’. are also all around us. They seem so simple….but so does That is the message that the GAA our games when you’re sitting in wants its members to take from the the stand. When you’re in the midst Association’s partnership with the of a championship battle, or one of HSE’s #littlethings positive mental life’s storms, the necessary skills health and wellbeing campaign. come readily to hand only if you have The three take-away messages practised them as part of your routine. from the campaign, which is part So what little thing are you going to of ‘Connecting for Life’, Ireland’s practise to support your wellbeing new National Strategy for Suicide today? Prevention in Ireland 2015-2020, are: Find out more at • We all experience life’s storms – www.gaa.ie/community and the day-to-day difficulties that are www.yourmentalhealth.ie an ordinary, everyday part of life. Launching #littlethings event at Croke Park was Alan O’Mara (Cavan), Aishling Thompson (Cork) and Gary Sice (Kildare). Things like stress, grief, and feeling Watch out for the special #littlethings down, worried or anxious. themed All Ireland semi-final in Croke • There are things that you can do Park on August 28th. Football Hurling Club General

STARS AND THEIR SKILLS

Stephen Bennett SEAMUS O’SHEA Waterford hurler Mayo footballer

“I enjoy doing first-touch drills. “Backs and forwards is my At training with Waterford, Dan favourite drill at training. It is Shanahan would have us all nice as a midfielder when you can together in a big square doing stand outside and just kick the a basic first-touch drill. So it ball in and join the play.” could be hand-passing, one- touch striking off the hurley, or whatever, but it’s done very fast and you have to be 100 per cent focused. What you’re looking for is that everyone is tuned in to trying to do things at the pace they’ll need to during a game.” Football Hurling Club General

HEALTH & WELLBEING CONFERENCE SET FOR OCTOBER

he GAA’s third annual health and wellness experts, as well as high However, the day will be of interest to the association’s social media platforms. National Health and Wellbeing profile GAA players from across all codes, any GAA member interested in learning So watch this space and for now save the Conference will take place in including Niall Moyna who will deliver the more about what health and wellbeing date of October 22, 2016. Your health and Croke Park on Saturday, October keynote address. actually means and how participation in an wellbeing will thank you. For more details or T22nd. The theme will be: Healthy Clubs organisation like the GAA can help support to register your interest email make healthy members A special invitation is extended to all new yours. [email protected] Club Health and Wellbeing Officers as elements of the conference will support Tickets are free but limited and will be Organised by the Community & Health the recent delivery of Club Officer Health & made available on a first-come first- team in Croke Park, in consultation Wellbeing training. Other aspects will look served basis through an online registration with the National Health & Wellbeing at the on-going practical work of the GAA’s process that will be opened in early Committee, this free event will bring Healthy Clubs and the County Health & September when the full details of times together some of the country’s leading Wellbeing Committees. and speakers are released on GAA.ie and Football Hurling Club General

