Planning restrictions are going to finish a lot of smaller rural gaa clubs. In the underage championships, Division 1 is mainly big traditional clubs that have strong numbers, with maybe one or two amalgamations/ combination teams. As you go through Divisions 2 and 3, it's the opposite- maybe one or two stand-alone teams, and the rest are combined. To be fair to any of the combined teams I've come across, it's not like they are picking the best 15 players and leaving 18 or 19 on the bench. They simply couldn't function as a stand-alone entity.
The GAA landscape across rural Ireland will eventually mirror successive government dismantling of rural Ireland. First Garda stations, then post offices. Guaranteed next up will be primary schools. It's sad and worrying when you think about it. I'm sure plenty will say suck it up, that's progress, and efficiency, and it's not feasible to to keep these kind of services open across the country, etc, etc. Maybe they're right, but I grew up in the country. It's home. I got an education, I got a job away from home, I've lived in the city, I've lived in the town, but the last few years I've moved home and commute to work, and do a bit to help out at home. Some day, please God, I'll be married and have kids, and I'd want them to grow up in the country. I'd like for them to play with the local club, even if they'd be playing u16 at 12, just to make up the numbers as we've had to already. But I fear that by the time all that comes to pass, our club will be no more.