Healthy Club Summer Newsletter #6 – 28 July 2025
#SolsticeToAugust @GAACommunity | @IrishLife | @HealthyIreland
#GAAHealth #HealthyClubs #NenaghÉireÓg
Over the six-week period from the Summer Solstice to the August Bank Holiday we have been promoting our involvement in the GAA Irish Life Healthy Club project and counting down the weeks to our Nenagh Community Walkathon, now next weekend! The Healthy Club programme aims to transform clubs into hubs for health within their communities. Welcome to the final newsletter of the series.
Week 6 Spotlight Activity is Diversity and Inclusion
The GAA is committed to promoting diversity and inclusion within its organisation and activities. This commitment is reflected in the GAA’s motto, “Where We All Belong,” and aims to create a welcoming environment for everyone, regardless of age, gender, religion, race, sexual orientation, or disability. As part of our Healthy Club journey in Nenagh, we are keen to support this commitment to diversity and inclusion. Sport is a powerful channel for connection, and our club is a place where everyone – regardless of background, ability, or identity – should feel welcome and valued.
The GAA would not exist without the communities we represent and serve. Nenagh Éire Óg like many other clubs across the Association already supports the development of its communities in a broad variety of ways, by offering young people the chance to better themselves through sport and by contributing to local charities and events. Being part of the Healthy Club initiative encourages us to think about how we can maximise our positive influence, be that by becoming more age-friendly in engaging older members, supporting diversity and inclusion by encouraging individuals from all backgrounds, religions, sexual orientation and populations, or supporting the engagement of people with additional needs to become involved in GAA activities. All suggestions on how Nenagh Éire Óg might broaden participation in club activities are welcome.
A recent Club initiative embracing diversity and inclusion has been an Éire Óg taster session on Gaelic football for local Ukrainian youths. This session, facilitated by Niall Cahill, took place on Tuesday 29 July at Nenagh College. The session was organised in collaboration with Tommy Dorney, North Tipperary Sports Partnership as part of a six-week series of taster sessions with local sports clubs, encouraging children to try new sports and fostering a sense of community.
Note that non-members are welcome to the Éire Óg Summer Camp running from Wed-Friday (6-8 August from 10.00-13.00). All friends and neighbours from across the community are welcome to get involved so please help spread the word. Details on social media.
Useful Resources
Tipperary Sports Partnership programmes have been involved in many inclusive sporting activities such as Inclusive Cycling, Boccia for people with disabilities, and Fitness through Football for youth at risk. Explore more on TSP website. With the launch of our new walking facility, the Walking Leader programmes available may also be of interest.
North Tipperary Children’s Services has created a useful information pack to help families connect with inclusive clubs and activities tailored to children’s needs, including those with disabilities or additional support needs. View the Community Access Pack
Explore the GAA’s Diversity & Inclusion Hub
Use the Culabu Inclusiveness Resources for coaches, schools, and club leaders
Download the Inclusive GAA Club Guide (Ulster GAA)
Upcoming Training Opportunity: GAA Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Training (2)
Date & Time: 4th November 2025 7:30pm-8:30pm (Online, via Microsoft Teams)
Description: An insightful webinar focused on fostering equality, diversity, and inclusion (ED&I) within the GAA community. This session will give a clear overview of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, why it’s important and how EDI principles align with the values and behaviours essential for building a respectful, welcoming environment in all aspects of the GAA.
Presenters: Louise Keane (GAA National Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Officer)
Register
Your 6-Week Walking or Jogging Plan: The Final Countdown!
We’re into Week 6 and one week to go to the Walkathon. If you have been following the Irish Heart Foundation walking or jogging, you are ready for Week 6 of the plan at the weblinks below from 28 July – 3 August. Get a friend on board to help you stay motivated. Let’s make our Club and the Slí Éire Óg Walkway a place to connect, recharge, and take steps toward better health! We can’t wait to see you over the long weekend! Move More Walking Challenge (6-week walking plan) / Couch to 5k Jogging Plan (6-week jogging plan)
A Seasonal Safety Message: Cycle Smart to Training! Tips for young cyclists and their families. Cycling to training is a fun, healthy, and eco-friendly way to get around—but it’s important to stay safe on the road. Here’s how:
- Helmet On, Always! Make sure your helmet fits snugly and is clipped under your chin. It’s your best protection if you fall.
- Be Bright, Be Seen. Wear bright clothes or a high-vis vest. Your bike should have front and back lights and reflectors, especially in the evenings.
- Know the Rules. Ride on the left side of the road, use hand signals when turning, and obey traffic lights and signs – just like cars do!
- Check Your Bike. Before you go: Are the brakes working? Are the tyres pumped? Is the chain moving smoothly?
- Stay Alert. No headphones or phones while cycling. Keep your eyes and ears open for traffic, people, and pets.
- Cycle with an Adult. Young children should cycle with a grown-up. It’s safer—and more fun together!
Learn more from the RSA’s Cycle Safety Tips for Kids:
https://www.rsa.ie/road-safety/education/primary-schools/cycle-safety
Contact: healthyclubnenagheireog@gmail.com
Healthy Club Summer Newsletter #5 – 21 July 2025
#SolsticeToAugust @GAACommunity | @IrishLife | @HealthyIreland
#GAAHealth #HealthyClubs #NenaghÉireÓg
Over the six-week period from the Summer Solstice to the August Bank Holiday we are promoting our involvement in the GAA Irish Life Healthy Club project and counting down the weeks to the Nenagh Community Walkathon. The Healthy Club programme aims to transform clubs into hubs for health within their communities.
The Week 5 Spotlight Activity is Community Development
The GAA promotes the internationally recognized FIVE WAYS TO WELLBEING of Mental Health Ireland, and champions volunteering, connection, and giving as powerful ways to support both community spirit and personal wellbeing. Here at Nenagh Éire Óg, we are proud to live those values. As we prepare for our upcoming Walkathon, we are seeing that spirit in action. From the members of the various organising and fundraising committees and volunteers working behind the scenes to those getting ready to take part in the walk, this event is an example of what makes our club special.
