EXTRA TIME DOWN GAA NEWSLETTER

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1 EXTRA TIME DOWN GAA NEWSLETTER INSIDE THIS ISSUE COISTE IOMÁNA MARCH 2013 CLUB MAITH 2 DOWN MAN NAMED 2 ULSTER CLUB PERSON OF THE YEAR DOWN SUPPORTERS 2 CLUB WILL BE RUNNING BUSES PROGRAMME OF 3 FIXTURES FROM DOWN COUNTY CCC "BEING CREATIVE" 3 WORKSHOP SCOR AND CULTURE 4 WHO CAN CHEER THE LOUDEST! IRISH NEWS CLUB & VOLUNTEER AWARDS REGISTER FOR GAA SOCIAL INITIATIVE 2013 DOWN GAA KELLOGG'S CUL CAMP ALLOCATIONS CLUB DOWN MEMBERS DRAW DOWN GAA STRIVES TO REDUCE THE IMPACT OF UNEMPLOYMENT ON LOCAL CLUBS DOWN REFEREES TO ATTEND NATIONAL CONFERENCE DOWN HOST MULTI-ETHNIC GROUP AT CROKE PARK DOWN GAA STRATEGY 8 GREENFIELDS 8 SPORTS TURF SYSTEMS DOWN GAA CLUB DRAW WINNERS - MARCH 2013 DOWN STEP INTO SPRING TOTAL COMPARISON REPORT FOR DOWN CLUB (INJURY SCHEME) NOTICE RE DOWN KILDARE MATCH DATES FOR YOUR DIA- RY DOWNGAA GOES STRICTLY! GAELTEACHT SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION FORMS DOWN GAA GOLF CLASSIC Volume II Issue III EXTRA TIME DOWN GAA NEWSLETTER MARCH 2013 GAA CONGRESS DOWN MOTION PASSES AT CONGRESS - Down GAA motion in relation to Club Minor/Under 21 team having five or less players from another club - without now having to change their name as an amalgamated team was passed at GAA Congress in Derry. The proposal to introduce a 'black card' system in Gaelic football was also approved by the GAA's Annual Congress. Players who commit fouls, such as dragging down opponents, are to be shown the black card which would result in them having to be substituted. However, if a team receives three black cards in a match, any subsequent cards would result in a player leaving the pitch with no replacement allowed. Delegates at the Congress in Derry passed the motion by 70.82% to 29.18%. The system will come into operation in January Also at Congress, the GAA voted to allow their grounds to be used in any Irish RFU bid to host the Rugby World Cup in 2023 or Delegates also gave their backing for a new structure for the Hurling Championship from Another motion gave the go-head for ball-tracking technology to be used on a trial basis in matches at Croke Park. This will be used in football and hurling matches to determine if the ball has passed between the posts for a point. The Congress also backed measures to stamp out sectarian and racist abuse. Motions to introduce a mark and clean pick-up in football were rejected. Additional branding will also now be allowed on Inter-County Jerseys which in effect, means teams would be able to increase the visibility of sponsorship on their jerseys, and potentially use a second sponsor on their jerseys. Down were represented by Diarmuid Cahill, Paul Blaney, Brendan Fitzpatrick, Seamus Walsh, Sean Og McAteer, William Smith, Sean Rooney and U21 delegate Niamh Murray. OfficialDownGAA Uachtarán na héireann Michael D Higgins, GAA Uachtarán Liam O Neill and Down GAA Uachtarán Paddy McFlynn at GAA Congress in Derry SUMMARY 60 motions passed, 10 rejected and 3 withdrawn Motion 4 on introduction of 'Black Card' passed Motion 52 on Hawk-Eye Technology passed Motion 1 on All-Ireland Hurling Championship Format passed Hurlers will now have to remove helmets during the playing of the national anthem, Amhrán na bhfiann, before games Motion 3 on opening GAA stadia for future Rugby World Cup bid passed OfficialDownGAA

2 Page 2 EXTRA TIME DOWN GAA NEWSLETTER COISTE IOMÁNA MARCH 2013 SENIOR HURLERS: After a disastrous start to the Allianz Hurling League, (2b) the Senior Hurlers have run into a rich vein of success with big victories over Roscommon and Armagh, with the final game against Mayo scheduled for Saturday 30th March 2013 in Pairc Esler, Newry. Victory in their final game will give them an impetuous for the opening Christy Ring Cup Game. After a career threatening injury it is heartening to see Kevin McGarry back playing and competing to secure a starting place on the team for the remainder of the season, all the best Kevin. Also featuring on the team in the last few games is Gareth Johnson. MINOR HURLERS: Minors under the Management of Gerard McGrattan are training away and playing in the Ulster