Cork County Board Updates

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Update To Clubs And counties


Updated Advice to Clubs and Counties – Oct 7th 2020
7th October 2020/
Following confirmation that all 26 Counties will move to Level 3 of the Irish Government’s Plan for Living with Covid 19, the GAA’s Covid Advisory group has issued the following key updates for those involved in Gaelic Games in the 26 Counties. The Executive in the North is due to meet later this week and it is anticipated that further restrictions may be imposed due to the rising infection levels in the six counties.

CLUB SPECIFIC GUIDELINES

1. Club Games

The GAA, Camogie and LGFA have taken the decision that no club games should take place until further notice and for at least the next two weekends.

This position will then be reviewed and we will contact Clubs and Counties with any update on this position when it is available.

2. Club Training

In level 3, all underage training must be on a non-contact basis in pods of up to 15. Adult teams can continue to train as normal.

All clubs and players are reminded that Health Questionnaires and all other relevant control measures must continue to be followed for club training.

Adult Club players living in a County classified as Level 3 may travel to their Home Counties to participate in Training.

3. Use of Indoor Team Facilities

Dressing rooms, showers, gyms and all other indoor training facilities should remain closed for club activities.

4. Committee Meetings

No indoor meetings should be held.

5. Officer Training

All officer Training must be delivered on line. Outdoor coaching education courses may be held but are subject to a 15 person maximum.

6. Club Bars

Club Bars must remain closed until further notice

7. Indoor Events on GAA Property

Commercial use of indoor halls continues to be permitted where agreement was in place prior to March and relevant insurance are in place. Use by State bodies e.g. HSE/Schools is also permitted.

These are the only instances in which indoor activity is permitted on GAA Club property.

8. Outdoor Events on GAA Property

Gatherings of up to 15 people only are permitted. As such, fundraisers such as fittest family, Couch to 5k etc should not be organised.

Planned drive in events may continue, however patrons must remain in their vehicle for the entire duration of the event with no access to club facilities including bathrooms.

ADVICE FOR 2ND LEVEL SCHOOLS AND 3RD LEVEL INSTITUTIONS

9. Games and Training

Neither competitive nor challenge games are permitted in 2nd Level schools.

Training can continue on a non-contact basis in pods of no more than 15 people

No games or training sessions are permitted in 3rd level institutions in either jurisdiction.

INTER COUNTY SPECIFIC GUIDELINES

10. Use of Indoor Team Facilities

Inter county activity has been classified as an exemption to the normal restrictive provisions by the Government. Therefore the use of such facilities currently is for Inter County Teams only (Senior, U20, Minor) and should be carried out in accordance with the Return to Training and Play for Inter County Teams advice document issued recently.

Inter County players may use their relevant Club Gym for individual training as long as they are following the advice in the Inter County Return to Training and Play document.

Adult Club players living in a County classified as Level 3 may travel to their Home Counties to participate in Training.

11. Inter County Challenge Games

Inter County Challenge games may take place at Senior level only.

From midnight tonight, October 7th, challenge games can no longer take place at U20 or Minor grades.

12. Attendances at Inter County Games

In Level 3, all inter county games must be played behind closed doors.

The position with respect to the 6 Counties is currently being reviewed – further guidance for both jurisdictions on spectator arrangements (if any) will issue in due course for the Allianz Leagues, Provincial and All Ireland Championships

For Minor intercounty games or training sessions staged behind closed doors and because they involve players aged 17 and under,

· No more than 1 designated individual (parent/guardian) should attend a training session or game per child/family/group of children.

· The GAA Health Questionnaires MUST be completed by parents/guardians in advance of attendance.

Parents are NOT permitted to be in attendance at adult or U20 games where their child (U18) is participating. However, provision can be made to allow an adult to be in close proximity (e.g. in the car park etc) in case medical or other emergency needs require their presence.

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For those - including myself - who might have missed the Christy Ring  special in the Examiner, Cork GAA now have a biography of the great man up on the site. I'm not sure if it's the same as appeared in the Examiner, but it's interesting. It includes the skills of hurling video he did with Louis Marcus.

