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Ten cyclists from Armagh Down Cycling Club are embarking on a novel fundraiser this weekend for the Southern Area Hospice.
The fundraiser which has already raised over £1500 will see them ride the length of Ireland, all from the 'comfort' of their stationary ‘turbo trainers’ Not content with that the committed cyclists will virtually ride back again, a total of 1300km!
It will be Malin Head to Mizen Head without the view! The club will cycle the distance over two days 9 and 16 May.
Each year Armagh Down Cycling Club has hosted a charity sportive, and with the support of their sponsors, they have raised tens of thousands for local charities. Unfortunately, the club have had to cancel this year’s planned event due to the coronavirus restrictions, this also falls at a time when charities need help more than ever.
You can support tthem at their Just Giving Page
Southern Area Hospice Services provides invaluable support and care to people suffering from cancer and other terminal illnesses. All services are provided free of charge, and they rely heavily on voluntary donations to continue providing their special care. On 20th March Hospice Services had to postpone all their planned fundraising events due to government Covid-19 advice – this event by Armagh Down cycling club means their members can help, from the safety of their own homes.
The event is the brainchild of club Chairman, Adrian Fegan. The riders will cover the equivalent in terms of distance and climbing, from Malin Head to Mizen Head and back again, 1300 kilometres (808 miles). Taking place on Saturdays 9 and 16 May, each day the first cyclist will ‘set off’ at 4 a.m. with each of the nine riders taking turns until the daily 650km target is reached. The target time to complete 1300km is 40 hours or less.
The riders are Adrian Fegan, John Judge, David Convery, Philip Loughlin, Cathal O’Hare, Alan Ó Cléirigh, Ciaran Lynch, Cathal Gallagher, Mark White and Damien Phillips - please give them support by both sharing the event on social media, and making a donation to Southern Area Hospice Services via JustGiving. Armagh Down Cycling Club aims to raise at least £2,000 / €2,300 during this initiative.
The fundraising event will be fully interactive, the riders will be using popular virtual cycling platform, Zwift, and their Facebook page - /WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/
Other cyclists using Zwift are encouraged to ‘join’ the cyclists and give encouragement on the day. Full details on the Armagh Down Cycling Club Facebook page prior to the event. The Zwift platform will ensure the riders will not only cover the distance, but it will also replicate the amount of climbing typically encountered during the real-life route. No doubt there will be a competitive edge to the event as each of the nine cyclists compete to cover their sections in the fastest time.
Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving - they'll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they'll send your money directly to the charity. So it's the most efficient way to donate - saving time and cutting costs for the charity.
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Craobh Rua Camlocha Hurling Club have organised a “Puc Around Slieve Gullion” to keep its hurlers on the move during this challenging time. The south Armagh based Club have also decided to use their “Puc” to help raise much needed funds for Cuan Mhuire (Sister Consilios) Addiction Centre.
Laurence Bradley Chairperson of Craobh Rua said “This initiative was put together by our senior team hurlers. Our club is rooted in the community and have developed many relationships with Charities such as Cuan Mhuire. Recently Cuan Mhuire facilitated an excellent Workshop about Addiction and the impact of it on individuals, their families, friends and wider communities. This is our way of showing our gratitude. Cuan Mhuire like most Charities is facing tough times at the minute and have launched an Emergency Fund”.
Pat Mc Ginn secretary of Craobh Rua, works with the “Friends of Cuan Mhuire” Group said “Any support at all to help Sr Consilio, her staff and Volunteers continue to deliver their life changing and life saving services is very welcome. I always have been proud of this Club for its efforts not only with playing and promoting hurling but it’s care for the community.The club and our members are involved in the wide range of community support during the Coronavirus pandemic. We are also fully aware of other consequences from this period such as addiction and that is why the hurlers have put this together. We invite all to ‘give it a lash’
Craobh Rua Camlocha Hurling Club Puc around Sliabh Gullion fundraising for Cuan Mhuire (Sr Consilios)
Check it out below and ‘Give it a lash’
You can donate at WWW.CROWDFUNDER.CO.UK
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Athletes Eamon Murphy and Seán Quinn are calling on all Isolated Runners, Cyclists, Walkers, Hikers, Dog Walkers to get out into the fresh air as part of their one exercise a day and to maybe consider donating to Run for Autism H.A.N.D.