Minor Hurling League; they have recorded victories over Armagh and Donegal and have suffered defeat to Antrim. FEILE NA NGAEL, AN DUIN: Feile is scheduled for Warrenpoint as part of the Club 125 Celebrations, on Friday 10th and Saturday 11th May Preparations are progressing at pace, with six (6) competing in Division 1; Ballycran, Ballygalget, Bredagh, Carryduff, Liatroim and Portaferry the teams competing, all other Clubs are competing for the Division 2 Title. It is proposed to extend the number of teams competing in the Handball Section and for the first time it is envisaged to have 4 teams competing in a Ladies Competition. GENERAL: We wait with interest, by time of publication it will be known, the outcome of proposed motion at National Congress on Appointed divisional sub committees, should it be passed then the Hurling Board as presently constituted will not exist from the end of this season. Arising from the Motion / Recommendation carried at the Down County Convention the Co. Chairman is formulating a subcommittee to carry out the requirements and report back to Co. Management within 6 Months of their formation. INTERNAL JUVENILE COMPETITIONS: These have already started, Minors playing in a League at present and the remaining age groups starting shortly after Easter. CAN I MAKE TWO REQUESTS TO THE HURLING FRATERNITY; (1) Games should only be postponed if they comply with Bye Laws and requested by Club Secretary to fixture secretary. (2) Should your opponent have only 13 or even 11 players available for selection on any given date, then you should play the same number against them. On behalf of Coiste Iomána I look forward to a successful season and see 95% plus of scheduled games played. DOWN MAN NAMED ULSTER CLUB PERSON OF THE YEAR Teconnaught clubman Paddy Madine was rewarded for the hard work he has done with the ladies football teams in the club by being awarded the Ulster club Person of the accolade. A former player with the Teconnaught club, Madine has given many years service to the ladies football teams where he has three daughters playing. For his efforts, Paddy received a crystal bowl, Tesco Hamper and 50 voucher, while the Teconnaught club received 10 footballs and a new kit from Tesco. DOWN SUPPORTERS CLUB WILL BE RUNNING BUSES Down Supporters Club will be running buses to the Ulster U-21 Championship Semi-Final on Wednesday 3rd April in Armagh buses will leave Castlewellan Lower Square at 6.15 pm sharp and NewryTax Office at 7.00 pm to book seats contact Seamus Mc Clean on or Mairead Sheppard on CLUB MAITH Club Maith. What is it and what s in it for my club? Club Maith is an accreditation scheme which is unique to the GAA and allows clubs to be benchmarked against best practice standards across the full range of GAA activities. A Club Maith award makes a clear definitive statement about the quality of a club. The scheme allows clubs to strive for excellence in the core areas of GAA Activity. These key areas are: Governance, Duty of Care, Community outreach, Culture and, Games and Coaching. Successful clubs are awarded an accreditation of either Platinum, Gold, Silver of Bronze with the accreditation lasting for years. The assessment process involves the submission of a club portfolio to the Club Maith assessors at the Ulster Council which must demonstrate how the club matches up to the governance standards set out in the Club Maith framework. The portfolio is then assessed and as part of the overall assessment, Assessors also visit the club to review coaching standards and discuss the portfolio with the relevant club officers. Accreditation can be of immense help when applying for funding for club projects and also gives a club a true reflection of its state of health. Down clubs have been to the fore in Ulster in attaining Club Maith Status, with Cumann Peadar Naofa achieving Platinum status whilst RGU Downpatrick, Clonduff and Bredagh have achieved Gold Status. Ulster Council have a dedicated team who will support clubs through the process and can be accessed at Club Maith Website: Support can also be accessed through Downs Planning & Physical Development Committee, chaired by Maureen O Higgins.

