Kelly meets with GAA on Demographics issue

Tipperary North/West Kilkenny T.D. Alan Kelly as Chair of the Oireachtas Sports Committee led a delegation to Croke Park last week for an historic meeting where they gathered to receive a briefing on the GAA’s landmark Demographic Report.

“This report is a critical report on the future of Gaelic Games in Ireland as it faces up to the challenges for the association across all codes, in its clubs and with its members given the continuing changing demographics in our country,” deputy Kelly said.

“Increasing urbanisation is creating challenges for clubs to find playing pitches and infrastructure in cities and towns while some clubs are growing expenentially others are struggling.

“Meanwhile in rural areas clubs are finding it difficult to field teams and are having to merge at different age groups across all GAA codes. This brings into question a range of other issues when it comes to young people's participation levels and grading in competitions,” added the Portroe clubman.

Deputy Kelly will now work with the chairpersons of the Oireachtas Committees on Rural Affairs, Infrastructure and Housing on launching a joint report on this issue later this year.

Following the meeting, Uachtarán Cumann Lúthchleas Gael Jarlath Burns also presented deputy Kelly with one of the match sliotars from Tipperary’s All Ireland win over Cork in 2025.