Fáilte Romhat – Welcome to Armagh Safeguarding site where you can access the resources and information you need to ensure that your club creates and maintains the safest possible environment in which our children and young people can participate in our Gaelic Games and Activities.
The Association and its sister organisations launched (April 2022) an online version of Code of Behaviour (Underage), the joint Code of Best Practice in Youth Sport. This Code has been agreed between the GAA, the Ladies Gaelic Football Association, the Camogie Association, GAA Handball Ireland and the Rounders Council of Ireland.
The Code of Behaviour replaces all previous Codes and is a mandatory Code of Best Practice for all Gaelic Games Associations in our work with underage players. It is a comprehensive good practice guidance publication and we are anxious that as many players, coaches, parents and other Club personnel have immediate access to its contents.
The Gaelic Athletic Association is committed to creating and maintaining the safest possible environment for all young people who wish to participate in our Gaelic Games and activities. We will take all practicable steps to protect them from discernible forms of abuse – from harm, discrimination or degrading treatment and shall respect their rights, wishes and feelings.
It is the responsibility of each club to ensure that they comply with all Safeguarding Regulations as set down by the GAA. Each club must appoint a Children’s Officer who will take the lead in overseeing that all regulation is followed.
Key requirements for each club include:
- Appoint a Children’s Officer and Designated Liaison Person.
- Each club must have a Safeguarding Statement and Risk Assessment. This is completed every two years and forwarded to Croke Park. It was last completed in June 2021 and will be due again in June 2023. See Section 1.
- Ensure that all policy and practice is in line with the Code of Behaviour. See Section 2.
- Appoint a Code of Behaviour Hearings Committee to deal with issues arising out of complaints made to the Children’s Officer – Section 3.
- Ensure all those who are working with young people are vetted. The process will soon be completed within the New Foireann System but for now please follow as per advice at Section 4.
- Ensure the Appropriate Safeguarding Training is completed by different personnel. See Section 5.
- Completion of Sport Ireland Safeguarding Audit. See Section 6.
- Ensure the Children’s Officer use the designated email childrensofficer@ – See Section 7.
For further details on any Safeguarding matters, contact the Ard Mhacha GAA Children’s Officer, Gary Farrell on childrensofficer.armagh@gaa.ie
Club Children & Designated Officer Contacts
Annaghmore
Children’s Off. Cathy Nixon Fón 07748787338 childrensofficer.annaghmore.armagh@gaa.ie
Designated Off. Cathy Nixon Fón 07748787338 cathymcgilly@gmail.com
Armagh Harps
Children’s Off. Shauna Agnew Fón 07512891213 Email childrensofficer.armaghharps.armagh@gaa.ie
Designated Off. Paul Gribben Fón 07776211924 Email chairperson.armaghharps.armagh@gaa.ie
Ballyhegan Davitts
Children’s Off. Stephen Tiffney Fón 07736412516 Email childrensofficer.ballyhegandavitts.armagh@gaa.ie
Designated Off. Leo Marley Fón 02838891479 Email chairperson.ballyhegandavitts.armagh@gaa.ie
Ballymacnab Round Towers
Children’s Off. Laureen Keegan Fón 07380363434
Childrensofficer.ballymacnabroundtowers.armagh@gaa.ie
Designated Off. Mickey McGivern Fón 07713086201 chairperson.ballymacnabroundtowers.armagh@gaa.ie
Belleek Laurence O’Tooles
Childrensofficer.belleeklaurenceotooles.armagh@gaa.ie
Designated Off. Martin Smith Fón 07866428389 chairperson.belleeklaurenceotooles.armagh@gaa.ie
Carrickcruppen St Patricks
Children’s Off. Ciara Lowe Fón 07872676979 childrensofficer.carrickcruppenstpatricks.armagh@gaa.ie
Designated Off. Gerard Flynn Fón 07919044208
