A CLUB chairperson has said that GAA communities must be prepared for
some financial hardship as the coronavirus outbreak shows no signs of
slowing down.

Aidan Rice, chairperson of the Dromintee club in Armagh and also a
financial professional, has said that they are trying to adapt to the
ever-changing situation.

“The fact of the matter is that bills are going to continue to roll
in,” said Rice.

“We closed our social club at the weekend there, which was very
important, but it’s also another revenue stream that we will not be
able to call on for the next while.

“I know a lot of club lottos are not going currently but, thankfully
at the moment ours is. We sell a lot of our tickets in the local shops
and at present they are still open while we also sell tickets online
too, which can obviously still be done.

“But clubs are all going to feel the pinch and that will be one of the
big fallouts from the situation and something that will need addressed
when the GAA season does get going again.”

Dromintee are in an unusual position as they are one of the few
parishes that stretches across both sides of the border.
As a result, the club has children that have been asked not to attend
school in the south while other young members are still attending
school in the north.

“It’s a very unusual situation with a lot of things changing very
quickly,” Rice continued.

“Obviously being at the border here there are some extra difficulties
that maybe other clubs do not have to contend with, but it’s all about
cooperation and trying to do the best we can for our community.

“All I can say is that we have an incredible spirit here amongst our
members and the fact that everyone wants to help everyone certainly
makes this a whole lot easier.”

That spirit has been evident as the club has linked up with local
shop, Eurospar Mulkerns, to help set up a delivery service for any
elderly or vulnerable people in the community who may be unable to get
out.

“We are hoping to maybe do deliveries on Wednesdays and at the
weekends,” Rice said.

“Already we have had people volunteering to help, which is great to
hear. People wanting to avail should get in touch.”
n.mccoy@gaeliclife.com