McCarthy reappointed as Cork senior football manager

Cork County Executive are pleased to announce the reappointment of Ronan McCarthy as Cork senior football manager for a further two-year term.
His selectors will be as follows: Cian O’Neill (CIT), Sean Hayes (Nemo Rangers), John Hayes (Carbery Rangers) and Bobbie O’Dwyer (Macroom).
The committee wish to extend our sincere thanks to outgoing selector Gary O’Halloran (Ballinora) who departs for family reasons.
Commenting on the appointment, chairperson of Cork County Committee Marc Sheehan, thanked all involved, stating: “As we all hope for a return to the top table of Senior Inter-county football in the near future, on behalf of the board I wish to again recognise the incredible contribution of all involved, in particular Ronan, ahead of what we hope will be a productive two years.”
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Rebel Óg announce plans for 2021 season

In 2021, Rebel Óg plan, in accordance with National Policy, to run their main age grades at Fé13, Fé15 and Fé17. As 2021 will be a transition year to these new main age grades, we will also organise competitions at Fé12, Fé14, Fé16 and Fé18. We will organise minor championships in both Fé17 and Fé18 to ensure that players with their 18th birthday in 2021 have a minor championship.

Rebel Óg are currently working on a revised fixture plan for 2021 taking into account the new situation with regard to main age grades, the decision to play both Fé17 and Fé18 championships in 2021, the requirement to provide a comprehensive and appropriate games programme for all players and feedback received from clubs. The exact programme of games will depend on the level of entries in each age grade and category. Clubs will be asked to submit an application on an online portal, indicating the age grades and the number of teams the club intends affiliating for 2021. Clubs will also be asked to indicate what grades they believe are most appropriate for their teams. We hope to have this portal available for entries on 4th January and entries will close on 9th January.

As the directive to change the main age grades came very late, at a stage where plans for 2021 were well advanced, the time available for grading and fixture planning is now quite tight so we appeal for co-operation from all clubs with the timeline.

We set out below, in broad outline, the provisional plan for each age group; all plans are subject to change depending on the Covid restrictions that may be in place during 2021:

Organising committees:

Regions: There are 4 regional committees in Rebel Óg; East, Mid-South, North, West.

These committees will organise Fé12, Fé13, Fé15, Fé17 and Fé18 competitions in the regions.

Rebel Óg County: This committee will organise Premier 1, Premier 2, County, Fé14, Fé16, C3 and competitions for second and third teams (Divisions 4, 5 and 6)

Fé6 to Fé11:

Fe6, Fe7, Fe8, Fe9, Fe10 & Fe11 will continue along the same lines as other years with the GDA’s running blitzes for Fe7 – Fe8 with Mini leagues for Fe9 – Fe 11 in all regions under the control of Rebel Óg Coaching and the GDA’s.

Main age grades, Fé13, Fé15, Fé17:

Fé13 Hurling and Football:

Rebel Óg County will organise Premier 1, Premier 2, C3 plus Div 4, Div 5 & Div 6 Leagues for second, third teams etc.

The Regions will organise Div 1, Div 2 & Div 3.

All Leagues will include semi-finals and finals.

As there are no calendar constraints for this age grade, competitions will run from March to October approx., exact details will depend on number of entries, grading etc.

Fé15 Hurling and Football:

Rebel Óg County will organise Premier 1 and Premier 2 (League and Championship), County Championships, C3 Leagues plus Div 4, Div 5 & Div 6 (League and Championship) for second, third teams etc.

The Regions will organise Div 1, Div 2 & Div 3 competitions (League and Championship).

All Fé15 Leagues will be run as Féile Leagues from March to mid-May; National Féile will be held on 26th June (hurling) and 3rd July (football).

Championships will run from July to October approx.

Fé17 Hurling and Football:

Rebel Óg County will organise Premier 1 and Premier 2 (Championship only), County Championships, C3 Leagues plus Div 4, Div 5 & Div 6 (Championship only) for second, third teams etc.

The Regions will organise Div 1, Div 2 & Div 3 competitions, (Championship only).