chairperson.carrickcruppenstpatricks.armagh@gaa.ie
Clady Sean South
Children’s Off. Damien McLoughlin Fón 07798817143 Email childrensOfficer.cladyseansouth.armagh@gaa.ie
Designated Off. Eamon McMahon Fón 0784376777 Email chairman.cladyseansouth.armagh@gaa.ie
Clann Na Gael Lurgan
Children’s Off. Carolyn McVeigh Fón 07592334934 childrensofficer.clannagaellurgan.armagh@gaa.ie
Designated Off. Noel O Hagan Fón 07482096313 Email chairperson.clannagaellurgan.armagh@gaa.ie
Clann Eireann Lurgan
Children’s Off. Denise Kelly Fón 07786515908 ChildrensOfficer.clanneireannlurgan.armagh@gaa.ie
Designated Off. Donal McCarthy Fón 07738854551 Email chairperson.clanneireannlurgan.armagh@gaa.ie
Clonmore Robert Emmets
Children’s Off. Shelagh Kelly Fón 07910067694
childrensofficer.clonmorerobertemmets.armagh@gaa.ie
Designated Off. Gerard Cunningham Fón 07740951175 chairperson.clonmorerobertemmets.armagh@gaa.ie
Collegeland O’Rahillys
Children’s Off. Mairead Mitchell Fón 07703640157 ChildrensOfficer.collegelandorahillys.armagh@gaa.ie
Designated Off. Oliver Brannigan Fón 07841167981 Email obrannigan122@yahoo.co.uk
Camlough Craobh Rua
Children’s Off. Donal McCaul Fón 07773819039 Email childrensofficer.camlochcraobhrua.armagh@gaa.ie
Designated Off. David O Brien Fón 07775176614 Email chairperson.camlochcraobhrua.armagh@gaa.ie
Crossmaglen Rangers
Children’s Off. Marion McMahon Fón 07730578786 Childrensofficer.crossmaglenrangers.armagh@gaa.ie
Designated Off. Donal Murtagh Fón 00353863114511 Email chairperson.crossmaglenrangers.armagh@gaa.ie
Cuchulainns
Children’s Off. Lorraine Hart Fón 07775650541 Email ChildrensOfficer.cuchulainns.armagh@gaa.ie
Designated Off. Lorraine Hart Fón 07775650541 Email lorrainehart23@hotmail.com
Culloville Blues
Terry Garvey 00353876189804 ChildrensOfficer.cullovilleblues.armagh@gaa.ie
Fiona Callan 00353851375757 fcall001@hotmail.co.uk
Derrynoose GAC
Children’s Off. Niall Woods Fón 07798500029 Email ChildrensOfficer.derrynoose.armagh@gaa.ie
Designated Off. John Lennon Fón 07767880791 Email j.lennon@lencoutilities.com
Dorsey Emmets
Children’s Off. Ciaran McGlinchey Fón 00353879138464 Email Childrensofficer.dorseyemmets.armagh@gaa.ie
Designated Off. Ciaran Lennon Fón 07464619804 Email chairperson.dorseyemmets.armagh@gaa.ie
Dromintee St Patrick’s
Children’s Off. Caroline Convery Fón 07745347260 ChildrensOfficer.drominteestpatricks.armagh@gaa.ie
Designated Off. Sarah Murphy Fón 07752423480 Email secretary.drominteestpatricks.armagh@gaa.ie
Eire Og Craigavon
Children’s Off. Paddy Mallon Fón Email Childrensofficer.eireog.armagh@gaa.ie
Designated Off. Ian O Hagan Fón 07525793553 Email chairperson.eireog.armagh@gaa.ie
Forkhill Peadar O’Doirnin
Children’s Off. Colm Cunningham Fón 07729863727
Childrensofficer.forkhillpeadarodoirnin.armagh@gaa.ie
Designated Off. Tracy Cunningham Fón 07787427779 Email Tracysmith24@yahoo.co.uk
Granemore
Children’s Off. Jenny Rafferty Fón 07799887430 ChildrensOfficer.granemorestmarys.armagh@gaa.ie
Designated Off. Peter Carr Fón 07761268145 Email chairperson.granemorestmarys.armagh@gaa.ie
Grange
Children’s Off. Patricia Mallon Fón 07715615025 Childrensofficer.grangestcolmcilles.armagh@gaa.ie
Designated Off. Shane Nugent Fón 07724306347 Email chairperson.grangestcolmcilles.armagh@gaa.ie
Keady Michael Dwyers
Children’s Off. Grainne Nugent Fón 07595305667 childrensofficer.keadymichaeldwyers.armagh@gaa.ie
Designated Off. Patrick Og Nugent Fón 07595305667 Email chairperson.keadymichaeldwyers.armagh@gaa.ie
Keady Red Hands
Children’s Off. Deborah Mc Cormack Fón 07778599501 Email Childrensofficer.keadyredhands.armagh@gaa.ie
Designated Off. Jim McCormack Fón 07899750669 Email chairperson.keadyredhands.armagh@gaa.ie
Killeavy St Moninna
Children’s Off. Fiona Owens Fón 07999638324 ChildrensOfficer.killeavystmoninna.armagh@gaa.ie
Designated Off. Maeve O Neill Fón 07856018072 Email chairperson.killeavystmoninna.armagh@gaa.ie
Lissummon
