Dia dhaoibh agus beannachtaí na féile Pádraig oraibh,

Such strange times to say the very, very least. On other St Patrick’s days with the smell of fresh cut grass still in the air, we would normally see the shackles taken off our main field to see our hurlers play a county league game. If it was a fine day, we would see daylight stretch to 7pm and the whole day would remind us that a season of championship hurling and football was just around the corner.

Not this year, as the world deals with a virus, which along with so many other negative consequences, is also keeping grandparents and grandkids apart. Who would ever have thought they would see such a day. The GAA as always will play whatever part it can in supporting communities and parishes at this time, and Aghada GAA will be no different. Please read below an address from our Chairman Jimmy O’Leary which has information about the Aghada Community Support group set up to help our parishioners at this time. Below that again is an update from Secretary Darren Lee on current GAA restrictions.

From Jimmy -

A Chairde,

The 1st two months of 2020 for our club has moved in a similar pattern as previous years with nearly all club teams having commenced training which is always a challenge to balance the management of your playing fields with the desire of mentors and players to get full scale training sessions and games – I think as always we’ve managed this very well – Thanks to the club’s secretaries, team mentors, players, but especially Pat and Johnty – Thanks all. I’d also like to acknowledge the great start to 2020 on the playing field, advancing to the final of the U21 football championship vs Glanmire after beating Midleton in the 1st round together with both our Premier Intermediate footballers and hurlers having a 100 % league record after 2 games each – well done.

Our club together with our wider community are now part of a very changing landscape as the situation with COVID-19 escalates globally, and our primary concern and priority must be the safety and protection of our families & loved ones, club members and our wider community – We as a club want to make sure that we take all appropriate actions to ensure this is to forefront of what we do.

As you all know by now, on foot of recent Government announcement, the GAA, Ladies football and Camogie Associations have suspended all GAA activities including games, trainings and team gatherings at all age ages and all grades. This came into effect for us in Aghada from midnight 12th March until March 29th inclusive. I ask everyone to respect and abide by this very serious decision the heads of our National games have taken.

I would like to bring to your attention the formation of Aghada Community Group as a support network during these difficult times. The group is comprised of members from all the groups, clubs and associations within the community, together with Dr. Diarmuid Mulcahy in an advisory capacity - Executive, Juvenile, Camogie and Ladies football clubs are among the community clubs represented on this committee. The group hope to serve as a forum to co-ordinate assistance and support to vulnerable members of our community in these challenging times.

As the seriousness of the COVID-19 outbreak increases the requirements for such coordinated support may escalate. As a starting point, if we become aware of someone who is self-isolating due to infection, and particularly for the elderly or those living alone, I’m asking that as members of our club and the wider community we reach out to them and offer assistance and support.

Notices have been placed in local shops offering this confidential support - If any of you feel you could support this initiative, please notify any of the club secretaries and they will forward your name to the Community Group Liaison team. For anyone who needs support in any way from shopping to prescriptions to any other type of help, the following mobile number can be contacted for assistance – 087 6502470.

My request of our members is that all of us fully support and comply with the suspension of all GAA activities including games, trainings and team gatherings at all age ages and all grades together with implementing the HSE guidelines to prevent the spread of this virus – practice good hand and respiratory hygiene & adhere to social distancing. I also know we will play our part in supporting the more vulnerable in our community in this difficult time

Further updates on suspension of all GAA activities will be communicated via our newsletter in the coming weeks,

Thanks,

Jimmy

From Darren -

In line with club and GAA guidance over the weekend regarding Covid-19, our gym, hall and Fitness Centre and club shop will remain closed until further notice. With the health and safety of the Aghada GAA family and wider community our priority, the lock on our Gym door has been changed to ensure access and activity is minimised in the short term.  

Croke Park has issued further guidance on training below and we ask you to share with mentors and players as appropriate.  

The GAA's Medical, Scientific and Welfare Committee, the Gaelic Player's Association and the Gaelic Athletic Medical Association (the representative body for Team Doctors) wish to stress the crucial importance of all players and team personnel adhering strictly to HSE guidelines in relation to social distancing and other aspects of the current Covid 19 pandemic. 

In practical terms, this means the following: 

•  Players should not congregate, even in small numbers, for training sessions. 
• Indoor shared Gym facilities are to be avoided; as such environments pose considerable limitations on a user’s ability to adhere to both 'Social Distancing' and contact transmission guidelines advised by the HSE. 

Team managers, backroom personnel and players at all levels have not only a duty of care to each other but also to the wider community around them at this time.

It is expected therefore that County and Club teams across the country will adhere to both the letter and spirit of what has been asked of them at this challenging time. 

Le meas, 

Dick Clerkin (Chairman, GAA Medical Scientific and Welfare Committee)

Paul Flynn (CEO, Gaelic Player's Association)

Dr Sean Moffatt (Chairman, G.A.M.A)

Slán go fóill
John MurphyPRO - Aghada GAAWebsite for most up to date fixtures news and results - http://www.aghadagaa.com/Website for Pitch Bookings - http://www.gaabookings.sailin.ie/