Christy Ring- 100 Years

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County Committee Report

"In an update on finances, Kevin O’Donovan noted and thanked county championship sponsors Co-Op Superstores and Bon Secours Hospital also The Irish Examiner for coming on board as streaming partners. He confirmed that The Irish Examiner had paid a fee to Cork GAA for the rights to stream games for 3 years. Kevin thanked both Sinead O’ Keeffe (Commercial Manager) and Michelle Hussey (Accounts Manager) for all their work in relation to both Cork GAA and Páirc Uí Chaoimh. He also thanked the season ticket holders and the premium seat holders for their understanding in relation to ticket distribution for the county championship games. Chairperson Tracey Kennedy added her thanks to the sponsors for coming on board and said she was delighted to have really strong brands associated with Cork GAA, particularly in this challenging year, and looked forward to the development of those relationships into the future. She also noted the contribution of Sinéad O’Keeffe to these partnerships.

Kevin O’Donovan again outlined the plan for the new Rebels’ Bounty fundraiser and dealt with various queries submitted by clubs. The launch date had been delayed by Covid-19 but he hoped that this could take place in the coming weeks. In terms of a brochure, as requested by many clubs, Kevin reported that this and other promotional material would be supplied to clubs as soon as possible. Clubs were reminded that a recording of the webinar has been emailed to them, which they may wish to use at meetings. The approval process was outlined and clubs will be contacted in relation to this in the very near future."

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Cork County Championship formats for 2021.
Cork county Championships 2021

This is the document -

Cork County Senior and Intermediate Championships 2021

Following a comprehensive review process throughout 2018 and 2019, the Championship formats outlined below were approved at County Committee for a period of two years, 2020 and 2021. In 2021 this format will be implemented as outlined below, with a number of additional amendments which proved successful in 2020 and will be retained.

Two teams (instead of three) will progress from the groups of four to the play-off stages, thus removing the need for preliminary quarter-finals. This will result in six teams qualifying for the play-off stages in most competitions, with the two top group winners qualifying for the semi-finals and the remaining group winner and the three second -placed teams qualifying for the quarter-finals. In the Premier Senior championships with only top-ranked group winner will qualify for the semi-finals and the remaining two group winners, the three second-placed teams and the divisions / colleges winner qualifying for the quarter-finals. In IAFC, two teams will qualify from each of the four groups, as before.
In all grades, the relegation final will be a straight play-off between the two lowest ranked teams (in terms of points won and scoring difference) amongst the bottom-placed teams from each group, with the exception of IAHC where two teams will be relegated after a three-team round robin.
All knock-out games will be finish on the day, where necessary, and as decided by the CCC.
Clarification was provided in 2020 with regard to avoiding repeat pairings in quarter-finals. and this is also incorporated below, with no repeat pairings in semi-finals.
Seeding for 2021 will be based on final positions after the group stages in 2020, with promotion and relegation taking precedence.

Despite a number of requests, it is still planned to abolish the LIHC grade at the end of 2021. Also, the county-wide review of Junior championships at Divisional level, that was agreed in line with this measure, will take place in early 2021.

As uncertainty currently prevails with regard to the 2021 GAA calendar, no decision has been made by the CCC at this point with regard to schedule of dates for the coming year. The format included here would require a Club season with a minimum of twelve weeks, however a period of fourteen weeks or more would be more appropriate. Championship draws will take place when there is more certainty regarding the national calendar and a championship programme will follow immediately after.

The format / scheduling of Divisional / College rounds will be confirmed at a later date following further consultation with the Divisions / Colleges. There has been no decision on the number of teams that will qualify for the U21 A football or Junior A Football and Hurling County competitions. This will depend on the window available.

It is planned to organise the County Senior and Intermediate Leagues (Divisions 1-5) in 2021 along the same lines as last year. Teams that are relegated in championships shall retain their league status as both competitions are now decoupled. Teams relegated to Junior A will retain their position in the County leagues should they wish to do so. Plans to organise Junior regional leagues in partnership with the divisions, as discussed last year, may be postponed until 2022, due to the prevailing uncertainty around 2021. Further consultation with the divisions to follow.

