‘Challenging times’ ahead for GAA

INCOMING Munster Council chairman Seán Walsh is relishing his new role but admits the province and the GAA are set to “face many challenges over the coming years”.

Walsh, the fifth Kerry man to hold the position, formally took office at the provincial council’s annual convention in Listowel last night, where he warned that the Association must be prepared to face a series of serious economic and social tests over the next decade.

The Moyvane native insisted he will outline his strategies to tackle a wide range of topics, from the declining populations in rural areas to structural developments at a council forum next weekend in Killarney.

“I’m aware that we, as an Association, will face many challenges over the coming years. In order to face these challenges we must look towards fulfilling our strategic Vision and Action Plan 2009-2015,” he told delegates at the Listowel Arms Hotel.

“This will place us as a council in a position of strength which will in turn, enable us to give support and guidance to all our members and clubs. The success of our Strategic Vision and Action Plan is heavily reliant on the committee system which is in place within the council. I intend to make a number of proposals to the full council at a forum to be held in Killarney next weekend. I aim to outline enhanced terms of reference for some committees, and will also propose structural changes to other committees in order to meet the requirements of the council.

“More importantly however I envisage changes that allow the committees to have the support systems and personnel in place to help them deliver what the counties require, particularly in the area of club and county units that require our assistance. I will also be suggesting the setting up of a new work group to look at the whole area of ‘urbanisation’ to help us link up with the National Committee to see that the aims and aspirations of the Association in this area can be met.

“The shift in population over the last 20 years has produced many challenges for the Association. The continued growth in urban areas aligned to the decline in rural Ireland threatens the very existence of some of our rural clubs.”

Walsh revealed the Council are soon to reveal budgets for the next three years but noted that “investment in bricks and mortar must not take place to the exclusion of games development”.

He explained: “This budget will reflect our continued support for our much increased games development programme in all counties of the province to ensure that all targets set out can be achieved. Having delivered €5.6m to the clubs and counties of the province over the past three years shows the value of the provincial councils and the provincial system to club and county.

“Over €20m was spent by the clubs and counties of the province in 2009 alone. We must ensure that nothing must deflect us from our core responsibility to games and to the development of games at all levels of the Association. Investment in bricks and mortar must not take place to the exclusion of games development. We must be mindful of the fact that we are now in very much changed times, where the ability to raise funds at club and county level has been seriously curtailed, coupled with Government cutbacks in grant aid.”

Walsh, continued the sentiments of his predecessor Jimmy O’Gorman in relation to the future of the provincial championships.

“None of us assembled can possibly envisage a summer without the Munster Hurling Championship. It is, and has always been, a part of our culture and heritage. Again I send out the message loud and clear, the Munster hurling and football championship will be with us for the foreseeable future,” he added.