GAA UPDATE
The GAA has released an updated Master Fixtures Calendar for the 2021 season. The inter-county season will run from May 8th/9th with the start of the Allianz Hurling League, to the weekend of August 28/29 when the All-Ireland Football Final will be played. The Provincial Football and Hurling championships will commence on the weekend of June 26/27. The County and Provincial Club Championships will be played in the months of September, October, November, and December with the All-Ireland Club Finals scheduled for February 2022.
The entire inter-county fixtures programme will be run off in a 20-week period and guarantees a minimum of five games for each Senior County Football and Hurling team with all bar three counties guaranteed six games in hurling.
The Allianz Football League will run from May 15/16 to the weekend of June 19/20 with Divisions split into North and South as originally planned in December. League finals will only be played on June 19/20 if counties involved are not playing in the championship the following weekend. If they are, then joint winners will be declared for Division 1 and joint winners and promotion for Divisions 2, 3, and 4.
Divisions 1 and 2 of the Allianz Hurling League will run May 8/9 to the weekend of June 12/13. Division 3 will run from May 15/16 to the weekend of June 19/20. There will be no Division 1 Hurling League quarter-finals, semi-finals, or Final played.
The 2021 All-Ireland Senior Football Championship will be played as a straight knock-out competition from the provincial series forward. There will be no Qualifiers and New York and London will not be involved.
2021 Liam McCarthy Cup: There will be a provincial knock-out championship with back-door qualifiers like there was in 2020, but now also with the introduction of relegation to the Joe McDonagh Cup.
There will be no semi-finals in the Joe McDonagh Cup which is the only change from what was proposed in December. The Joe McDonagh Cup winners are promoted in 2021 but do not have a back door into the Liam McCarthy Cup. The Joe McDonagh Cup will be played on Saturday July 17.
2021 Christy Ring, Nicky Rackard, and Lory Meagher Cups: The only change to what was announced in December is that British based teams will not be involved.
For the 2020 and 2021 Minor and 2021 U-20 Championships details will be finalised when there is clarity on a return to training/play date.
It is important to note that the GAA still does not have permission to return to club training or games with only training in pods of 14 allowed in the North. However, the calendar is set up in such a way that: Club competitions with county players can take place as County teams exit the Championships (in football, teams start exiting from the end of June; in Hurling July 10th). From August 1st, all Counties bar All Ireland Semi-Finalists in Football and Hurling, and the teams in the Div 1 Hurling Relegation play off, will be free to stage club competitions with county players.
Additionally, the commencement of the Provincial Club Championships will be delayed until Mid-November.
NATHAN’S WALK DARKNESS INTO LIGHT 2021
This year the annual Darkness Into Light event will take place on Saturday May 8th. Everyone is encouraged to join Pieta House and Electric Ireland for Nathan's Walk 2021 and give the gift of hope to those impacted by suicide and self-harm.
Join in any way you can – walk, swim, bike - and simply share your sunrise moment in your own unique way on 8th May in your own area in your own bubbles. Visit www.darknessintolight.ie for details and to register.
SPA LOTTO RESULTS 05/04/21
Numbers drawn: 11, 23, 25, 26. No winner and Lucky Dips receive €50 each to Cian Russell, Margaret McLellan, Debbie Doolan and Sheila Hickey.
Our weekly Monday night Lotto draws continue and this week's JACKPOT is €7,000.
Tickets are on sale online here on spagaa.com or from Dalys Supervalu, Killarney Hardware, Centra Muckross Rd, Spa clubhouse or from usual sellers. Thank you to everyone for your continued support for our club lotto, which we need now more than ever as it is our only source of income.
HOPE FOR CO LEAGUES IN JUNE
Co Board Chairman Tim Murphy spoke to Radio Kerry over the weekend of his hope for Co Leagues to commence in June if teams are given green light to return to training next month. He also confirmed that remaining games in the 2020 Club Championships won't be played until Kerry have exited the All-Ireland series.
CE SCHEME VACANCY FOR A GROUNDS PERSON IN SPA
CE Scheme Vacancy for a Grounds Person in Spa GAA Club - Details available on jobsireland.ie or contact Siobhan at kaslltd.project@yahoo.com. The job is 19.5 hours per week and applications can be submitted on the jobsireland.ie website or email kaslltd.project@yahoo.com. The job involves clubhouse maintenance, pitch lining, hedge trimming, grass cutting, painting, car park duties and general caretaking.
MICHAEL GLEESON ANNOUNCES GRANT FOR ROAD WORKS
"As rainfall results in regular flooding on the roadway [L.3011] at Upper Lissivigeen, I am pleased to allocate €5,000 for the provision of piping to ensure that the problem will be eliminated. As the Council hope to commence work on the county road L.11072 from Clash through Clasheen to Minish in the very near future I have asked that they would provide some Lay Bys on the western side to facilitate safer traffic movement." Michael Gleeson
COUNTRY BEGINS EXIT FROM LOCKDOWN
Wishing the best of luck to all students, businesses and employees that are returning to school and work activity this week.
REGISTRATION
Spa GAA club registration for 2021 is open through www.spagaa.com. Registration for the year ahead is required for all members and this year, due to the ongoing restrictions, we are asking everyone to sign up online through the link to clubforce. Any adult members who want to be included in the club text messaging system going forward, please contact the PRO on 0851216359 or pro.spa.kerry@gaa.ie.
TG4 LIDL LADIES NATIONAL LEAGUE
The LGFA have released a provisional fixtures calendar for the 2021 TG4 Lidl Ladies National Football League. Kerry in Division 2A with Meath, Wexford and Clare and the proposed dates are as follows - 23rd May, 30th May and 6th June with the semi-finals on 13th June and Finals on 27th June. *Dates are set for a Sunday but may be played midweek or Saturday by agreement with both counties.
There are four counties in each group, with the exception of a three-team Division 4B, while the divisions have been comprised in regional fashion to minimize travelling for the competing teams, and to help ensure the health and safety of all counties. Confirmation of initial details for the 2021 Lidl National Leagues follow the recent Government announcement that inter-county training can resume from April 19, for ‘sanctioned and organised adult inter-county National Gaelic Games Leagues.’
Confirmed fixtures for the 2021 Lidl National Leagues will follow in due course.
ITEMS FOR NOTES
Any items for the club notes please contact pro.spa.kerry@gaa.ie or 0851216359 before 8pm on Sundays.