Gallagher praises St Joseph’s and GAA Social Initiative

Efforts by St Joseph’s GAA Club to reconnect with people in the community have been lauded by presidential candidate, Sean Gallagher.
At the end of his ‘listening tour’ in Clare on Thursday, the former Dragons Den judge officially launched the GAA Social Initiative in the area, which will seek to encourage new members to join, while also focusing on older men in the community who might feel isolated, particularly if they live alone.
“This is a great programme, which I know will make a huge difference to older people in the area. It is wonderful practical response to ensuring that older people stay engaged in their community,” he said.
The initiative is being fully embraced in St Joseph’s, where a number of social events have been organised to connect with people over the age of 65 who may have had an involvement with the club or may be new to the area.
The target group would include the president of the minor club, Lott O’Halloran, senior club president Jimmy McNamara, camogie club president Bríd Baker and ladies’ football club president Dan Keane.
In addition to encouraging people to attend the official opening of the club’s impressive €3.5 million development at Gurteen, the club has organised a night of Irish traditional music and entertainment in Gurteen on Friday, October 14 at 8pm to help people to get to know each other.
There are also plans to attend the Michael Cusack Visitor Centre in Carron before Christmas and a trip to visit Croke Park and its associated facilities in the new year.
Club secretary, Donal O’Connor explained the aim of the initiative is to encourage as many people as possible over the age of 65 to get involved in social community events, regardless of whether they were previously involved in the club or interested in GAA.
“The club is reaching out to the wider GAA community and hope they will be in a position to avail of our brand-new facilities in Gurteen. A lot of people in the parish may not have visited Gurteen or be aware of what it has to offer,” he said.
Mr O’Connor confirmed the club does not have any outstanding debts from its Gurteen development, despite the expenditure of  €3.5 million on new pitches and ancillary facilities.
The overall development includes four playing pitches, two senior and two juvenile, two astro turf pitches and a full-sized sports hall with a gym.
It was financed through the sale of the club’s former pitch in Roslevan, which netted in the region of €1.7 million, club lotto, Munster and Croke Park grants and local fundraising.
The GAA Social Initiative arose out of President McAleese’s concern that many men had become disengaged from community life for one reason or another. 
The president organised a Forum in 2007 that brought together academics, service providers, local and national representatives and men from all over Ireland to explore the issue. President McAleese then approached the GAA to establish and implement a project that would provide suitable social outlets for men in the community.