Nov 5, 2014
OSK Accountants will be hosting a Federation of Irish Sport members event at Irish Sport HQ on Tuesday 25th November between 12:45 – 2 p.m.
Deirdre McDermott, Director, OSK, will be presenting on what information and schedules you need to have prepared prior to your audit commencing, to ensure the smooth running of your audit. We would encourage all members to attend and there will be a light lunch provided.
If you intend to attend, please RSVP to Conn McCluskey
E: conn.mccluskey@irishsport.ie
T: 01-6251155
Read OSK’s sport services brochure
Nov 4, 2014
Winter is closing in. It is getting colder and darker earlier and less attractive to be outdoors. But we all still need to be physically active… and avoid getting cooped up and bored. So what do we do? Do YOU have the answer??
South Dublin County Sports Partnership is looking to get your ideas on how to best stay active while at home. The ideas can be for individuals or a family unit, able bodied or less so. We are inviting all members of the public, young and old, to send in their suggestions. The suggestions do not need to be accompanied by a descriptive drawing and indeed we would like them to be simple to understand so that no drawing is needed. You may however forward a Youtube clip link if wished.
SDCSP will review all suggestions and those chosen will each receive a free gift – it may be swim vouchers, pedometer, walker/runner water bottle, Frisbee.
Please send your suggestions with your name and address and contact details (email, mobile phone #) to;
SDCSP, c/o County Hall, Tallaght, Dublin 24
Email info@sdcsp.ie
or through our Facebook page www.facebook.com/sdcsp
Oct 31, 2014
Irish Heart Foundation & Federation of Irish Sport Call for More Post-Primary Schools to Provide Recommended Two Hours’ PE Each Week, As Pumped Schools’ Video Awards Launched
*Department of Education and Skills Recommends that Students Receive a Minimum of 120 minutes’ PE Each Week
*One in Five Teenagers Overweight or Obese
Leading heart disease and stroke charity, the Irish Heart Foundation, and the representative association for National Governing Bodies of Sport, the Federation of Irish Sport, have today called on post-primary schools to redouble their efforts in implementing the Department of Education and Skills’ recommendation that two hours’ physical education be provided to post-primary school students each week1.
The call was made at the launch of the Pumped Schools’ Video Awards, supported by Bayer in partnership with the Irish Heart Foundation, the Federation of Irish Sport and RTÉ news2day, which seeks to encourage young people to unleash their creative juices and produce 90-second movies on a heart health theme. The competition invites participants to explore the science behind physical activity, diet and smoking, the impact of these on health and well-being, and produce compelling videos that inspire viewers to act. With a prize fund of €10,000, there are three categories in which to enter – “Smoking Stinks”, “Active Teens—Healthy Hearts” and “Weighty Matters”. The awards are open to all post-primary students between the ages of 12 and 16 years with the winner of each category winning €3,000 for their school’s sports department and each individual student receiving a €100 voucher. More information can be found at http://www.pumped.ie/
It is estimated that one in five teenagers is overweight or obese2 with Ireland’s rates amongst the worst in Europe3. Our young people also top an international league in terms of levels of inactivity, a major risk for overweight, obesity, cardiovascular and other diseases. The league, part of an analysis of 15 countries worldwide presented at a Global Summit on Physical Activity of Children in Toronto earlier this year, accorded Ireland a Grade D minus for physical activity amongst children, behind countries such as Mozambique, New Zealand, Mexico, Kenya and Nigeria4. Only 12 per cent of post-primary students meet the Department of Health’s guideline of 60 minutes’ moderate to vigorous physical activity each day—girls less so than boys—and just 10 per cent of post-primary students are timetabled with the recommended minimum 120 minutes of physical education each week5.
Speaking in advance of the awards launch, An Taoiseach Enda Kenny TD, said: “In Ireland our health really is our wealth. The government’s Healthy Ireland initiative is aimed at improving the health and well-being of all the people of Ireland and for generations to come. Through our plan, we’re asking everyone to play their part. Educating young people and encouraging participation in physical activity are essential to improving the health of our future generations. I hope that the Pumped Schools’ Video Awards will prove to be a fun and engaging way for students to find out and share the information they need about heart health as well as picking up tips on having a healthy lifestyle that will stay with them for the rest of their lives. This is your chance—our chance—to get together and get involved in making our life everything it can be in body, mind and spirit.”
