GAA Urban strategy

[general_lee]

https://www.irishnews.com/sport/gaafootball/2021/08/10/news/kicking-out-at-what-point-do-we-question-urban-investment--2412321/

Interesting topic in today's Irish News (does Casement fall under urban investment, or provincial?) that highlights the lack of county players in a select number of urban centres.

While I think that success should not necessarily be measured in the number of county players produced; and that the towns/cities in the article have been specially cherry-picked, completely ignoring the fact there are plenty of other towns providing county players, I  don't disagree with the sentiment that some urban areas would appear to be a lost cause.

This seems to be a perennial issue, some towns seem to have got their act together (Lurgan will have 3 clubs competing in the Armagh SFC this year) while others, like Newry or Derry,  seem condemned to Division 3/4 mediocrity. Is this an issue for the county boards to tackle or the Ulster council? I know money is being thrown at certain counties, but is it really worth it? Is it better letting individual county boards tackle as they have more intimate knowledge of the clubs involved?

That Newry hasn't produced a county player since 2012 is shocking.

[armaghniac]

After some success in Dublin, which may provide some models to follow, the GAA absolutely needs to drive for greater participation in Drogheda, Dundalk, Newry, Belfast, Derry, Sligo etc. The development of Casement with its greater visibility of the GAA seems a good time to drive forward in Belfast.
Lurgan is indeed an exception, with several strong clubs and with clubs like Clann Éireann having had a strong youth policy.
Perhaps Dubs who move to Drogheda can promote the GAA! 

[RedHand88]

After some success in Dublin, which may provide some models to follow, the GAA absolutely needs to drive for greater participation in Drogheda, Dundalk, Newry, Belfast, Derry, Sligo etc. The development of Casement with its greater visibility of the GAA seems a good time to drive forward in Belfast.
Lurgan is indeed an exception, with several strong clubs and with clubs like Clann Éireann having had a strong youth policy.
Perhaps Dubs who move to Drogheda can promote the GAA!

Good god no. We need to keep Derry down. I'd be afraid of them coming good if the Derry city one's took up GAA.

[yellowcard]

The broad point of the article rings very true and logically speaking you would think that counties such as Antrim, Louth, Meath and Kildare are some of the biggest underachievers in the country if you base performance simply as a function of available playing population. A better gauge than simply looking at the number of county players produced is to look at the strength of the clubs in these urban areas though. It's probable that you will still get the same outcome in that the GAA is not very strong in a lot of these urban areas. 

Dublin is unique in that it is the hub of the Irish economy where a lot of outsiders from rural areas relocate to live and work and invariably join the local GAA club. Even if you look at the Dublin county team a lot of those players are first or second generation non Dubs. There are still large swathes of Dublin however where the GAA is practically non existent.

[armaghniac]

Dublin is unique in that it is the hub of the Irish economy where a lot of outsiders from rural areas relocate to live and work and invariably join the local GAA club. Even if you look at the Dublin county team a lot of those players are first or second generation non Dubs. There are still large swathes of Dublin however where the GAA is practically non existent.

We should not forget those parts of Dublin where work is still needed. I am 100% in favour of investment on the ground, I am only against that investment creating super clubs or an overfunded county team that distorts national competition.
There are also many children in Dundalk or Drogheda who have a parent from south Armagh, Monaghan or Meath or GAA centres further afield.
I think the GAA needs to look at this and perhaps give less importance to getting teams in Milwaukee or Durban.

[fearsiuil]

If you want to see how a club has been abandoned by politicians, local authority, GAA, etc have a read of this depressing thread.

https://www.reservoirdubs.com/t/croi-ro-naofa-gaa/7860

[Nanderson]

The Newry one is quite tricky as the clubs that are in the city centre like Mitchels, Shamrocks, Bosco are all Div 3 and 4. I would include Glenn and Ballyholland in the Newry area as they are only a couple of miles out of it and they are Div 1 and have been producing county players up until recently. Shamrocks and Mitchels suffer being in an industrial area of Newry and pretty much have to share the south half of the city. Bosco has probably a better pick of players being on its own on the hospital side of the city but it doesnt really have great facilities. It seems the clubs on the outskirts benefit from the pick of a city and the lack of distractions from other social activities that being in the country side provide

[brokencrossbar1]

Newry is a disaster, but it's not a recent disaster. A Newry club hasn't won a senior title since 1968, and between them all they have about 8-9 titles in total. The last 30 odd years has been dominated by 3 clubs, Burren, Mayobridge and Kilcoo and the latter will probably strengthen their grip this year. Kinda similar to Armagh but at least historically the town teams in Lurgan and Armagh city have done well. More work needs to be done in urban areas but there are some many counter demands it's very hard.

[Baile Brigín 2]

If you want to see how a club has been abandoned by politicians, local authority, GAA, etc have a read of this depressing thread.

https://www.reservoirdubs.com/t/croi-ro-naofa-gaa/7860

Very sad, but a predictable consequence to taking the local council to the High Court on a vexatious case and not paying your bill. This was one of the clubs who was involved in the challenge and predictably needed a council post bridge burning.

I hope common sense prevails but the GAA in Dublin simply have limited clout these days.

[general_lee]

Newry is a disaster, but it's not a recent disaster. A Newry club hasn't won a senior title since 1968, and between them all they have about 8-9 titles in total. The last 30 odd years has been dominated by 3 clubs, Burren, Mayobridge and Kilcoo and the latter will probably strengthen their grip this year. Kinda similar to Armagh but at least historically the town teams in Lurgan and Armagh city have done well. More work needs to be done in urban areas but there are some many counter demands it's very hard.

Have Mitchels folded? Surely they should amalgamate with one of the other clubs before they do.

[Nanderson]

Newry is a disaster, but it's not a recent disaster. A Newry club hasn't won a senior title since 1968, and between them all they have about 8-9 titles in total. The last 30 odd years has been dominated by 3 clubs, Burren, Mayobridge and Kilcoo and the latter will probably strengthen their grip this year. Kinda similar to Armagh but at least historically the town teams in Lurgan and Armagh city have done well. More work needs to be done in urban areas but there are some many counter demands it's very hard.

Have Mitchels folded? Surely they should amalgamate with one of the other clubs before they do.

pretty much. havent fielded this year at senior level. not sure about underage. think their pitch is earmarked to be used for part of the newry bypass and that pretty much spelt the end of the club from that.

[Truth hurts]

Newry Mitchells played and won last night

[Fear Bun Na Sceilpe]

Can you each have a look at https://www.namagha.ie/ please

We are looking to push this draw big time for our development, we are located in Greater Shantallow and honestly need help to develop a club with unbelievable untapped potential

[DuffGael]

What the article fails to mention is that Carryduff and Bredagh both provide players for Down in Hurling and Football and both are included in the Gaelfast plan along with St Paul's, Hollywood and East Belfast. Belfast covers 2 counties which is often forgotten

[johnnycool]

What the article fails to mention is that Carryduff and Bredagh both provide players for Down in Hurling and Football and both are included in the Gaelfast plan along with St Paul's, Hollywood and East Belfast. Belfast covers 2 counties which is often forgotten

totally..

I put up somewhere else that if you can send Gaelfast coaches to North Antrim you can send them to the Ards peninsula.

Too many Frankies (literally) wanting a piece of the pie..