M.DONNELLY ALL-IRELAND POC FADA FINAL GOES THE DISTANCE

LARE’S James McInerney is the McInerney covered the 5km course in 50 pocs M Donnelly All-Ireland Poc Fada and 78 metres, with Connaughton second on Senior Poc Fada Final Results champion for 2016 – becoming 50 pocs and 58 metres. Defending champion the first Banner County native Brendan Cummins from Tipperary, who was James McInerney Newmarket on Fergus Clare 50 pocs 79m Csince Davy Fitzgerald 14 years ago aiming for a sixth successive title and a tenth Brian Connaughton Raharney Westmeath 50 pocs 58m Brendan Cummins Ballybacon/Grange Tipperary 50 pocs 34m to win the event. Newmarket-on- in all, finished in third place on 50 pocs and 34 Aaron Murphy Hospital/Herbertstown 51 pocs 5m Fergus clubman McInerney edged out metres. Karol Keating Portaferry Down 53 pocs 82m Westmeath’s Brian Connaughton by Colm Callanan Kinvara Galway 54 pocs 33m just 20 metres in a thrilling finish on the Cummins led at the first turning point and Jerry Fallon Oran Roscommon 56 pocs 64m Annaverna Mountain in Ravensdale, Co. halfway through the event but McInerney made Mark Fahy Turloughmore Galway 56 pocs 57m Louth. McInerney, who celebrated his up serious ground and by stage 3, An Gabhlán, Fintan O’Brien Cuala Dublin 59 pocs 75m 29th birthday last week, won the coveted had edged almost 25 metres in front. Cummins Ruairi Convery Swatragh Derry 59 pocs 0m Darren Renehan Setanta Dublin 60 pocs 10m silverware at the very first attempt, as cleared the famous ravine on the home straight Gerard Smith Pearse Og Louth 61 pocs 56m weather conditions held up generally with a massive drive but McInerney, who good. displayed excellent course management on his U 16 Boys Poc Fada Final Results debut, followed suit. Cathal Keily Kilcormac/Killoughey Offaly 22 Pocs 76m Connaughton was a shot behind the leading Cormac Philips Ballyhanus Mayo 23 Pocs 49m pair at An Gabhlán but came with a storming Gearoid O’Connor Moyne Templetuohy Tipperary 25 Pocs 16m finish to claim the runners-up spot. Meanwhile, Dominic McEnhill O’Donnovan Rossa Antrim 26 Pocs 50m Cork’s Aoife Murray claimed the senior ladies title, finishing with 27 pocs and 68 metres. Senior Camogie Poc Fada Final Results Aoife Murray Cloughduv Cork 27 Pocs 68m That was good enough to fend off the Lyndsay Condell Ballygarvan Cork 27 Pocs 35m challenge of fellow Corkonian Lyndsey Connell, Faye McCarthy Naomh Jude Dublin 27 Pocs 19m who was 33 metres further back. Dublin’s Faye Susan Earner Eyrecourt Galway 29 Pocs 50m McCarthy finished in third place on 27 pocs and Ciara Donnelly Eglish Tyrone 31 Pocs 1m 19 metres. Sinead Skehill St Thomas Galway 33 Pocs 33m

In the U16 events, Offaly’s Cathal Kiely and U 16 Camogie Poc Fada Final Results Galway’s Sarah Healy were crowned champions. Sarah Healy St Thomas Galway 28 Pocs 30m Kiely followed in the footsteps of his brother Mairead O’Sullivan Banteer Cork 30 Pocs 34m Cillian, a two-time winner, with a score of 22 Donnagh Mortimer Camross Laois 31 Pocs 47m pocs and 76 metres, as Healy posted 28 pocs Anne Marie Smith Ballygalget Down 36 Pocs 10m and 30 metres to retain her title. Football Hurling Club General Football Hurling Club General Football Hurling Club General

BLOODY SUNDAY VICTIM REMEMBERED

achtarán CLG Aogán Ó Fearghail “Behind the words ‘iconic’ and ‘historic’ lay attended a special ceremony in a simple human tragedy of people like your Glasnevin Cemetery in Dublin blood relative who went to a match to cheer this month to officially unveil a on their team and didn’t come home. That Uheadstone on the grave of James Matthews, should never have happened.” one of the 14 people killed at Croke Park on Bloody Sunday in 1920. There are now six victims of Bloody Sunday who are still in unmarked graves. James Matthews was 38 when he and 13 others were shot and killed by British Forces It is planned that at least one more of these while attending a Dublin-Tipperary football victims will have a headstone finally erected match at Croke Park on November 21, 1920. on their burial site before the end of this year with the hope that all 14 will be suitably Until now he has been buried in an unmarked remembered in advance of the centenary of grave. Bloody Sunday in 2020.

However an initiative between the GAA, the Anyone with information on surviving Bloody Glasnevin Trust and the families of Bloody Sunday relatives should contact Sunday victims has led to a number of those [email protected] Above:Uachtarán Ó Fearghail with Nancy Dillon, daughter of James Matthews who died and are lying in unmarked graves being identified and plans put in place to Below: Members of the extended Matthews family formally recognise their final resting places.

Three months after his death, James Matthews’ daughter Nancy was born and now aged 95 she was guest of honour at a ceremony attended by 60 surviving members of the wider Matthews family.