Summary

96 Club teams in total in the County Senior & Intermediate Championships by 2022
Four Grades with 12 Teams in both Football and Hurling
oPremier Senior
oSenior A
oPremier Intermediate
oIntermediate A
Transition period across 2020 / 2021 will see 16 teams remain in IAFC and an extra hurling grade of 12 hurling teams in Lower Intermediate (LIHC)
Grades
oPremier Senior Football Championship PSFC
oSenior A Football Championship SAFC
oPremier Intermediate Football Championship PIFC
oIntermediate A Football Championship IAFC
oPremier Senior Hurling Championship PSHC
oSenior A Hurling Championship SAHC
oPremier Intermediate Hurling Championship PIHC
oIntermediate A Hurling Championship IAHC
oLower Intermediate Hurling Championship LIHC
Seedings These are based on final positions after the group stages in 2020, with promotion and relegation taking precedence.
Sequence of Group Games R1 (A v B, C v D); R2 (A v D, B v C); R3 (A v C, B v D).
Placings as per Rule 6.21 Placing within groups for qualification / relegation will be determined in line with general rule, as follows:
oif two teams are tied, it will be based on the head-to-head result.
oif three or more teams are tied, it will be based on scoring difference.
oalso, placing across groups will be determined by points won and scoring difference.
Qualification two teams from each groups qualify for the semi-finals / quarter-finals as outlined in each grade below.
Relegation ‘one up one down’ typically, apart from IAHC and apart from end-2021 when five teams will be relegated from IAFC to Junior and all teams remaining in LIHC will be relegated to Junior.
Divisions / Colleges one team to enter at quarter-final stage of the Premier Senior Championships. Format / scheduling of Divisional / College rounds to be confirmed later following further consultation with the Divisions / Colleges.
Draw Format & Procedure In all competitions with 12 teams (3 groups of 4), draws will take place as follows: There will be 3 Groups to be filled (labelled 1 to 3). There will be 3 top seeds, 3 second seeds, 3 third seeds and 3 fourth seeds. Firstly, the three top seeds will be placed in the bowl. Each will be drawn and placed in Groups A to C in order. Then, the three second seeds will be placed in the bowl. Each will be drawn and placed in Groups 1 to 3 in order. Then, the three C seeds will be placed in the bowl Each will be drawn and placed in Groups 1 to 3 in order. To conclude, the three D seeds will be placed in the bowl. Each will be drawn and placed in Groups 1 to 3 in order. *Exception For IAFC where there are 16 teams there will instead be four top seeds placed in the bowl. They will be drawn and placed in Groups 1 to 4 in order and so on.

Premier Senior Hurling & Football

12 Teams
3 Groups of 4 Teams, each with a top seed, second seed, third seed and fourth seed included
3 Games each
Divisional and College teams will play in their own competition as before, with one team gaining entry to the Championship proper at the quarter-final stage. Players from the 24 Senior Clubs (Premier Senior and Senior A ) will not be eligible to play with such teams as per bye-law. Cork will represented in provincial Club competitions by the Premier Senior, Premier Intermediate and Junior A champions, as before.

Premier Senior Hurling Championship Seedings 2021
Top seeds Second seeds Third Seeds Fourth seeds
Glen Rovers Douglas Newtownshandrum Carrigtwohill
Blackrock Erins Own Midleton Bishopstown
Sarsfields Na Piarsaigh St. Finbarr’s Charleville

Premier Senior Football Championship Seedings 2021
Top seeds Second seeds Third Seeds Fourth seeds
Castlehaven Newcestown Carbery Rangers Carrigaline
Nemo Rangers Ballincollig Douglas Ilen Rovers
St. Finbarr’s Valley Rovers Clonakilty Mallow / Eire Óg

Qualification
In the Premier Senior Hurling and Football Championships, only the top group winner will qualify for the semi-finals, with the remaining two group winners, the three second-placed teams and the divisions / colleges winner qualifying for the three quarter-finals.