During the current Coronavirus pandemic regulations state you can leave home for one form of exercise a day and the pair feel that this is as much about keeping the mental health and wellbeing right, as anything else.
Explaining the idea behind the initiative Sean says " I've had messages from parents and carers who are already getting it very difficult now that their special needs kids and family members are ‘staying at home’. Many kids are unable to go to school or to their day care and their parents and carers are now therefore getting no respite or ‘me time’ putting a lot of serious strain on them.
"I know too well what it is like to be tied to the house with nowhere to go and nowhere for your special needs child(ren) to go. Our daughter never fitted the criteria for respite, nor day care, nor special school, so she has spent most of her life at home with her mum and dad and things haven’t changed now that she is 27. It has had a huge impact on us both physically and mentally.
"I can see people getting into great difficulties at home now with their kids not being able to go anywhere. We can't go into people's homes to help you, but we can inspire you to get out and have a little much needed ‘me time’. You are allowed to go out of your home once a day to do some form of exercise during these uncertain times, so make sure and do it. Take it in turns to go for a walk or a run, that’s how we try to keep our mental health and wellbeing managed best we can – every little helps."
Séan emphasises that Eamon and him have started the campaign, not just to make a few pounds to help those with a learning disability and or autism but to help inspire everyone to get out and get motivated. As he explains "This campaign is for everyone so we can all support each other, share our photos, our exercise ideas and keep in touch during these difficult days."
Séan adds "We have never been here before, this is all new. As runners, cyclists and walkers we aren’t sure what to do. What we CANNOT do is run or walk or cycle together in groups.
"What we CAN do is run, cycle or walk alone, and we can also make something special happen as a result to help make a difference. We need a focus, a motivation.
"Become an isolated runner or cyclist or walker - go any distance - but go ALONE"
Eamon and Séan suggest you record your run, cycle or walk on Strava (or other apps) and post your distance and route with (optional) photo. Set a target if you wish or a challenge, we are all in this together for the next few months. You can start with a 5k and build up your miles... it's up to you!
Séan adds "All we ask is that you help us make a difference at the end of this Pandemic (hopefully that will be soon) by making a one off small donation, how much is up to you. What we do know at the end of this many vulnerable children and adults with autism and learning difficulties will be greatly affected, if not already. For those who care for a loved one with autism and/or a learning difficulty they feel isolated most of their lives so this current situation we all face today is not new to them. We just want to make a difference to those that will need it most in the months that lie ahead. We want to help them by donating funds to help them get back to normality again.
"I hope we, as runners, cyclists or walkers can find this as a motivation and a focus to keep us moving physically and mentally, while also contributing to autism charities and learning disability support groups across the District Council areas of Armagh, Banbridge Craigavon and Newry, Mourne and Down."
Concluding Séan adds "All proceeds raised will help kick start groups and clubs to get going again when we get to the end of this pandemic. Many groups haven't the capacity to fundraise now because of so many restrictions imposed upon them. So please can you help us by promoting this page and invite your friends to follow this page; become a leader not a follower, become an isolated runner or walker and we all can make a difference to the world together."
Check out their Just Giving Page for more and feel free to donate WWW.JUSTGIVING.COM
See the Isolated Runner Facebook page here WWW.FACEBOOK.COM
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Just two weeks back the Nation reflected on its National Holiday, spent not in celebration, but in isolation.
A normal St Patrick's Day would have seen many of us chewing the cud of another busy sporting day. A new McRory cup champion would have been crowned, another name engraved on the great Schools Cup. A whole hosts of events that would normally celebrate the culture of the Island have been cancelled. If you did not understand previously where sports sat in the culture, I think most people do now.
This avenue of distraction, of fun and entertainment has become a Cul de Sac without warning.
In years gone by, two new All-Ireland champions would have been crowned in Croke Park. Today, people queued in their cars on Jones' Road, awaiting a nurse to swab them for the Covid-19 virus.
It was a St Patrick's Day like no other, but then this is a virus like no other. Covid-19 has stopped the entire world in its tracks. Or at least it should have.
Knowing when to begin sports again will be a difficult question to answer, but it will be an important green shoot of recovery. Knowing when to stop them turned into a controversial decision, when it didn't really have to.
