Clubs urged to stick with dates for Westmeath GAA Go Games

Since the club underage Go Games have started in Westmeath in recent weeks, there are issues around changing days, with Saturday the designated slot.

Clubs who are changing from this must notify Darren Magee (Games Manager) or Bernie Corroon (Games Development Administrator) as they will not be covered by insurance otherwise, delegates learned at a meeting of the County Committee in the Mullingar Park Hotel last Wednesday.

Some games are being changed to accommodate other sports, which is not ideal, Westemath GAA Coaching Officer, Ronan Farrell explained.

"There is an appreciation that clubs have to try and look after as many players as possible, but there comes a stage when you can devalue the GAA games. There has to be a bit of give and take on this. We can't be accommodating them all the time; there has to be some give back on it as well," said Mr Farrell.

The games run from 9.30am until 1pm, with games for under 7s, U9s and U11s, but some under 11s are being asked to play later in the day to suit certain situations. Clubs are being asked to note that parents are leaving their children for the 9.30am start and should not be asked to come back later in the day with U11 players. Mr Farrell asked clubs to adhere to the set schedule (9.30am - 1pm) as much as possible.

Pitch dimensions and rules have to be followed for the benefit of all players, he explained, as all participants will get a fair chance to progress under the guidelines, not just the stronger players.

GAA Go Games are camogie, hurling and Gaelic football for children up to and including 12 years of age, where every child gets to play (a Go) in every game, for the full game.

Meanwhile, former Westmeath senior football manager Jack Cooney was one of the lead coaches at a coaching workshop in the county last Thursday. He gave a presentation on keeping players involved through their teenage years and 22 clubs were represented.

Ronan Farrell informed delegates that there would be a focus on the importance of the role of club coaching officers and stressed the importance of a good buy-in for the event.

A goalkeeping workshop took place on Friday in TEG Cusack park for both hurling and football. It included players from the Westmeath senior squads and people could attend for the very reasonable cost of €5.

Easter camps were held over the school holidays for hurling and football and these proved a good success. Ringtown and Rosemount were the venues for hurling and football and the host clubs were acknowledged.

Recently, Westmeath under 14 footballers played Laois in two games, but the under 15 footballers' game against Dublin was cancelled due to a clash with Féile in Dublin. The under 16 footballers had a fine win against a Cork selection in Páirc Uí Chaoimh. They will be in action again on April 29.

MJS Building Development are the new sponsors of underage development squads and the new jerseys and gear are being worn by the various squads, which is welcome.

Clubs yet to complete Child Safety Risk Assessment

Irene Connell, the Westmeath GAA Children's Officer, addressed the subject of Child Safeguarding Risk Assessment, which must be completed by May 1 on the GAA's Foireann system, which is on-line.

Clubs who have not submitted their risk assessment by this time will be considered non-compliant and may be stood down by Croke Park. There were none of the 47 clubs in Westmeath with the risk assessment complete as of Wednesday April 19. Irene encouraged clubs not to put it on the long finger and advised she is available to assist in whatever way needed with the on-line process.

"I'm asking clubs to prioritise and please reach out to me if you have any questions or queries," she said.

Frank Mescall urged all clubs to comply. They have now received three reminders from Irene Connell, he noted, advising that Croke Park will take a dim view. Some years ago there were a number of emails from the GAA President on the subject when Westmeath clubs failed to observe the deadline. "Not to be repeated please," urged Mr Mescall.

Following a query from Patrick Doherty, it was not known if any of the clubs have started the process.

Scór congratulated

There were huge congratulations to all associated with the recent Scór success in Westmeath. The Downs and Moate All Whites scooped a number of titles at the Leinster Scór finals in Wexford. The Downs won titles in set dancing, recitation and novelty act, while Moate All Whites were winners in the ballad group section.

"It means half of the Leinster Scór titles are coming to Westmeath - huge congratulations to both clubs and everyone involved in scór. There is a great tradition in the county and the Scór committee are doing fantastic work," Mr Mescall said.