It is with great sadness that we learned on New Year’s Day of the passing of the late Tony McGovern, formerly of Aughavas County Leitrim and London. The late Tony was a most generous contributor to the fundraising efforts of Leitrim GAA over the years. Most recently he, together with his wife Bernadette, made a significant contribution to the aptly named McGovern Aughavas Centre of Excellence in Annaduff, coinciding with the official opening of the facility in September 2019. This generosity has been officially recognised in the awarding of the naming rights on the centre and ensures the McGovern Aughavas name lives on to be associated with the training and nurturing of many present and future county players in all codes and levels.

Indeed the generosity of the McGovern family has not been a recent thing, as Tony’s late brother James, who passed away in January 2023, was the main contributor to the team sponsorship of the Leitrim Senior Football team of 1994 which went on the claim the Connacht Senior Football Championship of that year. The team jersey logo in that era was simply iconic McGovern Aughavas. The following decade saw the development of the new stand facilities at Avant Money Pairc Seán Mac Diarmada and again the McGovern family was a significant contributor to this development. With its official opening in 2007, the stand was given the name McGovern Stand, in honour of their late brother Fr. Andy McGovern.

Across three separate decades, the McGovern Family has been associated with acts of generosity to Leitrim GAA and indeed their home club Aughavas GAA and we are most conscious of recording this at the passing of the most recent family member Tony. We extend our sympathies to his wife Bernadette, son Anthony, and daughters Anita and Tara. Tony is also survived by his brothers Gerry and Tom and extended family members to whom we extend our heartfelt sympathies.

Funeral details will be posted later.

The following article was published by the Leitrim Observer in September 2019 in conjunction with the official opening of the McGovern Aughavas Centre of Excellence in Annaduff.

https://www.leitrimobserver.ie/news/national-sports/475989/its-about-the-heart-for-tony-bernadette-mcgovern.html

GAA Ticket Prices For 2024 Allianz Leagues

The GAA can confirm its full schedule of central level ticket prices for the 2024 Allianz Leagues competitions.

Divisions 1 and 2 of the Allianz Football League and Division 1 of the Allianz Hurling League will be priced at €20 per match and student/OAP tickets will be €15. Divisions 3 and 4 in Football matches will be €12 with student/OAP tickets at €10. Entry to Allianz Division 2 & 3 Hurling matches will cost €10 with student/OAP tickets €8.

Juveniles Under 16 will be free of charge for Allianz Leagues fixtures, except for reserved seating fixtures and selected fixtures where capacity is a concern.

New League Packages are on sale with full and flexible match packages available. These packages can be purchased on www.gaa.ie/tickets

Tickets for the Allianz Division 1 & 2 League Finals will be €30. Entry to Division 3 & 4 Finals will be €25.

Football Season Tickets will be €150 and Hurling Season Tickets will be €140. A GAA Season Ticket covers all Allianz League fixtures for your chosen county, Allianz League finals and semi-finals, AIB All-Ireland Club Finals, guaranteed access to your county’s championship fixtures and access to an All-Ireland Final ticket should your county reach the Final and you have met the qualification criteria. Club Plus Season Tickets, which includes club fixtures within your chosen county, will remain at €250.

The opening championship match(es) will no longer be included as part of the Season Ticket.  However, the Association will have details of special Championship packages available in the New Year.

Once again, tickets will not be sold at venues in 2024. All tickets must be purchased in advance on gaa.ie/tickets or in selected SuperValu and Centra stores.

Allianz League Packages

• Division 1 & 2 Football:  7 matches for €100. A saving of €40

4 matches for €65. A saving of €15

• Division 3 & 4 Football:  7 matches for €60. A saving of €24

4 matches for €40. A saving of €8

• Division 1 Hurling:  5 matches for €75. A saving of €25

3 matches for €50.  A saving of €10

For further information, contact:

Alan Milton, GAA Director of Communications: communications@gaa.ie

Cumann Lúthchleas Gael is Ireland’s leading sporting and cultural organisation with membership
approaching one million people and in excess of 500,000 playing participants at all levels. Inspired by
its amateur status and supported by the voluntary efforts of all its members, the GAA devotes its
entire resourcesto the development of Gaelic Games and Culture nationally and in local communities.
The GAA, in conjunction with Connacht GAA and Leitrim GAA, are now welcoming applications for the
role of GAA Games Development Coordinator in County Leitrim.

Role Summary
The role holder will be responsible for the delivery of GAA games development policy and related
programmes as contained in the county coaching and games development plan in local clubs and
schools (Primary and Post Primary) within a geographic area of a county. The role will also focus on
establishing self-sufficient and sustainable clubs by building capacity and capability within the
volunteer structure to deliver a games development programme.
A key target associated with the role will be the growth and retention of coach and player
participation.
The role holder shall be required to work 39 hours per week, which will include weekends and
evenings when required, and the hours may vary depending on seasonal changes.

Principle Accountabilities include but are not limited to:

Operations
• Oversee the timely implementation of Association policies, strategies and programmes
relating to coaching and games development within a region of a county;
• Manage key relations with clubs and schools to support growth and engagement across all
Gaelic Games working closely with Camogie, LGFA, Handball and Rounders within a region of
the county.