Teams (1-6) will be ranked as follows, on completion of the group stages:
1.Top Group winner
2.Second Group winner
3.Third Group winner
4.Top Group runner-up
5.Second Group runner-up
6.Third Group runner up

Quarter-finals: (a) 2v5, (b) 3v4, (c) 6 v Divisions / Colleges winner
Semi-finals: 1 v (b), (a) v (c)

A repeat pairing is possible in the quarter finals in (a) 2v5 and (b) 3v4 above. If either scenario arises, then team 2 will instead play team 4, and team 3 will play team 5. Repeat pairings in semi-finals will be avoided, with pairings being adjusted where necessary.

Relegation
The relegation final will be a straight play-off between the two lowest ranked teams (in terms of points won and scoring difference) amongst the three bottom placed teams from the groups.

Senior A Hurling & Football

12 Teams
3 Groups of 4 Teams, each with a top seed, second seed, third seed and fourth seed included
3 Games each

Senior A Hurling Championship Seedings 2021
Top seeds Second seeds Third Seeds Fourth seeds
Ballyhea Newcestown Fermoy Mallow
Fr. O’Neill’s Bride Rovers Cloyne Killeagh
Kanturk Bandon Ballymartle Blarney

Senior A Football Championship Seedings 2021
Top seeds Second seeds Third Seeds Fourth seeds
Bishopstown Mallow / Eire Òg Kiskeam Dohenys
O’D Rossa St. Michael’s Clyda Rovers Bantry Blues
Fermoy Bandon Béal Áth an Ghaorthaidh Knocknagree / Kanturk


Qualification
Two teams will progress from each group of four to the play-off stages. This will result in six teams qualifying for the play-off stages, with the two top group winners qualifying for the semi-finals and the remaining group winner and the three second -placed teams qualifying for the quarter-finals. 
 
Teams (1-6) will be ranked as follows, on completion of the group stages:
1.Top Group winner
2.Second Group winner
3.Third Group winner
4.Top Group runner-up
5.Second Group runner-up
6.Third Group runner up

Quarter-finals: (a) 3v6, (b) 4v5
Semi-finals: 1 v (b), 2 v (a)

A repeat pairing is possible in the quarter finals in (a) 3v6 above. If this arises 3 will instead play 5 and 4 will play 6. Repeat pairings in semi-finals will be avoided, with pairings being adjusted where necessary.

Relegation
The relegation final will be a straight play-off between the two lowest ranked teams (in terms of points won and scoring difference) amongst the three bottom placed teams from the groups.


Premier Intermediate Hurling & Football

12 Teams
3 Groups of 4 Teams, each with a top seed, second seed, third seed and fourth seed included
3 Games each

Premier Intermediate Hurling Championship Seedings 2021
Top seeds Second seeds Third Seeds Fourth seeds
Kilworth Watergrasshill Ballinhassig Aghada
Carrigaline Ballincollig Youghal Valley Rovers
Castlelyons Courcey Rovers Inniscarra Aghabullogue / Eire Óg

Premier Intermediate Football Championship Seedings 2021
Top seeds Second seeds Third Seeds Fourth seeds
St. Nick’s Nemo Rangers Macroom Naomh Abán
Cill na Martra Kanturk / Knocknagree Castletownbere Na Piarsaigh
Newmarket Aghada St. Vincent’s Mitchelstown / Rockchapel

Qualification
Two teams will progress from each group of four to the play-off stages. This will result in six teams qualifying for the play-off stages, with the two top group winners qualifying for the semi-finals and the remaining group winner and the three second -placed teams qualifying for the quarter-finals. 

Teams (1-6) will be ranked as follows, on completion of the group stages:
1.Top Group winner
2.Second Group winner
3.Third Group winner
4.Top Group runner-up
5.Second Group runner-up
6.Third Group runner up

Quarter-finals: (a) 3v6, (b) 4v5
Semi-finals: 1 v (b), 2 v (a)

A repeat pairing is possible in the quarter finals in (a) 3v6 above. If this arises 3 will instead play 5 and 4 will play 6. Repeat pairings in semi-finals will be avoided, with pairings being adjusted where necessary.

