Rebels’ Bounty update

Please note the following updates in regard to Rebels’ Bounty, further to consultation with clubs.
Many thanks to all clubs who are now up and running with significant uptake of online sales.
The first draw will now take place on Thursday, March 25th. This will incorporate three monthly draws, for January, February, and March, respectively. Hopefully, this will allow sales to continue in clubs where registration/membership nights might be delayed due to the current Covid-19 restrictions.
Ticket sales for Rebels’ Bounty 2021 will close at 5pm on the evening of March 25th, when the draws for January, February, and March will take place with 90 prizes to be won. There will be no further entries to the draw for Rebels’ Bounty 2021. We will be asking clubs to update their membership well in advance of this to facilitate a smooth run-up to the first draw.
Direct debits will run in early February for the January draw so it would be important to have these membership records updated by then
Following feedback from clubs and further consideration by the committee, the use of club names on tickets is now prohibited.  As clubs reach their quota, these tickets would essentially be free entries, which would undermine the ethos of the draw. All tickets must be charged at €100. In summary, all tickets must have the names of individuals/members (or two in the case of a shared ticket).
As the timing of the draw has been revised, so has the schedule for reconciliation of accounts and payment to/from clubs. This will take place biannually on May 20th and September 20th. On these dates, accounts will be settled. If there is an excess due to or from the board on May 20th depending on online sales and quotas, it will be settled at that point.
Promotion is now underway with ads in the Irish Examiner and on RedFM. Various ads etc are also available for social media.
Due to demand from clubs, a further print-run of brochures will follow and additional brochures will be available from the office.
The office team has phoned all coordinators over the last few weeks and the support team of board officers has followed up with a significant number of clubs subsequently. The office will continue to liaise with coordinators throughout the selling period.
Any queries, please email rebelsbounty@gaa.ie
/by

Register for Irish Tech Society and GAA Hackathon

Irish Tech Society & GAA International Hackathon powered by Microsoft
Witness history and win up to €10,000 in prizes as ITS, GAA & Microsoft join forces to deliver an ultimate online Hackathon experience.
See for full details:  https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/irish-tech-society-gaa-international-hackathon-powered-by-microsoft-registration-136923970281
/by

Cork minor management announced

Cork GAA is please to confirm the management teams for both the Cork football and hurling minor teams for 2021.

Following the recent appointment of Bobbie O’ Dwyer as a selector with the Cork senior football team, an appointments committee was set up to recommend a new minor football manager. Following their recommendation, the County Executive have confirmed Michael O’Brien (Ballincollig) as manager, with selectors Daniel Cronin (St Mary’s), Gary Sheehan (Carrigtwohill), Martin O’ Brien (Clonakilty) and Donnacha O’Connor (Ballydesmond). All members of the management team were involved with development squads at U15 and Fé16 level in 2020 and have been approved for a two-year term.

In October 2019 it was announced that Noel Furlong (Carrigtwohill) would be appointed Cork minor hurling manager in 2021. His selectors will be David Dorgan (Fr. O’Neills), Ger O’Regan (St. Finbarr’s), Niall McCarthy (Carrigtwohill) and Wesley O’ Brien (Carrigaline). This management team has been approved for a  one-year term as they progress from U15 and U16 level in 2019 and 2020, respectively.

New County Cathaoirleach Marc Sheehan welcomed the appointment of the new U17 football management team and wished them every success for their term at the helm. He acknowledged the involvement of the new mentors with previous development squad panels.
He also paid tribute to the work of the most successful outgoing management who achieved great success in this grade and captured the All Ireland title in fine style against Galway in 2019. Furthermore, he wished the U17 Hurling Management under manager Noel Furlong every success as they continue their progress with this group.
/by

Cork GAA physical education teacher support

Rebel Óg Coaching are delighted to team up with Sciath na Scol to offer Primary School teachers across the county the opportunity to provide students with remote physical education classes over the next 3 weeks. The sessions have been designed by Cork GAA Games Development Administrators (GDA’s) and cater for all students with age-appropriate activities.
The classes are aimed at getting children active through fundamental movement skills in keeping with the physical education curriculum. The classes can be done at home as they are delivered on line. To ensure whole school engagement, classes will be streamed across four levels from infants right up to sixth class.
Cork GAA Games Manager, Kevin O Callaghan noted that “children across the county are disappointed they cannot get back to school to meet their friends. For many children, the highlight of the school week is based around lunch time activity and physical education classes. Cork GAA are delighted to be able to offer some support to teachers in trying to encourage students to fit in physical activity even though they are not in school. Our team of GDA’s have put a very engaging programme of activity together and I am sure that many children will have great fun when interacting with the sessions”. Sciath na Scol Chairman, Dave Collins says that “children throughout the county are struggling with Covid 19 restrictions and having a programme of physical activity will provide huge benefits in terms their physical and mental health along with helping to improve concentration levels. I would encourage all teachers to promote these classes with their students and place on record our thanks to Cork GAA for providing this support”.
The links to the classes are listed below

https://youtube.com/channel/UC32JMu4DI-gIzJ998ZqK_dw

/by

Competition portal to open on Wednesday

Despite the current lockdown a lot of work is still going on in the background to make sure we can run our competitions for 2021. Unfortunately, due to the late change in main age grades in December, this process is a little behind our planned schedule.
Because of the changes to the main age grades, we are asking all clubs to resubmit their entries from Wednesday, January 6, where we will allow one week until Wednesday, January 13,  for club secretaries to re-enter all teams for 2021 competitions.
It is our aim to start competitions in March but just be aware that going forward we will have to follow all guidelines regarding Covid-19 which may have a knock-on effect on competitions for 2021. This is something no sport has control over at the moment.
We will also forward our fixtures programme to club secretaries as soon as possible after the entries portal closes.
/by

Club officer training modules registration

Please find below direct registration details for Club Officers in Munster counties to sign up for Officer Training Modules on January 6, 2021 at 7pm.
Please let the relevant people within your club know about them.
 
 

 

 
/by

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.”
/by

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.

/by

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.
/by