3 Volume I1 Issue II1 March 2013 Page 3 PROGRAMME OF FIXTURES FROM DOWN COUNTY CCC SUNDAY U12 Football 11.00am, U14/16 Ladies Football ( on alternate week) 12.30pm, U16 Hurling 4.00pm, Premier Reserve Football 2.00pm Divisional Reserve Football Sunday evening 6.30pm. MONDAY Divisional 1 & 2 Hurling, Division 2 Camogie, Occasional Adult Football league, U14 Football. TUESDAY Minor Male Football, U14/16 Camogie ( on alternate weeks.) Possible Ladies Football on nights of U14 Camogie when agreement is reached with the two organising committees. WEDNESDAY U12 Ladies Football. Adult Hurling Leagues (Antrim) Minor Hurling Divisional 1 & 3 Camogie. THURSDAY Men s Football, U16 Football and U12 Hurling. FRIDAY Adults Men s Football, U14 Hurling and Minor Camogie. SATURDAY U8 & U10 Hurling Blitz 1st 3rd, 5th Sat s. U8 & U10 Football on 2nd& 4th Saturdays 10.00am 1.00pm U12 Camogie 11.00am Adult Ladies Football 7.00pm Camogie Board may start Minor Camogie league on a Tuesday night before the U16 Camogie league starts. COMMENCEMENT OF LEAGUES All County Hurling league will start on Monday 1st April All County Premier reserve leagues 1 and 2 commenced on Sunday 3rd March. All County Division 3 leagues starts on Sunday 24th March Division 1 and 2 Football leagues will start on Friday 12th April. Minor football leagues commence Tuesday 2nd April and U16 leagues will commence on Thursday 4th April. FEIS SEVENS Senior & Junior primarily rounds on Sunday 5th May, Venue to be confirmed. All finals will take place on Feis Sunday 26th May CHAMPIONSHIP DATES Senior, Intermediate and Junior championship round robin round one will commence on Thursday 8th / Sunday 11th. Round two on Thursday 15th August/ Sunday 18th. Round Three Thursday 29th August / Sunday 1st September. Transfer Forms Final date for transfer forms SUNDAY 31st MARCH "BEING CREATIVE" WORKSHOP Thanks to those who have already booked their place for the workshop. There are 9 places remaining for individuals, or a group of up to 5 GAA members, to register to attend this oneoff "Being Creative" workshop. This workshop may be popular with your young club members who have an interest in music, dance, drama, scór, art, creative media and so on. The workshop is FREE of charge. Please circulate to young members in your Club via your usual channels, website, facebook, twitter and so on. The event will take place in Greenmount Campus, Antrim, Co. Antrim, BT41 4PS on Easter Wednesday 3rd April from 10am - 3pm. A video camera company, and other resources will be onhand through-out the day for the group to use as they wish. The format is a blank canvas with young people coming together, contributing their ideas, to create a resource which depicts their community, culture and involvement in their GAA club. The event is being organised through the Youth Council, and all participants will receive a branded certificate which will contribute to CVs and personal statements. If your club has young, enthusiastic members interested in youth work, drama, art, multi-media, or just simply proud of their GAA roots, then they are asked to register their interest with maura.kelly.ulster@gaa.ie as soon as possible.

