CAOLAN Mooney may still be on the road to recovery but he took time out this week to try and help kids stay active during the Covid-19 crisis.
The Rostrevor man, who was the victim of an alleged assault in Newry in December, posted a video of a drill on social media for kids to try at home, one that would improve their handling.
Standing close to a wall, Mooney first-passed the ball back and forth against the surface before rolling the ball around his back.
Mooney is just the latest GAA star to try and find a way to help kids keep their skills sharp when they are confined at home.
A number of clubs have produced challenges for their young members to conclude each day. Typically it may include 25 solos with your left foot, followed by 25 your right and other such key skills.
GAA personalities have taken to Twitter to try and spread the message.
Monaghan defender Fintan Kelly was creating a similar skills game for the Clones U15 side and shared a video of him practicing it at his home for other clubs to try.
Down schools coach Mark Poland was also encouraging children to get involved.
“I hope you’re all out practicing your GAA skills. Hopefully we will be back in your schools very, very soon,” he said in a video.
Armagh schools coach Ciaran McKeever has also been sharing a number of coaching drills he has produced for younger players to work on over the coming weeks.
Meanwhile Down County board has stressed that there should be no activity whatsoever at its club grounds in order to reduce the spread of the virus: “We want to commend you all for staying away from any activity as you have done so for the past ten days.
“We need everyone to stay committed to the GAA directives on how we address Covid19, NO activity should be taking place on our grounds…
“Let us stay focused and stay strong, there will be adequate time between the end of the current restrictions and the resumption of GAA matches for our teams to get up to speed again.”
Reinforcing the actions of Mooney and Poland, among others, the Down statement added: “We should use our county and club social media platforms to deliver programmes to our young players to allow them to practice their skills in their own home and gardens.”
Mental fitness hasn’t been forgotten, with Down football goalkeeper Rory Burns posting a video posing six GAA quiz questions in a minute – while on an exercise bike.
