On the 6th May Croke Park issued a Press Release stating that GAA facilities are to remain closed as part of efforts to prevent gatherings which breach the restrictions and includes a reminder that the Player Injury scheme is suspended and will remain so until an official return to action protocol is confirmed.
The statement in full is as follows:
The GAA notes and welcomes the plans published by the government last Friday and some of the dates included relating to the possible return of sporting activity, including Gaelic games. The Association will attempt to seek clarity around some of the issues that have arisen in internal discussions since last Friday including the challenge of social distancing in contact sport. GAA facilities are to remain closed as part of efforts to prevent gatherings which breach the restrictions.
We are instructing our clubs and counties to continue to adhere to the restrictions and to refrain from organising on-field activity. These measures are expected to remain in place until July 20.We will continue to monitor the dates and timelines as revealed by the Government and our arrangements will remain under constant review.
Our units are reminded that the Player Injury scheme is suspended and will remain so until an official return to action protocol is confirmed. The GAA still firmly hopes to be able to play county and club competitions this year, subject of course to public health guidance.
We can confirm however that no inter-county games are expected to take place before October. Counties are asked, in the interest of players, to suspend all inter-county training until further notice.
There will be a phased resumption of training at both club and county level to allow players to prepare appropriately for playing games. While not categorically ruling out the possible staging of games behind closed doors later in the year, there appears to be a lack of appetite for this type of fixture-scheduling at the current time across the wider Association.
The GAA can also confirm the appointment of a dedicated Covid-19 Advisory Group which will advise the Association on matters relating to return to play protocols and other similar issues.
The members of this group are as follows:
Shay Bannon (Chairman) – existing Chairman of Health and Safety groupDick Clerkin (existing Chairman of Medical Scientific and Welfare Committee)
Dr Pat O’Neill (Dublin)
Dr Kevin Moran (Donegal)
Dr Jim O’Donovan (Limerick)
Dr Seán Moffatt (Chair of Gaelic Medical Association and Mayo team doctor)
Paul Flynn (CEO Gaelic Players Association)
Stephen Mc Geehan (Head of Operations, Ulster GAA)
Tony Mc Guinness (Events and Safety Manager, Croke Park)
Sinéad McNulty (CEO An Cumann Camógaíochta)
Helen O’Rourke (CEO Ladies Gaelic Football Association)
John Horan (Uachtarán CLG)
Tom Ryan (Ard Stiúrthóir CLG)
Feargal Mc Gill (Director of Player, Club and Games Administration)
The outcome of this group’s work will be a graduated approach, informed and guided by the recently published Government Roadmap and by Government policy from Stormont.
Our units have played an important role in the community effort against the pandemic and we thank all of our members for their role in this to date.
We also underline the importance of continuing to adhere to the guidelines to ensure that the country as a whole meets its targets in the coming weeks allowing us to make progress and facilitate a return to games when it is safe to do so.
Virtual Junior Premier League
Over the past five weeks Kerry sports hub have run virtual leagues. Ballymac were in the Virtual Premiere Junior Final and won the final on Sunday after a hard ought Twitter battle with Fossa!
We wish to thank Donal Barry & Kerry Sports Hub for organising this lockdown competition.
It proved to be a great distraction for all of us and the support shown by Ballymac was phenomenal. Everyone played their part contacting friends and family and it was great team work on and off the field.
We especially thank Declan O’Connell who motivated us all to vote and to get support when we were lagging behind. Also Kevin Leen who did all the work on the club Twitter page. We all got excited and it brightened our days ! Ballymac Abú!
Local Link Kerry Teams with The Ballymacelligott Support Group
Local Link Kerry in association with The Ballymacelligott Support Group are working in partnership to deliver groceries etc from the Halfway Shop each Tuesday and Friday to those that are housebound and cocooning.
To avail of this service all you need to do is ring Pat McCarthy or Padraig McCarthy at the Halfway Shop each Monday or Thursday with your order and it will be delivered the following day.
Pat can be contacted at 087 284 5575 or Padraig at 087 970 1687 and payment can be made over the phone.
Please provide your Eircode for ease of delivery.
We hope people will avail of this service and are very welcome to do so!!
Ar Scáth a Chéile a Mhairimíd
Community Notes Via web site etc
If anyone in our community would like to avail of our web site etc for Community Notes during this time just drop a text to 0879795220 or email pro.ballymacelliott.kerry@gaa.ie
Keep practicing the below and play your part by :
– Reduce social contacting – stay apart but stay in contact with family, friend & neighbours
– Distance yourselves 2 metres from people in shops and supermarkets
– Stop shaking hands
– Avoid touching our eyes, nose or mouth
– Washing our hands regularly and practice cough and sneeze hygiene
– Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces
