Northern Towns/villages without GAA clubs

[seanyb]

Magherafelt bigger town and members too id guess. Considerably more underage success overall tho it hasn't overly translated to Senior you'd say

Not sure about that, their underage success seems to be reaping rewards. Hadn't made a county final in 40 odd years, been in 3 since 2019.

[quit yo jibbajabba]

Yes true Seamy I suppose. They'll be looking a few more wins all the same, definitely gonna be contenders for the forseeable

[Estimator]

Magherafelt have been in the last 4 county minor finals, winning two of them.
They had Four Master beaten in the Ulster Club until the ref made a bizarre penalty call against them. So they are doing something right at underage, and they look to be the only club fit to challenge Glen.

[Brendan]

Would there be a case for splitting Ballinsacreen in 2? Consistently have B teams in football and hurling at underage, think they even have a D team at u14 football this year. Winning nothing of note at senior for a long time makes it less appealing I suppose

When is the last time a club split because of too many numbers? Can't have been too many examples in the last 30 years.

Split probably the wrong choice of word there but denfitly scope for a new club to take advantage of those numbers, same as Steelstown and Culmore in the town

I would love to know the rational behind this.  Unless there was a Mickey Harte style fall out there would be no appetite for another club in the parish.  From the far end of Moneyneana to the top of Sixtowns you'll get dyed-in-the-wool 'Screen men, women & children so where would this new club locate?  On the periphery of the parish you'd be eating into Glen on one side or Desertmartin on another.  There's a lot of barren land towards Banagher or Lissan on the other sides.  Maybe you mean towards Tobermore 

Regarding the numbers, it's brilliant to see.  Between football, hurling, camogie & LGFA at every age group its a logistical nightmare but would this new club offer these 4 codes or would you expect players and families to divide their loyalties between 2 clubs.

Was just a random thought from myself of where a possible new club could come from in Derry in terms of sheer numbers. I suppose in my example of Steelstown and Culmore I didn't consider the loyalty you speak of with Steelstown being a relatively new club which hasnt built up the generations yet which would have made the creation of Culmore easier and of course being townies.

In terms of retaining players I feel there's a better chance of youngsters sticking around if they're playing on an A team throughout their underage career rather than in possible C or D teams. I see it all the time in North Derry where adults playing reserve or 3rds football would go to a smaller club which is helping keep the likes of Magilligan and Drum afloat

[Milltown Row2]

Would there be a case for splitting Ballinsacreen in 2? Consistently have B teams in football and hurling at underage, think they even have a D team at u14 football this year. Winning nothing of note at senior for a long time makes it less appealing I suppose

When is the last time a club split because of too many numbers? Can't have been too many examples in the last 30 years.

Split probably the wrong choice of word there but denfitly scope for a new club to take advantage of those numbers, same as Steelstown and Culmore in the town

I would love to know the rational behind this.  Unless there was a Mickey Harte style fall out there would be no appetite for another club in the parish.  From the far end of Moneyneana to the top of Sixtowns you'll get dyed-in-the-wool 'Screen men, women & children so where would this new club locate?  On the periphery of the parish you'd be eating into Glen on one side or Desertmartin on another.  There's a lot of barren land towards Banagher or Lissan on the other sides.  Maybe you mean towards Tobermore 

Regarding the numbers, it's brilliant to see.  Between football, hurling, camogie & LGFA at every age group its a logistical nightmare but would this new club offer these 4 codes or would you expect players and families to divide their loyalties between 2 clubs.

Was just a random thought from myself of where a possible new club could come from in Derry in terms of sheer numbers. I suppose in my example of Steelstown and Culmore I didn't consider the loyalty you speak of with Steelstown being a relatively new club which hasnt built up the generations yet which would have made the creation of Culmore easier and of course being townies.

