Covid-19 Guidelines on Safe Return to Gaelic Games The following piece is part of the Covid-19 guidelines issued by Croke Park regarding under-age players returning to training: Risk for Under-Age Players: The HIQA document “Evidence summary for spread of COVID-19 by children” published in May 2020 indicated that there is low transmissibility among children less than 14 years old. Serious illness in children is rare to date. There are low rates of child-to-adult or child-to-family member transmission in the limited number of studies available. As with all situations there is a risk of infection but it appears to be lower in children. Outdoor activity appears to further lower the risk.
There are a number of actions that can be taken to lower the risk of infection during activities.
● Do not share personal equipment such as water bottles
● If summer camps proceed, it is advisable that children limit their involvement to one camp ● Communication with parents of the relative risk is important so that they can make an informed decision on their desire to have their children engage in small group activity. A minority of children may have diseases that put them at higher risk and the level of risk needs to be assessed by their GP and parent(s)/guardian
● Having smaller groups with the same supervisor/trainer and equipment assigned to each group Parents should be advised to promote behaviours in younger age groups that will reduce the spread of the virus such as:
● Staying at home when appropriate
● Hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette
● Adequate hygiene supplies
● Signs and messages
● Activities confined to a geographical locality
Health Questionnaire/Temperature Checks Prior to commencing training: players, parents/guardians and backroom personnel should complete the self-administered standard risk assessment health questionnaire.Symptoms such as a high temperature, fever, cough, sore throat, general weakness, shortness of breath, and change in taste or smell will be identified. The presence of symptoms, or temperature (over 37.5°C) precludes attendance at training.
In such circumstances, the individual should telephone their GP for advice and management. The Questionnaire will need to be completed once, before the initial Return to Training. It will be the responsibility of the individual to inform the team’s Covid Supervisor of any change in circumstance before subsequent sessions. These measures will be reviewed in conjunction with national public health advice.
Club Games There should be confirmation shortly from the County Board regarding revised club fixtures for the season. All Na Gaeil players and mentors are eagerly looking forward to getting back to the playing fields again. Last week Kerry team manager Peter Keane said that clubs getting priority over county was the right way to go.
After all 97 to 98 per cent of the playing population play club football so it is more important that it is rolled out first. However when the county does come back he hopes that time is allocated to complete the National Leagues as these games would be a perfect warm up for the All Ireland Championship. GAA President John Horan has said that the hurling and football championships could run into 2021 but GAA pundit Anthony Daly feels that this would be a disaster.
He says it would dilute the whole meaning of the All Ireland if it is not played in the calendar year. Former Limerick hurler T.J. Ryan said that a 2020 problem must have a 2020 solution. There is enough scope to play the All Ireland Championship in 2020 as 11 weeks should be enough for any county to run their club championships.
Na Gaeil Volunteers Na Gaeil GAA Club volunteers continue to assist those in our community that feel they are not in a position to go shopping due to an underlying medical condition or otherwise and will also collect medical supplies for them from their local pharmacies.
The demand for this service has reduced since the restrictions on shopping for the elderly have been lifted but we are still available to help. We thank all our volunteers for their great work. The feedback from the local community has been very positive.
You have made a huge contribution to the vulnerable in our community. Please let people know that this service is still available. You can contact any of the following co-ordinators: Mícheál Herlihy (0862438902); Cathy Carey (0863554499); Eddie Sheehy (0876791460), Colm O’Súilleabháin (0879080465); Tim Lynch (0874184239). You can also contact the shops directly. Please God we will all stay safe and come back stronger. Ní neart go cur le chéile
Club Activities Suspended As you know all club activities are suspended until June 28th at the earliest when we are allowed to re-open our pitch.
Clubhouse The clubhouse will be closed until August 10th. This means that our Monday night bingo, Tuesday night lotto and Wednesday night card playing are suspended indefinitely as well as all other activities that normally took place there on a weekly basis.
Clothes Collection There is now a Clothes Collection Bin situated in Na Gaeil car park for use by all members of the public.