Decisions
Massive sums of money are involved rarely lead to good decisions being made. From a sporting point of view, it is hard to reflect on the last few weeks and not marvel at the incredulous decision to allow the 2020 Cheltenham Festival to proceed. The health repercussions of this event are yet to be felt, and it certain that history will not be kind to those who allowed a quarter of a million people to congregate over 4 days, while the country around it began to cower in submission
Globally, few events have survived the virus shutdown, a Post-Malone concert in Vegas proceeded in the midst of public quarantine, and a variety of early St Patrick's Day celebrations went ahead in oblivious ignorance. Swarms of people in the south and northside of Chicago led the Illinois Governor to make an unscheduled press conference, pleading with these people to go home. Indirectly, the people who thronged the pubs of Temple Bar on the Friday before the 17th March may have done Ireland a huge solid.
The spine-tingling reaction that resulted led the Irish Government to close all pubs in the country, just a few days before their biggest trading day of the year. Fearing an onslaught from across the border, many pubs and bars along the border did the same, exercising immense restraint and social responsibility in the midst of a leadership vacuum in the British State.
NBA
In the United States, a similar absence of clear direction from the federal government has led state governors and the leaders of sporting bodies to take matters into their own hands. As in the past, basketball was at the forefront of social responsibility in American sport. The events that led to the suspension of the world's most high-profile sports league were dramatic almost beyond belief.
Adam Silver, NBA commissioner has already dealt with two major catastrophes in his sport this season. The passing of Kobe Bryant in a helicopter crash along with his daughter Gianna and three other people, led to a global wake of sorts, and an outpouring of grief previously unseen in American Sports. Bill Simmons of The Ringer described it aptly as "The saddest day in the history of the NBA". And indeed, the first crisis for Basketball like Covid-19 had its roots in China, when a pre-season tour for the Houston Rockets was suddenly cut short after its General Manager Daryl Morey expressed support for pro-democracy protestors in Hong Kong.
The swiftness in how the NBA season was shut down was stunning. The first ripple in the water was the confirmation that Frenchman Rudy Gobert of the Utah Jazz had tested positive for Covid-19.
As Gobert's diagnosis was confirmed, the NBA's BrainTrust had already been drawing up contingencies. Plans had been made to play games behind closed doors for sometime, which would have led to some fascinating audio gathered from the stadiums.
As it was, this never came to pass. The Utah / OKC game that night was never played, and officials and players were confined to the dressing rooms as medical teams decided what to do next.
Even more dramatic was how the game was postponed in the moment. When the diagnosis of Gobert was confirmed, the NBA brass were resolute. Clearly the no-fans games were dependent upon there being no infection among the playing base. Gobert's diagnosis shattered all of those plans. The Oklahoma City Medical Director sprinted on court literally minutes before the game was to start to gather the match officials together. Within minutes the stadium was emptied of fans and within the hour, the entire NBA season had been suspended.
Although he has been humble contrite since his illness was confirmed, the sight of Gobert childishly rubbing the microphones of the assembled media members leaving a press briefing a few days earlier is am image he may never be able to recover from.
Preventing Parish from meeting Parish
A similarly swift reaction in Ireland was the decision of the GAA to immediately cease all activities. This decision will undoubtedly save lives down the line, as in one statement, the authorities in Croke Park were able to dramatically limit the movements and gathering of literally millions of people. In some ways, this decision was more important even than closing of schools, as it prevented parish from meeting parish, and sent a strong message to the nation that it was not 'business as usual'.
All over the country, people have been trying to create their new normal. A burst of sunshine of the first quarantine weekend led to massive backlashes, and a rationalisation of what was allowed. More and more public parks and spaces have been closed, in the aim of reducing the appeal of travelling any distance from your home.
With pitches closed and trainings on pause, clubs have been engaging their members in different digital ways, and in some ways it has been uniting to see Olympic athletes and stars like Leo Messi and Padraig Harrington come up with new novel ways to entertain themselves and their children in the back garden. Their gardens may be a bit nicer than most, but keepie uppies with a toilet roll is something anyone can identify with.
Lone Practice
It did occur to me that this period may engender a new appreciation for the value of individual, lone practice. Certainly, as a young lad I spent hours by myself hitting balls of varying descriptions off whatever wall I could find, and made it to the ripe age of 23 before I broke my first window. Perhaps this enforced isolation will impress upon a generation that they do not need communal practices to become great, it is through a lonely, obsessive routine that improvement is seen in anything you do.