In terms of retaining players I feel there's a better chance of youngsters sticking around if they're playing on an A team throughout their underage career rather than in possible C or D teams. I see it all the time in North Derry where adults playing reserve or 3rds football would go to a smaller club which is helping keep the likes of Magilligan and Drum afloat

Nothing up in Limavady or is it like Carrick?

[Brendan]

Would there be a case for splitting Ballinsacreen in 2? Consistently have B teams in football and hurling at underage, think they even have a D team at u14 football this year. Winning nothing of note at senior for a long time makes it less appealing I suppose

When is the last time a club split because of too many numbers? Can't have been too many examples in the last 30 years.

Split probably the wrong choice of word there but denfitly scope for a new club to take advantage of those numbers, same as Steelstown and Culmore in the town

I would love to know the rational behind this.  Unless there was a Mickey Harte style fall out there would be no appetite for another club in the parish.  From the far end of Moneyneana to the top of Sixtowns you'll get dyed-in-the-wool 'Screen men, women & children so where would this new club locate?  On the periphery of the parish you'd be eating into Glen on one side or Desertmartin on another.  There's a lot of barren land towards Banagher or Lissan on the other sides.  Maybe you mean towards Tobermore 

Regarding the numbers, it's brilliant to see.  Between football, hurling, camogie & LGFA at every age group its a logistical nightmare but would this new club offer these 4 codes or would you expect players and families to divide their loyalties between 2 clubs.

Was just a random thought from myself of where a possible new club could come from in Derry in terms of sheer numbers. I suppose in my example of Steelstown and Culmore I didn't consider the loyalty you speak of with Steelstown being a relatively new club which hasnt built up the generations yet which would have made the creation of Culmore easier and of course being townies.

In terms of retaining players I feel there's a better chance of youngsters sticking around if they're playing on an A team throughout their underage career rather than in possible C or D teams. I see it all the time in North Derry where adults playing reserve or 3rds football would go to a smaller club which is helping keep the likes of Magilligan and Drum afloat

Nothing up in Limavady or is it like Carrick?

Limavady pretty average from youth through to Senior, probably should have bigger playing numbers

[JoG2]

Would there be a case for splitting Ballinsacreen in 2? Consistently have B teams in football and hurling at underage, think they even have a D team at u14 football this year. Winning nothing of note at senior for a long time makes it less appealing I suppose

When is the last time a club split because of too many numbers? Can't have been too many examples in the last 30 years.

Split probably the wrong choice of word there but denfitly scope for a new club to take advantage of those numbers, same as Steelstown and Culmore in the town

I would love to know the rational behind this.  Unless there was a Mickey Harte style fall out there would be no appetite for another club in the parish.  From the far end of Moneyneana to the top of Sixtowns you'll get dyed-in-the-wool 'Screen men, women & children so where would this new club locate?  On the periphery of the parish you'd be eating into Glen on one side or Desertmartin on another.  There's a lot of barren land towards Banagher or Lissan on the other sides.  Maybe you mean towards Tobermore 

Regarding the numbers, it's brilliant to see.  Between football, hurling, camogie & LGFA at every age group its a logistical nightmare but would this new club offer these 4 codes or would you expect players and families to divide their loyalties between 2 clubs.

Was just a random thought from myself of where a possible new club could come from in Derry in terms of sheer numbers. I suppose in my example of Steelstown and Culmore I didn't consider the loyalty you speak of with Steelstown being a relatively new club which hasnt built up the generations yet which would have made the creation of Culmore easier and of course being townies.

In terms of retaining players I feel there's a better chance of youngsters sticking around if they're playing on an A team throughout their underage career rather than in possible C or D teams. I see it all the time in North Derry where adults playing reserve or 3rds football would go to a smaller club which is helping keep the likes of Magilligan and Drum afloat

Nothing up in Limavady or is it like Carrick?

Carrick is black hole, Limavady as far as I know has a catholic (or those who tick this box) majority

[quit yo jibbajabba]

Limavady improving slightly I'd say, section B in a few underage leagues now and seniors more competitive.