4 Page 4 EXTRA TIME DOWN GAA NEWSLETTER Lá Fhéile Pádraig/ An Cháisc St Patrick s Day/ Easter Lá Fhéile Pádraig St Patricks Day Naomh Pádraig St Patrick Is Éireannach mé I m Irish Sláinte is táinte health an wealth Bhí paráid ann There was a parade Seamróg shamrock Ádh na néireannach luck of the Irish Domhnach na Pailme Palm Sunday Déardaoin Mandála Holy Thursday Aoine an Chéasta Good Friday Domhnach na Cásca SCOR AND CULTURE Easter Sunday Luan na Cásca Easter Monday Éirí amach na Cásca Easter rising Ubh Chásca Easter egg Beannachtaí na Cásca ort Happy Easter DOWN CULTURAL COMMITTEE TO HOST FIRST EVER SINGING WORKSHOP The Down cultural committee will host a workshop for ALL who wish to be considered for singing Amhrán na bhfiann in the coming season. Singers are invited to attend the work shop to be held in Paric Esler on Saturday 4th May at 11.00am. Anyone who wishes to atttend should notify the scór secretary no later than 30th April. SCÓR Congaratulations to Glenn quiz team on being crowned All Ireland champions in Derry on Saturday 23rd February. ULSTER SCÓR SINSIR FINAL 6TH APRIL ST CECILIA S DERRY Down will compete in this years Ulster final in 4 disciplines, Cumann Pheadair Naofa Ceili dancing, Kilcoo in Novelty act, Clonduff in Set Dancing and Mayobridge in quiz. Best wishes to the four clubs in their bid for a Ulster title. WHO CAN CHEER THE LOUDEST! Down GAA invites its Clubs to bring their Under Age to Pairc Esler on April 7th for the Down v Kildare Allianz League Game. This is a must win game for Down and we want Noise and we want Colour. To gain free entry for your Under Age Team just contact the County Secretary giving details of How many juveniles you are bringing & we will provide the Match Tickets. There will be prizes on the Day for the UP DOWN Loudest and Most Colourful Down Supporters in Pairc Esler.

5 Volume I1 Issue II1 March 2013 Page 5 IRISH NEWS CLUB & VOLUNTEER AWARDS The Irish News Club and Volunteer Awards are back following a decade of success. The scheme has gone from strength-to strength and now moves into a second decade and aims to recognise the hard work and effort given by GAA clubs and volunteers throughout Ulster. The scheme also rewards the schools in the province who are doing great work at grass roots level to promote Gaelic games. This year, as well as the separate club and schools awards, there will be a special award to highlight the link between GAA clubs and schools. This special recognition category is open to both schools and clubs. The awards have, once again, been backed by the GAA s Ulster Council in conjunction with O Neills Sportswear, the Wellington Park Hotel and Volunteer Now. The winner in each club category will be awarded a 1,000 cheque, 1,000 O Neills Sportswear vouchers and a full page club profile in The Irish News. There will also be a highly commended winner in each category who will be awarded a 500 cheque. The winning volunteer in each category will win a 100 Irish News Reader Holiday voucher plus 100 O Neills Sportswear vouchers. The winning Primary and Second Level school will each receive a 1,000 cheque and 500 O Neills Sportswear vouchers plus a full page school profile in The Irish News. The awards are structured to allow clubs with similar membership numbers to compete together and will be categorised as small, medium and large. The same criteria will apply for the volunteer awards. Submitted entries will be accepted only on the official application form, copies of which can be downloaded from Support material is not permitted. The closing date for submission to the Irish News Club and Volunteer Awards is 12pm on Friday, April 19, Queries in relation to the Irish News Club and Volunteer Awards should be made in writing by to clubawards@irishnews.com or by post to Irish News Marketing Department, , Donegall Street, Belfast BT1 2GE. REGISTER FOR GAA SOCIAL INITIATIVE As some of you will already be aware, we are currently trying to update the database of clubs actively involved in the GAA Social Initiative. Although many clubs have completed the forms sent out previously, which we are grateful for you taking the time to complete, the number of returned forms compared to the number of clubs presently on the database does raise some concerns. There are likely a number of reasons for this, most notably the technical problems some people were experiencing when completing the forms. Therefore we have decided to tackle the problem from a different angle. We are now going to start the Social Initiative database from scratch. This will hopefully solve a number of issues that exist within the current database: Removes any in-active clubs from the current database and presents a clearer picture of how the Initiative is growing and what areas we need to target in the future. Streamlines the database in terms of the contact information for each active Social Initiative Group. Updates the database ensuring those