Chairpersons Update
Dear Members,
I hope this update finds you well, healthy and safe.
The last number of weeks have proven to be difficult for us as a nation but equally as a GAA Club. The inability to get out and do what GAA people do best is weighing on us all. It seems an age since we could attend the Academy on Saturday mornings, training in Meadowvale or Thomastown or attending camogie, football and hurling matches. Indeed even for the administrators in the club meetings have been transferred to Zoom. We have been unable to use the Gym, the hall or just meet up with team mates and friends.
We are currently not in a position to give any indication on the future plans of the GAA, as the restrictions begin to ease. We have had to cancel a number of events thus far. The 2020 Feile competitions are now cancelled and we are waiting to see if they will be replaced later in the year with other smaller events. The Academy had to cancel the Mini All Ireland. This event has become a great event in Dalkey and not just the Club and will be missed by us all. The Cuala Zambia 2020 trip has been deferred to Easter 2021 and hopefully the 2021 TY group will have their opportunity to support Habitat for Humanity later in the summer of 2021.
Numerous fundraising events have been cancelled, Academy Hill walk, Feile boys Charity Cycle, golf outings not to mention the numerous club fundraisers which are normally in full flight at this time of the year.
On a brighter note, our club and associated friends continue to amaze us all with their support for our charities. Support for Drummo continues to raise much needed funds for Sean and by having fun doing it, who would have thought eating a biscuit could have given such enjoyment to so many.
Our Club Together activities to date have seen over 550 shopping trips completed for local residents who are cocooning. Our 90 strong club volunteers are doing a fantastic job. It is important that at this time of inactivity, we continue to maintain our club spirit off the pitch. Team Zoom meetings, Zoom quizzes and Tic Tok social media events bring fun to our members. Some of our mentors, coaches and players have produced some fantastic ‘skill drills’ to keep our young players challenged and motivated.
As in previous years, Cuala members have turned out in large numbers to support Pieta’s ‘Darkness into Light‘ walk – this year we would encourage members to support Pieta’s appeal – see https://cualagaa.ie/darkness-into-light/ for details.
From a Coiste perspective I wish to offer our condolences to all family and friends of those who have fallen under the Covid 19 sword. Due to the restrictions, Club members have not been in a position to attend the services to offer our support. I would like to take this opportunity to offer our deepest sympathy even though we were unable to attend.
Finally I would like you to know that club matters continue. We are working on training records, garda vetting, coaching aids for Academy and improving the facilities with DLRCC.
We would encourage you to stay in contact with the club by signing up for the weekly newsletter by email, keeping an eye on the website and on Facebook and Instagram – Stay Connected!
We are all looking forward to the easing of the lockdown and hopefully we will be back supporting our teams across all codes, while socially distancing.
Keep safe
Damian McKeown
Chairperson
5th May 2020
