Local clubs stepping in to offer supports
By Shane Brophy
Local sports clubs have been to the forefront to the community response to the Covid-19 outbreak.
With much of the country shut down and with over 70's now required to stay indoors until at least Easter Sunday, 12th April, clubs and societies will be vital in providing supports for those that can't access provisions for themselves.
Nenagh Eire Og have been particularly busy since last Friday's announcement of stricter restrictions with almost 60 volunteers part of their community support group which is coordinated by Bartley Ryan.
“From now on it will be ramped up a good bit as the over 70's can't move out,” Ryan said.
“The HSE have now provided us with a list of people who we now collect prescriptions for and we offer to do their shopping as well.”
He added: “I was talking to a woman who has a 93-year-old aunt who has no carer or no home help and she asked me if I could give her a ring to see if she needs anything.
“Basically it's mainly food shopping and the chemist. The only place open in Nenagh still doing dinners is Andy Flynn's and we collect dinners there too.”
Anyone who wishes to receive such a service can be guaranteed that their item(s) will be left at the front door and the doorbell rang. The deliverer will step back two metres and wait until the person inside has taken in their items.
“It's all community now, anything we can do for the people of Nenagh now we will do it unless we can't and we'll bring in somebody else that will do it for us,” Bartley added.
Nenagh Eire Og are one of a number of clubs that have linked up with the GAA's 'Club Together' initiative in association with Centra and SuperValu which calls on their members to join a local task force to assist the elderly, who are dependent on the goodwill of others for their food shopping needs.
It is the same in rural areas such as Lorrha where the demand for community support has been low so far but the offer remains open for anyone who needs help with provisions.
“We haven't had much take up in terms of people looking for help which is a good indication that people are looking after themselves,” said Lorrha GAA club chairperson Joe Dolan.
A seven strong group of club committee members have made themselves available for contact if provisions are required in a parish that encompasses Lorrha, Redwood and Rathcabbin. However, they are also making contact with individuals or elderly couples that live alone that might not be able to get food or medicines with the cocooning guidelines issued by the government last Friday.
“Locals are sticking to the guidelines pretty well and the roads are very quiet in the evening,” Dolan added as the impact of Covid-19 heads into its third week.
COVID-19 Community Support contacts
Ballina GAA - 0874188852
Borrisokane GAA - 0877940131
Burgess GAA & Burgess/Duharra - 0872359336
Kiladangan GAA - 086 272 6262
Kilruane MacDonaghs GAA - 0872176452
Knockshegowna GAA - 0863220264
Lorrha GAA - 0879673124
Moneygall GAA - 0861024660
Nenagh Eire Og GAA - 0867358359
Nenagh Ormond RFC - 0879253112
Portroe GAA – 0871269772
Roscrea GAA - 0872755019
Shannon Rovers GAA & Camogie - 0873181905
Silvermines GAA – 0876604437
Templederry GAA - 0834461941