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THE IRISH NEWS unveiled the winners today of their highly contested Irish News Club & Volunteer Awards. The Awards initiative recognizes and rewards GAA Clubs, Schools & Volunteers throughout Ulster for their commitment to gaelic games and their community irrespective of their playing ability.

John Brolly Marketing Manager of The Irish News, congratulated all the clubs, schools and volunteers that received awards adding that ‘the Irish News Club & Volunteer awards are tangible proof that our clubs, our volunteers & our schools are indeed the foundation of GAA.’

He added, ‘the Irish News Club & Volunteer Awards have proven to be overwhelmingly successful as recognition for the hard work of the winning clubs, volunteers and schools. The awards are a great celebration of the vibrant communities that are created by schools, clubs and volunteers right across Ulster.’

Aogan Farrell, Ulster GAA President commented, ‘Comhairle Uladh CLG are delighted to partner the Irish News Club & Volunteer Awards which recognise the work and vision of the GAA grassroots in Ulster. I commend the Irish News on this excellent venture and I would like to congratulate the winning clubs, volunteers and schools.’

Attending the awards at the Wellington Park Hotel was Antrim football manager Liam Bradley who offered words of advice and support to the clubs, schools and volunteers attending.

The winning clubs were awarded a £1,000 Irish News development cheque & a £1,000 O’Neills Sportswear voucher.

AWARD RECIPIENTS

SMALL

CLUB AWARD WINNER            John Mitchels GAC, Glenullin

HIGHLY COMMENDED            St John’s GAC,  Drumnaquoile

MEDIUM

CLUB AWARD WINNER            St John Bosco GAC, Newry

HIGHLY COMMENDED            An Ríocht CLG, Kilkeel

LARGE

CLUB AWARD WINNER            Eoghan Rua CLG, Coleraine

HIGHLY COMMENDED            St Enda’s GAC, Glengormley

URBAN CLUB SPECIAL RECOGNITION CLUB AWARD

Clann Eireann, Lurgan

SMALL

CLUB VOLUNTEER AWARD             Maureen Moley

Dorsey Emmett’s GFC

MEDIUM

CLUB  VOLUNTEER AWARD            Columba Diver

Ard An Ratha CLG

LARGE

CLUBVOLUNTEER AWARD            John Daly

St Patrick’s GAC, Dromintee

SCHOOL, PRIMARY

St Patrick’s Primary School, Newry

SCHOOL, SECOND LEVEL

St Patrick’s High School, Keady

Cork hurling legend Sean Og O hAilpin believes GAA players should be paid.??O hAilpin, whose brother Setanta turned his back on a hugely promising hurling career in 2003 to pursue a professional career with Aussie Rules club Carlton, said he would have loved a similar chance when he was younger.

“I would like to see the day when players are paid. There are huge demands on players now,” said the prominent GPA member.

“Ireland is a very small market – there’s only five or six games every year that are sold out. Maybe the best thing might be to set up a players’ fund using the gate receipts. I am in favour of seeing players paid. They should get something.”

He continued: “I would give my right hand for a chance like Setanta got. Setanta is a professional sportsman. I would have dreamed of being a professional athlete when I was a boy, but that’s life.

GAA supporters overseas can watch live GAA Football and Hurling All-Ireland Senior Championship action this summer through a variety of outlets and TV stations around the world.

From April 16, an agreement between the GAA and MSK (to be Premier sport), sees GAA matches available in Britain on Channel 433 on Sky Digital. The channel will be available to approximately 10 million homes. Initially, it will be Free to Air but will revert to a subscription channel by mid-summer.

All Allianz GAA Football and Hurling National League and Championship matches shown in Ireland will be available to view in Britain. A range of classic matches will also be shown. All matches will also be available online at www.setanta.com/i/global.??In North America, all matches will be available on the Premium Sport Pub and Club network. This network has exactly the same distribution as the old Setanta network. For the first time, Allianz GAA Football and Hurling National League matches have also been shown. Delayed coverage of Championship matches will also be shown on Setanta Sport Canada and on MHz Worldwide.

MHz worldview is available locally in the Washingon D.C. Metro (as MHz Networks 1) via Comcast, Cox and RCN cable, as well as Verizon FiOS. The channel is also available locally via DirecTV and Dish Network.