Uachtarán Ó Fearghail told the relatives in a graveside address: “We always have remembered; we always regret what happened. It was a very defining period not only for Irish history, but it was a defining period for the GAA.” Football Hurling Club General

CLUB LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME

re you a Club Officer? Are you Over 1,000 Club Officers have already Learning Resources for Clubs • Property Ownership – Vesting of Property and considering taking on a new role at benefited from the programme in 2016. Here The GAA Club Manual is a resource for the Appointment of Trustees your Club’s AGM this year? is what a few participants have said: all Club officers. It contain information • Effective Club Meetings “It was great to gain knowledge on my on all aspects of Club activity, Club • The Club Annual General Meeting – AGM AIf so, then the GAA’s Club Leadership role and learn from officers with greater administration and on officer roles in the • Coaching and Games Development in the Club Development Programme (CLDP) offers you the experience.” Club. The manual is divided into specific • Communication in the Club perfect opportunity to learn more about what chapters, each in PDF form. Chapters such • Membership and Registration your role involves! The CLDP aims to provide “I enjoyed learning about the available as: • Financial Matters in the Club the principal officers in each Club - namely the resources and the huge amount of • Mission, Vision and Values of the GAA • Insurance and the GAA Injury Benefit Fund Chairperson, Secretary, Treasurer and PRO - information that is available when you know • Introduction to the Club Manual • Culture and Heritage in the GAA Club with an opportunity to gain the key knowledge where to go.” • Club Activity Checklist • The Inclusive GAA Club and skills to carry out their roles effectively. It • Club Committee Structure • Volunteer Recruitment Toolkit consists of two mandatory modules for each “Our tutor engaged everyone very well • Role of the Club Chairman • GAA Fundraising Toolkit participating officer and then a number of in a relaxed manner while delivering key • Role of the Club Secretary optional ones. All modules are workshop-based information clearly. It was very helpful to hear • Role of the Club Treasurer To access it, visit - so there will be lots of group discussions, fun from an experienced officer who was able to • Role of the Public Relations Officer www.learning.gaa.ie/clubmanagement activities and practical case studies. They are back up points with personal stories.” • Other Club Officer Roles delivered in local venues by highly experienced Training Associates from across the island “The programme opened my mind to other who have completed extensive training in people’s views and ways of dealing with preparation for the role. problems.”

Officers who complete the programme will: The programme is currently available to all • Gain a better understanding of what their role 32 counties and training will commence involves again in October. To get involved, each Club • Develop basic leadership, management and Secretary is asked to complete the Expression communication skills of Interest form - available on learning.gaa. • Experience increased role satisfaction ie/clubleadership - and send it to his/her • Have an awareness of where to access County Development Officer. He/she will resources and supports then organise the programme and notify you • Be able to share ideas and solve problems of the dates, times and venues. with fellow officers • Be better prepared for future roles in the For more information on what the Association programme involves, visit learning.gaa.ie/ • Receive a Certificate of Achievement clubleadership Football Hurling Club General

ONLINE PLAYER TRANSFER SYSTEM

An application for an Inter-County transfer may be made online as part of a pilot scheme by Central Council. If a player wishes to apply online, he should contact the Secretary of the Club he wishes to join and refer him/her to the transfers section of the official GAA website for information on the process. Benefits of using the new system include: • Quicker processing of applications. • Less chance of incorrect information being submitted. • Ability to check status of applications. • Easy access to transfer history. • Less administration work.

Answers to frequently asked questions in addition to step-by-step user guides for players, Club Secretaries and County Secretaries can be accessed by visiting – www.gaa.ie/news/transfers-and-sanctions/

Please note the new online transfer system can only be used at present for transfer in which are cross-provincial (i.e. approved by Central Council). Accessing the Player Transfer System (Club and County Secretaries only)

A Club or County Secretary can access the Player Transfer System by visiting pts.gaa.ie and entering his/her 7 digit Membership Number and Password. For more information, please refer to the user guides on the GAA website.

