[FONT=Arial][SIZE=2]Ive been told that not one person from Dublin played in our recent game vs Austria[/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Arial][SIZE=2]What is the significance of this for Irish football?[/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Arial][SIZE=2]Is this to blame for our turgid style more than Traps tactics?[/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Arial][SIZE=2]Does this reflect the death of the GGA in rural Ireland?[/SIZE][/FONT]
In fairness it’s probably news to Conor Sammon and Glenn Whelan that they’re not from Dublin.
it wouldnt be news to Mr Sammon thats for sure
Wh[quote=“FingalRaven, post: 754513, member: 80”][FONT=Arial][SIZE=2]Ive been told that not one person from Dublin played in our recent game vs Austria[/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Arial][SIZE=2]What is the significance of this for Irish football?[/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Arial][SIZE=2]Is this to blame for our turgid style more than Traps tactics?[/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Arial][SIZE=2]Does this reflect the death of the GGA in rural Ireland?[/SIZE][/FONT][/quote]
Where did you cut and paste that from you fucking eejit?
[quote=“FingalRaven, post: 754513, member: 80”]
[FONT=Arial][SIZE=2]Does this reflect the death of the GGA in rural Ireland?[/SIZE][/FONT][/quote]
To be honest, you’re not far wrong with this one mate, while not exactly death, the GAA is showing signs of struggle in rural Ireland. I see more and more Clubs struggling to field teams, a few Club in Laois have had to shed 2nd and 3rd teams of late due to lack of numbers. Other Clubs are now seriously considering amalgamations, if they’ve not already done so. I can only go on what I see, and of course its far more down to emigration than any other reason such as lack of interest, or a preference for other sports, but these of course are factors too.
For what its worth,I can see the new rules which are being brought in for 2014 causing a further drop off in numbers as well, but that may well just be my own opposition to the rule changes than anything else. Time will tell on that one.
[quote=“myboyblue, post: 754521, member: 180”]To be honest, you’re not far wrong with this one mate, while not exactly death, the GAA is showing signs of struggle in rural Ireland. I see more and more Clubs struggling to field teams, a few Club in Laois have had to shed 2nd and 3rd teams of late due to lack of numbers. Other Clubs are now seriously considering amalgamations, if they’ve not already done so. I can only go on what I see, and of course its far more down to emigration than any other reason such as lack of interest, or a preference for other sports, but these of course are factors too.
For what its worth,I can see the new rules which are being brought in for 2014 causing a further drop off in numbers as well, but that may well just be my own opposition to the rule changes than anything else. Time will tell on that one.[/quote]
Agreed, the GAA is definitely at a pivotal crossroads with regards to it’s future in rural Ireland and I think the top tables have yet to recognise this.
Perhaps it’s a swings & roundabouts thing with regards to population though, areas that traditionally struggled to field teams came to prominence during the “good” years as the youth opted to stay at home for the first time in decades. Now they it’s reverting back to the traditional pattern of emigration and these clubs are struggling once again. That’s not to say traditional, established clubs aren’t suffering, but it’s always going to be these smaller clubs that suffer most.
Also I think the Celtic Tiger cubs, weren’t as encouraged by their “busy” parents to play sport, as despite a rising population in the area I’m from there was a serious decline in the playing numbers for all underage codes (soccer, gaa etc) during the boom. These players should have been coming through the minor/21 ranks at this stage but obviously they aren’t. I’m from a decent sized town, yet they couldn’t field a minor soccer team for a couple of years. The current junior side has gone from being a good premier division team down to being on the brink of relegation to Div2 and struggle to field a team in some games.
Look at the below map, the area highlighted in red have had to join up this year just to field a 12-a-side hurling team at u/21.
How are numbers holding up in central Limerick in places like Adare, Runt?
Look at the map, the parishes highlighted in red are in WEST Limerick.
Thats a ridiculous area to cover for a Divisional side (is it even a Divisional side?) Whats the distance from Ballysteen to Newcastlwest, 30 odd miles? I think you’re right about the “Celtic Cubs”, it was plain as day even 10 years ago, I remember going to a house of a staunch club man and well regarded footballer (then retired) in the county to collect his young fella for an U14 game. The young fella who was a damn fine footballer for his age, probably the most talented of his group, wouldn’t come out as he was playing his new computer game. His father rolled his eyes at me when he said he could do nothing to shift him and shur “what could you do?”. I couldn’t believe it, the lad with me over the team warned me going in to expect it, but I was still shocked, it was an eye opener.
I’d be worried about the amount of amalgamations I’m seeing pop up but I can understand why Clubs feel the need to go this way. While I agree there are cases where there are far too many Clubs servicing one area, once you hand over a Club’s identity its gone for good and there are no guarantees the amalgamation will be a success.
It’s not a divisional side, it’s just two clubs joined to compete at 12-a-side hurling!
Rough guess is about 40km from one end of the amalgamation to the other.
What’s all the GAA stuff got to do with the lack of dubs on the Ireland team?
Irish soccer has been dublin-centric for far too long. It’s about time the rest of the country was given a chance. I’m sure Mickee would be able to tell you about the disrespect delegates from outside Dublin are treated with by the jackeen FAI.
Runt those parishes aren’t highlighted in red, they are outlined in red.
Rocko those parishes aren’t outlined in red, they are written in red.
The situation is similar in the other corner of West Limerick with the Deel Rangers set-up. They draw from Feohanagh-Castlemahon, Knockaderry and, as of this year, Monagea. Former members Killeedy have decided to go on their own and, unsurprisingly, have already pulled out of U15 football citing lack of players.
The problem for these clubs is down the road when those who don’t get games with Deel Rangers move up to adult level. They’ll be lost to the game and their parent clubs will be in serious bother in trying to field adult teams.
Adare is not in west Limerick.
That’s the crux of the matter. I’ve only been in favour of our own club amalgamating when it meant we wouldn’t be able to field a team.
In fairness to the West Board they are going to right route by allowing clubs to amalgamate to play full sided competitions, and are also allowed to field their own 12-a-side team.
I think we’re going to see more permanent amalgamations over the coming years. The ball started rolling last year with Kildimo/Pallaskenry (albeit not permanent yet) and Cappagh/Kilcornan. It may be the only way to protect adult teams with dwindling numbers.
Tournafulla/Templeglantine could be a runner, as both have been decimated by emigration, and there could be a surprise or two on the cards also such as Claughaun and St. Patrick’s finally biting the bullet.
I don’t think other sports are a factor at all in the reduced number of teams in hurling and football.
There’s actually probably a lot less soccer teams in Laois today than there was 10 years ago.
Rugby’s the same. Portlaoise would only have three teams now compared to four previously, Portarlington two where they had three.
The numbers of kids playing any type of sport is what has dropped dramatically. That and emigration as you pointed out is the main issue.
KC is right, the number of distractions and increased movement of families from one place to another is hurting sports in general, not just GAA.