Relegation
The relegation final will be a straight play-off between the two lowest ranked teams (in terms of points won and scoring difference) amongst the three bottom placed teams from the groups.


Intermediate A Hurling

12 Teams
3 Groups of 4 Teams, each with a top seed, second seed, third seed and fourth seed included
3 Games each

Intermediate A Hurling Championship Seedings 2021
Top seeds Second seeds Third Seeds Fourth seeds
Blackrock Sarsfields Midleton Argideen Rangers / Meelin / Glen Rovers
Aghabullogue / Eire Óg Mayfield Dungourney Russell Rovers / Castlemartyr
Kildorrery Cloughduv Douglas Junior A winners

Qualification
Two teams will progress from each group of four to the play-off stages. This will result in six teams qualifying for the play-off, with the two top group winners qualifying for the semi-finals and the remaining group winner and the three second -placed teams qualifying for the quarter-finals. 
 
Teams (1-6) will be ranked as follows, on completion of the group stages:
1.Top Group winner
2.Second Group winner
3.Third Group winner
4.Top Group runner-up
5.Second Group runner-up
6.Third Group runner up

Quarter-finals: (a) 3v6, (b) 4v5
Semi-finals: 1 v (b), 2 v (a)

A repeat pairing is possible in the quarter finals in (a) 3v6 above. If this arises 3 will instead play 5 and 4 will play 6. Repeat pairings in semi-finals will be avoided, with pairings being adjusted where necessary.

Relegation
In the Intermediate A Hurling Championship, two teams will be relegated in order to facilitate the promotion of the 2021 County Junior A winners straight to Intermediate A. Therefore, a round robin between the bottom teams in each group will be required in this case.



Intermediate A Football

16 Teams
4 Groups of 4 Teams, each with a top seed, second seed, third seed and fourth seed included
3 Games each

Intermediate A Football Championship Seedings 2021
Top seeds Second seeds Third Seeds Fourth seeds
Gabriel Rangers Aghabullogue Dromtarriffe Glenville
Mitchelstown / Rockchapel Ballinora Kildorrery Ballydesmond
Kilshannig Glanworth St. Finbarr’s Glanmire
Millstreet Kinsale Adrigole Junior A winners

Qualification
In Intermediate A Football Championship there are four groups of four, so the top two from each group will qualify for the quarter-finals, where group winners will play a group runner up from another group.

Teams (1- will be ranked as follows, on completion of the group stages:
1.Top Group winner
2.Second Group winner
3.Third Group winner
4.Fourth Group winner
5.Top Group runner-up
6.Second Group runner-up
7.Third Group runner up
8.Fourth Group runner-up

Quarter-finals: (a) 1v8, (b) 2v7, (c) 3v6, (d) 4v5
Semi-finals: (a) v (d), (b) v (c)

A repeat pairing is possible in all quarter finals here. If a repeat pairing occurs, the second team in the fixture will move down to the next fixture on the list with group winners playing group runners up in all cases. If a repeat pairing occurs in the last quarter-final (d) (i.e. 4v5), then team 3 plays team 5 and team 4 plays team 6. Repeat pairings in semi-finals will be avoided, with pairings being adjusted where necessary.

Relegation
The Intermediate A grade is to be reduced from 16 to 12 teams at the end of 2021 with five teams to be relegated to Junior A instead of the usual one. At the end of 2021, the County Junior A champions will be promoted and 5 teams will be relegated from Intermediate A. These 5 teams will be selected as follows: the bottom team in each of the four groups along with a straight play-off involving the four 3rd placed teams to identify the fifth team to be relegated.

This will facilitate 48 football teams participating across four football grades from the start of 2022.

