Cork County Board children’s officer Eoghan O’Connor wishes to inform clubs about a change to the garda vetting system.

In an email sent to all clubs he said: “I am writing to inform you that GAA garda vetting will be moving to a new vetting system on March 31. The new system has been built into Foireann.

“The current system has closed. This is to allow each county process the current applications on their site. The garda vetting system will then be part of Foireann and it is through this system that a coach/mentor will in the future apply to be vetted.

“The new system will permit the Children’s Officer access to confirm when a person is vetted.

“The CO will also play a key role by validating the ID documentation of each club application before it will be processed. The closure of the site is not to create any alarm amongst our members but to allow all applications currently on the system to be processed along with the current applications being processed by the National Vetting Bureau.

“I thank you for your ongoing work in all matters regarding child welfare in your clubs and I regret any inconvenience this may cause in your club.”

This is a call to clubs that may be considering hosting a Kellogg’s Cúl Camp for 2022. Rebel Óg Coaching is seeking expressions of interest from clubs for summer 2022.

This form must be completed by Friday, February 25, via the link below.

 On the form below you are asked to pick two options there are no guarantees of your club receiving these dates. It will be done on a first come first served basis with a capacity of 15 camps per week.

Some background information to help inform your decision is as follows:

• Camps to run over five days with no exceptions for the week of August 1.
• All coaches must be 18+, garda vetted, and have a safeguarding course & foundation coaching course completed in advance of the camp.
• Clubs will need to submit a planning document in advance of the camp start date
• Camp fee is to be confirmed at national level but is expected to be similar to last year
• There is a new kit designed and this will be launched shortly

 If your club has no coordinator at present, we recommend that you put in your underage secretary’s name to avoid disappointment with your dates.

This can be changed at a later date.

Paudie O Brien

Kellogg’s Cúl Camp coordinator Cork

086 7725411

A Chara,

Following the recent relaxation of Covid restrictions, we ask you to note the following in relation to our games in the coming months

Covid in the Community: While restrictions have been relaxed, it is important to note that Covid is still with us.

In that context, it remains the position that everyone involved in our Association at either a playing or administrative level, continue to follow Government advice in the relevant jurisdiction on containment of the virus.

At its most basic level, this means that players, coaches or administrators who are displaying any of the symptoms of Covid should not attend training, games or meetings.

Further advice is this context is available at https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/914a6-guidance-on-the-public-health-management-of-covid-19-cases-and-close-contacts/ for members in the 26 Counties and at https://www.publichealth.hscni.net/covid-19-coronavirus/covid-19-information-public for those in the North.

Provision of Contact Tracing information (26 Counties): If an individual/team member(s) become infected with SARS-CoV-2 or is a close contact of a detected case, the Government’s Contact Management Programme (CMP) is responsible for contact tracing and, if indicated, for arranging testing for close contacts.

In order to undertake this mandatory medical function, it is essential that the CMP have direct access to the relevant individual through provision of their contact information (i.e. mobile phone number).

The provision of other contact details such as for a team doctor is not acceptable in this context.

Water breaks Counties and Clubs should note that the provision for Water Breaks in our games is now removed from our Match Regulations with immediate effect.

The following provisions in this context now apply:

Maoir Uisce – Two Maoir Uisce who must be over 18 years of age, are permitted per team; they may not enter the field of play. Each must wear an official bib (Football: Purple or Green | Hurling: Brown or Lilac) and will be situated as per the “Pitch Layout” in our Match Regulations, and at least two metres from the sideline.

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Official team personnel (Selectors/Coaches), substitutes, injured players or members of the extended panel may not act as Maoir Uisce.

In the event that any official team personnel, injured player(s) or a member of the extended panel act as a Maoir Uisce, any breach of rule, shall be considered as a Misconduct at Games by Team Officials infraction.

Maoir Uisce are not permitted to have/use Communications devices i.e. walkie talkies.

In Hurling the Maoir Uisce will also act as Hurley Carriers & may enter the field of play with a replacement hurley when necessary.

This will also mean that the number of people allowed access to the controlled zone for games in our Match Regulations will increase by 2 (i.e. from 40 to 42) to accommodate this change.

In this context, Counties and clubs should a note the provisions on unauthorised entry to the field of play as outlined in Rule 1.4 of the Rules of Control

1.4 ENTRY TO FIELD OF PLAY/INCURSIONS

A Team Official shall not enter the field of play.

Exception: The Referee may give his permission to a Team Medical Officer or one authorised official to enter the Field of Play to examine an injured player.

Penalties on the day for the above infraction:

(i) Caution offender by showing him a Yellow Card;

(ii) Order offender from the Pitch Enclosure for a second Infraction by showing him a second Yellow Card followed by a Red Card. The offender is debarred from the Pitch Enclosure for the remainder of the Game, including any Extra-Time, when played, and he may not be replaced.

Fixed penalty on a second repeat infraction (i.e. a third ordering off): One match suspension in the same Code and at the same Level, applicable to the next game in the competition in which the third ordering of occurred, even if that game occurs in the following year’s competition.

Finally, we wish to take this opportunity to thank all of those involved in the Association for their patience and co-operation with the various restrictions imposed over the course of the last two years.

While the pandemic may not be over, there are certainly very positive signs for better days ahead and our activities, for the moment at least, will be returning to something resembling normality. In the interim, we again urge you to continue to follow Government advice and in particular, the provisions outlined North and South for those who are positive, are symptomatic or who are considered to be close contacts of a positive case.

Is muide le meas,

Labhrás Mac Carthaigh agus Tomás Ó Riain