125th Anniversary
The Association’s 125 Anniversary Celebrations are coming to a close and on November 1 the GAA returned to where it all began back in 1884. Exactly 125 years after the foundation of the Association at Hayes’ Hotel a special commemorative day of celebration was held in Thurles. Mass celebrated by Archbishop Clifford of Cashel at Thurles Cathedral was followed by a procession to Dr Croke’s statue on Liberty Square. A number of speeches were made before the President and Director General laid a wreath.
Newtownshandrum’s exciting Munster Club win over Thurles Sarsfields rounded off a memorable day. Work on the graves of founding fathers John McKay (London), Thomas St George McCarthy (Deansgrange), John Wyse Power and Michael Cusack (both Glasnevin) was also completed as part of the 125 Anniversary Year.
“The GAA: A People's History” was also launched this month to celebrate its 125th anniversary. The GAA: A People’s History tells the story of how the GAA has carved for itself a unique place at the heart of Irish life. It outlines how Gaelic games and the social world which revolves around the Association, has shaped the lives of generations of Irish people at home and abroad. From parades and ballads to epic journeys across land and sea, this history of the GAA is as much about what happened off the field as what happened on it. Clubs play a central role in the growth of our Association and are featured throughout the book. Reflecting on where our clubs came from and how they have grown and developed over the past 125 years will help us to build a strong Association for the future.
A special word of thanks to all clubs who marked the year by organising their own unique events and to those who went to great lengths to celebrate Lá na gClub last May,.
Lisa Clancy
GAA Director of Communications
Hurling Helmets
In just over a month a new ruling will come into effect meaning that all hurlers of all ages will be obliged to wear a helmet complete with faceguard once they pick up a hurley whether in training or in a game.
Members of the National Medical, Scientific and Welfare Committee made a presentation to the media in the last month outlining statistical evidence of the reduction of serious head and facial injuries when helmets are worn.
Helmets have been compulsory at U21 level since 2006 and although goalkeepers face a special challenge adjusting to the use of helmets, they too are covered by the new ruling.
From January 2010 match officials will stop play in a situation where a player removes a helmet or attempts to enter the field of play without one. Posters outlining this initiative can be downloaded from http://www.gaa.ie/page/
Ag Éisteacht Programme Continues
The Uachtarán and Ard Stiúrthóir between them have now visited almost 20 clubs since April with Eoghan Rua in Derry and Ballymanus in Wicklow, two of the most recent visits. Thanks to all clubs who have expressed an interest in hosting what is an informal two hour questions and answers fact finding and information gathering session. The 2010 schedule is being compiled and clubs that are interested in participating in the programme should contact the Communications Department through alan.milton@gaa.ie.
Vodafone Affinity Scheme
The roll out of an Affinity arrangement with GAA Football Championship Sponsors Vodafone that will see clubs that register their members recoup 5% of those members’ Pay Monthly Bills or Top Up transactions continues after the launch of the scheme in October. For more information about this new arrangement with one of the GAA’s Official ‘Give Back Partners’ and for details on how your club can sign up, please visit http://www.supportyourgaaclub.
Make a Splash with the GAA Museum
Ultimate Club Day Out - for under €15 - Special Offer – 25% off group rates when you visit Croke Park Stadium & the National Aquatic Centre in one day!The Croke Park Experience has teamed up with the National Aquatic Centre to provide a fun filled day out for GAA Clubs wanting to reward their players of all ages and levels for their hard work and dedication on the pitch. Great savings can be made if you visit both between January and March 2010. Take a behind-the-scenes guided tour through the dressing rooms, players' lounge, pitch side and media centre of the fourth largest stadium in Western Europe. Afterwards enjoy extreme thrills and raging water adventures in the AquaZone at the National Aquatic Centre, which hosts Europe’s biggest and best rides.
Check out www.nac.ie and www.gaa.ie/museum for more information or contact: Maria Gorman, Bookings Executive, Tel- 01 8192374 or email tours@crokepark.ie.
Changes to membership rules and registration rules for 2010
Clubs are reminded that all clubs must complete the registration of Full and Youth members before April 1. Registrations must be completed electronically, through the Association's online player and member registration system (rule 2.2 of the Official Guide). This is now the only acceptable method of registration in the GAA.
Clubs should also be aware that the closing date for the acceptance of membership fees in order to entitle a person to the privileges of membership, including the right to vote at the club AGM, is on a date prior to March 31 (rule 6.2 of the Club Constitution). Therefore, the old date of August 1 is no longer in use.
Training for the new online registration system will take place in all counties in early 2010. Many counties are already on board the online system, with 960 clubs having used the system to register in 2009. Clubs will be receiving further communication on this in due course.
Games Development
The GAA Games Development Conference took place in Croke Park last Friday and Saturday, November 20th-21st. Over 650 delegates from all 32 Counties as well as delegates from Europe and North America attended the two day event. Speakers at the event included Liam Sheedy (Tipperary Hurling Manager), Mickey Ned O’Sullivan (Limerick Football Manager), Aidan O’Connell (Trainer Cork Senior Football Team), Enda McNulty (Sports Psychologist), Rod Thorpe (University of Loughborough) and John Considine (Cork Minor Hurling Manager). Topics such as Technical Development, Tactical Awareness in Hurling and Gaelic Football, Nutrition and Sports Psychology were discussed, and delegates had an opportunity to quiz speakers throughout the day. It is possible to download the presentations made at the Games Development Conference from - http://gamesdevelopment.gaa.
The Conference was streamed live in conjunction with RTÉ sport. It is possible to watch the video files of the Key Note addresses from the Games Development Conference 2009 on the RTÉ media player. Click on the link below:
The Games Development Conference has grown from strength to strength over the last 7 years and planning for the 2010 event has already begun.
Ticketing
Supporting your County has never been so easy.....
The 2010 GAA Season Ticket is fantastic value for the true GAA fan. At a starting price of €75, the GAA Season Ticket is available for football or hurling. It includes entry to all your County’s Allianz GAA National League matches and your County's opening GAA Championship match in your selected code. In addition to this, Season Ticket holders get a €5 discount on entry for their county's subsequent Championship matches (excluding Provincial & All-Ireland Finals where no discount applies) in their selected codes.
For further information or to purchase see www.gaa.ie.
Scór
The winter is upon us shorter days and longer evenings that are less conducive to our field games. However, our cultural activities in the form of Scór, provide a suitable alternative and Scór na nÓg has already reached the county final stage. The Provincial Scór na nÓg Finals dates are as follows:
Ulster - 16th. January, 2010 - Galbally, Co. Tyrone
Leinster - 17th. January, 2010 - Ballymore, Co Westmeath
Connacht - 23rd. January, 2010 - Banada, Co. Sligo
Munster - 31st. January, 2010 - Ballybunnion, Co. Kerry
The All-Ireland Finals are in Athlone IT Hall on Saturday, 20th. February, 2010 at 3.00 p.m.
Scór Sinsear will be starting up early in the New Year and we would encourage all clubs to make every effort to participate in what is a most enjoyable GAA activity and who knows – there might be an All-Ireland in it!
Eolas ó Máire Ní Ghráham, Cumann Lúthchleas Gael, Páirc an Chrócaigh, Baile Átha Cliath 3.
Ríomhphost: moira.graham@gaa.ie Fón: 018658683.
