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Is there a future for small rural clubs?

Posted: Thu Jul 11, 2019 11:03 pm
by LooseCannon
Just saw that Edenderry’s junior team received a walkover from Clonmore Harps, having got one from Ballyfore the week before, with neither side being able to field teams.
It’s a sad sight. I wouldn’t know too much about either, but I get the impression that mere existence is becoming challenging.
Unfortunately, things aren’t looking to positive into the future for small rural clubs. In a few years time, we realistically could be down 4 or 5 clubs in quick succession.
This is happening all over the country. Meanwhile, the GAA seem content with the Super 8s and don’t give a tuppenny about the grassroots.

Just my few thoughts. Feel free to throw in your own thoughts. I’m just vexed with the GAA, standing idly by as clubs are falling into the abyss of non existence, day by day.

Re: Is there a future for small rural clubs?

Posted: Fri Jul 12, 2019 6:43 am
by bracknaghboy
Yes for sure there is a future for small rural clubs. But there will be some casualties along the way as there always has been I guess.
Ballyfore have been relying on lads to tog recently who backboned the team 20-25 years ago. They must be abstaining a lot there because they have produced almost no young lads at all to fill the boots. Also they used to pick up a few disillusioned Edenderry players but that seems to have dried up. Of course they had an intercounty player a couple of years back who choose to leave and seek glory with Edenderry and Clonmore Harps would have had two intercounty players had they not sought glory with Rhode as well (remember all that??).........when guys do that it has a really negative impact on the future of the small club.
I know folk from both Clonmore and Ballyfore and it'll be tough if these clubs go under as there are people at both clubs who have poured their heart and soul into it but things look bleak now for them.

Re: Is there a future for small rural clubs?

Posted: Fri Jul 12, 2019 12:07 pm
by LooseCannon
Would I be correct in suggesting that two more of Rhode’s players live in the Castlejordan parish?
The fact that the other thing was allowed happen was scandalous. Not an attack on Rhode, but it shouldn’t have been let happen.
Where would the Harps be with the two lads? God only knows.(if you believe in him)

Re: Is there a future for small rural clubs?

Posted: Fri Jul 12, 2019 2:18 pm
by frankthetank
Are these lads twin brothers or am I mistaken? And they have a habit of going down very easily?

Re: Is there a future for small rural clubs?

Posted: Sun Jul 14, 2019 10:15 pm
by GAHMAD
Out from behind the keyboards lads!!

Lot of small clubs in GAA only jogging along and lads with ambition are being held back.

Should be Parish teams , end of and that would be a suitable compromise to keep some of these rural clubs going, with players who want to train and play at a higher level getting the chance.

If Ballyfore cant out out a team without Daithi Brady, especially with how weak the Junior championship is now then they are in bother.
Also The Harps are in bother for a while now.

Re: Is there a future for small rural clubs?

Posted: Sun Jul 14, 2019 10:26 pm
by bracknaghboy
GAHMAD wrote: Sun Jul 14, 2019 10:15 pm Lot of small clubs in GAA only jogging along and lads with ambition are being held back.
So would you be in favour of allowing players just pick and choose what club they play for? So if you are living in Daingean but fancy playing with Tullamore to help your intercounty prospects then you should be let? Maybe living in Ferbane but want to hurl with Birr instead again should that be ok? Genuine question.

Re: Is there a future for small rural clubs?

Posted: Mon Jul 15, 2019 10:07 pm
by Hankscorpio
bracknaghboy wrote: Fri Jul 12, 2019 6:43 am Of course they had an intercounty player a couple of years back who choose to leave and seek glory with Edenderry and Clonmore Harps would have had two intercounty players had they not sought glory with Rhode as well (remember all that??).........when guys do that it has a really negative impact on the future of the small club.
Slightly different scenarios here in that one lad gave 10 years service for Ballyfore before going back to the club he had played for until he was 18 and the other two players 'renting' an apartment in Rhode in order to force through a transfer and never played for Clonmore at all.

Re: Is there a future for small rural clubs?

Posted: Mon Jul 15, 2019 11:51 pm
by LooseCannon
Hankscorpio wrote: Mon Jul 15, 2019 10:07 pm
bracknaghboy wrote: Fri Jul 12, 2019 6:43 am Of course they had an intercounty player a couple of years back who choose to leave and seek glory with Edenderry and Clonmore Harps would have had two intercounty players had they not sought glory with Rhode as well (remember all that??).........when guys do that it has a really negative impact on the future of the small club.
Slightly different scenarios here in that one lad gave 10 years service for Ballyfore before going back to the club he had played for until he was 18 and the other two players 'renting' an apartment in Rhode in order to force through a transfer and never played for Clonmore at all.
Both incidents were wrong though. You stick with your club through thick and thin, no matter what. That’ll be reciprocated. To walk out on your own club, irrespective of grade is wrong. Unfortunately, it goes on in every county, with Cathal Dunbar of Wexford being one that sticks in the head. Transferred from Réalt na Mara to Naomh Éanna in Gorey.