Children’s Off. Donna Rice Fón 07518386629 Email childrensofficer.lissummon.armagh@gaa.ie
Designated Off. Paul McCaffery Fón 07447802530 Email chairperson.lissummon.armagh@gaa.ie
Madden Raparees
Children’s Off. Jason Tohill Fón 07788554023 Email childrensofficer.maddenraparees.armagh@gaa.ie
Designated Off. Paddy Woods Fón 07851262251 Email chairperson.maddenraparees.armagh@gaa.ie
Maghery Sean McDermotts
Children’s Off. Stefan Forker Fón 07821580024 childrensofficer.magheryseanmcdermotts.armagh@gaa.ie
Designated Off. Niall Forker Fón 07786704686 chairperson.magheryseanmcdermotts.armagh@gaa.ie
Middletown Owen Roes
Children’s Off. Maureen Lappin Fón 07886320158
ChildrensOfficer.middletownowenroes.armagh@gaa.ie
Designated Off. Damien McGuinness Fón 07901858430 Email chairperson.middletown.armagh@gaa.ie
Mullabrack O’Donovan Rossa
Children’s Off. Christina Crilly
Fón 07834327662
Childrensofficer.mullabrackodonovanrossa.armagh@gaa.ie
Designated Off. Paul Hughes Fón 07793867850 secretary.mullabrackodonovanrossa.armagh@gaa.ie
Mullaghbawn Cuchulainns
Children’s Off. Cahal McCaffrey Fón 07718943622
ChildrensOfficer.mullaghbawncuchulainns.armagh@gaa.ie
Designated Off. Ciaran Ferris Fón 00353867954633 chairperson.mullaghbawncuchulainns.armagh@gaa.ie
Pearse Og Armagh
Children’s Off. Tanya Clarke Fón 07933350554 Email ChildrensOfficer.pearseogarmagh.armagh@gaa.ie
Designated Off. Jimmy McKee Fón 07754603867 Email chairperson.pearseogarmagh.armagh@gaa.ie
Port Mor
Children’s Off. Michael Prunty Fón 07731349514 Email childrensofficer.anportmor.armagh@gaa.ie
Designated Off. Gary McCrilly Fón 07368860037 Email chairperson.anportmor.armagh@gaa.ie
Poyntzpass Redmond O’Hanlons
Children’s Off. Fiona Maguire Fón 07974910502 Childrensofficer.redmondohanlons.armagh@gaa.ie
Designated Off. Robert O’Neill Fón 07972593705 Email Chairperson.redmondohanlons.armagh@gaa.ie
Sarsfields
Children’s Off. Jim McAlinden Fón 07860775105 Email Childrensofficer.sarsfields.armagh@gaa.ie
Designated Off. Mark Stevenson Fón 07920832463 Email chairperson.sarsfields.armagh@gaa.ie Insurance Off.
Sean Treacys
Children’s Off. Caoimhe Devlin Fón 07789525235
Childrensofficer.lurganseantreacys.armagh@gaa.ie
Designated Off. Catherine Nelson Fón 07710254214 Email Chairperson.lurganseantreacys.armagh@gaa.ie
Shane O’Neills
Children’s Off. Freda Mackin & Michelle Osborne Fón 02830837201 & 07541029427
Childrensofficer.shaneoneillscamlough.armagh@gaa.ie
Designated Off. Mick Mackin Fón 07746242231 Email chairperson.shaneoneillscamlough.armagh@gaa.ie
Silverbridge Harps
Children’s Off. Rosie Burns Fón 07778219400 Email Childrensofficer.silverbridgeharps.armagh@gaa.ie
Designated Off. Mary Keating Fón 07742529392 Email maryk80a@yahoo.co.uk
St Malachy’s Portadown
Children’s Off. Shane Elliot Fón 07702791877
Childrensofficer.stmalachysportadown.armagh@gaa.ie
Designated Off. Liam Cullen Fón 07799816901
St Michael’s
Children’s Off. Niall Murray Fón 07541656242
childrensofficer.stmichaelsnewtownhamilton.armagh@gaa.ie
Designated Off. Pete Carragher Fón 07887987386
chairperson.stmichaelsnewtownhamilton.armagh@gaa.ie
St Patrick’s Cullyhanna
Children’s Off. Gary McKeown Fón 07989850234 Childrensofficer.stpatrickscullyhanna.armagh@gaa.ie
Designated Off. Jim Sheridan Fón 07437418558 Email Chairperson.stpatrickscullyhanna.armagh@gaa.ie
St Paul’s Lurgan
Children’s Off. Jude Mallon Fón 07842328510 Email childrensofficer.stpaulslurgan.armagh@gaa.ie
Designated Off. Philip Mallon Jnr Fón 07740624023 Email Philipmallon14@outlook.com
St Peter’s Lurgan
Children’s Off. Roisin Weathers Fón 07907305383 Email childrensofficer.stpeterslurgan.armagh@gaa.ie
Designated Off. Roisin Weathers Fón 07907305383 Email secretary.stpeterslurgan.armagh@gaa.ie
Tir Na Nog Portadown
Children’s Off. Maeve McDonald & John Mallon Fón 07521353119 / 07808580745 childrensofficer.tirnanogportadown.armagh@gaa.ie
Designated Off. Dessie Henderson Fón 07803508803 Email chairperson.tirnanogportadown.armagh@gaa.ie