We are not just raising funds for new club facilities, we are:
- Building connections
- Supporting health and wellbeing
- Giving back to the community we love
💙 Whether you are helping organise, walking the route, or sponsoring a player, friend, family, or charity participant, you are helping shape a stronger, healthier Nenagh Éire Óg! Step by step, over 24 hours, we are walking for something bigger. Join us! 💙
Criona Boland, Defibs for Life Nenagh, has written the following piece for this week’s newsletter.
Defibs for Life (DFL) is a not-for-profit voluntary group who are proud to be in partnership with Nenagh Éire Óg. We are forever indebted to the club for allowing us to use the complex meeting room as a training centre since we began.
DFL was launched in 2023 with three main goals:
- Increase the number of defibrillator units in Nenagh and surrounding areas
- Provide CPR training for members of the public and local organisations, clubs and societies
- Increase general awareness of the need for CPR training
Defibrillator Units
Thanks to great work previously carried out by other local groups such as the Order of Malta, the town of Nenagh was served by 5 defibrillator units, with numerous cases of lives having been saved through their use.
Following the amazing generosity shown by the people and businesses of Nenagh and surrounding areas to our cause, DFL have today brought the number of public-access defibrillators up to 22, plus 2 limited access defibrillators. Defibrillators have been installed at most community halls outside the town and public areas where previously there were none. A number of schools, creches and sporting organisations have also been provided with portable units which they can bring on trips, school tours etc.
CPR/defibrillator training
To date, over 350 people from across the community have received CPR training in the Éire Óg complex. In total, over 500 people have now been trained by DFL through our partners in Order of Malta, the Irish Red Cross, Community First Responders Ireland and Ollie Hayes Training. We offer Pre Hospital Emergency Care Certification or the Irish Heart Foundation’s HeartsaverCPR certified course.
Increasing Awareness
DFL have been working closely with local schools, sports clubs and organisations to increase awareness of the need for CPR training across our community. We have linked in with the Irish Heart Foundation, Order of Malta, the Irish Red Cross and Community First Responders Ireland (CFR) to promote good heart health and CPR awareness.
DFL also worked with The Dillon Quirke Foundation to see Nenagh Éire Óg as the first club in the country to take part in the pilot heart screening exercise in early 2024 when 40 of our juvenile boys and girls from the club were screened.
We have very active social media pages on Instagram and Facebook, through which we promote health information, information on training and receive bookings for CPR training.
We have mapped all of the defibrillators in North Tipperary on Google maps (search “defibrillator near me”) so that they are easily found by locals or visitors alike. To see all of the defibrillators in the local area, please go to https://share.google/LeGb44KxHEuCKoqTM
If your organisation or community requires a defibrillator, please contact us through our social media channels.
Remember – any CPR is better than no CPR!
Two weeks to go! Just two weeks to go to the Walkathon. If you have been following the Irish Heart Foundation walking or jogging plans, you are ready for the Week 5 schedule at the weblinks below from 21 –27 July. Get a friend on board to help you stay motivated. Let’s make our Club and the Slí Éire Óg Walkway a place to connect, recharge, and take steps toward better health!
Move More Walking Challenge (6-week walking plan)
Couch to 5k Jogging Plan (6-week jogging plan)
A Seasonal Safety Message
This week we are sharing some advice on open water swimming from Irish Water Safety
https://watersafety.ie/open-water-swimming/
Contact: healthyclubnenagheireog@gmail.com
Healthy Club Summer Newsletter #4 – 14 July 2025
#SolsticeToAugust @GAACommunity | @IrishLife | @HealthyIreland
#GAAHealth #HealthyClubs #NenaghÉireÓg
Over the six-week period from the Summer Solstice to the August Bank Holiday we are promoting our involvement in the GAA Irish Life Healthy Club project and counting down the weeks to our Nenagh Community Walkathon. The Healthy Club programme aims to transform clubs into hubs for health within their communities.
The Week 4 Spotlight Activity is Mental Fitness
It was great to see this topic featured in Croke Park during the All-Ireland Tipperary vs Kilkenny Hurling semi-final, that day to remember! Daithí Ó Sé interviewed members of Lucan Sarsfield GAA about their involvement in Movember Ahead of the Game and the impact of the programme on their members’ mental health and wellbeing. This campaign highlights the importance of building mental fitness to deal with the challenges life and sport can throw at anyone. Research shows that 6 out of 15 men have never spoken about their mental health (Source). Movember, the GAA and GPA are calling on clubs across the country to ‘break the silence’ and not to let almost* half their teams be silenced.
Another interesting initiative, set up in Australia originally, called WNOW (When No One’s Watching) brings men together. This is a not-for-profit charity focused on men’s mental health with Sunrise Clubs currently in 48 locations across 7 countries. In this week’s newsletter, we feature a Q&A with Sydney-based WNOW member Donncha Lynch, brother of Deirdre, Healthy Club Officer.
- What is WNOW?
Donncha: WNOW (When No One’s Watching) is a movement that empowers men to show up as their true selves—without armour, without ego. It is a community where men support each other in becoming better physically, mentally, and emotionally, while embracing growth through vulnerability, self-reflection, and shared challenges. WNOW challenges outdated norms around masculinity and celebrates men who are willing to make mistakes, learn, and lead with authenticity. By fostering safe spaces to connect, reflect, and grow, WNOW encourages men to be role models—not just for others, but for themselves – while giving back to their communities.
- How did it come about?
Donncha: WNOW was co-founded by David Eccles and Tadhg Kennelly, two men shaped by sport, community, and deeply personal experiences. Raised amidst the challenges of Northern Ireland’s Troubles and the close-knit culture of rural Ireland, they carried the values of resilience, connection, and compassion into adulthood.
Both built successful sporting careers and family lives in Sydney, but after retirement, they faced a startling truth: the connection they thought they had wasn’t as deep or available as they hoped. That moment sparked the idea – men need spaces where they can drop the armour, embrace vulnerability, and truly connect.
