Howth and Dun Laoghaire RNLI volunteers take to the pitch at Croke Park to promote water safety

Howth and Dun Laoghaire RNLI representatives were in Croke Park ahead of Saturday’s All-Ireland senior hurling championship semi-final between Cork and Galway.

Senior Station Mechanic Ian Sheridan and fundraiser Rose Waldron from Howth and Senior Station Mechanic Kieran O’Connell from Dun Laoghaire were among the RNLI contingent promoting the charity’s water safety partnership with the GAA.

The partnership aims to reduce the number of people who lose their lives through drowning each year.

While most of the RNLI and GAA’s partnership work is carried out at club level through educational talks and presentations, the charity has been offered the opportunity for the last nine years to deliver a pitch activation in the national stadium on what is a key date in the GAA’s calendar.

Together on Saturday, both organisations delivered key water safety messages to over 80,000 people who were attending the sellout match between the Rebels and Tribesmen and the earlier camogie championship quarter-final between Waterford and Kilkenny.

The joint activity consisted of a flag display on the pitch just before the 3.30pm throw-in. RNLI volunteers in full kit crossed the touchline and paraded towards the Hogan Stand before coming to a halt and allowing the flag to be displayed until the National Anthem was heard.

Earlier in the afternoon, as fans entered the turnstiles, they were greeted by an Atlantic 85 class lifeboat which was on display while a team from the RNLI were on hand to interact in the fan zone, share water safety advice and demonstrate how to use essential lifesaving equipment such as a throw bag.

The RNLI also premiered a new Float to Live film which was shot in County Wicklow, and which will be rolled out in the coming weeks.

Speaking following the event in Croke Park, Ian Sheridan, Howth RNLI Senior Station Mechanic said: ‘It was to a privilege for all of us to represent the RNLI and of course Dublin, on what is such a big day in the GAA’s championship calendar.

‘This partnership, almost a decade on, is continuing to highlight the shared values we in the RNLI and the GAA have, notably volunteerism and the importance of communities.

To have an opportunity in front of a full house, to promote water safety is wonderful and if our advice can help someone who finds themselves in difficulty or who sees someone else in trouble, then that really is lifesaving.

“We are now in peak summer season and one of the key messages we want people to know is that if you get into difficulty in the water this summer, Float to Live. Instinctively, most people in this situation, will begin to panic, swim, or thrash about.

“We’re urging people to ignore this instinct and remember to float: Tilt your head back, with your ears submerged. Relax and try to breathe normally.

“Move your hands and legs to help you stay afloat if you need to. It’s fine if your legs sink – we all float differently.

“By doing this, you give yourself the chance to rest and recover your breathing.

“Once you’ve regained control of your breathing, you can call for help or swim to safety.”