GAA Demographics

[bennydorano]

Antrim poor here, even given its demographics.

Interesting one.

As it happens, it's just been announced that Oran Kearney has been appointed manager of Ballymena United FC. And while I know you cannot always go by names, it is nonetheless interesting to see some of those who make up the squad he inherits:
Declan Breen, Jack O'Reilly, Daire O'Connor, Kian Corbally, Patrick McEleney, Sean O'Neill, Donal Rocks, Stephen O'Connell, Danny Lafferty and Daithi McCallion. (This last, who has represented NI at under-age level, is the son of former Sinn Fein MP Elisha btw).
https://ballymenaunitedfc.com/the-playing-squad

Of course this should give no cause for comment - and indeed it doesn't - even in the "Buckle on Ulster's Bible Belt"!

But I list it here for the contrast it provides to eg the current Antrim Senior squad, where there isn't a Kyle or a Victor about the place:
https://antrim.gaa.ie/teams/senior-football

But heyho, so many on this Board insist that Soccer is the code with the problem of not being so inclusive as it might be, not the GAA, that it must be true. 

Lol, used to draw attention to some of names on the Antrim Hurling panel, always a few Alistairs & Elliots and what not. The Ulster Scots influence on the North East coast clubs.

Thanks for your invaluable insights into all things GAA EG. Always a treat.

[Rossfan]

Maybe nationalist people or ones with nationalist looking names are 21st Century grown ups and play whatever sport they like?

In contrast to unionist types who prefer 17th Century burning of Lundy to sport, or Orange Order types who kept "their" people 17th Century pure by not letting GAA children into a cricket ground in Co Down last Sumner.

[Baile Brigín 2]

Soccer is based on an sectarian entity, any of the above is mere mitigation.

The thing is, Soccer was always an all-Ireland sport, until the Partitionist 26 Counties seceded and formed their own, separatist entity.

The game was based in Belfast. Bohemians and Shelbourne won the Cup. 8 out of 10 teams were from Belfast.  Soccer is partitionist. Rugby and GAA aren't. 

Even if I took your and Armaghniac's fairly witless simplifications at face value - which I obviously don't - I still cannot see what any of it has to do with the demographic problems facing the GAA.

You know, the subject of this thread, on this GAA forum?

Unless you have nothing better by which to avoid addressing the Elephant in the Room?

I agree we are on a tangent, but surely you can see why the Leinster Football Association split off?

[armaghniac]

Whatever the historical difficulties (both sides), or the gauldering of a few bucket-mouthed present-day politicians pandering to their vote etc, the fact is that nowadays Soccer on all levels receives widespread participation from the Nationalist population in all parts of NI, in direct converse to participation by Unionists in GAA, which remains at pitiful levels.

Doesn't that say everything about the centuries of prejudice embedded in the unionist tradition?

Even if I took your and Armaghniac's fairly witless simplifications at face value - which I obviously don't - I still cannot see what any of it has to do with the demographic problems facing the GAA.

I may engage in the odd simplification, for some people simplification is necessary, but I do not support sectarianism in sport.

[trueblue1234]

I can tell you that no one I know from a nationalist perspective supports NI. Literally no one.
I wasn't talking about the sport of soccer. I was talking about support for the national team for this wee country. They have zero support due to the unionist trappings that go along with that support. And nothing but token effort to change that. When Gaelic is played outside NI it has people from a wide range of backgrounds. Unfortunately people here tend to be a bit backwards on somethings.

As someone who has been following NI home and away for decades, I can tell you that such people definitely do exist, even if they are a small minority. Indeed, unable to attend the recent Luxembourg game at Windsor, I gave my ticket to a 40-something Catholic lassie from Belfast, a lifelong NI supporter, like her father before her.

And that is despite there being a "ready alternative" (ROI), which has been doing rather than NI of late, to support instead.

While the NT is only one aspect of the game, such that there can be no doubt that participation by Nationalists in NI soccer generally, at all levels, FAR exceeds that of Unionists in GAA.