Queries can be e-mailed to [email protected] Football Hurling Club General

ÁRDAÍONN IOMÁINT ÁR gCROÍTHE Le Cian O’Connell Cé gur chaill fhoireann Derek McGrath, tá siad i lár aistear iontach. An-sheans go mbeidh siad san iomaíocht sa tséasúr tar éis a bheith sa ar ais ag an bpointe seo arís. Le leithidí Jamie gcluiche ceannais. Bhí deacrachtaí ag Gaillimh Barron, , agus Pauric Mahony, deighleáil leis seo ó 1988 agus b’shin ceann de tá neart déanta acu, ach tá siad fós ar an na húdair misnigh tar éis an chluiche. mbóthar. Tá aisling mór acu. Tá dul chun cinn déanta ag Daithí Burke, John D’oibrigh muintir Port Láirge go crua sna Hanbury, Adrian Tuohy, Conor Cooney agus grádanna faoi aois agus dara leibhéal. Sin an Joseph Cooney. Caithfidh Gaillimh cúpla céim príomh fáth go bhfuil roghanna ag an gcondae breise a thógail ach tá maitheas déanta ag anois. Le McGrath, agus Fintan Micheál Donoghue. Tá a fhios aige céard atá O’Connor ar an taobhlíne, is cinnte go bhfuil le déanamh idir seo agus an samhradh seo siad dochasach arís. chugainn.

Maidir le Gaillimh, cé gur chaill siad in aghaidh I ndeireadh na dála tá Tiobraid Árann agus Cill na Tiobradaigh, bhain siad rud éigin amach. Chainnigh ag seasamh. Tá 70 noiméad fágtha Thaispeáin Gaillimh go bhfuil siad in ann dul sa Chraobh. Beidh siad suimiúil.

éim Michael Ryan go hard sa spéir. Fómhair sa Cheann Áras. Nuair atá na Bhí an beart déanta ag Tiobraid comharsain ann freisin, cruthóidh sé Árann. Tar éis coimhlint den scoth, sin atmaisféar agus teannas freisin. Cill bhí an gorm agus ór fòs sa rás. Sin Chainnigh in aghaidh Thiobraid Árann, La bhí uathu. Anuraidh, d’fhág siad Páirc tá rud éigin speisíalta faoin gcath sin i an Chrócaigh ag smaoineamh faoi neart gcónaí. rudaí a chinntigh go mbeadh fanacht bliain eile ar a laghad orthu. An lá roimhe, uair a chloig tar éis an chluiche, bhí slua fós bailithe timpeall Bhí an draíodóir de thraenalaí Eamon taobh amuigh d’Ardán Ó Coinneáin. O’Shea ag fagáil slán leo, ach caithfear a Ní raibh aon dabht go raibh eipic eile admháil go bhfuil taithí agus chur chuige críochnaithe. iontach ag Ryan. Nuair a d’imir sé féin agus uimhir a ceathar ar a dhroim, ní bhfuair Bhí carranna ag fagáil Durlas Éile agus móran an ceann is fear air. neart le plé acu. Cill Chainnigh, chomh hocrach agus brodúil i gcónaí, réimse Anois agus é mar bhainisteoir, tá Tiobraid cumasach, scileanna Port Láirge agus an Arainn ar ais s’an áit is aoibhinn leo a sár bainisteoir atá acu, Derek McGrath. bheith: an chéad Domhnach i mí Meán Football Hurling Club General

CELEBRATE RIO 2016 WITH A VISIT TO ‘IRELAND’S OLYMPIANS’ AT THE GAA MUSEUM

ith the Rio 2016 Olympic silver medal won by Cobh’s Sonia O’Sullivan Games in happening this at Sydney 2000. month, there’s no better time to visit our latest exhibition Speaking at the official launch of the W‘Ireland’s Olympians’ at the GAA Museum exhibition on Monday 16th May 2016 which celebrates the nation’s Olympic Uachtarán Chumann Lúthchleas Gael medalists, with a special emphasis on Aogán Ó Fearghail said: “We are delighted, The medal winners from 1924 when Ireland in conjunction with the Olympic Council of exhibition features first competed as an independent nation. Ireland, to unveil this very special exhibition imagery, in the GAA Museum.” footage and The exhibition, which is supported by the memorabilia from Olympic Council of Ireland, features medals “The links between the GAA and Athletics Ireland’s and memorabilia from many of Ireland’s 28 – evident in our name – go back a long Olympic Olympic medalists, including the first medal way and the overlap in those who have medalists. won by Ireland post-independence. This was competed in our games and a host of won by Jack B. Yeats at the 1924 Paris Games Olympic sports, is significant.” and was awarded in the Arts & Literature Category for his painting “The Liffey Swim”. Ireland’s Olympians is now open at the GAA The silver medal is on loan for the duration Museum, Croke Park and runs until Spring of exhibition from the National Gallery of 2017. Ireland. The GAA Museum is open daily throughout Given Ireland’s boxing success at the the year, including match days when match Uachtarán Chumann Olympics, it is no surprise that items from patrons can enjoy free admission to the Lúthchleas Gael the various boxers dominate the exhibition, museum. Aogán Ó Fearghail, including the first boxing medal won by centre, with Olympic medallists, John McNally in Helsinki in 1952 to Michael from left, Kenneth Carruth’s boxing gold medal won in 1992. Egan, John Treacy, The most recent boxing medals from London Michael Carruth and Ronnie Delaney 2012 are included, most notably the gold at the launch medal won by Katie Taylor. of the ‘Ireland’s Olympians’ exhibition in the The exhibition also includes Ronnie Delany’s GAA Museum. tracksuit top from 1956, John Treacy’s silver medal for the marathon in 1984 and the Football Hurling Club General