people no longer involved in the Initiative are not receiving unwanted s and the right person is receiving the appropriate information. In order to do this, we are asking any club that has had a Social Initiative Group, active in the last 12 months, to complete the application form attached and list its activities over the last 12 months in the area provided for detailing supporting information. There are a number of reasons we need the contact details of the club Chairperson and Secretary as well as the Social Initiative Coordinators: Ensures all correspondence regarding the Initiative reaches the club - it became apparent previously that some of those responsible for coordinating the Social Initiative may not been receiving all correspondence for numerous of reasons. It ensures all relevant contact information is on file in the event a club needs to be contacted about other matters relating to the Initiative, such as the presentation of certificates, which are now available to all active Social Initiative Groups, or even future awards or honours. For any club not involved in the Social Initiative, or wishing to re-engage with it after a period of inactivity, please complete the attached application form as normal and return it to myself here at Croke Park. All forms can be returned by post (all contact information provided below), or by ing it to: social.initiative@gaa.ie. For those people that are unsure about what the Social Initiative is, a flyer giving a basic outline of the project is attached, along with some information relating to different offers exclusively available to Social Initiative Groups. Should you have any queries about the Initiative please follow this link to the Social Initiative section on the GAA website: clubzone/gaa-social-initiative/, or alternatively contact me personally via any of the details listed below. I thank everyone for their time in helping to update our database and also for their continued effort in the GAA Social Initiative. Le meas, Emmet Haughian, GAA Health & Wellbeing Coordinator Fón: +353-(0) Ríomhphost: emmet.haughian@gaa.ie

6 Page 6 CLUB DOWN MEMBERS DRAW MARCH 2013 Membership No. Name 1st Seamus Lawlor, Castlewellan 2nd Pat & Eddie Murtagh, Newry 3rd Hugh Rodgers, Longstone Kieran Fitzpatrick, Rathfriland Paul Johnston, Saul Jimmy Kelly, Castlewellan Eamon O Connor, Drumnaquoile Gerry O Hare, Belfast At the Down Cork match Club Down presented a cheque for to the Down County Board. The money was raised by Club Down via contributions made through their Membership, Sponsorship and Partners programme up to October Pictured is Sean Magee (Club Down), Seamus Walsh (Down County GAA Chairperson), Brendan Fitzpatrick (Down GAA Treasurer), and Patsy Quinn (Club Down). Down County Board would like to thank Club Down for their continued support and urge all Down followers to support Club Down wherever possible. EXTRA TIME DOWN GAA NEWSLETTER 2013 DOWN GAA KELLOGG'S CUL CAMP ALLOCATIONS Week One: 1-5th July 2013 FULLY BOOKED!!!!!!!! Saul GAC Sonia Kinsella Ballycran GAC Mary O'Flynn Aghaderg / Ballyvarley Donal Moran Downpatrick RGU John Murphy Tullylish GAC Brian Campbell Week Two: 8-12th July 2013 FULLY BOOKED!!!!!!!! Dromara GAC Gerry Burns Ardglass GAC Paul O'Shea Rostrevor GAC Conor Daly Ballykinlar Darren Killen Killyleagh Tom Beston Clann Na Banna Ruairi Gillen Week Three: 15-19th July 2013 FULLY BOOKED!!!!!!! Ballygalget GAC Kieran Taggart Saval GAC Anthony Crozier Mayobridge GAC Patrick Coulter Loughinisland GAC Lorraine Colgan Liatroim GAC Dan Morgan Week 4: 22-26th July 2013 FULLY BOOKED!!!!!!!! Dundrum GAC Paddy Doran Kilcoo GAC Seamus O'Hanlon Castlewellan GAC Terry Connolly Killyleagh GAC Tom Beston Burren GAC Declan McAteer Week 5: 29-2nd August 2013 FULLY BOOKED!!!!!!!! Atticall GAC Brian Cunningham Kilclief GAC Mary Clarke Glenn GAC Ollie Conlon Annaclone GAC Marie Devlin Drumgath GAC Martin McCaul Teconnaught GAC Gillian Murnin Week 6: 5-9th August 2013 FULLY BOOKED!!!!!!!! Clonduff GAC Teresa Carr Bredagh GAC Bernie Deighan St Michael's GAC Patrick McKeown Bright GAC Ollie Burke Darragh Cross GAC Cathy McMahon Longstone GAC Ambrose Rogers Bryansford GAC Catriona Rice Week 7: 12-16th August 2013 FULLY BOOKED!!!!!!! Ballyholland GAC Paddy Savage Newry Shamrocks GAC Brian Gorman Drumaness GAC Kevin Brennan St John's GAC Ciaran Cahill St John Bosco GAC Maria Fox Warrenpoint GAC Anne McCormack Week 8: 19-23rd August 2013 St Paul's GAC John Monaghan Portaferry GAC Karol Keating Carryduff Ger Connery out of the 8 possible weeks are now fully booked with the only vacancies now in the final week off camps, the 19th - 23rd August. IF YOUR CLUB HAS NOT YET REGISTERED BUT WISHES TO HOLD A CAMP, PLEASE CONTACT developmentmanager.down@gaa.ie Thank You to all those clubs who have signed up at this point, 43 in total!!!. Lets leave no stone unturned as we try to entice as many children as possible to attend your local camp!!

