I am not saying every club should merge in every parish, just that it is interesting how Armagh clubs developed in comparison to the traditional parish boundaries used in so many counties. While it does allow for more opportunity at underage level, is it not detrimental for many at senior? Shane's reformed in 1984 and Carrickcruppen went from one of the strongest teams in the county to also rans, is that coincidence or is it linked? Whitecross and Belleek bob about in Intermediate and Junior, winning the odd title and getting a few years up a grade before coming back down. If Clady and the Nab were one team, would they have been strong enough to win a county title in the last couple of years? I appreciate it is all if's and buts, but that's what forums are for isn't it!
I am not saying every club should merge in every parish, just that it is interesting how Armagh clubs developed in comparison to the traditional parish boundaries used in so many counties. While it does allow for more opportunity at underage level, is it not detrimental for many at senior? Shane's reformed in 1984 and Carrickcruppen went from one of the strongest teams in the county to also rans, is that coincidence or is it linked? Whitecross and Belleek bob about in Intermediate and Junior, winning the odd title and getting a few years up a grade before coming back down. If Clady and the Nab were one team, would they have been strong enough to win a county title in the last couple of years? I appreciate it is all if's and buts, but that's what forums are for isn't it!
yep its interesting the way they have developed ...... organically rather than structured.
In a structured setup you'd have Gaelic clubs representing an area with enough population that would give every club a real chance to win the championship.
Less clubs and more 2nd/3rd/4th teams, if you look at Dublin GAA you have super clubs with multiple senior football teams ..... if your not a top a player there will always be a team in your club at your level in a lower division. Same with a lot of the rugby teams. you play at your level
If there are less clubs and your playing on the 1st team then its a higher more consistant standard as each team is picked from a bigger pool- steel sharpens steel ....... this would translate to the county team.
Less clubs means better use of resources (financial and manpower) - pitches, clubhouses, stands etc
Very difficult to change as lots of people are very invested in their current club and there is alot of pride in a small area having a team to represent