WNOW is their answer: a movement built to challenge toxic masculinity, celebrate authenticity, and create judgement-free environments where men can grow into better husbands, fathers, sons, and friends. As David puts it, “It’s 100% the men – seeing them drop the armour, and be proud of who they are is everything.” And for Tadhg, it’s that magic moment when a newcomer feels truly welcomed and empowered to share their story.
- What is your involvement?
Donncha: I became part of WNOW during a difficult time after being diagnosed with a serious illness. A fellow member of Clan na Gael GAA, already involved with the movement, invited me to join. I entered the Maroubra chapter in Sydney as member number 13, and from day one, I was drawn to the camaraderie and safe space it provided.
WNOW offered me something I deeply missed after retiring from Gaelic football – the sense of belonging you find in a dressing room; the honest connection built through shared struggle and support. That same spirit lives in this group. Being so far from home, WNOW helped me stay grounded, allowing me to open up, feel heard, and navigate challenging times with genuine connection and resilience.
- Why would you promote WNOW in a Gaelic Games context in Ireland?
Donncha: Gaelic Games naturally foster a sense of camaraderie, resilience, and community – core values at the heart of WNOW. Many of the men involved have walked similar paths: navigating life transitions, seeking deeper connection, and finding purpose through sport and shared challenge. WNOW complements this beautifully by offering a space to:
- Reignite the team spirit many miss after stepping away from the field.
- Foster real connection and mental well-being, just like a tight-knit dressing room.
- Encourage light exercise and healthy living without pressure or comparison.
- Create social opportunities that go beyond competition – real friendship, real support, in business or in personal contexts.
- Build networks and lifelong friendships rooted in authenticity, not status.
Many of the members are already passionate about sport, so Gaelic Games becomes the ideal gateway – a familiar environment where emotional growth and self-care feel more accessible and natural. Being an Everton fan has also led to lots of banter!
5. How can people get involved in WNOW in Ireland?
Donncha: The simplest way to start is by joining or creating a Chapter – local community groups where men meet each Wednesday morning for Sunrise Club. But a Chapter is more than just a gathering; it’s a living part of the WNOW story. Each Chapter adds its own unique page to our shared book. Through real conversations, personal growth, and authentic connection, members shape the movement week by week. Whether you’re looking to connect, challenge yourself, or simply show up and be heard – this is where it begins. Just turn up. Be yourself. Help write the next chapter. FIND A CHAPTER — W N O W
If you are interested in learning more, see the TV interview with Tadhg Kennelly on WNOW
The first GAA club to start a WNOW Chapter in Ireland is Killoe Young Emmets GAA Club in Longford. Fair play to them! All ideas on what steps we might take at Nenagh Éire Óg to support mental fitness are welcome. Just make contact!
Three Weeks to Go on your Walking / Jogging Plan!
We are at the half-way mark on our countdown to the Walkathon! For those of you following the 6-week plan from the Irish Heart Foundation, you are moving onto the Week 4 plan from 14-20 July 2025. Get a friend on board to help you stay motivated! Let’s make our Club and the Slí Éire Óg Walkway a place to connect, recharge, and take steps toward better health!
Move More Walking Challenge (6-week walking plan)
Couch to 5k Jogging Plan (6-week jogging plan)
A Seasonal Safety Message
This week we are sharing the recent press release from Irish Water Safety about the warm weather. See details at the link below.
Contact: healthyclubnenagheireog@gmail.com
Healthy Club Summer Newsletter #3 – 7 July 2025
#SolsticeToAugust @GAACommunity | @IrishLife | @HealthyIreland
#GAAHealth #HealthyClubs #NenaghÉireÓg
Over the six-week period from the Summer Solstice to the August Bank Holiday we are promoting our involvement in the GAA Irish Life Healthy Club project and counting down the weeks to our Nenagh Community Walkathon. The Healthy Club programme aims to transform clubs into hubs for health within their communities.
Week 3 Spotlight Activity : Substance Use & Gambling
Healthy choices on and off the pitch In this week’s issue (Week 3) of the Healthy Club newsletter, we share information on substance use, focus on the national GAA gambling awareness campaign, include a short feature on vaping and young people, and we signpost some national and local supports.
Substance Use Awareness As part of our GAA Healthy Club commitment, we’re spotlighting the facts around alcohol and drug use among young people in Ireland — and how it affects performance, wellbeing, and team culture.
Did you know?
- 1 in 3 young drinkers (15–24) in Ireland meets the criteria for Alcohol Use Disorder, with binge drinking still common.
- Cannabis is the most used illegal drug among Irish youth, with use linked to reduced motivation and mental health challenges.
- Cocaine use among under-25s has surged, with a 171% increase in treatment cases since 2011.
- The brain continues developing until age 25 — alcohol and drugs can interfere with memory, decision-making, and emotional regulation.
(Source: Health Research Board)
Why it matters in GAA
- Alcohol reduces muscle recovery, hydration, and sleep quality — all key to peak performance.
- Cannabis and cocaine impair reaction time, focus, and heart health — increasing injury risk. (Source: Health Research Board)
- A strong team culture means looking out for each other — on and off the pitch.
What can we do?
- Talk openly about pressure, stress, and choices.
- Support teammates who choose to stay substance-free.
- Lead by example — especially as older players, coaches and parents.
Let’s make Nenagh Éire Óg a Club where health, respect, and performance thrive.
