Stark figures illustrate GAA's rural/urban dilemma

At GAA Congress last weekend, Jarlath Burns described the issue of rural depopulation and the impact that it was having on clubs as a full-blown crisis for the association.

"It is unconscionable that we would be the generation who preside over the permanent demise of rural Ireland," he said.

"The role that we play in Irish life, and especially in rural life, gives us a power and influence that we should use to ensure that rural Ireland is not allowed to die."

Upon his appointment as president, Burns gave Benny Hurl the role of Chairperson of the GAA's National Demographics Committee.

Long before he was appointed, Hurl could see what was happening around the country and was already on the case. He spoke to RTÉ Sport last September to warn of the issues facing rural Ireland, where populations are declining, and, equally, the challenges that faced urban GAA clubs who could not cope with the huge amount of numbers joining.

Back In 1968, writer John Healy published a work that made everyone sit up and take notice of Charlestown in Mayo. The book was called, No One Shouted Stop: Death of an Irish Town.

Hurl is adamant that someone in the GAA will shout to prevent the death of rural clubs and the overwhelming demands placed on urban units.

He has been shouting it from the rooftops for some time.

Now the association in general is hearing the message loud and clear.

Alongside Croke Park executives Dr Peter Horgan and Conor Weir, Hurl has spoken to an army of bodies, organisations, agencies and groups about the issues facing clubs throughout the country.

The workshop he delivered at Congress reported the findings of a demographics workshop held on Friday, which pointed to the disparity between population density down the island's eastern