Emigration hitting club ‘harder than 1980s’

RURAL GAA clubs are finding it increasingly difficult to field teams as the recession bites and more and more young people emigrate.

A club in north Cork has confirmed it will “struggle” to assemble full teams this season because of emigration which is hitting the region much harder than it did in the 1980s.

Killavullen GAA club chairman John Magner said two of his players who had played in the intermediate football team had recently emigrated to England and another two had gone to Australia with two more preparing to follow them.

He said another player was also thinking of going to England and one had acquired a 10-week contract in Kazakhstan.

“We have a number of club members who are unemployed and if the others get work abroad, they will probably chance going too. I know one of the fellas has already got work in Australia.”

The unemployment rate in north Cork has increased significantly in the last couple of years, especially among males under 25 — many of whom would be playing sport.

Mr Magner said he knew of other clubs around the country, especially in rural areas, experiencing similar difficulties.

“The GAA club is the fabric of rural Ireland and if 60,000 are to emigrate this year then all the clubs will feel it,” he said.

“We had two full teams last year (at Intermediate and Junior B level). We decided to keep it that way this year, but I have to admit we will struggle to do that.”

Mr Magner said emigration was more noticeable now than during the last recession in the 1980s.

“There has always been a history of emigration from rural areas such as Killavullen. I have a sister in Oregon and a brother in Finland.

“But it (emigration) has definitely accelerated this time. I haven’t seen things as bad,” Mr Magner said.

The population of the parish currently stands at around 1,400.

Mr Magner said there would always be sadness when families and friends see young people having to emigrate to find work.

However, there is some positive news as the club is in a very healthy state with its underage teams.

A lot of new houses were built in the area in recent years and there are no shortage of players from under 14 down.

“We certainly don’t have any difficulty fielding teams at underage level but it’s getting a lot harder for the adult teams because of emigration.”

Mr Magner said he personally believes the economic situation will take a turn for the better next year. With any luck some of those who have emigrated will be able to return and the U14s of today will not have to experience the emotional hardship of having to leave their families to find work abroad.