GAA’s Gambling Awareness Campaign
The Awareness Raising Ad Campaign launched with TG4 last year features a powerful exchange between three GAA legends, Armagh & Crossmaglen Footballer Oisin McConville, Kilkenny Hurler Ritchie Power, and Tyrone Footballer Con Kilpatrick. The hope for this ad is that it will generate conversation around gambling and the potential harm it can do when it gets out of control. Talking about an issue reduces the stigma surrounding it and encourages people to think about the problem, express their views, ask questions, and most importantly – reach out for help. “It nearly destroyed me” – GAA Players Speak Out
Vaping and young people
We do not know the long-term health impact of vaping. But we know that it is not harm-free. Young people who vape are more likely to:
- start smoking cigarettes
- become dependent on nicotine
- have negative effects from nicotine and other chemicals
- become dependent on other substances
Vaping use in young people under the age of 18 has increased in recent years. About 1 in 5 people under 18 say they vape. (Source HSE website)
The factsheet at the link below has been created by the Irish Heart Foundation for Teens. As well as discussing the health impact of vaping, it outlines how vapes are harmful to the environment and how vaping companies are targeting young people. https://irishheart.ie/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Lets-Talk-about-Vaping-Student-Fact-Sheet.pdf
Helplines and Services
- GamblingCare.ie – Phone 1800 936 725 24-hour national helpline for gambling-related harm, funded by the Gambling Awareness Trust https://gamblingcare.ie/contact-us/
- HSE Drugs & Alcohol Helpline – Phone1800 459 459 Free, confidential support Mon–Fri, 9:30am–5:30pm https://www.hse.ie/eng/services/list/5/addiction/drugshivhelpline/
- Quit.ie / VapeFree.ie – Phone 1800 201 203 Free support to quit smoking or vaping, including teens and young adults https://www2.hse.ie/living-well/quit-smoking/
- Silver Arch Family Resource Centre (Nenagh) Offers family support, addiction counselling, and gambling support services in Tipperary, Silver Arch Family & Community Resource Centre, 52 Silver Street, Nenagh, Nenagh, Co. Tipperary, E45 P624 https://www.silverarchfrc.ie/
- MABS Nenagh (Money Advice & Budgeting Service) – Phone 0818 07 2000 Free, confidential debt and budgeting advice https://www.mabs.ie/en/
Choose a 6-Week Walking or Jogging Plan
With four weeks to go to the Walkathon, follow the Week 3 walking or jogging plans at the weblinks below from 7-13 July 2025. Get a friend on board to help you stay motivated and don’t forget to let us know how you are getting on the Club social media accounts! Move More Walking Challenge (6-week walking plan) Couch to 5k Jogging Plan (6-week jogging plan)
A Seasonal Safety Message
Mobile phones and distractions. You are four times more likely to crash if you use your mobile phone while you are driving. The Road Safety Authority highlights the dangers and consequences of using a mobile phone while driving.
Contact: healthyclubnenagheireog@gmail.com
Healthy Club Summer Newsletter #2 – 30 June 2025
#SolsticeToAugust @GAACommunity | @IrishLife | @HealthyIreland
#GAAHealth #HealthyClubs #NenaghÉireÓg
Over the six-week period from the Summer Solstice to the August Bank Holiday we are promoting our involvement in the GAA Irish Life Healthy Club project and counting down the weeks to the Nenagh Community Walkathon.
The Healthy Club programme aims to transform clubs into hubs for health within their communities. The theme of this second newsletter is Healthy Eating.
Week 2 Spotlight Activity: Healthy Eating
The GAA advocates for a healthy, well-balanced and sensible diet. Balance, flexibility, variation and experimentation are key to building healthy eating habits and developing a healthy relationship with food. Food is fuel and should be enjoyable, there is no such thing as “good” or “bad” foods, balance is key. The benefits of a well-balanced diet are both physical and emotional and include optimised energy level, increased levels of concentration, reduced risk of diet related illnesses, strong bones and teeth & general feelings of wellbeing (GAA.ie -Healthy Eating in the GAA).
We are sharing a range of resources below; some are tailored for participants in sport and the others are more general resources suitable for families and individuals of all age groups.
- The GAA has developed an excellent booklet, Recipes for Success, aimed at young GAA players who want to maximise their performance by fuelling their bodies with real food adequately. Check out all the ideas for store cupboard ingredients to stock up on, easy wins to make your nutrition simpler, lots of easy recipes, including a great section on healthy snacks.
- The Sport Ireland nutrition team have also created lots of resource for athletes or anyone active in sport. Two worth signposting are the Smoothie Builder (5 steps to a complete smoothie) and the Wrap Builder (6 steps to fuel, build and protect).
- Some Food Plans for All Ages (Healthy Ireland Resource, 2023) have been created in accordance with The Food Pyramid. They are designed to be easy to follow and create a nutritious and complete meal plan from scratch.
- Add flavour to your summer meals, your pasta salads – and your Croke Park picnics on Sunday 6 July – with these easy salad dressings! (Source: Easy Food Magazine, Summer 2025).
Chilli and lime dressing Serves 4-6. In a jar with a tight-fitting lid, combine 1 chopped red chilli, 2 tbsp sweet chilli sauce, the juice of 2 limes and 50ml vegetable oil. Close the lid and give the dressing a good shake to combine. Season to taste with salt and black pepper
French dressing Serves 4-6. In a small bowl, whisk together 2 tbsp Dijon mustard, 4 tbsp white wine vinegar, 10 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil and a pinch of sugar, or shake together in a jar until well combined. Season to taste with salt and black pepper.
Balsamic dressing Serves 4-6. In a bowl, whisk together 1 tbsp honey and 1 tbsp Dijon mustard. Add 1 peeled and crushed garlic clove, 4 tbsp balsamic vinegar, 6 tbsp sunflower or rapeseed oil and ½ tsp mixed dried herbs and whisk well until fully combined. Season to taste with salt and black pepper.
Herby green dressing Serves 4. Using a stick blender, blender or food processor, whizz together the zest and juice of 1 lemon, 4 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil, 3 tbsp white wine vinegar, 2 peeled garlic cloves, 1 roughly chopped green chilli, a large handful of fresh parsley and a large handful of fresh coriander. Season to taste with salt and black pepper. (Source: Easy Food Magazine, Summer 2025). - Facts from Fads: What You Need to Know About Minerals
Registered dietician Sarah Keogh demystifies minerals and explains how a food-first approach can help us feel energised and well. Follow the link to listen to a short interview on the Brendan O’Connor Show podcast.