Corrinshigo Thomas Davis
Children’s Off. Rhea Casey Fón 07730384039
Childrensofficer.corrinshigothomas.davis.armagh@gaa.ie
Designated Off. Karl Kimmins Fón 07704025212 Email Karl-kimmins@hotmail.com
Tullysaran O’Connells
Children’s Off. Kevin Curran Fón 07783217086 Childrensofficer.tullysaranoconnells.armagh@gaa.ie
Whitecross St Killians
Children’s Off. Una Markey Fón 07704423392 childrensofficer.whitecrossstkillians.armagh@gaa.ie
Designated Off. Terry O’Hanlon Fón 07703472414 Email chairperson.whitecrossstkillians.armagh@gaa.ie
Wolfe Tones
Children’s Off. Susannah Greene Fón 07766552548
Childrensofficer.wolfetonesderrymacash.armagh@gaa.ie
Designated Off. Cathal Tighe Fón 07840173750 chairperson.wolfetonesderrymacash.armagh@gaa.ie
Safeguarding Course Information
Coaching and Safeguarding 1: To organise Coaching Courses and/or Safeguarding 1 Courses for your coaches, mentors and club personnel please contact our Games Development Manager Denis Hollywood at denis.hollywood.gm.armagh@gaa.ie
Safeguarding 2 and Safeguarding 3 Courses: To organise Safeguarding 2 (for children’s officers) and Safeguarding 3 (for designated liaison person) please contact County Children’s Officer Gary Farrell at Childrensofficer.armagh@gaa.ie
Section 1: Safeguarding Statement
Our Safeguarding Statement can be downloaded here
Section 2: Code of Behaviour
The Association and its sister organisations recently launched the updated online version of Code of Behaviour (Underage). This Code has been agreed between the GAA, the Ladies Gaelic Football Association, the Camogie Association, GAA Handball and GAA Rounders.
The Code replaces all previous Codes and is a mandatory Code of Behaviour for all Gaelic Games Associations in our work with underage players. It is a comprehensive good practice guidance publication and we are anxious that as many players, coaches, parents and other Club personnel have immediate access to its contents.
Section 3: Code of Behaviour Hearings Committee
A Code of Behaviour Hearings Committee will deal with issues arising out of complaints made to the Children’s Officer. This should have at least three members and be reflective of all codes within the club. The Children’s Officer cannot be a member of this committee but should assist them in their roles and responsibilities.
Section 4: Access NI
In order to comply with legislation in the 6 Counties and the rules of the Association, all persons working with children or young people in a voluntary or paid capacity, must be vetted prior to commencing their role. Those who are involved in the management of individuals appointed to work with children or young people in your club must also be vetted.
Vetting is carried out by Access NI for individuals in clubs in Antrim, Armagh, Derry, Down, Fermanagh and Tyrone, where they return criminal history information on the applicant. This enables Ulster GAA to make more informed recruitment decisions in relation to the suitability of the applicant for the role. Ulster GAA process applications for vetting checks free of charge, for our Volunteers at a clubs request.
We remind all clubs that they should not permit anyone to work with their children or young people in the Club until they have been suitably Vetted and approved for their role. The simple process is as follows:
- Applicant fills out the Online Application Form
- Club Officers signs ID Document Copies and forwards same to Ulster GAA
- Ulster GAA approve the form and the ID and send to Access NI
- Access NI Process the form and issue the Disclosure Certificate directly to the applicant
- Ulster GAA write to the applicant to confirm their vetting acceptance
- If there is information on your Certificate, Ulster GAA will write out to you requesting sight of the certificate in hard copy in its original form, it is vital that you send this on as soon as possible.
