Tullamore

[the rat]

With Tullamore's population continually increasing, does anyone think there will ever be another GAA team in the town, ie: Tullamore North etc. I know at underage level in some grades they feild A and B sides. Maybe a second club in the town would increase intrest? Like when Garrycastle was formed in Athlone?

Any thoughts?

[Lone Shark]

I don't know enough about the geography of town to know where the border should be set, but whis much is certain - it is ridiculous that Tullamore GAA club only fields two teams, with their weakest team being a decent intermediate side. Tullamore should be fielding three football teams at least, and four if possible. If they were doing that, then you could forgive them only having one club. As it is, there is a real risk that a second club could be set up, and it would be hard argue against it as things stand.

[del]

as you said you dont know the geography of tullamore . there is a small gaa community in tullamore traditionally the hospital side of the kilbegan bridge which has changed in recent years with the playing population coming from the whole town . tullamore have three teams in football. plus alot of players choose to play with ballinamere even tho they live in tullamore eg paul kinnarney emmet molloy etc kids from tullamore go to school out there and choose to continue playing out there or are given no choice by there parents . cant see another club been set up in tullamore the town aint big enough

[Bord na Mona man]

cant see another club been set up in tullamore the town aint big enough

Given the population of Tullamore and the population that other rural clubs draw from, Tullamore is more than big enough for another club.
There are estates in Tullamore with more people in them than some Offaly clubs in their catchment area.

Look at Athlone where Garrycastle broke away from the Athlone club a few years ago because of a dispute and look at their rise to success.
If this hadn't happened, you can be sure that gaelic games wouldn't be as strong in the area and soccer would still rule the roost.

Whether its the GAA club's fault, or the area is highly resistant to gaelic games, but Tullamore really don't make the most of their resources.
They used to be a consistent super power in football and one of the strong senior clubs in hurling. Now with a bigger chunk of the population, while the rural clubs have less numbers, they are hardly pulling away from the rest.

My feeling is that in single club, big towns there is a combination of less interest in gaelic games and the club never needing to be efficient to field teams.
All Tullamore need do is get a small fraction of the locals playing the sports and things are kept ticking over.

[manfromdelmonte]

All big town clubs need competition for players, supporters and finance in order to get their act together

Without competition for these resources clubs become lazy and are happy with things as they are

a small adult junior football and hurling club in the town would stir things up