Throughout North America, MHz Worldview is available in over half the Top 20 U.S. television markets, in nearly 27m households and through broadcast/cable affiliates in: Chicago, IL- WYCC; Philadelphia, PA – MiND TV (WYBE); San Francisco, CA – KCSM; Washington, DC- WNVC/MHz Networks.

For a full list of broadcast/cable affiliate availability across the MHz network, please visit http://www.gaa.ie/gaa-news-and-videos/gaa-media-coverage/.

In Australia, all championship matches will be shown on Setanta Sport which is a subscription channel available in over four million homes on Foxtel Satellite and cable system and also the Austar satellite system.

In Asia, Gaelic games will be available on Setanta Asia online and launched on most of the Cable and Satellite networks throughout the continent later this year. Throughout Africa, Gaelic games will be shown on Setanta Africa which is available in 10 million homes in Sub Saharan Africa.

GAA President Christy Cooney said: “I warmly welcome this progress which is the culmination of behind the scenes work undertaken by the Association.”

“Our overseas units and their continued passion for our games form a vital strand of the GAA given the large and vibrant Irish communities that are dotted across the globe.

“I look forward to the provision of a service that will allow so many of our members and supporters follow top level action this coming summer and into the future.”

The 2010 ESB GAA Minor Championships have been launched today in Croke Park by ESB Chief Executive Padraig McManus, and Uachtarán Chumann Lúthchleas Gael, Criostóir Ó Cuana.

Kerry footballer and secondary school teacher, Marc O’Se, former minor hurling star, John Gardiner and leading Irish multi-sport coach, Mike McGurn provided a preview of the ESB Positive Energy programme which was announced at today’s launch to a captive audience of minor players and managers including 2009 ESB Minor Championship winners, Pete Carragher (Armagh Football Captain) and Daithi Burke (Galway Hurling Captain).

The ESB “Positive Energy” programme will run throughout the 2010 ESB Minor Championship.

It is designed to enhance the experience and provide support for players participating in this year’s championship.

It will include a variety of useful support initiatives including:-

• Positive steps for combining exam study with training
• Coping with pressure and nerves
• Goal setting and building self-confidence
• Performing on the big day
• Achieving a positive life-sport balance.

Speaking at today’s launch, Uachtaran Chumann Luthchleas Gael, Criostóir Ó Cuana said, “Last year’s ESB GAA Minor Championships provided some excellent entertainment and superb spectacles and with the 2010 competitions already up and running we can expect more of the same in the coming months. ESB have been supportive and imaginative partners for our competitions at this grade and I laud their latest initiative which takes the form of a Positive Energy Programme.”

“This has the potential to further enhance the experience of playing football and hurling at inter-county minor level while at the same time acknowledging the practical challenges that this involves for the young men lucky enough to make the grade at what is a vital time in their lives. I wish everyone involved every success with the programme,” he continued.

ESB Chief Executive, Padraig McManus said, “What makes the ESB GAA Minor Championships unique is the age of our players, and the particular pressures they face, not just as inter-county players, but as any normal 16 or 17 year olds facing into exams, college applications, and all the additional pressures this brings with it.  ESB recognises that this is pivotal time in their lives as they compete at national and local level.”

“In conjunction with the GAA, we will be rolling out the ESB Positive Energy programme for players throughout the 2010 championship. Our focus is on sustainability, and our goal is to provide useful tools to help them excel as inter-county players, and successfully deal with the various pressures they face, from studying for the Leaving certificate, preparing for college, or playing in Croke Park for the first time,” he stated.

The programme will start in May, with a guide for minor players sitting the Leaving Certificate compiled by experts including secondary school teachers who are also GAA players.

“Combining training and playing for your club or your county with the daily pressures of school, college or a job is a challenge every player faces,” said Marc O’Sé at today’s launch, “but it’s probably never more concentrated than during leaving certificate year. The ESB Positive Energy programme will help provide players with simple tips that will reduce the pressures they face.”

The ESB GAA Minor Championships have already got underway for 2010, with wins for Kerry, Limerick, Cork and Clare in the ESB Munster GAA Minor Football Championship, Kildare and Westmeath in the ESB Leinster GAA Minor Hurling Championship and for Wicklow, Westmeath, Laois, Kildare, Offaly and Meath in the ESB Leinster GAA Minor Football Championship last weekend.