CLUB BOOKING DETAILS FOR USE OF NATIONAL GAMES DEVELOPMENT CENTRE IN ABBOTSTOWN

lubs are now able to access the magnificent new facilities in the GAA’s National Games CDevelopment Centre based in Abbotstown in West Dublin.

Located just off the M50 at Located Located in Blanchardstown, this state of the art facility is already a hive of activity at adult and juvenile level and is open to all.

We have set up an email booking address for clubs and counties to use the facilities here in the NGDC. The address is [email protected].

Clubs will be required to provide an official club email address, mobile number and a club officials name when making a booking.

Facilities available include 4 full size pitches (including a 3G pitch) plus a training pitch, a ball wall area and meeting rooms. All 4 of the pitches have floodlights and players can be accommodated across 10 dressing rooms with ample parking and there is also space for catering. Football Hurling Club General

NATIONAL HURL WITH ME DAY 2016

24 clubs participated in the National Hurl with Me Day on June 26th in the GAA National THE FULL LIST OF CLUBS WHO Games Development Centre in Sports HQ. TOOK PART WERE: The day in association with the National Dairy Council is a large blitz day for daughters and parents that took part in a 6 week programme Leinster (9): in their clubs. Parents played the first half of Craobh Chiaraín (Dublin), Athy (Kildare), the game while daughters played the second Buffers Alley (Wexford), Muinebheag half of game against other participating clubs (Carlow), St.Lazarians (Laois), Ratoath on the day. 400 parents and 450 daughters (Meath), Kilmacow (Kilkenny), Tullamore participated on the day. (Offaly), Crookedwood (Westmeath).

The Hurl with Me Programme is part of the Munster (7): Camogie Association’s National plan to Castlelyons (Cork), Ballinora (Cork), support parents’ involvement in the game Cahir (Tipperary), Kildangan (Tipperary), through physical activity and volunteering Knockaderry (Limerick), Smith O Briens Above: Muinebheag team and mentors opportunities such as coaching and (Clare), Wolfe Tones (Clare). administration. Below: Tullamore team and mentors Ulster (5): The six week programme encourages Creggan (Antrim), Culloville (Armagh), parents/guardians to learn the basic skills Naomh Brid (Tyrone), Glenillin (Derry), of Camogie while also increasing their own Clonduff (Down). physical activity levels. A tutor was provided to the club to teach the parents the basic Connacht (3): skills of the game of Camogie. The 6 week Mountbellew-Moylough (Galway), Liam programme culminated in a gathering of all Mellows (Galway), Athleague (Roscommon). 24 clubs involved in the programme for a National ‘Hurl with Me’ participation day.

See video of National Day in GAA Games Development Centre: www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Ha2sSmRu4o

Wolfe Tones Shannon feature in this special video from the day: www.youtube.com/watch?v=l17U9R_lD8Y Football Hurling Club General

GAA HANDBALL RECRUITING NEW REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT OFFICER

