LtoR – Cathal Hand Monaghan GAA H&W Committee Chairman, Padraig Sherry, Peter Treanor Hurling Ambassador, Stephen Gollogly Football Ambassador, Malachy O’Rourke and Ciaran McLaughlin H&W Committee National Chairman.

The Monaghan GAA Health and Wellbeing Committee was launched last night, 5th November, in Cloghan. The event, which was very well attended by the clubs of the County, was opened by Ciaran McLaughlin, Chairman of the National Health and Wellbeing Committee. Ciaran congratulated Monaghan on the work that is going on in the county with regard to this important aspect of the GAA. The theme of the night was about Community and Health and how the GAA can promote a healthier lifestyle and at the same time support its Clubs and members when they face critical incidents and tragedies in their lives.

The Chairman of the Monaghan Health and Wellbeing Committee, introduced the Committee and outlined the work that they are currently completing. He also introduced the three players who will act as Ambassadors for the Committee for 2015 – Sharon Courtney, Peter Treanor and Stephen Gollogly. He emphasized the need for Clubs to appoint a Health and Wellbeing Officer at their upcoming AGM’s and assured the Clubs that they would have the support of the County Committee, as well support from the relevant staff at provincial and national level.

One member of the GAA in Monaghan, gave a very powerful account of how the GAA had supported him and his family at a time when they faced the tragic loss of their wife and mother, Angela.

Melissa Conlon from Castleblayney Faughs outlined how their Club have benefitted from their participation in the GAA Health club initiative. Tommy McArdle spoke about the role of the GAA in local communities and how that has changed over the decades.

To conclude, County Chairman Padriag Sherry thanked the clubs for their attendance, thanked the Committee for their work and officially launched the Monaghan Health and Wellbeing Committee.

The members of the Monaghan Health and Wellbeing Committee are: Louise O Hanlon; Michelle Murphy; Irene Connolly; Michael McGinn; Dr Kieran Bourke; Fr Stephen Joyce; Fintan McTiernan; John McArdle – Secretary and Cathal Hand – Chairman.

For more information, please see the Health and Wellbeing section on this Website.