Iwer Baecker, Managing Director, Bayer Ireland Ltd, noted: “As a life science company, Bayer understands the crucial importance of raising the level of awareness of health issues within our society and especially amongst our young people. Bayer is very proud to be part of the Pumped campaign which is now in its third year. The competition helps engage young people and to get them thinking about the importance of diet and physical activity in living a healthy life. The quality of the entries from the previous two years really shows our students’ growing understanding of how behaviour impacts health and the entries highlight a high level of innovation and imagination.”
Obesity Epidemic
Maureen Mulvihill, Head of Health Promotion, Irish Heart Foundation, commented: “PE is an intrinsic element in encouraging young people to be physically active. Given the high levels of inactivity in teenagers, increasing levels of overweight and obesity and early signs of heart disease, it is vital that the recommended level of PE is compulsory for all pupils, as is the case across Europe for primary and Junior cycle education6. Projects like Pumped are part of the mix to help educate our young people on how to live a healthy lifestyle and prevent disease. Cardiovascular disease, mainly heart attack and stroke, is the leading cause of death in Ireland with about 10,000 people dying each year7.”
Sarah O’Connor is Chief Executive of the Federation of Irish Sport and a member of the Healthy Ireland Council that seeks to mobilise communities, families and individuals with the aim of supporting everyone to enjoy the best possible health and well-being. “It is hard to understand against a backdrop of growing levels of obesity and physical inactivity, and the vision of Healthy Ireland—where everyone can enjoy physical and mental health and well-being to their full potential—that according to available research that only 10 per cent of post-primary students are receiving the recommendation of 120 minutes of PE every week. We also know that girls are less likely than boys to meet the physical activity recommendations for health of at least 60 minutes each day, that they receive fewer minutes of formal PE in school and that they are more likely than boys to be timetabled for single as opposed to double class periods. Schools along with parents have a key role to play in ensuring that young people meet the physical activity levels needed for health. It is vital that we take this issue seriously and we join with our partners in the Irish Heart Foundation in urging that all schools deliver on this and that all students participate.”
Change of Heart
Fiona Coghlan, Captain of the Ireland team at the Women’s Rugby World Cup 2014, PE teacher and member of the judging panel, knows about speaking to young people in a language that they understand. “Although parents and teachers are often the best people to advise young people on what to do with their lives, the people they most listen to are their friends. That’s why the Pumped Schools’ Video Awards are a great way to get young people thinking about what they put into their mouths and how they look after their bodies. With these awards, hopefully we can get young people to think twice about how they live their lives and look after themselves. In fact, I believe that these awards should be included as part of the Junior Cert curriculum for all students in exploring their heart health.”
Olympic medalist, boxer Paddy Barnes, is also lending his support to the Pumped Schools’ Video Awards initiative. “As a boxer, I know what it is to get pumped before a big fight. But these awards provide an opportunity to focus on getting an altogether different kind of pumped. Pumped about what we are eating and what we are drinking, whether we smoke and whether we exercise and what it means for our body fitness. Unless we make the right life choices, the stark reality is that we are just storing up lots of health problems for ourselves down the tracks. Why make life harder than it needs to be? We need to have a change of heart when it comes to looking after our heart health. And that change needs to start right now.”
Orla Walsh, presenter RTÉ news2day, added: “From cricket to kickboxing, dancing to badminton, we’ve covered it all on news2day! Myself and fellow presenter Nick meet loads of young people every day who are involved in all sorts of sports and other physical activities. The one thing that always leaps out at us is the fun that they have. Whether it’s taking part in rugby, being on the hockey team, playing basketball, GAA, or doing hip hop dancing, anything that gets the body moving is a good thing. Experts tell us how beneficial taking part in sport is for our physical health, yet we also see the great fun, the team spirit, the friendships that form when people get together to do something active. Even tennis and boxing need at least two people! So, whatever way you want to do it, get moving, get pumped!”
For more information on the Pumped Schools’ Video Awards, visit http://www.pumped.ie/. The closing date for entries is January 16 2015.
Oct 28, 2014
Kate Callaghan – a member of the Motorcycling Ireland’s Women’s Trial Des Nations Team 2014, takes time to write about her years preparation and performance at the Trial Des Nations.
From October 2013:
With the season getting ready to start in January 2014, practice and bike fitness starts. With only 3 months to prepare the time is short but possible. Funds are also taken into consideration, with helping raise money for the Trials Committee.
In doing this I take on our Annual Awards Presentation with the organisation of Venue and ticket sales. Also the organisation on the night. I have also helped with course marking for the club MEC. With the Trials Committee’s Training day’s I’ve helped with course marking observing and sign on.
January 2014:
As the season starts in January it is for sure very hard to find the time to help at Championship events but among these championship events there are club trials that I try get out to and help as much as possible.