7 Volume I1 Issue II1 March 2013 DOWN GAA STRIVES TO REDUCE THE IMPACT OF UNEMPLOYMENT ON LOCAL CLUBS Down GAA and O Kane Resourcing are collaborating in an effort to reduce player drain and to help players at home and abroad identify and secure local career opportunities. O Kane Resourcing are a specialist recruitment and training provider with offices in Newry and Belfast who focus on professional and technical appointments. This is the first partnership of its kind in the GAA world aimed at job creation and education for our members. It will not only highlight career opportunities but offers candidates advice and support with CV s and applications and will also develop interview skills and confidence. Down GAA and O Kane Resourcing will be running an initial employability skills workshop later this spring and details will be available on the Down website soon. Conor MacNamara, Partner in O Kane Resourcing will project manage this initiative and is currently seeking to fill positions including: MANUFACTURING Continuous Improvement Manager FMCG Ballymena Production Manager (3 positions) - Tyrone Stores & Purchasing Manager Armagh Logistics Manager with HMRC Import / Export experience Newry TECHNICAL Maintenance Engineer Co. Armagh QS Electrical estimating - Newry Analytical Scientist Ulster Senior Mechanical Design Engineer Antrim Senior Product NPD Technologist Armagh OTHER PROFESSIONAL Business Development Manager Industrial cleaning & related services Assistant Accountant, full or part qualified - Dungannon Travel Co-Ordinator in-house travel / logistical requirements Senior Supply Chain Project Manager NI Food Sector Sean Óg McAteer commented that Down GAA are delighted to work with O Kane Resourcing to deliver a new partnership in the GAA world aimed at keeping our best talent working at home. This is a major new initiative for the GAA family in Down that will see job opportunities and employability workshops made available to the footballers and hurlers of our county. To find out more about current vacancies or job-search skills training contact Conor MacNamara on or c.macnamara@okaneresourcing.com. We are also keen to hear from employers who can provide career opportunities to reduce player drain and keep our players playing for club and county. Down Referees to attend National Conference The following referees will be attending the National GAA Club Referee Conference which is to be held in Croke Park on the 20th April: Kieran Trainor (F), Ciaran Mooney (F), Fearghal Laverty (F) Paul Faloon (F), Rowan Lyons (F), Ciaran Brannigan (F), Michael Moore (F) and Barry Milligan (H). The conference will include various workshop on areas such as: Becoming the best you can be, Fitness and Nutrition, Video Education, Expect the Unexpected, Managing Expectation, as well as Referee Education including Pathways, Reports and E-Learing. job creation and education Page 7 DOWN HOST MULTI-ETHNIC GROUP AT CROKE PARK Down GAA played host to a multi -ethnic group who were guests at the recent National Football League game with Dublin in Croke Park. Around the World through Sport is an innovative project which has been developed and delivered by the Challenge of Change priority of the PEACE III Southern Partnership which covers Newry and Mourne, Banbridge, Armagh, Craigavon and the border counties of Louth and Monaghan. Challenge of Change is dedicated to addressing issues around overt and covert racism with a particular emphasis on raising awareness of cultural diversity, myth-busting and increasing contact, integration and inclusion. During November-December 2012, ten sporting enthusiasts from Polish, Lithuanian and various Northern Irish backgrounds who are living in Banbridge took part in taster sessions of national sports, including basketball, Gaelic Football, rugby, Hurling, soccer and badminton, exploring the cultural significance of each sport and enjoying anti-racism awareness workshops. The group then teamed up with the management committee of the Moneyslane Football Club to experience first hand our national sporting traditions by attending the Northern Ireland v Russia soccer match at Windsor Park, Belfast on 22nd March and all groups were then guests of Down GAA Down v Dublin GAA game in Croke Park on 23rd March. The weekend was the perfect opportunity for our new communities to experience the island of Ireland at it's best! Perhaps we have a whole new set of fans.