Out fundraising too so a push of sorts being made

[AustinPowers]

Would there be a case for splitting Ballinsacreen in 2? Consistently have B teams in football and hurling at underage, think they even have a D team at u14 football this year. Winning nothing of note at senior for a long time makes it less appealing I suppose

When is the last time a club split because of too many numbers? Can't have been too many examples in the last 30 years.

Split probably the wrong choice of word there but denfitly scope for a new club to take advantage of those numbers, same as Steelstown and Culmore in the town

I would love to know the rational behind this.  Unless there was a Mickey Harte style fall out there would be no appetite for another club in the parish.  From the far end of Moneyneana to the top of Sixtowns you'll get dyed-in-the-wool 'Screen men, women & children so where would this new club locate?  On the periphery of the parish you'd be eating into Glen on one side or Desertmartin on another.  There's a lot of barren land towards Banagher or Lissan on the other sides.  Maybe you mean towards Tobermore 

Regarding the numbers, it's brilliant to see.  Between football, hurling, camogie & LGFA at every age group its a logistical nightmare but would this new club offer these 4 codes or would you expect players and families to divide their loyalties between 2 clubs.

Was just a random thought from myself of where a possible new club could come from in Derry in terms of sheer numbers. I suppose in my example of Steelstown and Culmore I didn't consider the loyalty you speak of with Steelstown being a relatively new club which hasnt built up the generations yet which would have made the creation of Culmore easier and of course being townies.

In terms of retaining players I feel there's a better chance of youngsters sticking around if they're playing on an A team throughout their underage career rather than in possible C or D teams. I see it all the time in North Derry where adults playing reserve or 3rds football would go to a smaller club which is helping keep the likes of Magilligan and Drum afloat

Nothing up in Limavady or is it like Carrick?

Carrick is black hole, Limavady as far as I know has a catholic (or those who tick this box) majority

Limavady must be  a nationalist town , because it doesn't have a railway  station . That's  usually how it works.

[Brendan]

Limavady Town itself still has a slight Unionist/Protestant majority

[Slemishgael]

Folks I've just stumbled upon this thread.

Curious to know why Gilford in County Down currently does not have a GAA club? Is there the potential there to create a club - thinking land and playing numbers.

I know Tullylish is the local club in the parish, but with it being approx. 3 mile out of Gilford in Lawrencetown and a growing population in Gilford surely there would be demand for a new club in the village? New housing developments in recent years has seen a lot of people come into the area (almost becoming a commuter village given proximity to Banbridge A1 etc) and its also clear to see a lot of GAA jerseys being worn in the village/kids playing football, hurling and comogie... The population of the local school St John's is also growing. I'm wondering would Tullylish survive if a new club was created in Gilford village also? Competition can be a good thing and Tullylish still have a big catchment area.

A club on your doorstep where the local people can go within walking distance is hard to beat. Would be great for local community... Would welcome peoples thoughts on the matter and also has anyone thought about similar towns or villages in the north that could potentially start a new club?

Gilford to Tullylish GAC is what, 2-3 miles?

That's as good as on top of each other when it comes to rural GAA.

Tullylish have also developed some of the best facilities in the county the past decade.

Why on earth would anybody want to run another club against that instead of joining in?

If you'd like GAA in Gilford, petition for the council to build and maintain a GAA field. It would for all intents and purposes become Tullylish's second facility.

Actually a fair point made. Would be brilliant if we had more Council GAA pitches throughout towns and villages in the North also. In the example of Gilford I wonder is this something that the Tullylish club and other local clubs could petition the local council on? Get plenty of signatures from club members and the local community highlighting the desire that's there for a new pitch in an area that would greatly benefit from one. I'd say there's plenty of places throughout the North that would benefit from Council GAA pitches. I suppose the more people shout about it the better. Its a growing sport and as we all know the North continues to change. Demand only going to get higher for such facilities as clubs need to expand or new clubs are looking fresh places to play their games.