Bord na nÓg - Season 2021

April 2021.

A Chairde Spóirt go léir,

As we approach the start of a new season I would like to take this opportunity to draw your attention to a number of topics. 

Welcome 

Firstly, ahead of returning to training at our Club grounds,  I want to take this opportunity to welcome you all back! For over a year now, our weekly trips to Caherlistrane GAA grounds, to meet our friends and fellow club members, have been hampered in unimaginable ways as a consequence of Covid-19. At this moment however we look to the future with great anticipation and to a time (sooner rather than later hopefully) when normality will reign once again. 

I also wish to take this opportunity to welcome new members. I know of several families who will have children and young people playing with our Club for the first time this year and I want to extend a special welcome to you and yours.

I am also mindful that some of our Bord na nÓg members have lost loved ones since this time last year and we will keep you, and them, in our hearts and prayers.

Underage Managers

Bord na nÓg (underage club) is responsible for football activities from Nursery (U6) to U16s (inclusive). As some people will already know by now, the juvenile age classes have changed this year. 

In the main, these age groups have changed from last year's ‘even' numbers to ‘odd' numbers going forward. 

The following are the different age groups at Bord na nÓg level for 2021 and the appointed Managers for the season ahead are also listed. 

Each Manager is assisted by a team of committed and capable coaches and Covid officers. Details of all Coaches are available in the separate tabs on this Bord na nÓg web section:

  • U6 (boys & girls): Brendan Marrinan
  • U7 (boys): Shayne O’ Connor
  • U8 (girls): Kenneth Kyne
  • U9 (boys): Fergal O’ Neill
  • U11 (boys): Alan O' Donoghue
  • U13 (boys): David Heneghan (A), Mike Conroy (B) & Mike Fannon (C)
  • U15 (boys): Sean Costello
  • In addition to the above, we also hope to have Development Leagues at U12, U14 & U16. This is Covid-19 dependent.  Announcements about plans in this regard will be made separately.

Age Groups

If you are unsure what panel your child should be attached to, please refer to the guide below:

  • U6 (boys & girls): Born 2015 or 2016
  • U7 (boys) Born 2014
  • U8 (girls): Born  2013 or 2014
  • U9 (boys): Born 2012 or 2013
  • U11 (boys): Born  2010 or 2011
  • U13 (boys): Born  2008 or 2009
  • U15 (boys): Born 2006 or 2007
  • (U10 girls (and above) participate under the LGFA code)

Volunteers & Supporters

I want to take a moment to say welcome back (and aboard for 2021) to all the Managers, Coaches, Covid Officers and Committee Volunteers at Bord na nÓg level who give their time, week-in and week-out  to ensure that the children and young people of the Parish are given such opportunities. Without your input Caherlistrane GAA would not mean so much to our young people.

I also want to take this opportunity to invite anyone who isn’t currently a Club Coach or Volunteer and would like to get involved, to contact me by email or phone (details below). We would be delighted to hear from you at any time. 

We value the importance of developing relationships between those who engage with our Club on an ongoing basis. Interactions between players, players and mentors, mentors and parents, members and our sponsors and not least of all between long serving members and those new to our parish, are central to building a family of supporters attached to Caherlistrane GAA Club.

Football Development

This year the Club has also appointed a Football Development Officer. 

We are delighted that Alan O’ Donoghue has been named as FDO and he is assisted by members of a Football Development Subcommittee who, between them, will oversee football development across all panels. 

The members of the Football Development Subcommittee are:

  • Fergal O' Neill
  • Neil Mc Hugh
  • Shane Kyne

Membership & Insurance 

Your membership is what keeps the club afloat and assists with both football development and infrastructural development on an ongoing basis, so we thank you sincerely for your contributions in this regard. You will notice some of these major infrastructural developments at the Club on your return for the new season (and more changes are being planned. Membership is also vitally linked to the insurance of all players. 

As a Club, we have to be rigorous in this regard and therefore unless you are a paid-up member you cannot train, play or coach on behalf of the Club. Each Manager at Bord na nÓg level will be asked to monitor this on a weekly basis. If you have an issue with paying the membership at this time, you can speak in confidence to myself, the Secretary of Bord na nÓg or an appointed Manager.

New Traffic Plan

As mentioned above you will notice that some infrastructural changes have been made at the Club grounds. It will now be possible to drive around the front pitch as a consequence. For this reason, we are asking everyone to keep left all the time.

  • Drive in the left gate
  • Drive left of the front pitch to access the area behind the clubhouse/hall/and to access the astro and back pitch
  • Drive left of the front pitch (along by the stand) when exiting the grounds (if parked adjacent to the astro, back pitch and clubhouse/hall)
  • Drive out the gate on the left as you leave from inside the grounds

It is vital that we avoid queues and delays, so please do not park in areas that would block the free-flow of traffic either side of the front pitch, the area between the astro and front pitch and around the main gate.

Covid-19 & Return to Play

In line with Government directives, we expect to return to non-contact training on the week beginning April 26th. Not all panels will start on this date and so individual Managers will keep their panel members/parents/guardians updated.  

Your vigilance is anticipated and appreciated as always where Covid-19 is concerned. The Club as a whole will issue its own guidance ahead of this date and in keeping with the code of practice from GAA HQ. I'm delighted that Eddie Keane will oversee the Traffic Management plan & Covid-19 Return to Play plan on behalf of the Club.

Caherlistrane GAA - for all the community 

As always, we will do our utmost to ensure that Caherlistrane GAA remains a safe and inclusive environment, where enjoyment and unity prospers. Should you have any concerns at Bord na nÓg level (now or at any time during the season) please don’t hesitate to contact us through the appropriate channels.

The Child Protection Officer for the Club is:

The Bord na nÓg Secretary for the Club is: 

The Bord na nÓg Chairperson for the Club is:

Thanks in advance for your support, and thanks to all the committed volunteers who make Bord na nÓg and Caherlistrane GAA Club what it is and what it will become.

To conclude, in particular I wish to thank Justin Collins, Brendan Marrinan and Claire Keane for their tireless work behind the scenes. Without their commitment the task in hand just wouldn’t get done in the way it could, or should.

Ní neart go cur le chéile.

Enjoy the season ahead!

Stay well.

Le gach dea-ghuí,

Eric Cunningham
Chairperson

Bord na nÓg
Caherlistrane GAA