Follow a Walking or Jogging Plan – 5 Weeks to the Walkathon!
In our first newsletter we shared two 6-week plans from the Irish Heart Foundation that will help anyone interested in building up their fitness do so gradually.
If you would like to take the challenge, follow the Week 2 plan from 30 June-6 July 2025 at the web links below, and get a friend on board to help you stay motivated. Let’s make our Club and the Slí Éire Óg Walkway a place to connect, recharge, and take steps toward better health! Don’t forget to let us know how you are getting on the Club social media accounts!
Move More Walking Challenge (6-week walking plan)
Couch to 5k Jogging Plan (6-week jogging plan)
A Seasonal Safety Message
Some advice and precautions from Water Safety Ireland for recreation activities on and near water this summer are available on their website. This includes a feature for sauna users.
https://watersafety.ie/recreation/
Contact: healthyclubnenagheireog@gmail.com
Healthy Club Summer Newsletter #1 – 23 June 2025
#SolsticeToAugust @GAACommunity | @IrishLife | @HealthyIreland
#GAAHealth #HealthyClubs #NenaghÉireÓg
School’s out for Summer! Over the six-week period from the Summer Solstice to the August Bank Holiday we will be promoting our involvement in the GAA Irish Life Healthy Club project and counting down the weeks to our Nenagh Community Walkathon.
The Healthy Club programme aims to transform clubs into hubs for health within their communities. There are several themes that fall under the remit of Healthy Club including physical activity, diversity and inclusion, community development, mental fitness, substance use and gambling, and healthy eating.
Week 1 Spotlight Activity: Physical Activity
The National Physical Activity and Sedentary Guidelines for Ireland set out recommendations for a range of groups in the general population including children, adolescents and adults including those living with disability. There are some good guidelines and key messages here for parents and adolescents!
Even a brisk 30-minute walk a day can have significant health benefits. Healthy Ireland recommends that adults engage in at least 30 minutes of moderate activity on 5 days a week, or 150 minutes a week.
With six weeks to go before the Nenagh Community walkathon on 3-4 August, would you like to find ways to incorporate more walking into your day? Maybe you could walk the short journeys that you usually drive, take a quick walk on your lunch break, walk a few laps of Slí Éire Óg while your children are training or before watching a match!
Choose a 6-Week Walking or Jogging Plan
Let’s make our Club and the Slí Éire Óg Walkway a place to connect, recharge, and take steps toward better health! We are sharing two six-week plans from the Irish Heart Foundation that will help anyone interested in building up their fitness do so gradually. If you would like to take the challenge, follow the Week 1 plan from 23 – 30 June 2025 at the weblinks below, and get a friend on board to help you stay motivated. Don’t forget to let us know how you are getting on the Club social media accounts!
Move More Walking Challenge (6-week walking plan)
Couch to 5k Jogging Plan (6-week jogging plan)
Benefits of Walking
“There isn’t a single organ system in our bodies that is not positively affected by even a 10-minute walk or a five-minute walk. There’s no pharmacological therapy that has that impact on human health.”
— Prof. Niall Moyna, DCU
Walking is one of the most powerful and accessible ways to improve your health. It’s free, low-impact, and suitable for all ages and fitness levels. Some of the benefits are listed below
- Improves Cardiovascular Health Walking strengthens your heart and lungs, lowers blood pressure, and improves circulation.
“When you walk at a moderate intensity, you are helping to train your heart and lungs to work more efficiently for you.”
— Martin Ryan, Irish Heart Foundation
- Supports Weight Management Walking helps burn calories and maintain a healthy weight, especially when combined with a balanced diet.
- Boosts Mental Health Walking reduces stress, anxiety, and symptoms of depression by releasing endorphins and improving mood.
“Walking is one of the most powerful tools we have to improve mental health. It’s free, it’s accessible, and it works.”
— Dr. Tony Bates, Clinical Psychologist
- Enhances Brain Function Regular walking improves memory and cognitive function, and may reduce the risk of dementia (Alzheimer’s Society UK).
- Reduces Risk of Chronic Diseases Walking helps prevent and manage conditions like type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol.
- Strengthens Bones and Muscles Walking maintains bone density and strengthens muscles, reducing the risk of osteoporosis and falls.
- Improves Sleep Quality Walking helps regulate sleep patterns and improves sleep quality, especially when done earlier in the day.
- Boosts Immune Function Moderate walking enhances immune response, helping your body fight off infections.
- Aids Digestion A gentle walk after meals can improve digestion and reduce bloating or constipation.
- Increases Energy and Reduces Fatigue Walking improves blood flow and oxygen delivery, boosting energy and reducing tiredness. [Sources: HSE, Healthy Ireland, Irish Heart Foundation websites].
“No matter how old you are, how fit you are, or how busy you are, walking works. The most important thing is to aim for a pace that slightly raises your heartbeat and makes you breathe a little faster and feel a little warmer. Once you can still talk, you’re doing well!” (HSE). For more information and resources on incorporating walking into your daily routine, visit Healthy Ireland and HSE Physical Activity
A Seasonal Safety Message
When you and your family are taking part in physical activity, protect your skin from UV damage with the SunSmart Code
Parkrun Challenge 2024
As we look forward to launching the FIVE x FIVE challenge on Saturday 2 November, please note the following:
1. Anyone interested in participating should register on the Parkrun website, download and print out their barcode. Details of all FIVE venues are on the website also.
2. We have been asked to give the Parkrun Directors an idea of how many might be taking part each Saturday. Therefore, everyone should complete the short Nenagh Éire Óg Club registration form at the link below also. https://forms.office.com/e/uTVam7B8xt
3. Wear your Nenagh Éire Óg colours!
4. Spread the word. All are welcome. Participants can aim to take part in whatever number of parkruns they want. SPOT PRIZES at the end of November for those that do ALL FIVE EVENTS!