8 Page 8 EXTRA TIME DOWN GAA NEWSLETTER An Cabhán v An Dún at Athletic Grounds, Armagh The final of the Irish News Cup is scheduled to take place on Wednesday 10th April

9 Volume I1 Issue II1 March 2013 Many thanks to those of you we met and spoke with at our stand at Congress 2013 in Derry, last weekend. Further to this, please find our Newsletter attached, which details products and projects from our partner, Greenfields Sports Turf Systems and includes information on GREENFIELDS SPORTS TURF SYSTEMS Xtra Grass which can offer a solution to problems associated with Goalmouth/ Small Square and Sideline wear on natural pitches, which may be of interest to you or your associated Clubs. We would be delighted to meet with you or your Clubs to discuss this or indeed any issue related to pitch construction, Page 9 drainage, floodlighting, fencing, dugouts or ancillary construction. Best regards, Paul McGarry Commercial Director AMCO Engineering Ltd. (086) DOWN GAA CLUB DRAW WINNERS - MARCH 2013 PRIZE WINNERS 1st 2000 DC 112 Jarlaith Murray c/o Darragh Cross GAC 2nd 1000 DH 064 Eileen Magowan 76 Drumlough Road Rathfriland 3rd 1000 KO 175 Colm Morgan 8 Tullyree Road Kilcoo 4th 1000 MI 195 St Michaels GAC MONTHLY CLUB WINNERS SL 188 Anne Sharvin 12 Ardfern Park Downpatrick WP 137 Lar Devlin c/o Warrenpoint Gac BH 008 Una Short 15 Hampton Manor Belfast AL 168 Brenda Fitzpatrick 219 Moyadd Road Kilkeel DOWN STEP INTO SPRING On Wednesday 27th February St Patrick s Hilltown cluster ran a Step into Spring event involving two other schools St Paul s Cabra and St Colman s Annaclone (all 3 schools are in the Clonduff Extended schools cluster programme). A lot of time and planning was put into the organisation of the activities which included agility, balance, co-ordination, running, jumping, throwing, catching, kicking, striking, dribbling and many more. There was a total of 176 children at this event and never was a group of 4/5 children standing without an activity. The atmosphere was active with music blocks timed for each station. The children knew it was time to move to the next station when the new piece of music came on. As the children ranged from 4 7 years there was a range of ability level stations and stations that could be challenged or left basic. Within the group of children we had a few special needs medical, academic and physical. All of these children were actively involved and stimulated throughout the event. The coaches were continuously encouraging, reinforcing, adopting and challenging the children at their levels of ability. All schools were extremely grateful and delighted to get this wonderful opportunity for their children.

10 Page 10 EXTRA TIME DOWN GAA NEWSLETTER Abbey CBS Ballycran Carryduff Aghaderg-Ballyvarley Ballygalget Castlewellan An Ríocht Ballyholland Clann na Banna Annaclone Ballykinlar Clann na Derg Ardglass Ballymartin Clonduff Atticall Bredagh Darragh Cross Aughlisnafin Bright Down Baileghlas Bryansford Downpatrick TOTAL COMPARISON REPORT FOR DOWN CLUB (as of 31st March 2013) Ballela Burren Dromara

11 Volume I1 Issue II1 March 2013 Page 11 Drumaness Longstone St John Bosco Drumgath Loughinisland St John's Dundrum Mayobridge St Michael's Glasdrumman Mitchels St Paul's Glenn Portaferry Teconnaught Kilclief Rostrevor Tullylish Kilcoo Saul Warrenpoint Killyleagh Saval Liatroim Shamrocks The figures shown is a comparison of the total count per club of teams under the Player Injury Scheme. Figures show 2012 and this years figures (as of 31st March 2013). If your club shows 0 in a chosen field then it means no team for your club has been submitted to the Player Injury Scheme for that sport (as of 31st March 2013.