Huge Hunger for Games
As sports fans, all we can do now is dream of the day that we can cheer again. It seems clear that the path out of this abeyance of games will not be fast or sudden. Society will slowly start to turn itself back on. People will be afraid to do that. The months of warnings we have absorbed about mass gatherings and the contagion that we risk in these settings will not simply melt away. And there is the solemn fear we all contain inside, knowing that many families will lose loved ones before society loses its restrictions. Their lives will not in the moment be celebrated or retold to congregations. They will quietly fade from view until a time comes when friends can gather to remember those gone.
That day will come, and when it does there will be a huge hunger for games. Both in the public, and certainly in the teams of athletes who can only take so many weeks of sit-ups with their kids and washing-up liquid treadmills. So too amongst the sports media, who for weeks now have had to content themselves with speculation about how each sport will design their comeback, along with some backyard commentating on their Labradors and toddlers.
There have been some individual charitable contributions which have risen above the fray. In America, Kevin Love was one of the first NBA stars to shine a light on the cause of the arena workers, whose zero-hour contracts saw them in almost immediate financial jeopardy when the sports shut down. Cristiano Ronaldo is one of the great philanthropists in sports today and has already donated millions towards the fightback and asked for a suspension of his wages from Juventus.
GAA clubs were of course to the fore of the Covid-t19 fightback in Ireland, knitting together the loose threads in their communities, vital searchlights in the dark days of this virus. It is crucial those fallen between the cracks get found again and sewn back into the fabric of their neighbourhoods.
There will be a great, joyous day when Ireland and other countries around the world can laugh, sing, dance and hug again. Sport will be a part of that celebration. It is the icing on the cake of life. The fizz in our glass, the biscuit with our tea. It allows us to unite as tribes, and bang our clan drums in defiant abandon. For now, the tribes must unite in defiance of our common unseen enemy.
Until then, its washing our hands, maniacally spraying ourselves with sanitizer, and staying a Michael Jordan's length away from everyone in the street. Waving to our mums and nannies through the kitchen windows, will soon turn in to waving our flags and banners on the terraces and stands. For now though, we all know what the score is. We’re down a few scores, and we’ve a way to go before half time.
Author: Conor Keenan
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Earlier this month (12 March) the Chairperson of Newry, Mourne and Down District Council, Councillor Charlie Casey hosted the Shinken Shobu Ryu Judo Club, Warrenpoint at the Council Civic Centre in Newry to celebrate its recent successes. After competing in many prestigious competitions over the past year, the club has won seven gold medals, eight silver medals and seven bronze medals.
The club was formed 45 years ago by Martin Savage, who is still a key player in the technical aspects of the club to this day, despite his retirement to France. The club endures due to its strong ethos of promoting the sport at a grass roots level. Coaches Nigel O’Neill and Dermot McCaul have recently held Judo sessions in schools in Warrenpoint and Mayobridge to try and encourage the love of the sport within young people in their local community.
Speaking at the event Chairperson, Councillor Charlie Casey said, “I would like to congratulate the Judo Club on all of its successes over the years. It is great to see them compete in so many competitions locally and internationally, demonstrating exceptional skills and grit in all forms of Kata. One of the Council’s key objectives is to support improved health and wellbeing outcomes within the district and it is so important that we highlight the achievements of local clubs and societies that help us deliver on these.
Cllr Charlie Casey continued, “I know Shinken Shobu Ryu Judo Club has had a very busy year in 2019 winning many medals, putting the Club on the map. For this reason, I am delighted to present the club with an engraved bowl as a token of my Council’s appreciation, and to show how proud we are of each and every one of these young ambassadors for Newry, Mourne and Down. It is evident that there is a brilliant combination of teamwork, skill, and high quality of comradeship, which have been major factors in the success and longevity of the Judo Club.”
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Statement from GAA HQ
All club, county and educational activities have been suspended until March 29 (inclusive). This includes all games, training and team gatherings at all ages and all grades.
An Coiste Craobh Rua expect that all the above instructions are adhered to by Club players,coaches & mentors & members.
Fanacht sábháilte /Stay Safe
Stay safe and let’s all do our part to beat this virus by preventing its spreading. Our Club is part of this community and will play whatever role is needed to ensure that we promote and encourage the health and well being of all.
We are committed to quietly and appropriately watch out for ourselves, our families, friends and neighbours.
Le Chéile (Together) is the Craobh Rua battlecry and now more than ever we need to work together in a spirit of care and responsibility.
Lá fhéile Pádraig sona dhaoibh
We wish all a Happy & Safe St Patricks Day.
