At last we have a date to resume training – albeit very different than what we are used to!

The welcome news that GAA activity is reopening from the 29th June – against the backdrop of the ongoing COVID threat to our families –  will require a lot of pre-planning and preparation.

The reopening process brings with it a lot of personal responsibility for everyone taking part in our games. It would be important that everyone involved with Cuala – parents, players, mentors,coaches, staff, section leaders, executive – take some time to familiarise themselves with the GAA’s Covid-19: Guidelines on Safe Return to Gaelic Games

The guidelines set out the new procedures and protocols for return to safe training while we continue the fight against COVID-19. While it will be challenging for everyone to rigorously follow and implement the protocols we have no choice – hopefully the situation will improve as we move forward and we can get back to some degree of normality.

This is a summary Checklist of things that have to be done BEFORE we reopen:

  1. A 15 Page Document that was sent by Croke Park has to be circulated to everyone and read by everyone PRIOR to returning (see link above)
  2. Everyone has to familiarise themselves with the basic medical information as outlined in this document.
  3. All actions in Section 2 have been undertaken to prepare the facilities for the reopening.
  4. Chairperson and Secretary or their nominees have completed the online Gaelic Games Education module.
  5. Each Team Prior to training has appointed a Covid Supervisor and they have completed the online Gaelic Games Education module.
  6. A Timetable has been set out so that individual teams know the training times & allows for cleaning up and no overlapping of players from individual teams.
  7. All players /parents/mentors/members have completed the on line Gaelic Games Education module.
  8. A system is in place for completion of player Health Questionnaire and recording of Temperatures.

Gaelic Games Education module:

A certificate of completion must be provided to the Covid Supervisor prior to any resumption of training and/or playing activities

This online module will include information such as:

  • COVID-19 disease update information (including symptoms)
  • Information on Club facilities use
  • Transport guidelines
  • Information on Club facilities use
  • The Role of the Covid Supervisor
  • Health Questionnaire
  • Reporting protocols
  • Contact tracing
  • Personal, facility and equipment hygiene standards
  • Training protocols
  • Transport guidelines
  • Education materials – posters etc

The members of the Covid-19 Advisory Group are:

  • Shay Bannon (Chairman) – existing Chairman of GAA Health and Safety Committee
  • Professor Mary Horgan, (U.C.C. and President of the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland)
  • Dick Clerkin (Chairman of GAA Medical Scientific and Welfare Committee)
  • Dr Pat O’Neill (Dublin)
  • Dr Kevin Moran (Donegal)
  • Dr Jim O’Donovan (Limerick)
  • Dr Sean Moffatt (Chair of Gaelic Athletic Medics 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 Mc Nulty (CEO, Cumann Camogaíochta na nGael)
  • 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 CLG)