Championship time:
Throughout the season between competing in Irish Championship and Southern Centre and along with club trials. To keep on top of my riding it involved fitness as trying to find the time to get out practicing during the school months is hard. I took into account that swimming, running and weight training was the best for fitting into the short evenings. With the dedication of swimming up and down a swimming pool for two nights a week this worked wonders for me. Last year I suffered from arm pump; I knew I had to do something. I haven’t had problems since I increased my fitness.
Summer 2014 (June,July,August) :
With more time on my hands without school and just working a few nights a week. I found it a lot easier to fit bike time and fitness into my seclude.
With eating a healthy breakfast every morning and starting the day with fitness. Swimming for an hour & half or running, then following weights and workouts. The evenings during the week I was off work (2nights). I would spend between 2.5 hours to 3hours bike time. I also had training days with the TDN (Trial Des Nations) team. These days were great for bonding with the team and being encouraged to try more hard sections. I would also at the weekend be competing in a trial either North or South. I found this hard to attach to as my friends were going out during the week and I had to miss due to my dedication of wanting to compete well in Andorra.
September 2014: (Andorra time)
Wednesday 10th September:
- I flew from Dublin to Girona, Barcelona.
- With a 3 hour drive from the airport to Sant Julià de Lòria, Andorra.
Thursday 11th September:
We unpacked the van and set up in the paddock
10:30am I signed on for the World Trial Championship, with receiving my riding bib.
11:00-1:30pm I went to practice at the practice area on the lovely mountain in 30 degrees heat.
2:00-5:00pm I went to walk the section for Friday ( World Trial Championship) and also for Saturday (Women’s Trial Des Nations).
5:00pm was the scrutiny of my bike.
Then it was dinner and an early night.
Friday 12th September
7:00am The alarm went off
7:30am Breakfast
8:00am To the paddock for the final checks of the bike and ‘to check the makeup’.
8:30am FIM Women’s team photo
8:58am Start
2:30pm Finished
2:50pm Washed the bike
3:00pm Bike preparation for Saturday (I didn’t participate)
3:30pm off to shower and look good
4:45pm Team meeting in hotel
5:00pm Trial Des Nations Team Parade
5:30pm Trial Des Nations Ceremony
7:00pm Dinner and Off to bed early
Saturday 13th September
7:30am the alarm went off
8:30am Breakfast
9:00am to the paddock
9:30am To the start
9:50am Ladies team pictures
10:10am Start (Team Ireland’s Ladies)
3:30pm Finished
My Experience:
Friday World Trial Championship 12th September.
I completely enjoyed my 2nd World Trial. The experience I gain and confidence no words can explain. I was on top form with putting my all into it. Every section I pushed and pushed trying to avoid 5’s. As 3’s are far better than getting a 5 punched on your card. With finishing 33rd position out of 48 riders. I was happy even knowing losing 5 less marks I could have achieved top 30.
Saturday Trial Des Nations 14th September.
Flying the Irish Flag today with Michelle Hanlon.
Porridge on board and eager to go for day two. Full confidence going out after a successful day one. Section one on lap one. The section got the better of me I banged my left baby toe off a rock, as I took the risk of a clean over a broken toe. Fortunately the clean won and the toe suffered. As I carried on with just a little pain.
Then on the 2nd lap the toe became victim again, clean again. But this time my toe became very painful knocking me completely. It unsteadied me and took away my concentration. Continuing the lap bad luck hit me, with my knee got caught and melting to the exhaust pipe, I had lovely pink dye on the exhaust pipe. Shelly and I had finished with a great days laugh and experience with loads of war wounds. The team was truly amazing to work with and I personally had an awesome time.
I would like to thank Motorcycling Ireland with their support and funds for giving me the opportunity to compete at international level and gain such great experience. I would also like the thank the team itself for their encouragement, minding and mechanics.
I look forward to in the future to progress more and hopefully compete at full international level and live my dream.
Yours in Sport,
Kate Callaghan
Oct 28, 2014
The cream of Juvenile 60×30 Handball converged on two Leinster venues this month, from Friday 10th October – Sunday 12th to battle it out for the 2014 All Ireland titles in the softball code. Thirteen counties in all competed with Clare, Tyrone and Wexford leading the way taking an impressive 3 titles each. This was impressive of Clare and Tyrone in particular as their counties have only one 60×30 court at their disposal. Cork, Kilkenny and Limerick followed closely with 2 titles each and Tipperary collected one to complete a very successful weekend of Juvenile Handball.