12 County Management Committee 2013 Contact Information PRESIDENT: P Mc Flynn CHAIRMAN: Seamus Walsh chairperson.down@gaa.ie VICE CHAIRMAN: William Smith vicechairperson.down@gaa.ie SECRETARY: Sean Og McAteer secretary.down@gaa.ie ASSISTANT SECRETARY: Paul Blaney assistantsecretary.down@gaa.ie TREASURER: Brendan Fitzpatrick treasurer.down@gaa.ie ASSISTANT TREASURER: Seamus Ryan assistanttreasurer.down@gaa.ie COUNTY PRO: Paul Rooney pro.down@gaa.ie CENTRAL COUNCIL REP: Sean Rooney centralcouncildelegate.down@gaa.ie ULSTER COUNCIL REP: Diarmuid Cahill ulstercouncildelegate1.down@gaa.ie ULSTER COUNCIL REP: John Devaney Ulstercouncildelegate2.down@gaa.ie DEVELOPMENT OFFICER: Maureen O Higgins developmentofficer.down@gaa.ie COACHING OFFICER: Seamus Ennis coachingofficer.down@gaa.ie IRISH & CULTURE OFFICER: Paula Magee irishculturalofficer.down@gaa.ie SOUTH DOWN CHAIRMAN: Michael Mc Ardle chairman.southdown. down@gaa.ie EAST DOWN CHAIRMAN: Sean McCashin chairman.eastdown.down@gaa.ie HURLING CHAIRMAN: Gerard Mc Shane chairman.hurling.down@gaa.ie Down GAA - Working Together NOTICE RE DOWN KILDARE MATCH Those travelling to Down Kildare Match in Pairc Esler on Sunday 7th April woul dyou please that that it is advisable to avoid the Hilltown Area as the annual 10k run is taking place on this date. The run starts at 1:30pm with the first set of runner returning at approximately 3.15pm. Over the last few years there has been a considerable crowd in the area for this event. GAELTEACHT SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION FORMS Beidh Coiste Chontae an Dúin ag ofráil Scolaireachtaí Gaeltachta arís i mbliana do dhaltaí scoile atá ag freastal ar Choláiste Gaeltachta sa Samhradh. Cuirfear na foirmeacha ar fáil ag tús Mí Aibreáin ag is é an dáta dhruidim ná 17ú Aibreáin. Is féidir leat an fhoirm a íoslodáil ó shuíomh an Dúin nó ceann a fháil ó Rúnaí do chlub. Ní mór duit a bheith i do bhall den CLG chun scolaireacht a fháil. Cuirfear na daltaí tríd agallamh ghairid i Mí Bealtaine agus bronnfar na Scolaireachtaí ag tús Mí Meithimh. The Down County board will be awarding scholarships to children attending a Gaeltacht Summer College in Donegal this summer. The scholarship will be made available to all club members who wish to apply. All applicants must be GAA members. The application forms is available through the Down GAA website and club secretaries, Interview process will take place in the Castlewellan in mid May, with successful applicants being awarded their scholarships at the beginning of June. The application form can be downloaded from the Down GAA website Click on Resources on the main menu and then on Click on Scéim Deontais Gaeltachta Gaeltacht Grants Scheme or by using the following link: contentpage/19592/sc%c3%a9im_deontais_gaeltachta2013 Póilín Bn Mhig Aoidh, Oifigeach Chultúrtha an Dúin DATES FOR YOUR DIARY DOWNGAA GOES STRICTLY! The Down senior Footballers and some Special Guests will take to the Boards in November The dates and Venues are as follows 1st Semi Final November 10th Canal Court Hotel 2nd Semi Final November 17th St John's GAC The Final of all Finals Sunday November 24th Canal Court Hotel Doors open at 6.00pm Who will be the Champion of Champions in 2013 More Details in Extra Time each Month as the competitors and their partners are Down GAA 2013 Edited and Produced by Diarmuid Cahill Sean Og McAteer