Championships will run from March to July with an exam break from mid-May to mid-June approx.

Fé18 Hurling and Football:

Rebel Óg County will organise Premier 1 and Premier 2 (Championship only), County Championships, Div 4, Div 5 & Div 6 (Championship only) for second, third teams etc.

The Regions will organise Div 1, Div 2 & Div 3 competitions, (Championship only).

Clubs entering this age grade must also enter Fé17. Championships will run from July to October.

C3 Leagues or Super 10 Competitions may be organised at Fé18 from July to October if there are sufficient entries to run viable competitions.

Note;

Clubs with sufficient player numbers can enter as many teams as they wish at Fé13, Fé15 and Fé17. These teams will play in Divisions 4, 5 and 6 which are exclusively for second, third and, where applicable, fourth teams. Rebel Óg recommends that clubs take up this option in order to provide adequate games opportunities for all players.

Secondary age grades, Fé12, Fé14, Fé16:
Clubs that wish to enter Fé12 must enter Fé13. Clubs that wish to enter Fé14 must enter Fé13 and Fé15. Clubs that wish to enter Fé16 must enter Fé15 and Fé17. Clubs that wish to enter Fé18 must enter Fé17.

Fé14 and Fé16 competitions are restricted to players “on the age”.

Fé12 Hurling and Football:

Div 1, Div 2 & Div 3 leagues will be run by the Regions. Exact games programme will depend on the level of entries but it will be similar to previous years.

As there are no calendar constraints for this age grade, competitions will run from March to October approx., exact details will depend on number of entries, grading etc.

Fé14 Hurling and Football:

Rebel Óg County will organise Leagues at this age grade for clubs that can field “on the age”, i.e in 2021, boys born in 2007. Championships will be organised in the later part of the year if fixture planning for Fé13 and Fé15 allows. This will be clarified when the exact level of entries is known.

As there are no calendar constraints for this age grade, competitions will run from March to October approx., exact details will depend on number of entries, grading etc.

U16 Hurling and Football:

Rebel Óg County will organise Leagues at this age grade for clubs that can field “on the age”, i.e in 2021, boys born in 2005. Clubs entering this age grade must enter Fé15 and Fé17. Championships will be organised in the later part of the year if fixture planning for Fé15, Fé17 and Fé18 allows. This will be clarified when the exact level of entries is known.

Competitions will run from March to October approx. with an exam break from mid-May to mid-June approx. Exact details will depend on number of entries, grading etc

The provisional plan for the scheduling of games is as follows;

Monday – Fé12 & Fé15 games

Wednesday – Fé14 & Fé17/Fé18 games

Saturday – Fé13 & Fé16 games

This programme of games is intended to promote player retention and development; the good player will always get plenty of games but the weaker player may not, this programme will help all players to get adequate game time if the clubs plan accordingly. It is up to the clubs to lead by example. Clubs should enter sufficient teams to ensure that all of their players have a good programme of games without overusing the strong player or underusing the weaker player. “Games for all” needs to be our aim.

U21 to Adult level will be run in 2021 by the Senior Board as normal.

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U18 competitions to take place in 2021

Statement from Cork County Board
In parallel with the confirmation of U17, U15 and U13 as the primary underage grades as per national policy, the County Executive, in consultation with Rebel Óg, now confirm the following:
For the 2021 season – U18 and U21 competitions will take place.
U18 competitions will be organised by Rebel Óg, with U21 competitions organised by divisions and CCB, as before.

This is for 2021 only and a decision on competitions for 2022 and beyond will follow in due course.

The formats and calendars for the various competitions will be confirmed once the national club and county calendar for 2021 is clearer.
We will continue to liaise with all to ensure that regular, meaningful games are provided for all players at child, youth and adult level.
While the new primary age grades will allow the decoupling of adult and youth games, thus facilitating far more expansive games programmes at the respective levels, two major concerns are obvious.
Firstly, the proximity of the 2021 season and the concern that boys already looking forward to the new year will miss their last year at Minor. This has now been addressed by the organisation of an U18 competition for 2021.
Secondly, the major issue of dropout in the GAA during the teenage years remains the primary concern. This will be addressed by introduction of the appropriate age grade(s) for 2022 to follow, be they at U18, U19, U20 or U21 . Of course, this transitionary grade will have to be considered in terms of the relative crossover on both underage and adult competitions.
Many thanks to all who submitted feedback on this matter with the shared objective of maximising participation at all levels.

