GAA: No bigger issue for association than demographic changes, says president Jarlath Burns

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.”