McGill: transfers on rise but players reluctant to quit clubs

THE GAA’s Director of Games Administration and Player Welfare, Feargal McGill, has acknowledged that club transfers out of the country are on the rise — but warned they are not a true reflection of a player talent-drain.

In space of three months from September to November this year, over 100 players left five Ulster counties in search of work in foreign countries.

However, McGill has pointed out the reluctance of players who have emigrated to leave their home clubs.

“Transfers is one way of knowing what is happening,” acknowledged McGill. “There has been an increase in transfers, that I can say categorically.

“However, they don’t tell the whole tale. For example, I know three guys from my own club in Leitrim (Boornacoola) who have gone to the UK, two to London and one to Scotland, and they haven’t transferred. They come back and play for the club. The level of transfers wouldn’t be what it was like 20 years ago. We have a player working in Cork and it would take him longer to get back to Leitrim than the lads in the UK and on occasions it would be more expensive for him to get home than the lads abroad. London isn’t as far away as it used to be. There are flights home every weekend and the lads train with clubs over there. That’s happening with a few clubs that I’m aware of.

“Anecdotally, clubs are being affected. Where it’s likely to be seen at club level is more often in their second and thirds teams if they have them rather than the first team. The numbers for those teams have contracted and will continue to do so as long as the economy remains the way it is.”

McGill has also highlighted a fortunate by-product of the economic crisis, which has seen a rise in the amount of discretionary time GAA members have.

“What we always ask in these situations is that GAA people look after their own,” said McGill. “But there are positive elements to the downturn in the economy in so far as people have a lot more time to offer as volunteers. That’s a story we’re getting back from all around the country. The Celtic Tiger years were extremely busy and people in their general work were preoccupied with it. Now more people have time to offer and they’re inclined to take on teams and administrate in their local clubs.”