Series to showcase impact of rural depopulation and migration in GAA

RTÉ GAA correspondent Marty Morrissey will speak to those affected about how demographical shifts have changed the outlook for clubs and counties.

NUMBERS GAME: Marty Morrissey, who fronts a new RTÉ series of broadcasts on the topic of rural depopulation and the GAA. Pic: Noel Sweeney

RTÉ are to broadcast a special series of reports over the coming days about the impact of rural depopulation and migration in the GAA.

Starting on Monday’s “Six One News” and concluding on Wednesday, GAA correspondent Marty Morrissey is speaking to stakeholders about how demographical changes have affected clubs and counties.

South Kerry is the focus of attention in the first report followed by the northside of Cork city and Midleton on Tuesday. In the final report, Dublin and Offaly are the focus of attention.

The GAA’s demographics committee will later this week unveil proposals aimed at helping to address the challenges presented to the organisation by rural depopulation.

At Congress earlier this year, committee chairman Benny Hurl highlighted 43.5% of the island’s population are east of a line drawn from Antrim to Wexford and are served by just 18.6% (299) of the GAA’s total number of clubs.

“As an association, we’re told that we’re thriving, we’ve never been as strong,” he told delegates in Donegal town. “But in terms of some of our clubs, we have never been as poor.

“You have heard of the challenges. I will appeal to you all in order to preserve our clubs and to maintain our preeminent position in Irish society so that we can really claim that we all belong, that there is a place for all of us.”