Northern Towns/villages without GAA clubs

[johnnycool]

There is a huge population base for St Paul's to exploit. Demographically they've a big take but this probably isn't consolidated by the cultural makeup of the area. Newtownards has St Finian's P.S. and Loughries IPS with St Mary's P.S. nearby in Comber. There is St Malachy's P.S. in Bangor along with St Comgall's P.S. in the same town. Glencraig IPS and St Patrick's P.S. are in Holywood with St Anne's P.S. in Donaghadee. There are eight primary schools alone that they could be drawing from.

Have always believed that an urban taskforce for want of a better term should be created in Down. We have most of South and East Belfast plus that whole metropolitan area of North Down. Then large towns like Newcastle, Downpatrick and Banbridge along with the 'city' of Newry. We really should be maximising our potential in all of our urban areas.

Loughries Integrated PS??? I'd love to see the breakdown of that wee school! Heck they've only started allowing in GDO's into Kircubbin Integrated that last few years or so.

Comber would come into the catchment area of Darragh Cross I'd have thought even though it's 10 miles or so away, but you've Ballygowan, Saintfield and all in that area with pretty decent populations.
We used to get a few underage hurlers out of Bangor/Holywood/Ards area from going to school in Knock with some of our lads, but they never stuck at it.

You've places like Carrowdore, Ballyhalbert, Greyabbey, etc etc and they wouldn't even have youth soccer teams. Heck even Ballywalter had to cancel some underage soccer games one Saturday as it was first communion on in Kircubbin and a few weeks later also had to cancel games as the Down Feile was on in Portaferry.

More into farming, motorbikes and marching.

Was there never any sort of tradition of Ards hurlers playing football for St Paul's at a time? I do mind Kevin McGarry and Magic Johnston throwing their lot in with Loughinisland, Brendan McGourty with Darragh Cross, Danny Toner with Saul and a few of the Ennis men with Carryduff.

Don't recollect St Pauls ever having the misfortune of having any of our lads line out for them, there's still the odd one fúcks around with Saul or Kilcilef AFAIK.

If wee Danny is ever seen in a Saul jersey again I'll hit him a boot up the hole..

[Milltown Row2]

There is a huge population base for St Paul's to exploit. Demographically they've a big take but this probably isn't consolidated by the cultural makeup of the area. Newtownards has St Finian's P.S. and Loughries IPS with St Mary's P.S. nearby in Comber. There is St Malachy's P.S. in Bangor along with St Comgall's P.S. in the same town. Glencraig IPS and St Patrick's P.S. are in Holywood with St Anne's P.S. in Donaghadee. There are eight primary schools alone that they could be drawing from.

Have always believed that an urban taskforce for want of a better term should be created in Down. We have most of South and East Belfast plus that whole metropolitan area of North Down. Then large towns like Newcastle, Downpatrick and Banbridge along with the 'city' of Newry. We really should be maximising our potential in all of our urban areas.

Loughries Integrated PS??? I'd love to see the breakdown of that wee school! Heck they've only started allowing in GDO's into Kircubbin Integrated that last few years or so.

Comber would come into the catchment area of Darragh Cross I'd have thought even though it's 10 miles or so away, but you've Ballygowan, Saintfield and all in that area with pretty decent populations.
We used to get a few underage hurlers out of Bangor/Holywood/Ards area from going to school in Knock with some of our lads, but they never stuck at it.

You've places like Carrowdore, Ballyhalbert, Greyabbey, etc etc and they wouldn't even have youth soccer teams. Heck even Ballywalter had to cancel some underage soccer games one Saturday as it was first communion on in Kircubbin and a few weeks later also had to cancel games as the Down Feile was on in Portaferry.

More into farming, motorbikes and marching.

Was there never any sort of tradition of Ards hurlers playing football for St Paul's at a time? I do mind Kevin McGarry and Magic Johnston throwing their lot in with Loughinisland, Brendan McGourty with Darragh Cross, Danny Toner with Saul and a few of the Ennis men with Carryduff.