People Management
• Coordinate and supervise other county personnel e.g., Participation Officers as required to
include responsibility for supporting the formulation of weekly/monthly work programmes
with the County Head of Games;
• Liaise with and support a team of Coach Developers in the County to deliver coach and referee
development;
• Coordinate the recruitment, training and deployment of Cúl Camp and Club-School Link
coaches within a region of the county.

Leadership
• Assist the County Head of Games, County Coaching and Games Committee and key County
Officers with the development and implementation of the County Games Development
Strategy in the county and associated multi-annual plan;
• Ensure the effective use of GAA coaching and games development IT Systems;
• Ensure programmes are delivered in line with national games development policy;
• Coordinate the delivery of programmes in areas of potential growth and develop strategies to
increase engagement in Gaelic Games and specific codes.

Club Support
• Coordinate the delivery of a club support programme in clubs to achieve the GAA’s goal of
creating self-sufficiency and sustainability by building capacity and capability (Club Compass)
• Liaise, support and provide on-going training and development opportunities to Club
Coaching Officers;
• With the Club Coaching and Children’s Officer ensure all coaches and volunteers meet the
required coaching, vetting and safeguarding requirements;
• Assist clubs with the development of player pathways and lead the coordination of
participation and retention programmes in the region to help transition as many players and
as possible through child, youth and adult stages of the pathway to include coordination and
delivery of:
o Club Nursery Programme
o Intra and inter-Club Go Games
o Camps
o Intra and Inter-Club Super Games
o Diversity and Inclusion Programmes
o Intra and Inter-Club Recreational Games for youths and adults
• Assist clubs with the development of coach and referee pathways and coordinate and lead
the provision of volunteer, coach and referee education in the region;
• Coordinate and lead the provision of learning opportunities to club volunteers, club coaches,
referees and teachers required to assist the delivery of games development programmes.

Schools Support
• Coordinate the delivery of the GAA 5 STAR Programme in primary schools introducing and
engaging children in all Gaelic Games;
• Coordinate and oversee the delivery of participation and retention programmes in primary
and post-primary schools to include:
o Intra and inter-school Go Games
o Intra and Inter-school Super Games
o Diversity and Inclusion Programmes
• Assist with the delivery of Transition Year and GAA Future Leaders Programme;
• Coordinate and provide on going training and support to a network of Club School Link
Coaches.

Talent Academy/Player Development Support
• Support the County Head of Games in identification of players and coaches to participate in
the county talent academy programme;
• Coordinate and organise as required regional/divisional games activities to support the
programme;
• Guide and support clubs and schools on the delivery of player development supports
ensuring coherence with talent academy programme;.

Stakeholder Management
• Work closely with the relevant Coaching and Games Development Committees at County level
• Work effectively with all key stakeholders (National GAA, Province, County, Clubs, Schools,
Third Level, etc) to grow participation and increase retention rates including LGFA, Camogie,
GAA Handball and Rounders.

Other
• It is a natural function of the role that the role holder is required to work and attend evening
and weekend meetings/activities in line with business needs and undertake any other such
projects or duties as deemed appropriate by their manager;
• The role holder may be responsible for fulfilling a lead programme function within the county
games development operation.

Essential Criteria:
• At least 3-5 years’ experience of working in the GAA or similar sporting organisation (Voluntary
or Professional Capacity);
• Minimum Award 1 GAA Coaching Qualification;
• Appropriate third level qualification (Level 7 NFQ);
• Clear and detailed knowledge and experience of the GAA’s coaching schemes and initiatives;
• Excellent administrative and IT skills with a strong working knowledge of IT related packages
and systems;
• Exceptional interpersonal skills and a strong ability to work in high-pressure situations;
• Excellent communication and presentation skills (verbal and written);
• Demonstrably excellent leadership skills and influencing ability;
• Excellent ability to manage people/resources and build and sustain good team relationships
and manage conflict;
• Strong leadership and decision-making skills;
• Excellent negotiation skills;
• Strong organisational skills and demonstrable ability to effectively manage multiple projects
and priorities; hands-on approach to getting things done;
• Ability to clearly present goals and direction.

Desirable Criteria:
• Experience in managing/supervising staff;
• GAA Tutor/Coach Developer qualification;
• Third level sports science qualification;
• Strong coach education experience.

Other Requirements:
• Own car with a full clean driving license;
• Have completed the GAA Child Protection in Sport Awareness/Safeguarding 1
programme;
• Ability to work and attend evening and weekend meetings/activities in addition to
normal day to day activities.

Please note this role is subject to Garda Vetting.
Candidates interested in the above role should apply by submitting an up to date cover letter and
Curriculum Vitae to jobapplications@gaa.ie using reference #Leitrim021123 on or before 3pm, Thursday 16th November 2023.

The GAA is an equal opportunities employer.

The Link Will Be Live For Two Weeks.

https://www.gaa.ie/the-gaa/administration/employment-opportunities