Lower Intermediate Hurling

12 Teams
3 Groups of 4 Teams, each with a top seed, second seed, third seed and fourth seed included
3 Games each

Lower Intermediate Hurling Championship Seedings 2021
Top seeds Second seeds Third Seeds Fourth seeds
Argideen Rangers / Meelin / Glen Rovers St. Catherine’s / Russell Rovers Milford Dripsey
Argideen Rangers / Meelin / Glen Rovers Tracton St. Finbarr’s Grenagh
Castlemartyr / St. Catherine’s Kilbrittain Ballygarvan Barryroe

Qualification
Two teams will progress from each group of four to the play-off stages. This will result in six teams qualifying for the play-off stages with the two top group winners qualifying for the semi-finals and the remaining group winner and the three second -placed teams qualifying for the quarter-finals.

Teams (1-6) will be ranked as follows, on completion of the group stages:
1.Top Group winner
2.Second Group winner
3.Third Group winner
4.Top Group runner-up
5.Second Group runner-up
6.Third Group runner up

Quarter-finals: (a) 3v6, (b) 4v5
Semi-finals: 1 v (b), 2 v (a)

A repeat pairing is possible in the quarter finals in (a) 3v6 above. If this arises 3 will instead play 5 and 4 will play 6. Repeat pairings in semi-finals will be avoided, with pairings being adjusted where necessary.

Relegation
The Lower Intermediate Hurling championship grade is to be abolished at the end of 2021 with all teams regraded to Junior.

At the end of 2021, two teams will be relegated from the Intermediate A grade (4th grade) to Junior A, along with the remaining eleven teams in Lower Intermediate (5th grade). They will be replaced by the 2021 Lower Intermediate (5th grade) winners and by the 2021 Junior A winners.

This will facilitate 48 hurling teams across four grades from the start of 2022.

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Who does the county board website? Are they gonna update it at all? We have a PRO right

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Joseph Blake of Adrigole. His phone number and email are on the website.

I wonder are County Board meetings now held over video-conferencing (Zoom). It would be nice to know what’s going on.
Tracey Kennedy was very active when she had the job and was always very accessible to the ordinary supporter.

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County Committee Report

"The Runaí then spoke about the new One Cork group which will be launched on Thursday. He explained that it was 12 months in the works and was the coming together of Cork GAA, Chairde Chorcaí, the stadium board and the financial advisory and planning sub-committee. It would be dealing with the stadium finances, with games and with the County Board finances. It is a sub committee and would be a support structure under Cork County Board. It has been approved by Executive . The Cathaoirleach welcomed the new initiative, which had been approved by the Executive and thanked all involved in its development and reported that the launch would take place online on Thursday evening.

The Runaí spoke about the Rebels’ Bounty and the correspondence that had been received. A number of objections had been raised by approximately 20% of clubs, while much positive feedback had also been received. A support committee had been set up to support those clubs who had reservations, and the Executive felt that the time was right to move on with the project. The brochure was complete and had been approved. The website would be live on the first weekend December and this model would be in place for 3 years. The Cathaoirleach described the Rebels’ Bounty as a fantastic opportunity for clubs and hoped that both County Board and clubs would soon reap the benefits.*

"The Runaí said he was hoping to see the Cork Minor teams and Under 20 hurling team in action before Christmas, but that this would become clearer in the next few days."

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“ONE CORK”

(The One Cork) "programme has ambition to realise €20 million+ in revenue over the next five years
Cork GAA has unveiled an ambitious new programme of investment and commercial activity that it expects will realise over €20 million in revenue over the next five years.
The income – through commercial revenue including; Cork County Board and stadia sponsorship, concerts and stadium rental and advertising – will be used to invest heavily in clubs across Cork, and in a better resourced county structure.
One Cork amalgamates all of the existing organisations working to further the sport across the county, including the Cork County Board, the Páirc Uí Chaoimh Stadium Board, Cairde Chorcaí, the clubs and the army of dedicated supporters of Cork GAA.
The ambition of One Cork is to make Cork GAA one of the most successful sporting organisations in the country, both on and off the pitch. By investing properly in clubs, schools and county structures, One Cork will lay the groundwork for future success at every level from Rebel Óg to Inter-County."