AA Handball are delighted to • Identify areas of weakness in terms of • Experience of working with community Candidates interested in the above role announce that they are recruiting playing membership and propose projects/ and voluntary organisations. should apply by sending an up to date a Regional Development Officer to programmes to rectify same. • Knowledge of GAA Handball structures. Cover Letter and Curriculum Vitae before join the full time team in Croke • Run coaching courses and development 3pm on Monday, 29th August 2016. G Park. squads, and provide assistance at organised tournaments. Assist with office duties where Please note the post is subject to Garda GAA Handball is an equal opportunities Regional Development Officer - GAA necessary. Vetting. employer. Handball • Complete any other duties that are deemed necessary by the National Manager. GAA Handball wishes to recruit a Regional Development Officer who will work with the Essential Criteria: current National Development Officer and National Manager to facilitate increased • A relevant third level qualification. participation in playing Handball and to • Experience of coaching and course design implement the Coaching and Development and delivery. Plan for GAA Handball. • Ability to build and maintain strong, effective relationships. Duties and Responsibilities include: • Strong administrative and IT skills. • Excellent communication and interpersonal • Work with National Development skills. Officer to implement the Coaching and • Experience of people management and Development Plan throughout Ireland. supervision. Grow participation numbers and manage • Strong teamwork and team-management the One Wall Schools Initiative. Provide skills. support to schools in respect of same. • Excellent organisational and prioritisation Target membership growth in clubs and skills. schools. • Own car with a full clean driving licence. • Assist with Media/Public Relations work for the Coaching and Development of GAA Desirable Criteria: Handball. • Work with Tutor Team, GAA Development • Minimum 2 years’ experience in a similar Officers and Provincial Development role. Officers to ensure handball coaching and • Experience of working in the GAA or coach education is delivered in as many similar sporting organisation (voluntary or areas as possible. professional capacity). Football Hurling Club General

“ COME ON AHANE THE SPUDS ARE BOILIN’ ”

By Pat Culhane

It was 1987 when I played my first game I remember being told how – the Since its founding in 1926, Ahane club has the character of our club! It is the love and of hurling in Mackey Park, Ahane; the day most notable hurler of his generation in Ireland had much success in all codes and Scór. It respect that people have for our games, our before I made my First Communion. The – would swiftly hide the sliotar, by placing it has produced many county, provincial and culture and each other. next day I bought my first helmet from the under his arm and break free from the bunch All-Ireland winners, all-stars and more. proceeds. Ahane GAA club is based in the of players still looking for it on the ground. I was lucky to be part of the 1998 panel I had a wonderful upbringing in Ahane, with beautiful parish of Ahane , Maybe this is true; I like to think it is. One piece that won the first county senior hurling most of my spare time spent with friends nestled in the very northeast of Limerick of folklore that is true is that at every Ahane championship in 43 years. I’ll never forget in the club. Like every club, Ahane has by the river Shannon. Growing up there game played, to this day, the famous chant the sheer jubilation of young and old alike, its challenges – relying on the volunteer you’d be told about legendary hurlers - “Come on Ahane the spuds are boilin’” – is as we made our way around the parish efforts of a few – to keep the show on the from the Mackey, Herbert and Scanlon shouted with pride by players and supporters on an open-top bus; there must have road. Despite all of this, Ahane’s spuds are families (among others) winning county alike. been a dozen bonfires ablaze. For all the still boilin’, as is reflected on our club crest. championships and All-Irelands with joy that comes with winning, it’s not the I’m privileged to call myself an Ahane man. Limerick in the 1930’s and 1940’s; a team Greg Mackey (son of Mick) told me that pursuit of medals or trophies that define known as the ‘Mackey Greyhounds’ because as children, the lads (brothers Mick, John of their ferocious athleticism. Paddy and James/Todsie) would play hurling with the Scanlons and others on the village (Castleconnell) green, known as Bradshaw’s field. Their mother, May (nee Carroll), would step outside of the family home across the road, while cooking the dinner, and shout come on Ahane the spuds are boilin’ to let the boys know that their meal was ready. While researching this article, local GAA enthusiast, Billy Connolly, told me that in February 1941, Paddy Mackey passed away from pneumonia at the age of 22. Along with John and Mick (captain), he was a member the Limerick panel that won the 1940 All-Ireland senior hurling championship, beating Kilkenny in the final. As a mark of respect, his three brothers didn’t play a game of hurling for the rest of the year, an uncommon move at the time.

Former GAA President Liam O’Neill unveils a statue to the great Mick Mackey in Ahane Football Hurling Club General

MÍLE BUÍOCHAS

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