Pause in loss of wages has potential to effect players’ welfare
In order to partly address a major financial deficit due to the lack of gates, the GAA has put a temporary pause on the ‘loss of wages’ cover contained within the policy benefits covered under the Players Injury Fund.
The pause in this cover will become effective for new claims incurred from 1 January 2021 onwards. It is hoped to restore this “loss of wages” benefit or see the introduction of a new level of enhanced player injury benefit tiers when the fund returns to surplus, hopefully by 2022.
This removal or ‘ pause’ placed on the loss of wages cover in the GAA Injury Fund was raised at both the East Cork Board and the County Board as a matter of serious concern. Peter Hogan of Carrigtwohill, Liam Kenny, Kilworth and others spoke on the issue at the recent County Board meeting and several delegates spoke on the matter at our East Cork Board meeting. Cork delegate Tracey Kennedy was thanked by all for raising the matter at the recent Central Council meeting but only one other county showed concern and it got just a brief mention at Congress.
All delegates, both East Cork and County, viewed the removal of payment of loss of wages as profoundly serious as having our players lose out on such a benefit is not good enough in the current times. It is strongly suggested that the funding be sought immediately from other areas within the organisation and be ready for the coming season.
Our county chairman, Marc Sheehan; secretary Kevin O’Donovan and CCC delegate will convey all our concerns that player welfare is vital, and they must be treated accordingly. Hopefully, other counties will view this as a serious issue also and back Cork’s concern. Meanwhile, it is most important that all players have adequate insurance coverage because the GAA is still a benefit fund rather than insurance for players.
LARRY MCCARTHY THE FIRST OVERSEAS MEMBER OF THE GAA TO BE ELECTED PRESIDENT
Cathaoirleach Marc Sheehan, Cork County Board extended warm congratulations to 40th President of the GAA Larry McCarthy. His election is unique in that he is the first overseas member of the GAA to be elected as President. Mark Sheehan outlined that Cork are justifiably proud of his elevation while he pointed out that his takeover is at a most challenging time for the Association but there is great confidence in his ability to do an outstanding job.
Larry, 66, is a born and bred Corkman. He played with Bishopstown at underage level and attended St Catherines NS and Colaiste Iognaid Rís. He trained to be a PE teacher at Thomond College in Limerick, now UL. He went on to win an All-Ireland club football title with Thomond College (Limerick) in 1978. He was teaching for several years in Malahide and played with Raheny. He emigrated to New York in 1985 to do a master’s degree. A learned man, McCarthy spent two years at Ohio State University and seven more in Georgia before taking up his current role as a lecturer in Sports Management in Seton Hall University in New Jersey. He is involved with the Sligo football club in New York, and has served with New York GAA for a long time, as secretary for six years and chairman for three years. As a well-known contributor says, if you can run for President from New York you certainly know the mechanics of the Association.
McCarthy knows the high-roads and byroads of the GAA well and came through a tough election campaign. There were five candidates in the field and he came in ten votes clear of the nearest man, Jarlath Burns, Armagh, in the final count. He brings a different perspective from the norm as he lectures on a sports management course in a school of business and his area of expertise is sports marketing. He has a great experience of studying sports organisations around the world and no doubt many of these sports are professional. Now as leader he will have the facility to bring his critical thinking, analytical skills and awareness of different perspectives to bear and assist in the future development the GAA. Go n-éirí an bóther Labhrás.
RETURN OF GAMES
Pat Horgan, chairman of the county board fixtures committee spoke at last Tuesday’s meeting and outlined that Cork were ready to commence with a full and compliant programme of games when they received the go-ahead from government and our authorities. He did not have any definite dates but there is a possibility of training sometime in April and maybe games resuming during May. As of now it seems county first and clubs later but, of course some club games can take place then and hopefully we will know soon. No doubt about it, the lifeblood of the GAA is teams on the field and in this vacuum a strong players’ network is critical.
One does not need to be a genius to know that these times can create a psychological toll on our players - juvenile and adult - as schools and colleges are closed, they do not meet friends in any social setting or even members of the family and may be living with vulnerable relatives. While it is good to remain in condition physically and skill-wise, keeping the mind fresh, remaining in touch with each other will all help reduce isolation which is vital. Hopefully, our adult and juvenile training personnel are remaining in touch with players while we await return to training and games.
EAST CORK CHAMPIONSHIP GRADINGS FOR 2021
The East Cork championship gradings were set and agreed on at the recent East Cork Board meeting. Daniel Lane, Board Secretary mentioned that the championship formats and subsequent draws could not really be examined until dates for recommencing training and playing our games became clearer. This was unanimously agreed as there is too much uncertainty at present. Castlelyons have two teams entered in the hurling this year at junior B and junior C and one might add a fairly tall order as we have a premier intermediate hurling team also. We had big numbers last year and there are many players coming from last year’s minor team now eligible for adult ranks also so it should make for an interesting season. We have a team entered in the junior A football championship again this year. We had a team last year but did not take part as it was decided it was too near to our hurling championship, and it is certainly expected that there will be no such occurrence in 2021.