My point being that for all your Whataboutery about soccer etc, the GAA is evidently worried by demographic trends, West to East, Rural to Urban, yet two of the most populous, urban, Eastern Counties in Ireland, also have the lowest participation levels on the entire island.

Those counties are, of course, Antrim and Down, who also have the highest proportion of Prods/Unionists on the island. Yet this clear disparity gets completely ignored in the report.

Funny that.

I am sure these people do exist. Just in very few numbers. Just like there are people from a unionist/ Protestant background who play Gaelic. My point is that there is a cultural reason Protestant people are not choosing to play Gaelic in great numbers. It's the same reason why catholics aren't supporting the NI soccer team. The option is open to them but I don't believe there's a desire there on either side.

[armaghniac]

I can tell you that no one I know from a nationalist perspective supports NI. Literally no one.
I wasn't talking about the sport of soccer. I was talking about support for the national team for this wee country. They have zero support due to the unionist trappings that go along with that support. And nothing but token effort to change that. When Gaelic is played outside NI it has people from a wide range of backgrounds. Unfortunately people here tend to be a bit backwards on somethings.

As someone who has been following NI home and away for decades, I can tell you that such people definitely do exist, even if they are a small minority. Indeed, unable to attend the recent Luxembourg game at Windsor, I gave my ticket to a 40-something Catholic lassie from Belfast, a lifelong NI supporter, like her father before her.

And that is despite there being a "ready alternative" (ROI), which has been doing rather than NI of late, to support instead.

While the NT is only one aspect of the game, such that there can be no doubt that participation by Nationalists in NI soccer generally, at all levels, FAR exceeds that of Unionists in GAA.

My point being that for all your Whataboutery about soccer etc, the GAA is evidently worried by demographic trends, West to East, Rural to Urban, yet two of the most populous, urban, Eastern Counties in Ireland, also have the lowest participation levels on the entire island.

Those counties are, of course, Antrim and Down, who also have the highest proportion of Prods/Unionists on the island. Yet this clear disparity gets completely ignored in the report.

Funny that.

I am sure these people do exist. Just in very few numbers. Just like there are people from a unionist/ Protestant background who play Gaelic. My point is that there is a cultural reason Protestant people are not choosing to play Gaelic in great numbers. It's the same reason why catholics aren't supporting the NI soccer team. The option is open to them but I don't believe there's a desire there on either side.

Unionists came to Ireland to colonise us, not to play our games.

[SouthOfThe Bann]

As someone who is not from the north I have noticed quite a few unionist guys that support Armagh especially on social media even a rangers fan I seen few weeks back with an appreciation post to Soupy when he retired.

I know still in the small minority but nice to see nonetheless.

[Orior]

Antrim poor here, even given its demographics.

Interesting one.

As it happens, it's just been announced that Oran Kearney has been appointed manager of Ballymena United FC. And while I know you cannot always go by names, it is nonetheless interesting to see some of those who make up the squad he inherits:
Declan Breen, Jack O'Reilly, Daire O'Connor, Kian Corbally, Patrick McEleney, Sean O'Neill, Donal Rocks, Stephen O'Connell, Danny Lafferty and Daithi McCallion. (This last, who has represented NI at under-age level, is the son of former Sinn Fein MP Elisha btw).
https://ballymenaunitedfc.com/the-playing-squad

Of course this should give no cause for comment - and indeed it doesn't - even in the "Buckle on Ulster's Bible Belt"!

But I list it here for the contrast it provides to eg the current Antrim Senior squad, where there isn't a Kyle or a Victor about the place:
https://antrim.gaa.ie/teams/senior-football

But heyho, so many on this Board insist that Soccer is the code with the problem of not being so inclusive as it might be, not the GAA, that it must be true. 

Lol, used to draw attention to some of names on the Antrim Hurling panel, always a few Alistairs & Elliots and what not. The Ulster Scots influence on the North East coast clubs.

