GAA chief: Rural teams battling for survival

The chairman of Cork County GAA Board says the effects of the recession, coupled with a sustained erosion of services in rural areas, could lead to some adjoining parishes having to amalgamate their teams for Gaelic games to survive.

Bob Ryan said the GAA was allowing a mix of underage teams from adjoining parishes to take part in competitive fixtures.

But the chairman said he was worried this could increasingly spread to club’s senior teams if the depopulation of rural areas of Cork county continues.