Connacht chief Naughton warns of rural depopulation battle

THE GAA must address rural de-population, and should consider reducing 15-a-side games in some competitions, the new chairman of the Connacht Council, Paddy Naughton, told annual convention in Castlebar last night.

While the population of the country had increased by almost 500,000 in a period of four years up to the 2006 census, he said that the number of players available in some small rural clubs had plummeted. “Six out of every 10 people live in urban areas,’’ he said. “County development plans have been put in place and you and I as members of Cumann Luthchleas Gael have not made submissions to support rural development for the families of rural dwellers.

“Movement in population has created difficulties for both rural and urban clubs. County Games Committees must be innovative in planning their fixtures. They must consider reducing the 15 a-side in some competitions and allow amalgamations in others.’’

From the Knockmore club in Mayo, he put down a challenge to representatives of the various counties — that all clubs would have their own trained coaches looking after their club teams by 2011. “Perhaps you may consider county teams as well,” he said. “I have no doubt it would be less expensive.’’

In his final address, outgoing chairman Lauri Quinn, referred to the player dispute in Cork, recalling he had spoken at last year’s convention “about a stand-off” in the county.

“It is regrettable that a difficult situation has arisen again. Like in most arguments there is right and wrong on both sides. I would be confident that a resolution will be found in the coming weeks.

“County Boards have a duty to look after the needs of the players including the club players. A structured schedule of games for clubs should be paramount when counties are drafting their fixtures programmes,” he added.

He advised delegates talks were continuing with the Gaelic Players Association concerning “formal recognition”, adding he would welcome such an agreement on certain conditions being met. Firstly, the aims and ideals of the GAA would need to be enshrined and secondly, that players should be given the option of remaining outside of the GPA if they so wished.

l Former Galway chairman Frank Burke is the new council vice-chairman.