Player exodus major concern for football clubs

Date Published: 02-Jul-2009

IT may not be an issue yet, but local GAA authorities should really take a look at the number of club players quitting these shores over the summer months in search of sand, sea and surf – and in some cases, simply a job – in the United States and Australia.

Without a doubt, the practice of heading to foreign climes on a working holiday over the summer months – which has been a constant in recent decades – seems to have escalated this year, in particular, with most of Galway’s clubs seriously affected.

Of course, the economic downturn has been the underlining factor and players (most of whom are students and teachers) cannot be blamed for using this opportunity to travel when there are few summer employment opportunities at home.

In any event, the majority of senior clubs contacted this week were bemoaning the loss of a number of their star players to America and Australia – and, certainly, it will have an impact on many of clubs’ championship aspirations.

Among the clubs to be affected who are competing in the second round of the Galway senior football championship are Mountbellew/Moylough, Moycullen, Killererin, St. Brendan’s, Tuam Stars, Claregalway, Milltown and Salthill/Knocknacarra.

This is just a selection of the senior clubs and does not include the likes of Kilkerrin/ Clonberne and Killanin, both of which were without key players abroad in their respective qualifier defeats to St. Brendan’s and Barna respectively.

In any event, the senior and intermediate championships go ahead this weekend with…