The Parkrun Experience
We’re delighted to share this motivational piece from avid Parkrun participant and Éire Óg stalwart, Enda O’Sullivan. Much appreciated, Enda!
Hi everyone,
Deirdre, Nenagh Éire Óg Healthy Club Officer, asked me to share a little bit about Parkrun and I can’t emphasise enough how incredible and addictive it truly is!
I’ve personally completed 128 Parkruns across twenty different venues and let me tell you, it’s such a fantastic experience! Whether you’re a seasoned runner or just getting started, Parkrun is for absolutely everyone—regardless of your fitness level or ability.The best part? It’s as much about the community and social side as it is about the running/walking. After the event, everyone’s invited to grab a tea or coffee and chat with fellow Parkrunners. It’s not just about fitness—it’s about the fun, the connections and the shared sense of achievement.
Never done a Parkrun before? No problem! Parkrun is a free, weekly 5km run or walk that takes place in parks all across Ireland, Europe and around the world. Walkers are just as welcome as runners—it’s about participation, not speed. In fact, the organisers have said that they should have chosen a different name because Parkrun is for everyone—from fitness fanatics to those who prefer a more relaxed stroll in the park.
Worried about being the last to finish? Don’t be! Each event has a dedicated tail walker who makes sure no one finishes last. So, you can take your time and enjoy the experience.
Just register at https://www.parkrun.ie/register/ and you’ll get your own unique barcode. Be sure to print it off and bring it with you to the event. Once you cross the finish line, you’ll receive a second barcode. Simply present both to a volunteer who will scan them. Later in the day, you’ll get a text and email with your time from that event. Plus, you can check your full Parkrun history online—every event you’ve completed along with your finish times!
By promoting Parkrun, Nenagh Éire Óg Healthy Club are gifting you a very special gift, the gift of social exercise. Come along and be part of something amazing—I promise you’ll be hooked!
Healthy Club Conference 2023
Nenagh Éire Óg were delighted to be invited to share their story of being involved in the GAA Irish Life Healthy Club Project at the 2023 Healthy Clubs conference in Croke Park last Saturday, 18 November.
As a club that participated as a pilot club in the early days of the initiative, Nenagh Éire Óg is one of sixteen clubs in the country celebrating ten years of being recognised as a Healthy Club this year.
Catherine McTiernan, Bartley Ryan, Conor O’Donovan, Enda O’Sullivan, and Deirdre O’Connor highlighted Nenagh Éire Óg activities in two workshops on the conference agenda.
Enda O’Sullivan, Catherine McTiernan, Deirdre Ní Loingsigh, Bartley Ryan & Conor O’Donovan at the Healthy Club Conference in Croke Park at the weekend.
A full report on the presentations given by the Nenagh Éire Óg delegates is attached below:
Nenagh Éire Óg Case Study at the 2023 National GAA Healthy Clubs Conference in Croke Park
Enda O’Sullivan and Conor O’Donovan outside Croke Park for the Healthy Club Conference with the Nenagh Guardian feature on the over 40s social hurling held in 2023
Nenagh Éire Óg delegates during the Workshops
Nenagh Éire Óg Healthy Club Report 2019
Health and Well Being Report 2019
Presentation cheque for Milford Hospice raised on the Croagh Patrick Climb
Nenagh Éire Óg Healthy Club Report 2018
Health and Well Being Report 2018Nenagh Éire Óg Healthy Club Report 2017
Health and Well Being Report 2017Nenagh Éire Óg Healthy Club Project 2016
On Wednesday 23 March 2016 we were treated to an excellent talk by Dr Fergus Heffernan in the Abbey Court Hotel. Heffernan is a world renowned psychologist and psychotherapist having previously worked with US soldiers returning from the front in Iraq and Afghanistan, the Irish Defence Forces, the United Nations and NATO as well being a leading educator in the area of stress management and how it relates to our mental health.
In an emotional, poignant and often times hilarious talk he spoke openly and honestly about his own family upbringing and how they were affected by mental health issues and how we can carry personal baggage from generation to generation. He used statistics and facts to paint a shocking and realistic picture of society in Ireland today and the effects modern living and expectations is having on our youth. No longer are children out and about, playing, climbing trees and just having fun and more importantly learning from their experiences on how to deal with all that life throws at us.
Society today instead demands results, whether it be in school, the workplace or the GAA field and once people fail to meet the standards demanded they are told that they are not good enough. This in turn is leading to huge mental health issues in Ireland today. Our drinking and drug use has gotten totally out of control and yet we are not being honest and facing up to the reality of the situation. Instead we blame others for our own ills and fail to be honest with ourselves and take responsibility. Heffernan’s message was simple. We must focus on the family and its importance in the community as a whole. People, he argues, simply need food, shelter and a sense of belonging which can only come from the family and community to be happy.
The packed event was organised by the club’s Healthy Club Project and a huge thanks must go to Michael Geaney, Sr Clare Slattery and the entire committee for all their hard work in organising this well worthwhile event. A huge crowd attended with some travelling from as far as Portumna and Cork while numerous people from neighbouring parishes were also present.
We wish to thank Dr Heffernan for delivering the talk which was widely enjoyed by all who attended.
Our thanks to former Tipperary hurler John Leahy on giving a superb enlightening talk titled ‘Substance Awareness” last Saturday evening in the Complex. He spoke to the many teenagers in attendance and their parents about the dangers of substance abuse at a young age and also gave a fascinating insight into his own sporting life both on and off the field.
A talk by former Tipperary hurler John Leahy titled ‘Substance Awareness” has been organized for Saturday Feb 20th at 7:30pm in the Complex. While primarily targeted at u14, u16, minors players and their parents from the juvenile and camogie club, all club players and members are invited to attend. Now a qualified addiction counsellor, John works with the HSE and voluntary bodies as a drug education officer in the area of helping people overcome problems with substance abuse.