Also attending the launch were ESB employees who have excelled with the GAA including:-
Paul Clancy (Galway), James McHugh (Donegal), Conal Bonnar (Tipperary), Ambrose O Donovan (Kerry), Michael Lowry (Offaly), Sean Lowry (Offaly), Mick Roche (Galway), Paul Stapleton (Limerick), Paddy Stapleton (Tipperary), John O Riordan (Limerick), Hugh Connaughton (Wicklow), Christy Goulding (Dublin), Shauna Brady (Donegal), Kieran Duff (Dublin), and Colum Grogan (Chairman/Secretary ESB GAA).

UCD advanced to the semi-finals of the Ashbourne Cup with a convincing 5-12 to 1-8 win over NUI, Galway at Belfield, Saturday afternoon. NUIG simply had no response to a cohesive UCD outfit and in particular their full-forward line of Aine Mahony, who recorded a personal tally of 2-6, Denise McGrath (2-0) and Katie O’Dwyer (0-2). Aine Mahony and Alison Murphy were to the fore in the opening quarter with Mahony chipping in with 1-1 and Murphy pointing three frees. Galway’s chief scorer on the day was Lorraine Ryan who contributed 1-08 (1-6fs). UCD now go on to play UCC on February 20th at Cork Institute of Technology.

CIT, this year’s Ashbourne and Purcell Cup hosts saw their season end at the hands of a relentless WIT side which registered a total of 4-19 to 0-7 at CIT, Saturday afternoon. Ursula Jacob led the way scoring a total of 2-8; her first coming five minutes before the break and her second fifteen minutes from full-time. Katrina Parrock and Michelle Quilty scored the remaining goals while points from Marie O’Neill (0-5), Karen Kelly (0-2), Katie Power (0-2) and Denise Gaule (0-2) completed a comfortable victory for the defending champions who now face UUJ.

Meanwhile, UCC recorded a hard fought 0-11 to 0-9 win over Munster rivals UL at the Mardyke, Saturday afternoon. UL led by a point at the break but the home side battled back to record a two-point win.

National League
In the opening round of the Camogie National League Division Three, Laois had a comprehensive 5-14 to 3-3 victory over Meath at Donaghmore Ashbourne on Sunday afternoon. Aine Mahony led with a tally of 3-5 (2fs), Louise Mahony (0-5, 2fs), Sarah Ann Fitzgerald (0-2), Emer Delaney (0-1), Elaine Mahony (0-1) with Niamh Dollard and Karen Cuddy scoring the remaining goals. Jane Dolan scored 1-3 for Meath with Aine Keogh (1-0) and Elizabeth Oaks (1-0) adding to their final tally. Meanwhile, Kildare defeated Dublin 1-7 to 0-4 at Ballyboden St Enda’s with Suzie Carroll in scintillating form scoring 1-6 for Kildare.

DEFENDING champions Cork lost out to Dublin in the Bord Gáis Energy Ladies National Football League for a third successive season as the Sky Blues won by three points in Fermoy on Sunday.
The Jackies gained some measure of revenge for last year’s All-Ireland final defeat against Cork as they secured a 1-12 to 3-3 win.

Dublin, who won in the Bord Gáis Energy National league against Cork in Portmarnock last year and Mallow in 2008, had Noelle Healy to thank for an opportunistic first half goal which ultimately proved the difference between the two sides.

After rattling the five-in-a-row winners in last September’s All-Ireland final, Dublin are touted as the main challengers to Cork’s Bord Gáis National League and All-Ireland crowns but the Rebelettes are notoriously slow starters in recent seasons.

Cork, however, will not have wanted to lose to one of their biggest rivals so early in the year while Dublin travelled back to the capital with fresh optimism after this success.
The sides were level at half-time, 1-6 to 2-3, as corner forward Valerie Mulcahy bagged two first half goals for Cork.

But in the second half, Cork managed just a goal from Deirdre O’Reilly as Dublin, led by Healy and Sinéad Aherne in attack, kicked on for a noteworthy win.