Sean Og' McGourty Ballycran, played football for St Galls, few county championships, maybe even an Ulster football title from 82 and Kilmacud Sevens titles from that period. Blaney also played a bitta football I think

[seafoid]

Down is so interesting between Mickey Linden, the hurling and the other side. 

[imtommygunn]

It feels like two counties really. The ards and the rest. You could argue belfast teams / carryduff as another one too. Huge areas of it with no football and then on the flip side probably more with no hurling.

[armaghniac]

North Down should have some more possibility, apart from the 4% nationalist vote there is 36% in the middle ground. Not traditional GAA territory to be sure, but not all bonfire night territory either and some of the social structure might be like south Dublin where the GAA has managed to make inroads with the likes of Cuala or Kilmacud.

[Rossfan]

Jarlath will get a load of that 36% on board😉

[Truth hurts]

There is a load of places that Down GAA could be tapping into and I have said for years that these areas and primary schools should be targeted by the GPO of the county. Primary schools in Kilcoo, Burren, Mayobridge, Hilltown etc do not need as much coaching as the urban areas where there is a struggle against other sports and interests. at least we have a county board that realise the county does not stop at Castlewellan lake

[delgany]

There is a load of places that Down GAA could be tapping into and I have said for years that these areas and primary schools should be targeted by the GPO of the county. Primary schools in Kilcoo, Burren, Mayobridge, Hilltown etc do not need as much coaching as the urban areas where there is a struggle against other sports and interests. at least we have a county board that realise the county does not stop at Castlewellan lake

Havent seen a GDO in three years! Never mind any communication or information from the GD Manager- it the waiting that kills you most!

[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?

[illdecide]

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?

Well 50% of the village are Prods and the other 50% are Alco's who love soccer.

On a serious note I'd say anyone with GAA background will go to Lawerencetown for their GAA or Lurgan. Possibly Clan na Banna too. Soccer is a big part of the village and serious drinkers too. Maybe that's the reason there is no GAA club there.

[Slemishgael]

Would be nice to see a club in Gilford in the near future. For the kids especially to have a club literally on their doorstep would be great. The culture and tradition has to start somewhere and with the village seemingly growing (particularly up around the chapel and school and towards the Loughbrickland side), going by latest 2021 census, I think it may be only a matter of time. If Banbridge and Aghaderg which is just outside Banbridge have clubs (hardly GAA strongholds in most peoples minds I'd assume - but great to see them growing nonetheless) there is no reason why a growing village like Gilford could not have a new club at some point in the not to distant future. It would be great not just for that village but other towns and villages throughout the North in a similar position. Places are continuing to change throughout the North and I think people see this.   

[Feckitt]

Go for it Slemishgael, East Belfast have shown that it can be done.You are correct about changing demographics throughout the country. It takes just a handful of people to get it started. 

[AustinPowers]

Forming a new club  in such  places will no doubt lead to more extreme sectarian behaviour  from those  who feel they are "under siege" from all things Irish. Look at the attacks,  bigotry and  threats East Belfast have had  to deal with.

It only takes a handful  of bigots to unravel things.

[Milltown Row2]

Forming a new club  in such  places will no doubt lead to more extreme sectarian behaviour  from those  who feel they are "under siege" from all things Irish. Look at the attacks,  bigotry and  threats East Belfast have had  to deal with.

It only takes a handful  of bigots to unravel things.

Course, bigots will do their level best at the start, they become bored after a while and go back to the next thing to be a bigot over!

[lurganblue]

Would be nice to see a club in Gilford in the near future. For the kids especially to have a club literally on their doorstep would be great. The culture and tradition has to start somewhere and with the village seemingly growing (particularly up around the chapel and school and towards the Loughbrickland side), going by latest 2021 census, I think it may be only a matter of time. If Banbridge and Aghaderg which is just outside Banbridge have clubs (hardly GAA strongholds in most peoples minds I'd assume - but great to see them growing nonetheless) there is no reason why a growing village like Gilford could not have a new club at some point in the not to distant future. It would be great not just for that village but other towns and villages throughout the North in a similar position. Places are continuing to change throughout the North and I think people see this.   

My understanding is that tullylish, although doing ok, arent falling down with numbers... 2 teams at different age groups etc?