Club Voices
Meet Michelle O’Brien: Doora-Barefield’s Children’s Officer
Doora–Barefield is a parish of blow-ins — and that’s no bad thing. Most of us came here from somewhere else, and that mix of old roots and new arrivals keeps the club fresh and full of energy.
Some of us might be here 50 or 60 years and still regarded as blow-ins because our parents were blow-ins!
Let’s just say there is regular healthy infusions of new people to the club off the back of it, and none more so than Kingdom woman Michelle O’Brien!
Michelle laughs that she is surrounded by people from west Clare at her home on the Tulla Road, Knockanean, and like all those families, there has been a strong input from the O’Briens in providing players and volunteers to the club over the last 30 years.
The pharmacist is now ten years in the role of Children’s Officer, but her involvement stretch back to simply being a parent going to matches, and being asked to help out. What began with sending out training updates soon grew into something more.
“I got involved when one of mine were at U10 level and the coaches at the time needed help on the communications side, WhatsApp- getting messages out to parents about training and matches. After a while Anthony O’Halloran asked me on to the Minor Committee. The Children’s Officer role then wasn’t as expansive as it is now – it has broadened a lot to take on board more activities.”
What is involved in being Children’s Officer?
“The role is a lot to do with making sure people involved in the club are Garda vetted. There is also the coordination of safety guidance training courses, routing people in the right direction for foundation courses at the beginning.”
“Then you have a responsibility to influence policy in the club towards best practice and safeguarding around children. There is a growing body of law around it all that you have to keep up with. You are trying to encourage people to do the courses even though we are all volunteers and the courses take time to do. It’s for the coaches and all volunteers around the teams for their safety as well as the children’s safety.”
Safeguarding training happens at one of the upstairs meeting rooms at Gurteen, while Garda vetting is done online. It’s detailed work but vital — these checks and training sessions help ensure that every child and volunteer in the club operates in a safe, supportive environment.
There is some organisation involved through the use of the Foireann app. The GAA change the process regularly and Michelle feels there might be more joined up thinking at times around how it’s done. For example, over the years through her children and her involvement in different sports outside of the GAA, there might be four rounds of Garda vetting for four different sports clubs to do.
“Teachers are also expected to engage with these different sports vetting processes even though they are already Garda vetted for their teaching job. One document should be enough for all I think, even if it lasts for just a year.”
What about complaints?
“There are little issues associated with teams, some of which are predictable. For example, game time for kids, when teams have so many numbers. Communication is the key to much of it. Any complaints that come through are relayed to the coaches who will try to resolve it.”
Another common problem is ensuring that those children who are involved in different sports as well as different county and school teams manage their loads properly and this all comes down to good communication between children, parents and coaches.
The Sporting O’Briens!
Michelle didn’t get to play as much football as she would have liked growing up in Cahirciveen – “I lined out at corner back a few times when they were stuck and we were home from college.”
Her four children made up for that, all sporting the maroon and white with great success. Michelle’s family’s involvement took in the last days of Roslevan before the transition and rooting of the club in Gurteen.
Sport was a huge part of family life for the O’Briens, and those memories are particularly precious today.
“They all loved it. Niall enjoyed football, hurling and rugby together and won a lot with the club. He was good at marking opponents closely without giving away frees!”
“Conor captained the club to an U21 title – that was hard won- being a knockout competition over the winter months. He is a kayak instructor now dividing his time between Dingle and New Zealand.”
“Sadbh, now Dublin-based, loved playing camogie and football for the club and was part of some great teams. They won the All-Ireland Feile in Cavan. She was always great to get possession on the camogie side and link up the play. She enjoyed swimming too.”
“Fionn played right up to when he died and really loved it. I remember he got a goal in the U16A Hurling final versus Clarecastle – they had been losing by seven points with five minutes left and the goal earned a draw, and we won the replay well. There was also the minor football championship win after a huge battle with Ennistymon- that was very memorable.”
Fionn’s tragically passed in 2021 but will never be forgotten. New and established member of the club might notice a memorial plaque on the club’s front ball wall. It’s a fitting tribute to a dedicated and highly valued person and player.
“It’s lovely, and made sense – that’s how we remember Fionn at our house – pucking ball at the side of the house off the wall.”
Michelle’s involvement as a volunteer is typical and a club the size of Saint Joseph’s always needs people to come in and help out – you will never be told there is no room at Gurteen! You might even end up wearing more than one hat, as Michelle also helps out a little bit with the Healthy Club Committee.
“You have to have different people coming in and helping out across the board as with a club like ours, it can be unsustainable without that volunteer spirit.”
Want to volunteer at St Joseph’s? Contact: Communications.stjosephsdoorabarefield.clare@gaa.ie and we will look to find something that fits
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If you would like to contact the club please email secretary.stjosephsdoorabarefield.clare@gaa.ie
