A Chairde,
This week’s 3 page edition includes “Bits & Bytes” from the past week, a Quickfire question round with Kildare Senior Hurler James Burke and Kildare Senior Footballer Neil Flynn.
“Bits & Bytes”
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Kildare Senior Football Manager Jack O’Connor and his selectors announced their panel for the 2021 season. The 32 man panel & 3 developmental players can be viewed on the following link: https://kildaregaa.ie/2021-kildare-gaa-senior-football-panel/ Best wishes to the Team & Management.
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From next Monday, May 10th outdoor training is permitted at adult level in pods of a maximum of 15 people (including coaches) in the 26 Counties. From 7th June (and subject to the Public Health situation at the time) – Club games will be permitted at all levels but must be played “behind closed doors”.
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The GAA this week issued comms to all Club Secretaries regrading changes to the Club Constitution which were approved at Congress in February. Further details can be found on the following URL: https://sway.office.com/4G0s8KyVcfvDVUFr?ref=email&loc=play
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Reminder that the deadline for Club Membership subscription is 31st May 2021. All Clubs are asked to ensure all players are registered ahead of their return to play dates.
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The May reading choice for the GAA Museum Book Club is “Relentless” by Mary White. You can still sign up to the book club at crokepark.ie/bookclub
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HSE Dublin South, Kildare & West Wicklow Community Healthcare this week launched ‘Her Shoes’ mental health campaign ahead of World Maternal Mental Health Day May 5th. Further information can be found on https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLsQK32cdMW_xLV_fknXJotYdb1AilvvnK
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A downloadable guide of the new Playing Rules that will be implemented in the Allianz Leagues can be viewed on https://www.gaa.ie/news/referees-ready-to-implement-new-playing-rules/
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The GAA and the RNLI have partnered together to raise awareness on the dangers of water. All members are urged to take extra care and to respect the water.
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Kildare GAA are currently creating a database where the aim is to connect to our Diaspora on a regular basis. If you know of anyone who is abroad and wishes to remain in touch with Kildare GAA it would be greatly appreciated if you could forward on the below form for completion: https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=hrxFrNSvpUKfwz6H4bd_zqxkqPsI6NxIlBZR0jpKYHZUNlZTNUJGREpYRVNDWFIxOFFVNkhISlk0TS4u
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Upcoming Fixtures for the diary: Saturday 15th May:
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Allianz Hurling League: Kildare v Donegal @ 13:00 in St Conleth’s Park. Match will be streamed live on YouTube – link will issue early next week.
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Allianz Football League: Kildare v Cork @ 15:30 in Semple Stadium, Thurles. Fixture will be broadcast live on Eir Sport.
Quickfire Questions with Kildare Senior Footballer Neil Flynn
Age: 25
Club: Maynooth
Senior Inter County League Debut: Westmeath – 2016.
Senior Inter County Championship Debut: Wexford – 2016.
Pre-Match Day Routine: Porridge or overnight oats for breakfast, back to bed for a snooze if it’s a late game. The bag is packed from the night before. Pre match meal of chicken and pasta and listen to match day playlist on Spotify on the journey to the pitch.
Pre match rituals: Just listening to the match day playlist and I like to run out second from the dressing room.
Toughest opponent: Eoin Doyle – never lets up.
Team you most like to beat: Meath.
Proudest Day: “Newbridge or Nowhere” – on the pitch after the game seeing what it meant to the fans and my family.
Toughest or most disappointing day: Missing the Leinster final in 2017.
Biggest influence on your career: My Mam & Dad & my school teachers Mr Creevey and Mr Winders.
Joker in the panel: Shea Ryan.
Best Dressed: Conor Hartley.
Worst Dressed: David Hyland – boot cut jeans.
Player do you admire from another sport: Joe Canning – his skill level and his placed balls.
Manager from another sport do you admire: Brendan Rogers – brings the best out of his players.
Quickfire Questions with Kildare Senior Hurler James Burke
Age: 22
Club: Naas
Senior Inter County League Debut: 2018 NHL vs Meath.
Senior Inter County Championship Debut: 2018 Christy Ring Cup vs Wicklow.
Pre-Match Day Routine: Pre-match routine is pretty basic. I’d make sure all my gear, etc is ready the night before. So on the day of the match it’s all about eating well and making sure I’m hydrated. My meals and meal time would depend on throw-in time.
Pre match rituals: No superstitions. Pre-match I just like to spend my time stretching and doing activation work. If I have the time, I’ll try get in a few pucks before the warm-up too.
Toughest opponent: Probably Calum Lyons from Waterford. I marked him in a Fitzgibbon match with DCU. He’s very attack minded and athletic.
Describe yourself in three words: Ambitious and hard-working.
Proudest Day: Very tough to highlight one in particular. It would probably have to be winning the 2018 Christy Ring Cup, with it being my first year on the team and after the year I had personally.
Toughest or most disappointing day: Hard to know. Possibly the draw with Derry in the NHL last year. Was a missed opportunity at a chance of league silverware and promotion.
Biggest influence on your career: My parents and underage managers I had with Naas and the Kildare Development Squads.
Joker in the panel: Drew Costello. Honourable mention to Dec Molloy too over the past few years!
Best advice you were given: “It’s all about the long game”
Best Trainer: Simon Leacy
Teammate most likely to be a future manager: Shane Ryan would fancy himself as a manager, but I’d go with Paddy McKenna.
If there was a transfer market, who you buy: Tony Kelly – Unbelievably talented hurler and leads by example on the pitch.
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