Coiste Chontae an Dúín are saddened to learn of the death of Mary Rose McConville, mother of Johnny, former Secretary of the South Down Committee and Vice President of Mayobridge Club, we  wish to express sincere and heartfelt sympathy to Johnny  and to his sisters, Colette, Loretta, Bernadette, Marie and Ann and his brother Eugene and to the grandchildren, great grandchildren, daughter-in-law, sons-in-law and extended McConville family circle. 

Ár dheis Dé go raibh a h-anam 

GAA Healthy Club Conference 2021 (Virtual)

The role played by GAA clubs in supporting the health and wellbeing of their communities across Ireland and beyond will be showcased and celebrated at the virtual Healthy Club Conference 2021 on Saturday, January 23rd from 10.00-14.00. (Registration required, see link below.) 

Throughout the event, delegates will have the opportunity participate in workshops covering healthy eating, diversity & inclusion, social Gaelic Games and youth leadership in the GAA. The topics will be brought to life through practical club case studies with additional contributions by exciting guest speakers. 

The event, proudly delivered with GAA Healthy Club partners Healthy Ireland and Irish Life, is open to all GAA clubs and interested members. Attendees will get a flavour for the project and have an opportunity to experience some of the initiatives available through the GAA’s Community & Healthy Department. 

The Healthy Club Project started as a small pilot involving just 18 clubs in 2014. As of 2021, it has engaged 300 clubs including a small number of the GAA’s international units. Its intention is to turn clubs into hubs for health in their communities. Before he became a household name, Dr. Tony Holohan, Chief Medical Officer at the Department of Health, attended in Croke Park in 2013 the first meeting held by the GAA to explore the potential of developing the Healthy Club Project. His keynote address will touch on the GAA’s community-based response to the pandemic and the place of the Healthy Club Project in supporting the health of the nation. 

Other guest speakers on the day will include the head of performance nutrition for the Dublin senior ladies and Longford senior men’s football teams, Kate McDaid, activist and journalist Joanne O’Riordan, and former Wexford senior hurling captain Diarmuid Lyng. 

Uachtarán Cumann Lúthchleas Gael, John Horan, said: 

“Throughout 2020 our clubs delivered to our members and our communities invaluable supports and services. Clubs involved in the Healthy Club Project were to the fore of this work and I thank all the officers and volunteers involved for their efforts. This conference, delivered with our partners Irish Life and Healthy Ireland, offers the opportunity to celebrate this work and hopefully inspire other clubs to get involved.” 

Declan Bolger, CEO, Irish Life said: 

“During 2020, club volunteers and supporters did an incredible job looking after each other in their communities and helping everyone stay active. As we all work through another period of lockdown, the GAA Healthy Clubs programme has never been more important, and we are sure the generous spirit of supporters and volunteers will carry into 2021. At Irish Life, we hope that our MyLife app continues to help the GAA community throughout 2021, by keeping the competitive spirit going and allowing people to challenge each other to keep fit and healthy every day.” 

Ciara Mellett, Head of Healthy Ireland, said:  

“One of the key actions of Healthy Ireland is to empower people and communities and this is at the heart of the Healthy Club Project. This partnership highlights what we can achieve when we work together which is evident in the response by the members of the GAA to Covid 19 in communities across Ireland. It highlights the role a national sporting organisation can have in promoting health and wellbeing and I would like to acknowledge the commitment of all the members to this agenda.” 

Click HERE to register your attendance for the conference and to receive any future correspondence regarding the event. 

For more information regarding the Healthy Club Project please visit www.gaa.ie/community 

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.

Please see details below on the GAA National Healthy Club Conference 2021, with link for participants to register also included below. We are utilising all communication channels possible to ensure all clubs are offered the opportunity to attend the conference, please share the information with the clubs in your county, thank you.

The deadline for the GAA Clubs - Funding Support Package Form has been extended to January 31st.  By close of business yesterday 19 Down Clubs have already completed and returned the form.  This is an opportunity for GAA Clubs to receive support towards Insurance costs in 2021. 

https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=hrxFrNSvpUKfwz6H4bd_zkMBbboVayVBmRHxYVDWS4BUQ1dIUDdFTjg5SkpCTVpRQUtZUVlNSlBSSS4u

Clubs that the County Office is open daily 10.00am -4.00pm if anyone wishes to return sold Clubs Draw Tickets. 

The return of Tickets early helps with the administration of the Draw so if you have any tickets sold then please leave them into the County Office or with James and Mary McGrath at 1 Riverfields Warrenpoint.

It is with great sadness that we have learned of the death today of Dean Anthony Davies, joint President of the Down Camogie Board and President of Clonduff Club. For over 60 years Dean Davies has been a great supporter of Gaelic Games and in all of his ministry he was active in GAA Clubs wherever he served, bringing his own wisdom, guidance and humour to many of those Clubs in our County. Annually Clubs in South Down compete in Reserve Football for the Father Davies Shield and acknowledgement of the commitment of "The Dean" to our games.

We extend our heartfelt sympathy to his entire Family Circle, to Archbishop Martin, the Priests of the Diocese of Dromore and the gaels of Down Camogie and Clonduff on their loss.

Ár dheis Dé go raibh a anam.

Coiste Chontae an Dúin and the family that is Down GAA are saddened to learn of the death this morning of Declan Clarke of Ballygalget, a much-loved son and brother. To his parents Liam and Geraldine, his brothers Graeme, Liam and Eoin, his sister Louise and the Gaels of Ballygalget we offer our deepest sympathy.

Declan was a passionate hurling man, with a great love for his Club and his County, he took great pride in the successes and achievements of his brothers and he will be fondly remembered by all who knew him.

Ár dheis Dé go raibh a anam.

As we enter into another period of Lockdown and a time when people may be in the tidying mode, can I ask you to remember that Down GAA are seeking all types of Archival Material as we plan for a new interpretive Centre and Museum in our Future development at Ballykinlar. 

We are seeking in particular Old Newspapers, Match Programmes, Photographs, indeed any materials related to Down GAA,  we will be very happy to receive and to archive for future generations to come. 

 Please contact Down GAA 07739700705, if you wish to donate any material and we will be very happy to collect it from you.