The Irish in Britain, including those of Irish descent, make up a significant part of the UK population. Here, you will find news, entertainment, events, sports and features from the local Irish Post newspaper.

Exodus

Nearly 200 players have left British GAA for Ireland in a year — with over 400 moving the other way. But is this turnover good for the sport over here?

By Graham Clifford

If stability is the keystone to success then British Gaelic games may be in trouble.

Almost 200 players departed these shores in the 12-month period between August 2005 and August 2006 according to figures released by the GAA.

The sum does not include players who returned to Ireland without officially applying for a transfer.

While more players actually entered Britain in that period than left it means clubs up and down the country are having difficulty reaching a level of consistency with different faces turning out for the team from one season to the next.

Predictably London was the hardest hit losing 142 players in the specific 12-month time frame.

The most high-profile loss last year was that of Paddy McConigley who returned to Derry — the Donegal and Tir Chonaill Gaels man having been the linchpin to the London Senior Football side for many years.

London manager Noel Dunning has remarked in the recent past about the difficulties associated with the large turnover of players from one season to the next.

The figures show a large increase in the amount of players applying to transfer to British teams in March and April before the start of the Championship but many may only be in the country for the summer periods meaning they might return to Ireland later in the year.

All counties showed a net increase in the amount applying to join clubs in their region but it will be the large number of players leaving which will concern club managers across the country.

With the number of emigrants leaving Ireland for Britain dropping on an annual basis the future of the Association on this side of the Irish Sea appears to rest squarely in the hands of home-grown talent.

At the end of last year GAA President Nicky Brennan said any club in Britain which doesn’t adopt an underage structure to entice youngsters born here to play either football or hurling “will be dead” before long.