- Ulster GAA risk assess all Enhanced Disclosure Certificates that contain information, where there are areas of concern, we will contact the applicant directly and meet with them to discuss before any decision with regard to their suitability for the position applied is made.
- Where required, Ulster GAA will meet with club officers to discuss any areas of concern.
Applicants have the right to appeal any decision made by Ulster GAA in relation to their suitability for the position applied.
Applicant instructions are outlined on the attached cover form with further information available in the Ulster GAA AccessNI E-Vetting Guidance Document. Nominated Officers should ask applicants to go to www.nidirect.gov.uk/apply-for-an-enhanced-check-through-a-registered-body to register and complete their vetting application. Once the applicant has been completed and submitted their application, please ask them to record their 10 digit case tracking reference number onto their cover form and attach copies of ID and return it to the nominated officer. This cover form must then be forwarded to Ulster GAA via the Club Nominated Officer.
The club nominated officer is someone nominated by the club to oversee this process including verifying all documentation. This could be the Children’s Officer or any other appropriate person.
Section 5: Safeguarding Training
All members of the GAA who work with children and young people in the association and who sit on GAA committees are required to complete the GAA Safeguarding children and young people in sport workshop. It is then recommended to complete a refresher course after 3 years.
This is an interactive, fully certified and accredited 3 hour workshop delivered by tutors who have been trained and approved by Sport NI or Sport Ireland and the Association as required.
Participants will leave the course with a wide range of knowledge and information to assist their club in creating and maintaining the safest possible environment in which our children and young people can participate in Gaelic games and activities. The course has the following learning outcomes for participants:
- Understand the background to safeguarding children and young people in sport.
- Identify best practice procedures to safeguard children and young people in sport.
- Understand the different categories of child abuse.
- Identify the signs of abuse.
- Act if abuse is suspected – Report to relevant person
This course is a mandatory requirement for anyone working with children or young people in the association and must be completed prior to commencement of their position in the club. It is an excellent resource that assists clubs and individuals in the vital area of safeguarding and will help to ensure that clubs have the appropriate safeguarding policies and procedures in place so that they are compliant with both legal and best practice requirements in this area.
Safeguarding 1 must be completed by all coaches and mentors involved with underage teams/players. To organise a course in your club please contact our Games Development Manager, Denis Holywood at denis.holywood.gm.armagh@gaa.ie
Safeguarding 2 and Safeguarding 3 must be completed by the Club Children’s Officer and the Club’s Designated Liaison Person respectively. To receive this training please contact the County Children’s Officer at childrensofficer.armagh@gaa.ie
Section 6: Sport Ireland Safeguarding Audit
The Sport Ireland Self-Assessment Safeguarding Audit is the first such audit from Sport Ireland and every sports organisation in Ireland is obliged to participate.
The timescale for completing the audit is anytime between 17th January and 28th February 2022. It’s important to note that the audit consists of 8 sections, each with a number of questions. Each club has, by now, received a list of personnel who are vetted and who have attended child safeguarding training, which will help in the completion of the audit.
GAA Clubs must recognise that completing the audit is a mandatory requirement and that non-completion could deem a club to be safeguarding non-compliant with obvious consequences thereafter.
Section 7: Setting up Club Children’s Officer Email
Instructions for Email Setup for Children’s Officers:
- The secretary must submit the request and be logged in with their specific GAA club account otherwise it will not work.
- The club secretary clicks on the link to request the official GAA children’s officer email address. Please note that the secretary cannot pass on the link and must be using their official GAA secretary email address when opening the link.
- The club secretary’s clicks on the link and clicks on the submit button on the online form. Reset account here using this link https://crokepark-998234a8a26c81.sharepoint.com/sites/O365AccReq/FlowForma/Lists/Forms/NewForm.aspx?FlowId=12&IsDlg=1
- A few days later the club secretary should receive an email with the username (childrensofficer.club.armagh@gaa.ie) and temporary password.
- The club secretary can then pass this information onto their Club Children’s Officer who can log in to their official email address.
- If there are issues regarding password then the club secretary can email mail.support@gaa.ie to request a new temporary password.
County Designated & Children’s Officer Contact Details
Designated Officer
Michael Savage (Chairman)
chairperson.armagh@gaa.ie
07808 768 722
Children’s Officer
Gary Farrell
childrensofficer.armagh@gaa.ie
07720 844 826
Additional Information
Additional Information available at Ulster GAA