Kerry clubs feel brunt of recession

KERRY GAA chiefs have expressed fears for the future of their club competitions after almost 200 players left the county in the first seven months of 2010.

The unprecedented player drain has caused major difficulties for football and hurling clubs attempting to field teams and there are concerns the exodus will escalate in 2011.

Figures obtained by The Kingdom newspaper illustrate that for the January to July period in 2010, a total of 57 Kerry GAA players moved to America with a further 27 emigrating to New York. 56 club players left for Great Britain, 37 club players moved to Australia, 4 players emigrated to Canada and 16 players transferred from their home clubs to clubs elsewhere in the country due to changing work circumstances.