I am looking to speak to someone who would be knowledgeable about the effect that rural depopulation has had on GAA clubs.
Ive contacted a few clubs who are suffering but haven't gotten a reply.
Does anyone know of any clubs/committees etc. (national or local level) I might be able to contact where someone would be willing to talk?

joncarter (Galway) - Posts: 2692 - 28/03/2015 16:46:20    1707282

Parnells in Dublin are responsable for most of the depopulating

flack (Dublin) - Posts: 1054 - 28/03/2015 17:23:49    1707294

Lol, I might give them a buzz so, they wont be long telling me where to go id say.

joncarter (Galway) - Posts: 2692 - 28/03/2015 17:32:46    1707299

Two JFC's in Longford unable to field this year....

keeper7 (Longford) - Posts: 4088 - 28/03/2015 17:45:36    1707303

The effect rural depopulation is having in Monaghan is that teams are now amalgamating more and more at juvenile level. I guess the next step will be some clubs amalgamating five or ten years from now. Those in high office are oblivious or ignoring what's going on at ground level and will only react when it's too late or almost too late. What really focuses the mind is the bottom line, and for now that is fine with TV deals and merchandise sales.

drumlinbelt (Monaghan) - Posts: 179 - 28/03/2015 18:10:48    1707310

Can I ask what exactly you expect the GAA to do about a problem that affects pretty much every country on earth? Rural depopulation cant be solved by most governments, never mind the GAA.

What's the answer? Encourage rural dwellers to have more kids? Have the GAA subsidise unprofitable farms and local industries? Pay people to live in the country?

CastleBravo (Meath) - Posts: 1643 - 28/03/2015 19:13:44    1707337

That's what I was thinking as well CB. In fact in many rural areas the only thing that brings young people home at weekends is the local GAA club, were these clubs not there many young people would only be back to their communities for Christmas.

Soma (UK) - Posts: 2630 - 28/03/2015 19:40:48    1707358

Future is bleak in rural Ireland, Fine Gael closing garda stations , post offices and schools next up...cant figure why anyone living in rural Ireland would vote fine gael?..unless your a big dairy farmer or live in Dublin belt your not wanted which is not good news for GAA!

hurler32 (Limerick) - Posts: 867 - 29/03/2015 21:18:20    1708119

Was Pat Spillane not appointed to some sort of committee/working group on rural depopulation sometime recently?

[insert your own comment on the likelihood of Pat coming up with any sort of solution anytime soon]

besidetheditch (Dublin) - Posts: 81 - 30/03/2015 15:03:05    1708430