With just two weeks to go the countdown is truly on until our underage players can return to the playing fields in St. Finian's Park. Accordingly, the club are delighted to announce that membership for the 2021 season is now officially open and can be renewed online here.

The pandemic has dominated the lives of everyone over the past year so the return to the pitches will be a very welcome boost for players, parents and coaches. Children particularly, have missed their friends and especially playing games together so the 26th April cannot come quick enough for the large cohort of young boys and girls in our club.

Some of our team photos from 2020.

The facilities in St. Finian's Park have never looked better and credit to our grounds committee, headed by groundsman Leonard Farrell and many club volunteers, for maintaining the Park and keeping it looking so well. Over the next two weeks before the kids' return almost €8,000 will be spent on sanding, draining, spraying and re-seeding. It's a credit to everyone to make this possible and thanks in no small part to our very successful Walkathon last year, which has also funded the imminent construction of our astro pitch. The club awaits lifting of restrictions to allow the contractor to commence this very exciting development.

The main pitch in St.Finian's Park.

With current restrictions in place there will be no registration day in Clonard National School this year which previously proved popular among members. Instead we ask everyone to renew or join online at the above link or via the club's smartphone app 'ClubZap'. We must also remind all our parents and players that everyone must be paid up members in order to participate in games and training. This is now more important than ever during the current pandemic in order to adhere to the GAA's 'Return to Play' protocols involving medical questionnaires, hand sanitising, and social distancing. Please co-operate with all instructions from coaches and committees.

Our membership packages have a 'GOLD' option which includes a yearly lotto ticket for entry to our weekly lotto for the year. This usually costs €100 but can be included with your membership for just €70. The current jackpot stands at €5,100 and the weekly draw is streamed live on Facebook every Monday night at 8pm. Over €56,000 has been won between five jackpot winners over the past four years. The next winner could be you.

Our Lotto Winners!

We also look forward to the return of our adult men and women to the playing fields as we await news from government and GAA headquarters. Fingers crossed for their May return. So once again we ask everyone to please renew online as soon as possible by either clicking here, visiting our website www.clonardgaa.com, or using our club smartphone app 'ClubZap'. Cluain Ioraird abú!