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Is this a good thing or what? I cant figure it out

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Only time will tell, I suppose. Weren't Cairdre Chorcai supposed to the main fund-raising body? I can't recall hearing of any of their achievements. Now they are being subsumed into One Cork, so we can assume they weren’t as big a success as was hoped.

I see one of their options still appears to be stadium sponsorship. I wouldn’t have any objections to having a company name attached to it, if it meant easing some of the expense of running it

[Ben]

What do we think of the new Rebel Bounty county board draw?
I think that it hasn't been thought out fully or else it's grossly biased in favour of the bigger clubs.
It should have been based on club membership rather than what grade your adult team is in.
For example a dual club like Ballincollig for example has to sell 100 tickets. One club in a town of 15-20k people while a parish like Enniskeane that happens to have 3 small junior clubs will have to sell 150 tickets. Doesn't make any sense to me.

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For those who want to read the hoop-la -

REBELS’ BOUNTY launched

€100 is a ridiculous price to charge for one ticket and shows a lack of knowledge of the value of money at this time of scarcity for many people. It tells more about the income of the people who devised it, than anything else. No careful counting of money for them.

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The counting of votes in the 2 elections for county officers took place this evening. Pat Horgan @MidletonGaa will be the new Vice-Chairperson and Jerry Walsh @ballydesmondgaa will be the new coaching officer. Thank you to all those who put their name forward for election.

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https://gaacork.ie/2020/12/04/election-of-officers/

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From the Echo


THE ongoing Covid situation has impacted substantially on the Cork County Board’s revenue account for the year ended October 31, 2020.

In a very comprehensive financial report delivered by County Board treasurer, Diarmuid Gowen it was revealed that gate receipts, in particular, were reduced considerably from the previous year, going from €825, 664 in 2019 down to just €178,183 in 2020.

That, of course, was fully expected given that the bulk of the major games were played behind closed doors or if not with just a few hundred present because of the guidelines laid down by the HSE and by the Government.

The share of the national leagues was down quite a lot too, going from €169,232 in 2019 to just €78,628 in 2020.

Commercial income was down too, being €639,500 in 2019 to €616,500 in 2020.

The County Board’s expenditure was reduced too with match expenses for 2020 just €92,288 as against €407,976 for the previous year.

Inter-county teams expenses were €1,171,084 for 2020 as against €1,627,483 for 2019.


Coaching and Games Development (youth) were impacted significantly too, just €198,701 for this year as against €1,237,013 in 2019.

The total expenditure for the year was €1,824,117, reduced substantially from €3,871,426 for the year 2019.

The Cork GAA members draw yielded a surplus of €246,136 as against €160,072 in 2019.

Meanwhile, in a very comprehensive report to the annual convention. County Secretary Kevin O’Donovan had warm words of praise for outgoing chairperson Tracey Kennedy who has completed three years in the post.


“Over the past nine years as an officer, particularly in the past three in the driving seat of the chair, you have been a constant force for change in the organisation, not just in terms of ideas but in the approach and determination to allow all voices to be heard.

“I have no doubt the seeds you have sown in terms of championship reform, the football plan, the appointment of team managements, the formation of One Cork and the steadying of the ship in Páirc Uí Chaoimh, among many other initiatives, will bear a fruitful dividend for members in the years to come.

“We have no doubt that you will continue to be closely involved with Cork GAA to see the benefits."
Mr O’Donovan speaks very positively too on the significant changes made to the county championships which, he said, were a much-needed shot in the arm.

“The introduction of group stages, relegation and reduced teams per grade resulted in greater quality and quantity of games.


“The absence of crowds meant that many relied on the great service provided by the Examiner in terms of streaming.

“Indeed the standard seen in the closing stages of all the competitions was testament to the improvement in players when given access to regular, meaningful games."

On the financial front, he spoke frankly and stated that the effects of the pandemic were sorely felt in Páirc Uí Chaoimh.

“The restrictions on games, meetings, events and concerts meant a severe financial hit at a time when a new approach endeavoured to activate the commercial potential of the stadium.


