GPA’s inter-county emigration fears ease

The emigration of club GAA players continues to be a major issue for the association around the country but the same cannot be said for the inter-county game, according to the Gaelic Players Association (GPA).

The player body warned back in 2009 that the numbers of inter-county players seeking to leave the country on the back of the recession were set to “spiral”.

“It is something that is going to affect GAA panels more and more,” said GPA National Development Officer and former Sligo footballer, Dara McGarty, at the time.

“Next year it is really going to hit. In another month’s time there is going to be a major problem because lads are going to be sitting around and not have work. What’s going to happen is lads are going to emigrate.

“It is something we want to address so county teams are not going to be without a number of players next year, which will happen.”

The figures and anecdotal evidence amassed by the GPA since, however, has in fact proven otherwise, despite the inevitable loss of some county players over the last five years.

“It was a big issue when the recession started and there was a feeling that the loss of players might have a major effect on the inter-county game but the figures we had didn’t support that,” said GPA spokesperson Sean Potts.

“That’s not to say we haven’t lost inter-county players in the last few years but what has tended to happen is that players go away for a period of time and then they come back. It’s been a different matter at club level.”

An Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) study has shown that emigration is actually as high as it was during the boom years. The difference now is in the demographic of those leaving Ireland for better opportunities abroad.

Inevitably, young people make up a large portion of those leaving but the percentage of inter-county players on the unemployment register and among those emigrating is actually slightly lower than national averages.

The GPA has ceased compiling figures as a result of the trends but Potts stressed that it is still maintaining a close eye on the issue as it continues to provide various services to players, among them support for those seeking employment.