Quick Links
- A Night with Christy Kenneally (April 15th 2015)
- A report from the GAA National Health and Wellbeing Conference (March 2015)
- Wellness Workshop (January 2015)
- Shane Martin Seminar (November 2014)
- A tribute to Fr Tony Butler SMA (October 2014)
- Well Being and Mental Health Night (January 2014)
- Introducing the GAA Healthy Club Project
- GAA Healthy Club Project Survey Results
- Healthy Club Project Team
Healthy Club Project Questionnaire
The Nenagh Éire Óg Healthy Club Project team are asking members of the club and the community to complete a simple online questionnaire. The aim of the questionnaire is to gather the views of the community in order to ascertain what impact the Healthy Club Project has had on them. To complete the anonymous questionnaire please click here.
A Night with Christy Kenneally
The Nenagh Éire Óg Healthy Club Project will host a ‘Night with Christy Kenneally’ in the Scout’s Hall on Wednesday, April 15th at 8pm.
The theme of his talk is “from heartbreak to hope”. Admission is priced at €5 while under-18s will be admitted for free.
Born in Cork in 1948, Christy Kenneally is a veteran broadcaster and author of numerous publications, including the best-selling book ‘Living with Loss’.
Christy is well-known for his work in communicating with the terminally ill and the bereaved. The former presenter of RTÉ’s ‘No Frontiers’ says that we can become paralysed by the sudden losses which can bring significant change to our lives.
“Too often, we can sink into despondency and despair. It is possible to move from heartbreak to hope. All of us can develop the muscle of resilience to cope with and transform change. Individually or as a community, we can make a vital difference to someone shattered by sudden change and the sense of loss it brings” – Christy Kenneally
Christy scripted and presented a series for television on the great religions of the world, as experienced through their art and architecture which was entitled ‘Heaven on Earth’.
Christy is a graduate from the National University of Ireland with a Bachelor of Arts Degree and a Bachelor of Divinity. He has his own management training company with an extensive list of corporate clients including IBM, Lotus, Motorola, Analog Devices, O2 and the Mars Corporation.
Christy is a very perceptive and humorous speaker. He engages easily with his audience and is highly entertaining while at the same time delivering the keynote messages eloquently and with impact. He is a much in demand keynote and motivational speaker at conferences worldwide.
All welcome.
A report from the GAA National Health and Wellbeing Conference
The Nenagh Éire Óg Healthy Club Project Team, represented by Michael Geaney and Sister Clare Slattery, were asked to showcase the amazing work done over the last two years at the GAA Health and Well Being Conference in Croke Park on Saturday, March 21st.
During her presentation Stacey Cannon (Community and Health Department in Croke Park) spoke about Nenagh Éire Óg. She referred to the club’s annual report where the Healthy Club Project is very much part of it. She said that all clubs should aspire to having health and wellbeing at the centre of its ethos, like Nenagh Éire Óg.
All the presentations from the conference will all be available on the GAA website in the coming weeks.
The team met with many delegates from all over the country who were so positive and full of praise for Nenagh Éire Óg Healthy Club Project. They took photos of the club’s posters, wanted to know all about the club’s initiatives on wellbeing , mental health and anti-bullying. Many took copies of the club’s newsletters, annual report and details about the club’s website etc.
The team also met with Caroline McGuigan (CEO of Suicide or Survive). Caroline thanked Éire Óg for the club’s partnership with SOS in running the Wellness Workshop last January in Nenagh and said that the facilitators who gave the workshop spoke very highly of the way it was organised.
Others who visited the Éire Óg stand were Eamon O’Shea (Tipperary senior hurling manager) and Conor Cusack (Cloyne, Cork). Eamon has a great interest in the elderly and has been responsible for numerous reports commissioned by national and international agencies on Ageing and Older People. Eamon O’Shea has agreed to come to Nenagh to give a talk on the elderly and their importance in a club and community – details of same will be confirmed in the coming weeks.
All the clubs who took part in the Healthy Club Project Phase One were presented with a certificate by Ciarán Mc Laughlin, Chairperson of the National Health and Wellbeing Committee.
A brilliant day for Nenagh Éire Óg!
All of material which was on display at the conference is available to view on the Healthy Club Project section of www.nenagheireog.com.
Wellness Workshop
The Nenagh Éire Óg Healthy Club Project
team, in partnership with SOS (Suicide or Survive), will host one-day Wellness Workshop which aims to help people understand, take charge of and responsibility for their own mental health – this Workshop, which will be delivered by SOS, takes place on Thursday, January 29th in the Business Innovation Centre on Stafford Street, Nenagh. The workshop is free of charge to participants. The workshop will be of benefit to anyone who is interested in mental health and wellness. Participants will be facilitated by people with both lived life experience of mental health difficulties and people with experience of working in the mental health area. Personal testimony will be combined with practical tools and tips that you can use in your everyday life to improve your own wellness. The workshop will examine our thinking process, the wellness continuum, mindfulness, personality traits, and the ‘wheel of change’. This is all done in a very interactive non-intrusive and fun way. Areas covered on the day include relaxation and stress management, understanding the relationship between thoughts and emotions, developing a wellness toolkit and daily plan. Places on the workshop are limited. Please contact Jacqui or Lisa at SOS to reserve your place – 1890 577 577.
Shane Martin Seminar
The GAA’s Health and Well-Being Coordinator Stacey Cannon commended the work of Nenagh Éire Óg at a seminar which featured renowned psychologist Shane Martin at the Abbey Court Hotel on Wednesday evening, November 19th.
The GAA Healthy Club Project was inaugurated to take advantage of the Gaelic Athletic Association’s unique access to people and to use the power of the association to influence individuals in particular and the community in general in a positive way.
Psychologist Shane Martin regaled a large attendance at the seminar with a presentation entitled ‘Harnessing strengths during challenging times’ – Shane Martin is a Monaghan-based psychologist dedicated to empowering individuals to enhance the quality of their lives.
