Galway's most successful football club, Tuam Stars, has lost a whopping 20 players to emigration since 2008.

A straw poll carried out by the Connacht Tribune identifies Tuam as one of Galway's most badly affected clubs by the recession, with 11 of the 20 now based in London. Despite the drain on their playing resources, the Stars - who meet Caherlistrane for a place in the Galway SFC quarter-final at Corofin this evening - contested back-to-back county finals in 2011 and 2012.

The survey also showed that other clubs such as Carna-Caiseal and St. Michael's have suffered significant losses. Six of the Carna-Caiseal team that contested the 2005 Frank Fox Cup decider have moved abroad, and two are now living in Dublin.

Galway city side, St. Michael's, meanwhile, have lost eight of the team that reached the 2009 All-Ireland club intermediate football final to emigration.

And the camogie and ladies football clubs haven't been immune from the recession either with the departure of eight players having had a devastating effect on 2009 county intermediate camogie champions Kiltormer.

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