In Division 2, Kildare overwhelmed Meath in Celbridge as the Lilywhites collected a 2-17 to 2-7 success.
Kildare, relegated from Division 1 last season, raced into an early five point lead and responded comfortably to Meath forward Elaine Duffy’s goal to lead by 1-10 to 1-1 at half time.
Five of Kildare’s six starting forwards registered first half scores and Siobhán Hurley completed the set after half-time as the home side surged to victory.

Brigetta Lynch grabbed a consolation goal for Meath but Kildare would not be denied a first ever win against the Royals in the Bord Gáis Energy National League.

In Division 3, Cavan defeated Ulster rivals Fermanagh for the second successive league season with a 2-9 to 2-2 victory at Brewster Park in Enniskillen.

The visitors restricted Fermanagh to just a goal in the first half, scored by Imelda McGovern, as Aisling Doonan and Clara terrorised their opponents.

Doonan scored 1-3 and Reilly added 1-1 as the Breffni girls led by 2-5 to 1-0 at half-time.
Reilly added two more second half points while a brilliant goal scored by Caroline Little added some gloss to the scoreboard from a Fermanagh perspective.

In Division 4, last year’s beaten All-Ireland junior finalists Limerick emerged from Stabannon with a 2-2 to 1-2 victory against hosts Louth.

Clodagh Reidy scored Limerick’s first half goal as the sides were deadlocked at 1-2 apiece at half-time before Sheila Moynihan scored the crucial second goal for the Shannonsiders five minutes from time.

Results:

Bord Gáis Energy Ladies NFL Division 1:

Cork 3-3 Dublin 1-12
Laois 2-8 Mayo 0-12
Tyrone 1-5 Monaghan 3-13
Kerry 1-9 Galway 1-10

Bord Gáis Energy Ladies NFL Division 2:

Donegal 4-12 Down 3-4
Sligo 1-10 Tipperary 1-8
Kildare 2-17 Meath 2-7

Bord Gáis Energy Ladies NFL Division 3:

Cavan 2-9 Fermanagh 2-2
Wicklow 0-3 Waterford 4-12

Bord Gáis Energy Ladies NFL Division 4:

Louth 1-2 Limerick 2-2
Leitrim 7-15 Offaly 3-2

Squareball are at Showcase Ireland this week from 24th – 27th January at the RDS in Dublin. If you’re interested in becoming a retailer of our gear, and are in the Dublin area over these dates stop by and see some of the existing and upcoming Squareball Range. You can find us at A247.

Thursday 28th January 2010
7.30 – 9.30pm

The GAA Museum presents an evening recalling the rich history, identity, personalities and events which have influenced and shaped camogie down through the years.

Speakers on the night will include Mary Moran and Eoghan Corry along with Uachtarán Cumann Camógaíochta na nGael, Joan O’Flynn, who will speak about the challenges and issues facing camogie today.

A Questions and Answers session will take place with a distinguished panel of former players:
Ann and Angela Downey, Sheila Wallace, Eileen Duffy- O’Mahony, Mary Moran, Liz Howard.

Celebrated camogie duo Angela and Ann Downey received the ‘Lifetime Achievement Award’ for their inter-county careers at the Irish Times/Irish Sports Council Sportswoman of the Year 2009 awards this afternoon at the Shelbourne Hotel, Dublin.

The Kilkenny sisters received their awards at a ceremony which also included Cork dual player Mary O’Connor, boxing champion Katie Taylor and world race-walking silver medallist Olive Loughnane who was named Sportswoman of the Year.

Speaking about the awards Uachtarán Cumann Camógaíochta na nGael Joan O’Flynn said: “Angela and Ann Downey have contributed enormously to the game of camogie, not only during the course of their playing careers but also in their capacity as coaches and managers. It is fitting that their achievements have been acknowledged by such a prestigious award and the Association extends warm congratulations to both on this.”

The Downey sisters amassed an astonishing twenty-four All-Ireland medals over the course of their respective playing careers. Both were part of the team that captured Kilkenny’s first All-Ireland in 1974 as well as the historic seven-in-a row winning team which dominated the camogie scene from 1985 to 1991. Ann Downey is also the current manager of the Kilkenny senior camogie team having led them to last year’s Gala All-Ireland camogie final.

The Downey sisters now join Dame Mary Peters, who in 2008 received the very first Irish Times/Irish Sports Council ‘Lifetime Achievement Award’ for winning the pentathlon gold medal at the Munich Olympics in 1972.