Speaking from professional experience Shane Martin spoke passionately about a life dedicated to helping people deal with depression and mental illness. Indeed, Mr Martin pointed out a bias in medical research which focused on the negative while Shane Martin was more interested in people who did not get depression than those who did and those who did not get depression but should have. Shane Martin believes that everyone is entitled to the best possible life, that life is precious; Mr Martin suggested that most people wait until the “train has crashed” before they start thinking about what matters most.
The bulk of Mr Martin’s presentation focused of the psychologist’s tips for living a more fulfilling life – those included: to engage in rational thinking, to develop a compassion for self, to unlearn helplessness, to be social, to invest in gratitude, to bask in the now, to do the things we love, to invest in the spiritual self, to take care of your body and, finally, to invest in humour.
For those interested the entire content of Shane Martin’s presentation is available on his website Moodwatchers.com – click here.
Speaking on behalf of Éire Óg club chairman Jim Nagle suggested that Shane Martin had succeeded in reaching people with his message of hope. Jim Nagle commended Shane for his humour, humility and honesty and insisted that the presentation had “left a permanent impression on everyone” present.
Chairman Jim Nagle also commended the Healthy Club Project Team for their tireless work, especially project leader and juvenile chairman Michael Geaney. The committee also features Clare Slattery, Nuala Connolly, Catherine McTiernan, Tommy Moylan & Greg Browne.
A tribute to Fr Tony Butler SMA
It is with sadness that we inform you that the death of Fr Tony Butler SMA took place on October 16th at Cork University Hospital.
Many of you will remember Tony and his meeting with us in the Abbey Court Hotel on June 6th last as part of our health and wellbeing initiative. It was a night to remember where Tony willingly shared his many stories and the ups and downs of life.
Fr Tony was a gentle humble Irish Missionary who shared his life with so many in Africa and helped them to find hope and to see life with a different lens. He came back home to Cork and for the past number of years he continued his ministry of giving hope and meaning to so many people.
We in the Healthy Club Project Team remember Fr Tony with affection and gratitude for giving so generously of his time to us. Indeed we had spoken to him of giving more time to our project but God called him home.
On behalf of all of us in the Nenagh Éire Óg Healthy Club Project Team and all of you who were fortunate to receive his wisdom and his insight we extend our heartfelt sympathy to Fr Tony’s brother Don, his sister-in-law, nieces, nephew, relatives, friends and his fellow priests in the Society of African Missions.
Ar dheas Dé go raibh a anam.
Well Being and Mental Health Night
The Nenagh Éire Óg Healthy Club Project team hosted a ‘Well Being and Mental Health’ night on Friday, January 24th at the Abbey Court Hotel. For a full report on the event please click here. Speakers on the night included Conor Cusack and Séamus Hennessy.
Introducing the GAA Healthy Club Project
The health and well-being of members has been firmly placed at the heart of GAA clubs with the launch of phase one of the new GAA Healthy Club Project.
Uachtarán CLG Liam Ó Néill and Chief Medical Officer at the Department of Health Dr Tony Holohan jointly launched the project, reflecting its collaborative nature between the GAA and the HSE. At its core the project aims to assist GAA clubs in responding to the wide and varied health needs of their members while extending that positive influence out to the wider communities they serve.
• healthy eating and diet
• drug and alcohol awareness
• mental well-being and resilience development
• suicide prevention and response
• the promotion of health and well-being through physical activity
• activities for older and non-playing members
“The GAA Healthy Club Project aims to highlight and re-enforce the great work already being done by clubs while assisting them in identifying and responding to the most important health issues amongst their membership and in their communities,” Liam O’Neill said at the launch.
“This collaboration is an extension of the long-standing partnership between the health sector and the GAA through the association’s ASAP (Alcohol and Substance Abuse Prevention) programme and we hope this project will further assist clubs and their communities to respond to their health needs in a holistic way at grass roots level,” added Dr Tony Holohan.
A call for expressions of interest was issued to all clubs last December and January with eighteen clubs selected to participate in phase one of the project which will run for twenty-four months following which time it will be independently evaluated. Five clubs in Munster were selected including Nenagh Éire Óg. The other clubs in Munster are: Middleton (Cork), St Paul’s (Limerick), Beaufort (Kerry) and St Finbarr’s, Cork who are the mentor club.
The project is being directed at national level by a Croke Park project team and steering committee featuring representatives from the GAA, HSE, National Office of Suicide Prevention, the third level education sector (DCU and Carlow IT) and the Irish Sports Council. Four operational groups will assist in its roll-out at provincial level, tapping into support and expertise at GAA provincial council level, Local Sports Partnerships and regional Health Promotion units plus their northern counterparts. The clubs will also be encouraged to reach out to their wider membership and communities in order to tap into some of the exceptional skills people have in this area.
Michael Geaney is the project leader for Nenagh Éire Óg – Michael’s contact details are – phone: 086 383 0857 – eMail: michaelgeaney1@yahoo.ie.
Click here for more information on the GAA’s Healthy Club Project!
GAA Healthy Club Project Survey Results
This handy infographic contains the results of the recent questionnaire carried out by Michael Geaney and the Healthy Club Committee – some interesting statistics.
Healthy Club Project Team
Should you wish to contact the club with specific regard to the GAA Healthy Club Project please do so:-
Team Leader – Michael Geaney – 086 383 0857 – michaelgeaney1@yahoo.ie
Team Administrator – Nuala Connolly – 087 664 2421 – nualamcg68@gmail.com
Children’s Officer – Thomas Moylan – 086 823 6386 – tommymoylan@eircom.net
Community Representative – Clare Slattery (snr) – 086 666 0511 – clare.s.slattery@gmail.com
Greg Browne – 085 170 8133 – gregbrowne@topmail.com
Club Chairperson – Jim Nagle – 087 285 0732 – Jimnagle1@gmail.com
Club Secretary – Declan Bailey – 087 908 3469 – debailer@hotmail.com
If you need to contact Éire Óg please do so via our Contact page. You can also keep in touch by accessing our Facebook page or by following @nenagheireog on Twitter. We would also ask you to consider supporting Éire Óg by entering the club lotto and by paying your club membership.