Kevin O’Donovan,

Secretary / CEO,

Cork GAA.

Following on from this decision by the Cork County Board Rebel Óg can now confirm that, along with games at the primary national age levels, competitions will take place at all age levels from U12 to U18 inclusive in 2021.
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Update on underage games for 2021

In light of Cork County board’s decision last night (see below) regarding the age groups for 2021,  Coiste na nOg are meeting with the Rebel Og CCC and the four regional boards to put together a comprehensive programme of games for 2021.
We ask that clubs be patient for a few days more, and we will contact all clubs outlining the steps we will need to take moving forward.
County Board decision
Following a County Executive meeting last night, it has been confirmed that Cork GAA will implement primary underage grades at U13, U15 and U17 level for 2021 as per national policy.
The Executive and Rebel Óg will continue discussions with regard to the most appropriate age grade / grades above this level, but no final decision will be made until there is further clarity regarding the national GAA calendar for 2021.
This will hopefully follow in the next week or so.
We thank all clubs for your patience on this matter and any feedback on the best approach after U17 is welcome.
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Rebels’ Bounty going live this week

A message from Cork County Board
A Chara,  

 I’m delighted to let you know that Rebels’ Bounty is going live this week.  Tickets will be available on the website gaacork.ie/rebelsbounty from 3pm Friday December 4th.  Each club secretary/draw coordinator will receive brochures in the post shortly to allow for sales to begin in clubs this weekend.  Tickets cost €100 each, and tickets will be sold directly by clubs or on line at corkgaa.ie/rebelsbounty. 

 Rebels’ Bounty, is a new fundraising initiative designed to support Cork players, clubs and county. There is a new spectacular total prize fund of €500,000, with one lucky member set to win €100,000. 

 Rebels’ Bounty will provide clubs with a significant opportunity to raise funds at a time when traditionally fundraising has been impacted by restrictions imposed to prevent the spread of COVID-19.  

 In every monthly draw, there are 30 cash prizes, ranging from €100 to €20,000. In April and August, the top prize will increase to €25,000. In December, a bumper prize of €100,000 will be given away. The first draw will take place on Wednesday, February 24th where prizes will be drawn for January and February 2021. 

 All the funds raised by the Rebels’ Bounty will be directly and indirectly invested in Cork GAA clubs. The draw is designed to ensure that most of the funds are kept locally to help improve facilities and equipment, while the remainder will be used by Cork GAA to invest in programmes such as Rebel Óg and supports for inter-county players.  

 Speaking about the launch of Rebels’ Bounty Tracey Kennedy, chairperson of Cork GAA, said “The Rebels’ Bounty is a unique opportunity for clubs to raise funds locally, and keep those funds locally. This has been a difficult year for all our clubs, and we hope that members across Cork will stake their claim in the Rebels’ Bounty to support players from under 5s to inter-county. We hope that the new prize structure will provide an even better incentive for members to buy and for clubs to sell tickets. This prize fund will be distributed across the entire county. We would like to wish everyone the best of luck, and thank them for their efforts in supporting the future of our clubs and our county.” 

 I was also delighted to commend on the launch of this significant fundraising drive which has the ability to have a lasting impact for all clubs involved, “Following from the launch of One Cork we are now delighted to official announce details of Rebels’ Bounty, marking the beginning of a new fundraising era for Cork Clubs.  We have increased the prize fund to ensure maximum return for our members, with 30 prizes monthly.  We listened to our members and all 30 prizes are now in cash.  2020 has been a unique and difficult year for our clubs and I’m delighted to launch this appeal allowing clubs to raise vital funds at a time when it is extremely hard to do so.” 

 Clubs will receive brochures in the coming days, if you require additional information or have queries at any time, please contact Trina at rebelsbounty@gaa.ie.   

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