Meath Forum

Big increases in population might not be so great.

(Oldest Posts First)

There was a piece on RTE radio 1 Sunday sport on the 14th, where they where taking about rural decline. And the migration of people to larger towns and urban areas. The guy gave the example of even though the population has increased in the commuter belts ie Kildare Meath Wicklow there is fewer gaa clubs. One example was Kildare has less clubs now than in the 70s even thought the population has increased by 110%. And amalgamations is happening more often. Also the the growth of the super clubs. My own observations D/A Rathoath Cilles seem to be doing well but maybe clubs like Bellewstown now amalgamated with Duleek lose out. So on the face you would think that increased populations means stronger gaa county but it seems like it doesn't really work like that. There is a of work to be done and maybe we should be thinking about the rural small populated clubs and how they can be helped/saved ? Any thoughts ?

bobkarlgees (Meath) - Posts: 1263 - 22/05/2017 11:55:57    1989266

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Replying To bobkarlgees:  "There was a piece on RTE radio 1 Sunday sport on the 14th, where they where taking about rural decline. And the migration of people to larger towns and urban areas. The guy gave the example of even though the population has increased in the commuter belts ie Kildare Meath Wicklow there is fewer gaa clubs. One example was Kildare has less clubs now than in the 70s even thought the population has increased by 110%. And amalgamations is happening more often. Also the the growth of the super clubs. My own observations D/A Rathoath Cilles seem to be doing well but maybe clubs like Bellewstown now amalgamated with Duleek lose out. So on the face you would think that increased populations means stronger gaa county but it seems like it doesn't really work like that. There is a of work to be done and maybe we should be thinking about the rural small populated clubs and how they can be helped/saved ? Any thoughts ?"
Strong co board b at start not make decisions then change them 2 month later.amalgamate small clubs try it for 2 years put teams in senior championship. Let them still have there on status is junior whatever they in.the Kerry model seems to work.better quality player seems to come from it.I feel in order for this to work co board must put mediator/coach in place at least the first year to give it best chance to work.no agenda from a outsider if u like prob to much to ask but might work.

Reco (Meath) - Posts: 419 - 22/05/2017 13:19:17    1989328

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One thing that people forget about towns like Ratoath, Ashbourne and Dunboyne is that these towns are so close to Dublin that a lot of people moving into these areas are close enough to remain with their original clubs. Darren Daly (Dublin panellist) who lives in Ratoath (or at least did) would be a prime example of this. The increase in population has obviously helped Ratoath to an extent but it's been more down to the massive amount of work that has gone in (and is still going in) at underage level for the past 15-20 years.

Also, many of the kids of Dublin parents that are playing in Meath, Kildare etc. would never dream of playing for anyone other than Dublin. Dublin are getting the best of both worlds. On the one hand they're getting massive amounts of money from the GAA and their sponsors to improve their teams and on the other hand, they're also getting a not insignificant pick of players from bordering counties that they don't have to put anywhere near the amount of resources to develop them into possible intercounty players.

Ratoath Royal (Meath) - Posts: 1362 - 25/05/2017 08:40:09    1990509

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Replying To Ratoath Royal:  "One thing that people forget about towns like Ratoath, Ashbourne and Dunboyne is that these towns are so close to Dublin that a lot of people moving into these areas are close enough to remain with their original clubs. Darren Daly (Dublin panellist) who lives in Ratoath (or at least did) would be a prime example of this. The increase in population has obviously helped Ratoath to an extent but it's been more down to the massive amount of work that has gone in (and is still going in) at underage level for the past 15-20 years.

Also, many of the kids of Dublin parents that are playing in Meath, Kildare etc. would never dream of playing for anyone other than Dublin. Dublin are getting the best of both worlds. On the one hand they're getting massive amounts of money from the GAA and their sponsors to improve their teams and on the other hand, they're also getting a not insignificant pick of players from bordering counties that they don't have to put anywhere near the amount of resources to develop them into possible intercounty players."
Yes, that's a good point there probably is a lot of under age kids from Rathoath etc playing under age in Dublin. Instead of Meath. But I wonder how many would bother to bring there kids to Dublin to play. if Dublin where not successful and if there clubs where poorly organized ? I think the massive challenge for Meath is get back competitive so kids aren't watching Meath under perform year on year. Try to keep kids in locally in Meath I know In kerry certain young players are looked after with kits etc. Also we need to take a look at the smaller clubs make sure they don't go under either. And as a previous poster said any amalgamations. the smaller Club could keep there junior status while jointly they could could play senior.

bobkarlgees (Meath) - Posts: 1263 - 25/05/2017 10:46:24    1990548

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It will be of great benefit over 10/15 years. Just not right now. Some clubs are really utilising the increase in population through their underage sections. That's what matters. When all these players come through in 10/15 years the senior team will be in a much stronger place.

Jack_Goff (Meath) - Posts: 2920 - 05/06/2017 14:54:01    1995046

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Ratoath, Ashbourne and Dunboyne have advantage of good increase in population and numbers help. Dun/Ash along with Ratoath (could add the Cilles here) who were nowhere near senior status 15 years ago are good examples of significant population increases together with good underage structure /management. Without good structure/management population will not lead to improvement. With Kells I'm not sure how the population increased but they are doing quite well. Trim seems in the doldrums for a few years even though the're quite a large single club town. Walterstown have had a very large increase in population with Johnstown but it appears that area is more soccer based. In Navan you have 3 clubs (2 senior clubs and one Intermediate).

browncows (Meath) - Posts: 2342 - 05/06/2017 16:49:53    1995103

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Trim have excellent underage structures in place with good numbers playing. They might not look in great shape now but they will be a force again. Hard to say when but give them 5/10 years and they will be a top senior team.

Jack_Goff (Meath) - Posts: 2920 - 05/06/2017 17:24:13    1995122

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