On the Friday, action began in Talbot’s Inch, Kilkenny, were three grades were decided. First up was the Boys Under 15 Doubles where Cork’s David Walsh & Tadgh O’Neill defeated Kilkenny’s Cathal Barry & Eoin Regan 15-0, 15-2. The second game turned out to be the game of the night with Kilkenny’s Shane Dunne defeating Jerome Cahill, Tipperary. Shane took the Boys U16 Singles title after a three game epic which came down to the last ace. He won the first game 20-15, James won the second game 16-21 and it was nip and tuck all the way in the tie break before Shane took it 11-10 to the crowds delight. The final game on the night was won by the experienced Tipperary duo of Jason English & Colin Ryan who defeated the Kilkenny pair of Rory Cullan & Dion Bourke.
The Sunday action returned to Talbots Inch were there were seven games down for decision. First up was the Girls U15 Singles with Clare’s Ella Donnellan defeating Kildare’s Mollie Dagg 15-6 & 15-11. In the Girls U14 Singles Limerick’s Catriona Millane took a tie break win over Kildare’s Leah Doyle 15-8, 10-15, 15-6. In the Boys U15 Singles Wexford’s Anthony Butler claimed their first of three titles on the day when he defeat Waterford’s Kaven O’Keeffe 15-1, 15-10. Then in the Girls U16 Singles Kilkenny’s Aoife Holden overcame Roscommon’s Fiona Tully in another 3 game tussle that went down to the last ace. Fiona won the first game 21-14 but Aoife took the next 21-14 and the tie-break 11-10.
The Girls U16 Doubles was another cracker of a match with it also going to a tie-break. Wexford’s Roisin Walsh & Holly Hynes defeated Limerick’s Katie McCarthy & Laura Stack in three tight games on a score line 21-15, 17-21, 11-9. Next up was the Girls U17 Doubles final. Limerick’s Michelle McCarty & Niamh McCarthy defeated Kilkenny’s Elaine Power & Aoife Walsh 21-2, 21-0. Finally in the Boys U17 Singles Wexford’s Keith Armstrong defeated Galway’s Jamie Kelly 21-15, 21-6 to round off the day’s action in Kilkenny.
The other venue on Sunday was Garryhill where there were six games. First up was the Girls U14 Doubles with Tyrone’s Caitlin Conway & Elizabeth Garvey claimed their counties first of three titles on the day when the pair defeat Clare’s Aoife Floyd & Bridin Dinan over three tight games 15-10, 2-15, 15-8. In the Girls U15 Doubles Tyrone’s Michaela McCartan & Emer Kerr defeated Tipperary’s Eimer Meagher & Sile Spain 15-12, 15-2. Tyrone’s three in a row then came in the Boys U14 Doubles with Antoin Fox & Cormac Munroe defeating Tipperary’s John McGrath & Sean McAdams over three games 15-3, 13-15, 15-7.
Next up was the Girls U17 Singles. Clare’s Doireann Murphy had a tight first game victory over Dublin’s Meadhbh Ní Dhálaigh 21-16 followed by 21-0 in the second. In the Boys U14 Singles Clare’s very skilful Tiernan Agnew defeated Meath’s Daniel Farrelly 15-2, 15-0. The last game of the day saw Cork’s Shane Flynn & Daniel Moynihan defeating Tyrone’s Aaron Owens & Jack Campbell over 3 tough games on a score line 21-8, 5-21 and 11-7 to complete the action at the Carlow venue.
2014 GAA Handball Juvenile 60×30 All Ireland Finals
Friday 10th October 2014:
BU15D Cork (David Walsh/Tadgh O’Neill) dft Kilkenny (Cathal Barry/Eoin Regan) 15-0, 15-2
BU16S Kilkenny (Shane Dunne) dft Tipperary (Jerome Cahill) 21-15, 16-21, 11-10
BU16D Tipperary (Jason English/Colin Ryan) dft Kilkenny (Roy Cullen/Dion Bourke) 21-3, 21-3
Sunday 12th October 2014:
GU15S Clare (Ella Donnellan) dft Kildare (Mollie Dagg) 15-6, 15-11
GU14S Limerick (Catriona Millane) dft Kildare (Leah Doyle) 15-8, 10-15, 15-6.
