'No bigger issue' - GAA tackles demographic changes

GAA president Jarlath Burns says there is "no bigger issue" for the association than demographic changes after recommendations were set out for the future of gaelic games.

A report from the GAA's National Demographic Committee studied the "dramatic" changes on the island of Ireland and the impact gaelic games has in urban and rural communities.

"In the last 100 years no bigger issue has emerged as a threat to our ability to stay relevant to our members than the subject of demographics," said Burns.

"Many of these challenges are outside of the GAA's remit to control. But what we must do is have a conversation about how capable we are to be able to still have a foothold and pulse in our cities, towns, villages and rural communities.

"A constant in the remarkable history of the GAA has been its robustness; its ability to meet challenges and find a way to stay at the heart of Irish life."

Benny Hurl, the National Demographics Committee chair, said: "For years and years and years, far too long, we have spoken about the demographic problems and some would suggest the sky is falling in and it's the end of the association as we know it."

"We need to change that narrative away from the problems, that the sky's falling in, to finding solutions.

"That's the most important thing here because we can talk until the cows come home about the problems but it's not going to solve anything, and unfortunately we have done that for far too long."

The report found that demand was outstripping supply in urban areas and cities, while there was a "decline" in rural areas across the island.

In Dublin, where the GAA's headquarters are based at Croke Park, it was found that one-in-three people lived in the city or in a satellite town within one hour.

However, only 18% of the GAA's clubs are in the same area, which has prompted recommendations for new clubs to be formed and a "rejuvenation of existing units".

The report also said that urban clubs have stretched resources due to over crowding, and that limits the availability of facilities and reduces player retention.

At youth level, 5% of all 0-5-year-olds who play GAA were concentrated across just 50 clubs, and 52% of the same age bracket were found in Dublin, Belfast, Down, Kildare, Galway and Cork.

In contrast, it was found that 78% of GAA clubs are in rural areas on the island with declining populations, which has been accelerated by falling birth rates.

A number of recommendations were made to tackle this issue, including the introduction of by-laws which would allow urban players to join rural clubs, and restrict transfers in the other direction.

It also recommended dual eligibility for players who have links to urban and rural clubs, and easier transfers based on familial links.

Kerry and Kildare were singled out for pilot initiatives to target declining populations in both counties, which would see interventions launched on participation, integration and club structures.

A new club support unit is also set to be introduced to help teams who are looking to grow, and those which need support.

A motion will be tabled at the 2026 GAA Congress to allow championships to be played with fewer players than 15-a-side, with "modified" games at 11-a-side or nine-a-side both mentioned in the report to help clubs who struggle to field teams in full-sided matches.

A second motion, which "proposes a rule change which the committee believe makes it easier for clubs to be maintained, retained, and grown", is also set to be put forward, but the GAA says not all of the recommendations put forward require a rule change.