Plus ça change? Emigration poses a problem to Edenderry GAA in 1929 & 1987 By Ciaran Reilly Unfortunately most GAA clubs around the country at the moment are feeling the pinch; those who undertook massive redevelopment in the last ten years probably worse off than others. Clara GAA club being a prime example here, but hopefully their efforts to provide new facilities will pay dividends in the future, but lets hope not to much at the expense of the reds. Another problem facing many GAA clubs and in particular those in rural Ireland is emigration. To what extent it has affected GAA clubs in Offaly is hard to gauge; perhaps when the adult championships swing into action shortly a clearer picture will emerge. Emigration is no new phenomenon to Ireland or indeed to the members of Edenderry GAA. Flash backwards: March 1929. An article in March 1929 in the Irish Independent highlighted the problems faced by GAA clubs around Ireland and cited on this occasion the case of Edenderry in county Offaly. Flash Forward: January 1987 An article on 24 January 1987 in the Irish Times entitled 'emigration causes drain on resources' highlighted the problem of emigration to the GAA in Offaly, in particular to Edenderry and Rhode. The January meeting of the Offaly county board was dominated by the talk of emigration and the problems it posed for GAA clubs in the county. Flash forward: 2010 It's now eighty one years since J O'Connell spoke on the problems of emigration to the GAA. The newspaper article did not state whether he was successful or not in having a dozen players regraded in time for the 1929 championship. After more than a decade of economic prosperity emigration looms large again in Ireland. Plus ça change? The more that changes, the more it's the same thing. |
News >