We have all been through an unprecedented year in 2020, one that we never could have foreseen and one that we hope will not be repeated. As National organisations, the GAA, LGFA and an Cumann Camógaíochta responded brilliantly to the covid crisis and delivered learning and other assets that allowed players to train and play safely right across the country. We in Ballyboden rose to the challenge, and our amazing volunteers stepped forward to create a safe environment for our players to come together to train, play and socialise. Every team had at least one Covid Supervisor and attendance records were kept, check-ins completed and recorded, and hands and equipment sanitised. We can be hugely proud of the online and virtual skills challenges as well as fun games and activities that were run to keep our players engaged, active and socialising. We finally got a series of games from July through to October when level three and level five brought a halt to competitive action. We were lucky and grateful that Government regulations allowed juvenile training to continue right through level five, and, due to the absence of alternative indoor activities, training sessions were fully attended in almost all cases. Many thanks to all of the mentors, coaches, FLOs, Covid Supervisors who enabled this to happen. Thanks also to Brian and Paul who supported us through the unknowns of training and playing through a pandemic. Thanks to the Facilities Maintenance Executive, especially Vivian Ruddy and Martin Durkin, and to Con Nagle who made sure that our facilities were safe and that signage and sanitisation equipment were in place. Finally, thanks to Eamonn Gormley for his invaluable support, direction and guidance during return to play.
It is time for all of us, players and mentors to take a well-earned break in order that we can come back refreshed and ready for 2021. The Coaching Executive as well as the Juvenile Boys’ and Girls’ Executives strongly recommend that all teams would take a break from Wednesday of this week, 16th of December until at least the week commencing 4th of January – and this does not mean that teams need to come back that week! To that end, the pitches in Sancta Maria will be closed and lights turned off for this period and we encourage all teams to take advantage of the break. We are aware that there are two or three teams who are in championship finals that will hopefully be fixed in late January or early February, and exceptional arrangements can be made to facilitate their preparation for those finals.

On behalf of the club Executive, I would like to thank all Ballyboden players, mentors, coaches, FLOs and Covid supervisors for your trojan efforts to bring joy and fun to the youth of Ballyboden, Rathfarnham, Knocklyon and Firhouse during this most difficult of years. Have a very happy Christmas and enjoy the well-earned break.

Ciarán