APPLICATION SUBMITTED FOR SPORTS CAPITAL GRANT 2021
It is quiet on the playing field these days but busy off it and a tough time for the club, planning and laying out a development plan. Good news is that our application for a Capital Sports Grant to assist in funding the construction of a second playing pitch was submitted timely. Thanks to the Steering Group and especially Mary Fenton, Helen Hussey and Margaret Doran for their work in this regard. The application is in hot company as there are 3,106 sports clubs and communities in the national pot, the highest number ever received. The applications include a host of local and East Cork GAA clubs plus various other sporting and community bodies locally.
The budget allocated to this year’s Sports Capital is €40 million and does not come near the total monies sought by all sporting and community bodies which amount to €200 million. We await our lot - hopefully, there will be a summer announcement and we will get good news.
MONIES STILL OUTSTANDING FROM 2019 SPORTS CAPITAL GRANT
November 2019 was a big month for Castlelyons GAA. Great work by former chairman Con Lawlor, our secretary Michael Barrett and former treasurer Donal Barry resulted in being allocated €34,052 of a Sports Capital Grant. Two other groups from the parish were allocated separate funding also at the time. The monies allocated to our club are for fencing, the purchase of a mower and other vital repairs.
The steering group have been working on the drawdown of this, but it is unfortunate that we cannot receive our allocation to date as the club purchased new lands and set about taking out corporate trustee on all properties. This type of trusteeship having gone to the GAA authorities then has to go to the State solicitor, Minister for Sport and back again to Chief State solicitor’s office. This is a road with turns and bumps, but our solicitor is working hard on this side of the business. We need these monies to attend to fencing and to carry out urgent repairs and we hope to have the monies shortly.
CLUB MEETINGS SHOW GREAT INTEREST ON PROPOSED DEVELOPMENTS
Recent monthly meetings have spent time on the plans and detail of proposed Club development. The steering committee have hired engineers to process planning applications for a second pitch and a new entrance/exit. Other engineers are hired to examine refurbishment of the existing clubhouse. As already mentioned, a Capital Sports Grant application has been submitted to assist with funding, but this will only partially cover the cost of any works so the club will have to pony up remaining monies through fundraising as the cost of any projects nowadays are serious.
The queries raised show a need for greater communication and preparation of a masterplan with an overall strategy and vision is important going forward. This plan would prioritise developments in the club like refurbishment of the clubhouse and construction of a second pitch. The steering committee are endeavouring to complete this piece of work together with costings and while there are a few areas of discussion outstanding it should be ready soon. Setting down a fundraising model in the plan is important and this is really when the rubber meets the road as the Club sets about raising the finance to make plans a reality. A special meeting will help clarify matters for all members and hopefully this will be soon.
LOTTO JACKPOT NOW €10,600
This draw was held Monday, March 8 and the numbers drawn were 3, 9, 11 and 23. There was no winner, and the jackpot is now €10,600. Lucky dip winners: Denis Ahern, William Ryan Jnr, Mary Quinn, Sarah and Ann Marie, Pat McGrath, Will Daly, Mary Quinn and Mark Henley. Next draw is Monday, March 15.
As part of the treasurer’s monthly report the assistant treasurer Donal O’Leary gave his monthly lotto report and was pleased to say that it was going reasonably well. He congratulated Tracey Cremin Hurley the recent jackpot winner of €20,000 and promoter Clare O’Brien who sold the winning ticket. We have recommenced with a new jackpot of €10,000. Donal outlined that the sale of tickets online is going well. He was very thankful to Michael Hegarty, Michael Barrett, Jo McGann and John McCarthy. He was especially thankful to all the promoters who went about the weekly collections and all who purchased tickets and supported the Lotto. A special thanks to Donal for his detailed reports each month.
BUMPER EVENING OF REBELS’ BOUNTY DRAW
Get your ticket as the clock is running down with just over two weeks left to go before the ‘Bumper Evening’ of Thursday, March 25 when the draws for January, February and March will be held. The first prize is €20k for each month and 90 huge cash prizes in total. We will be giving you the link and the draws can be streamed live into your own home, so it could be some celebratory evening for you, the family, your pod or wherever you are.
As all prizes are funded by Cork GAA there no risk to our club. A sincere thanks to all our members and supporters who joined the Rebels’ Bounty and made it a success to date.
WELCOME TO A NEW PLAYER
The club wishes to welcome Griffin O’Keeney who has transferred from Bride Rovers. Griffin has played hurling and football at all levels with Bride Rovers and no doubt will be a great asset to our club.
CONGRATULATIONS TO WILLIE RING
Congratulations to Willie Ring of the Cloyne club who was recently appointed chairman of the Cork County Board Appeals Committee. Willie is also President of the East Cork Board and has a long involvement with both East Cork and the County Board. The area of appeals is always difficult but no better person than Christy as he has been about GAA administration for many years.
CASTLELYONS MAY HAVE A DIGIHUB SOON
Castlelyons Community Centre Committee are putting in a lot of hard work and researching the feasibility of a DigiHub and broadband connection point at the Centre. In fact, they have an application, with support from the Cork County Council, submitted to the Minister for Rural and Community Development for consideration.
This type of digital hub facility would support any local rural social enterprise, and provide the wider community with flexible, affordable hot desks, video conferencing and printing. This would be all supported by high-speed broadband. It would be available to all members of our community who have a requirement to access these services. Another example of suitability would be for students who require access to third level course material being delivered online.
DigiHubs are working very well in many counties and parts of Cork already, with several long-term benefits. Zeus Packaging Group.
CLUB MAIN SPONSOR