“It is hoped that the business plan being developed under the One Cork umbrella will allow the stadium to stand on its own two feet and eventually become a net distributor in financial terms."

On the inter-county front, he said that progress was seen at senior level in football l but a solid campaign in Division 2 of the NFL next season will be vital.

On the Cork senior hurlers, he stated that the team never got to grips with the fire and passion of Waterford and the final scoreline of 1-28 to 1-24 was perhaps kind in the end.

He praised the team’s efforts in defeating Dublin but stated that hard work lies ahead.

“A number of changes in both personnel and attitude followed after the loss to Waterford and this immediately paid dividends with a stirring victory over Dublin giving some hope of a fork in the road for Cork hurling.

“While defeat followed against Tipperary, there was enough evidence in the final two games that perhaps the penny has dropped in terms of how far off the top table we find ourselves at present.

“And yet, given the recent improvements at underage levels and hopefully a better quality player emerging from the club game over the next few years, the path back to the top could be accelerated with a renewed focus on the fervent application required to play at the highest level.

“We thank Kieran Kingston and colleagues/players for their service this year and we look forward to supporting him in the many tasks urgently required in order to re-establish Cork hurling to where it belongs.”

Read More

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Tracey Kennedy’s address to convention.
18th December 2020

https://gaacork.ie/2020/12/18/tracey-kennedys-address-to-convention/

A huge paragraph about lack of women on GAA committees along a fleeting reference about our biggest problem - "and our continuing wait for an All-Ireland senior title".
Priorities.

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Underlying all this is a feeling that the county's financial troubles are undermining the games. The One Cork project is the most blatant example of this. Who was it said that the clubs would not suffer because of the stadium debt?

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Sports Direct new sponsor of Cork GAA. Apparently, its 2 million over 5 years with another 2 million in bonuses and stuff.
Looks a good deal to me anyway

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Sports Direct new sponsor of Cork GAA. Apparently, its 2 million over 5 years with another 2 million in bonuses and stuff.
Looks a good deal to me anyway

Mike Ashley's company. I suppose beggars can't be choosers.

Mike Ashley: What we know about the Sports Direct boss

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https://roscommonherald.ie/2020/12/30/profit-of-over-e900000-for-roscommon-gaa-from-win-a-home-in-london-draw/

It can be done in the current climate. Fair play to them. Forward thinking

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https://roscommonherald.ie/2020/12/30/profit-of-over-e900000-for-roscommon-gaa-from-win-a-home-in-london-draw/

It can be done in the current climate. Fair play to them. Forward thinking

Indeed. On the other hand the CCC prefers to extort money from it's affiliated clubs. No investment needed. It's all win, win, win!

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It was the first held remotely and the first under the direction of new chairman Marc Sheehan.

Delegates were told the outstanding county finals from last season, four in football and three in hurling, would now be played during the summer instead of March.


Sec/CEO, Kevin O’Donovan, explained that a dedicated 12-week season for clubs would be very tight for Cork, especially for dual clubs.

He said they were looking at provisionally starting championships two weeks early, on the weekends of the All-Ireland senior finals, depending on Cork’s progress.

“It looks very unrealistic the outstanding finals from 2020 will happen in March.

“It is hoped these games will take place in a late-June, early-July window, before 2021 competitions commence, but a bigger window is needed to complete the junior competitions,” he said.

The number of senior and intermediate league games is set to be reduced by half and there will be no county junior leagues.

The football leagues have a new sponsor in Cork Credit Unions while RedFM are set to continue as hurling league sponsors.

Delegates heard that the Sports Direct sponsorship was agreed in early December with the chairman adding it was a matter of regret that it became public knowledge.

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Unveiling Cork’s New Home Jersey

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Well, they've kept it simple anyway. Logo straight onto red jersey, shur what could go wrong like.
No colour in the SD logo.
Rory Deanes hair is very long

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https://gaacork.ie/2021/02/17/finance-manager/

Anybody here fancy it? lol

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