Advice Courtesy of Extern
During this time of heightened stress, it’s essential that we care for ourselves and manage our anxiety.
Although we may not be able to choose exactly how coronavirus impacts our community, we can choose how we respond to it emotionally.
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Club Activties Suspended
Due to the ongoing Coronavirus situation and in line with the latest advice issued by the GAA, all club activities including games, training and team gatherings at all ages and grades, have been suspended until 29 March. Please keep an eye on our social media outlets for further updates.
Stay Safe
In these unprecedented times we are encouraging everyone to look after themselves and to look after others. Shane O’Neill’s is a vital part of the local community and we will continue to play our part during this difficult period. If anyone in the local community needs any groceries, prescriptions collected or any other help in the coming weeks please make contact with any of our committee members and we will be more than happy to help. The club are continuing to put together food hampers for those in need and committee members are meeting at the club tomorrow night at 7.00pm should anyone wish to donate anything for inclusion in a hamper.
Physio Required
Despite the cancellation of all club activities we are still on the look out for a physio for our senior team. If anyone is interested, or knows of anyone who would be interested in coming onboard please contact Brendy Osborne on 07543 806274.
Last Man Standing
Our Last Man Standing competition came down to the final two with Paul Mallon and Brendan Fitzpatrick agreeing to split the winnings between, with both of the lads collecting £500 each. Well done to Paul and Brendan and the club would like to thank all those who entered and to all hide who helped organise the fundraiser.
Lotto
Last weeks winning lotto numbers were 9, 18, 21 & 29. There were no jackpot winners and 1 x lucky dip winner. The jackpot now stands at an impressive £5700.
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The GAA have suspended all events until 29 March in light of the Coronavirus pandemic.
In a statement a spokesperson said "In light of this morning’s Government announcement, the GAA, An Cumann Camógaíochta and the Ladies Gaelic Football Association have decided to suspend all activity at club, county and educational levels until March 29 (inclusive) from midnight."
Several local clubs have already issued notification of their intention to close and the rest are expected to follow.
Notifications already announced include Newry Bosco, Shane O'Neiil's, Lissummon, Newry Shamrocks and Crossmaglen Rangers.
Locally it will affect the Armagh v Roscommon and Down v Leitrim National Football League fixtures, Armagh v Cavan and Down v Laois Ladies Football fixture, as well as hurling and the Schools Macrory Cup Final between St Colman's and St PAtrick's Maghera.
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Dale Farm have announced plans to fund four iconic sporting bodies and player development programmes in a bid to create a meaningful legacy across grassroots sports locally.
Ulster GAA, Irish Football Association, Queen’s Sport and Athletics NI will benefit from financial support and an official supply of Dale Farm Protein Milk to fuel athletes and players.
Dale Farm Protein Milk has been announced as the official named sponsor of the Ulster GAA Minor Football League and the IFA’s Harry Cavan Youth Cup, nurturing the development of rising stars as well as the Official Protein Milk Supplier to Athletics Northern Ireland’s Youth Academy. This adds to their existing sponsorship of Queen’s University Gaelic Games and Elite Athlete Programme.
Dale Farm has a long history of investing in sports and activities that promote a healthy lifestyle. The company first stepped into the sports nutrition arena in 2015 with the launch of its innovative fresh protein milk product and has since doubled its product portfolio in response to consumer demand with the addition of two new flavours, Coffee and Madagascan Vanilla.
Dale Farm Protein Milk is a fresh milk product with 25g protein per 500ml and only 1% fat as well as all the vital vitamins and minerals of regular milk.
Speaking about the announcement, Senior Brand Manager, Dale Farm, Aisling Bremner said “To be an official partner to four sporting organisations that touch the lives of communities across Northern Ireland is a proud moment for Dale Farm.
“Grassroot partnerships are the cornerstone of our sports development strategy and these sponsorships are an ideal fit for Dale Farm, given our nutrition and wellbeing is at the core of our business.
“Ulster GAA, IFA, Queen’s Sport and Athletics NI are an integral part of everyday life for many people who live here and, like them, Dale Farm is rooted in the community. Indeed, our cooperative is owned by 1,300 local farmers who supply us with milk.
“We understand that athletes and players from a young age train to a very high standard, and we passionately believe they will benefit from Dale Farm Protein Milk from a nutritional perspective and now through this strategic sponsorship programme.”
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