BU15S Wexford (Anthony Butler) dft Waterford (Kavan O’Keeffe) 15-1, 15-10
GU16S Kilkenny (Aoife Holden) dft Roscommon (Fiona Tully) 14-21, 21-14, 11-10
GU16D Wexford (Roisin Walsh/Holly Hynes) dft Limerick (Katie McCarthy/Laura Stack) 21-15, 17-21, 11-9
GU17D Limerick (Michelle McCarthy/Niamh McCarthy) dft Kilkenny (Elaine Power/Aoife Walsh) 21-2, 21-0
BU17S Wexford (Keith Armstrong) dft Galway (Jamie Kelly) 21-15, 21-6
Sunday 12th October 2014
GU14D Tyrone (Caitlin Conway/Elizabeth McGarvey) dft Clare (Aoife Floyd/Bridin Dinan) 15-10, 2-15, 15-8
GU15D Tyrone (Michaela McCartan/Emer Kerr) dft Tipperary (Eimer Meagher/Sile Spain) 15-12, 15-2
BU14D Tyrone (Antoin Fox/Cormac Munroe) dft Tipperary (John McGrath/Sean McAdams) 15-3, 13-15, 15-7
GU17S Clare (Doireann Murphy) dft Dublin (Meadhbh Ní Dhálaigh) 21-16, 21-0
BU14S Clare (Tiernan Agnew) dft Meath (Daniel Farrelly) 15-2, 15-0
BU17D Cork (Shane Flynn/Daniel Moynihan) dft Tyrone (Aaron Owens/Jack Campbell) 21-8, 5-21, 11-7
Oct 28, 2014
Minister Heather Humphreys TD, and actor & producer Carrie Crowley joined with over 300 walkers and paddlers to open the Shannon Blueway today in Drumshanbo, Co Leitrim.
The Shannon Blueway runs from Drumshanbo through Battlebridge and Leitrim Village to Carrick on Shannon. It includes 16.5km of water trail and over 10km of walking routes in three loops. The Shannon Blueway provides a range of recreational leisure activities such as walking, cycling, canoeing, fishing and cruising all linked by the waterways to local towns and villages.
Minister Heather Humphrey’s stated “I am delighted to be launching this project here in Leitrim today. The Shannon Blueway has the potential to have a very positive impact on jobs and the regional economy. The Mayo Greenway, which is now in its 4th year of operation, has seen a jump in visitor numbers from 80,000 in 2011 to 300,000 in 2014. That means an extra €5 million was brought into the region. With the market for off road adventure tourism is growing here in Ireland and internationally, Leitrim is in a prime position to benefit from this trend.
The launch of the Blueway will allow local businesses can capitalise on an increase in demand for transport, equipment hire, accommodation and entertainment. I would like to commend Waterways Ireland for this initiative, which I have no doubt will have a very position impact on the region.”
Carrie Crowley said “as a self-confessed blow-in to the area, the Shannon, the wonderful countryside and Leitrim people have provided me with a tranquil and inspirational place to work and home away from home .The only problem is, now our secret is out!”
The Shannon Blueway is the first of its kind in Ireland where a myriad of recreational activities have been developed and bundled together as a single or multiple visitor experience and tourism proposition. Waterways Ireland has, using the wonderful waterway assets, developed and built a canoe trail from Drumshanbo through Battlebridge and Leitrim Village to Carrick on Shannon. It has also developed a series of looped walks adjacent to the Lough Allen Canal with plans to expand those walks to Drumshanbo and Carrick on Shannon. At the same time Waterways Ireland is also developing a canoe trail from Leitrim Village along the 63km of the Shannon Erne Waterway with a walking and cycling trail also at an advanced stage of planning.
The Shannon Blueway is being delivered by Waterways Ireland in partnership of the National Trails Office, Canoeing Ireland, Leitrim County Council, Leitrim Tourism and Fáilte Ireland.
Waterways Ireland Chief Executive Dawn Livingstone confirmed that partnership was the key to delivering the Shannon Blueway “Waterways Ireland has invested significantly in creating world beating facilities and services on the Shannon Navigation. Through our partnership with the National Trails Office, Canoeing Ireland, Leitrim Tourism and Leitrim County Council an outstanding multi-activity product has been built in the Shannon Blueway which is now being packaged by clubs and communities for their recreational activities and companies and organisations for domestic and international tourists. Partnership is key to delivering the future of the Shannon Blueway further into Leitrim, and indeed into Roscommon, Longford and Cavan.”
The wider Shannon Blueway of which the Drumshanbo to Carrick on Shannon section is part, is at the heart of access to 100km of paddling area, 6 looped walks: 3 of which are on the canal towpath, two long distance walks and three heritage trails. The Shannon Blueway will ultimately provide access to 14 towns and services with each access point and town within an hours’ paddling time.
Waterways Ireland and Leitrim County Council will shortly be examining the possibility of providing a connection from the jetties at Acres Lake to the canal towpaths and also to complete the walking/cycling connection to Carrick-on-Shannon, and up the Shannon-Erne Waterway.
