AUGUST 2016 NUACHTLITIR LÚNASA 2016 FOR NEWS, VIDEOS AND FIXTURES www.gaa.ie Football Hurling 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.