O’Sullivan: We must stop rural rot

Rural depopulation is a serious threat to the future viability of many clubs throughout Kerry and particularly in the south of the county, Chairman Patrick O’Sullivan warned at last night’s annual convention at the Ballyroe Heights Hotel in Tralee.

“Players transferring to overseas clubs since the downturn in the economy have affected clubs in rural areas to such an extent that many fear they will be unable to field teams unless some radical solutions are found,’ he said.

Reminding delegates that an examination of the problem indicated ‘a very serious situation evolving at a rapid rate in the most rural areas,’ Mr O’Sullivan said that Association President Liam O’Neill and Munster chairman Sean Walsh attended a meeting in Cahersiveen where they heard ‘heart-rending’ contributions from club officials and members.

“Emigration, school closures and planning restrictions are the major factors identified as the difficulties currently experienced by many rural clubs. In the past few years the number of students attending Coláiste Na Sceilge has fallen dramatically, an indication of the serious effect rural depopulation is having in South Kerry.

“We in Kerry GAA will do whatever is necessary to help clubs but we must work together with Munster Council and the Association at national level to ensure that rural Ireland is supported and not neglected. As a County Committee we will lobby local politicians to make representations to Government and Government industrial agencies to ensure an industry is located in South Kerry as matter of urgency.”

The chairman stressed the need to ‘re-focus’ attention on implementing targets set out in their Strategic Vision and Action Plan, pointing out the Slattery report on Health and Safety at county grounds having major financial implications that were not envisaged when they published their plan three years ago.

“In order to meet the requirements as set out in this report we will have to embark on major refurbishment of our two county grounds to maintain the ground capacity. We did not budget for the cost of this refurbishment and we will be asking the Infrastructure Committee in Croke Park for grant aid.’ In general, they need to take ‘serious account’ of their finances in light of the Treasurer’s report, which revealed expenditure for the year exceeded income — with reduced income from the county championships (down €60,000 — 20% lower than 2011 and 40% on the 2010 return).

“This cannot and will not continue,” he commented, adding that the budget targets for all items of expenditure in 2013 will be ‘strictly adhered to.’ “The County Committee, much the same as a business and household, must live within its means!”

Commenting on the workings of the Football Review committee, he said while a Champions League-style format might make interesting reading, he wondered if the ramifications of this for club fixtures had been factored in.

“Some adjustments are very definitely needed to give more certainty to the dates when teams play their games in order to allow for counties at the start of year to plan their club fixtures programme with more certainty.”

Paying tribute to Jack O’Connor and his management teams, he said that during his two terms in charge, Kerry became ‘one of the most successful teams of the modern era.’ Paying tribute to the Board’s late Treasurer John McMahon for his dedicated service and describing the late John Egan as ‘one of the outstanding forwards of their time,’ he said that as part of their contribution to ‘The Gathering’ next year, an under 14 football tournament dedicated to Egan’s memory will be hosted in July. Teams from the North, UK and the US will be invited.