Thanks for your invaluable insights into all things GAA EG. Always a treat.

I always wanted to see an O'Hanlon playing for Down and a Magennis playing for Armagh - both undercover agents lol.

[Armagh18]

Antrim poor here, even given its demographics.

Interesting one.

As it happens, it's just been announced that Oran Kearney has been appointed manager of Ballymena United FC. And while I know you cannot always go by names, it is nonetheless interesting to see some of those who make up the squad he inherits:
Declan Breen, Jack O'Reilly, Daire O'Connor, Kian Corbally, Patrick McEleney, Sean O'Neill, Donal Rocks, Stephen O'Connell, Danny Lafferty and Daithi McCallion. (This last, who has represented NI at under-age level, is the son of former Sinn Fein MP Elisha btw).
https://ballymenaunitedfc.com/the-playing-squad

Of course this should give no cause for comment - and indeed it doesn't - even in the "Buckle on Ulster's Bible Belt"!

But I list it here for the contrast it provides to eg the current Antrim Senior squad, where there isn't a Kyle or a Victor about the place:
https://antrim.gaa.ie/teams/senior-football

But heyho, so many on this Board insist that Soccer is the code with the problem of not being so inclusive as it might be, not the GAA, that it must be true. 

Lol, used to draw attention to some of names on the Antrim Hurling panel, always a few Alistairs & Elliots and what not. The Ulster Scots influence on the North East coast clubs.

Thanks for your invaluable insights into all things GAA EG. Always a treat.

I always wanted to see an O'Hanlon playing for Down and a Magennis playing for Armagh - both undercover agents lol.

There's one on the panel- think he's played abit of McKenna cup in the past but not 100% sure.

[Wildweasel74]

I knew a Catholic playing for Ballynena 30yrs ago,played up from underage, and it been rough enough round there. They were burnt out of home one time few yrs before.

[Eamonnca1]

This West-to-East, Rural-to-Urban demographic talk is all very well, but isn't it also ignoring an elephant in the room?

Namely the GAA's complete inability*, even after nearly 150 years existence, to attract/engage with/include 1 million people living in the north east of the island.


* - I say "inability", might I also have said "indifference toward", or even "unwillingness"?

East Belfast GAA have made a sincere attempt at this and been quite successful so stick your trolling up your hole.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cqxq4jjy1r4o

One club  - and good luck to them - but that's hardly representative.

As for "trolling", don't they have a rule in GAA about "playing the ball rather than the man"?

You may not be aware of Ulster GAA's Cúchulainn initiative. From their website:

The goal of the project is focused on extending the hand of friendship to schools, communities, and families who would not normally associate with the GAA. This is achieved by inviting schools from a town (maintained, controlled and integrated); to come together to form a cross-community under-16 Cúchulainn Team. Pupils who have very little interaction with the GAA have the opportunity to learn more about the Association through "Getting to Know the GAA" talks, and are afforded the opportunity to take-part in Gaelic Games through "Taster Sessions". Schools select five pupils from the "Taster Session" to represent their school in their "Cúchulainn Team" made-up of pupils from other schools in their town.

There are many advantages to a school in becoming involved. Firstly the players are given the opportunity to experience new sports, learning new skills which are transferrable across many sports. The coaching is supplemented with a visit to each school by Ulster GAA Staff to give an insight into the background of the GAA. The project aims to broaden horizons, and give a better perspective of an Association participants may have little knowledge of.

There are purpose-built cross-community clubs that have come from this initiative in Armagh and Tyrone. Existing clubs across Ulster also participate in cross-community activities, helped by the fact that there's funding out there for that sort of thing.

You'll probably dismiss this as being inadequate–if I told you there were ten new cross-community clubs you'd complain that there aren't 11. Could more be done? Obviously yes. There always could. But to say that the GAA is unwilling or unable to reach across the divide is just factually, empirically incorrect. At least it's trying. What have you done to bridge the divide lately?