A former Leitrim County Board chairman is among those sounding the alarm after the GAA this week unveiled a major demographics report warning that rural clubs face unprecedented strain in the years ahead.
Enda Stenson served a number of roles at a local level, including as chairman from 2019 until 2024.
Mr Stenson, a three-time Connacht final referee, is part of the association's National Demographic Committee.
It is aimed at targeting the dramatic demographic changes which have taken place in recent years, which have had a significant impact on rural and urban clubs.
Among the findings, the GAA discovered that 25.5% of all children five and under in Ireland are concentrated across just 50 clubs.
More than half that demographic are to be found in Dublin, Belfast, Down, Kildare, Galway and Cork.
One in three people now live in Dublin or within one hour in satellite towns. Yet, only 18% of the GAA's clubs are located in this area.
