Good discussion here from all.
2 things.
A few comments on large clubs and lack of retention. I would guess, that those clubs are counting on the high level of attrition, as they wouldn't be able to sustain the numbers that could potentially come through. Douglas were renting Ballinure pitch, Redmonds pitch, Douglas Comm pitch, Musgrave Park, Pairc ui Chaoimh, that I'm aware of, in addition to their own grounds in the last few years just for places for their teams to train and play. . Maybe there are other pitches as well that they used.
From the numbers that start at U7 with them (easily 50 regulars with possibly another 20-30 transient) it is impossible for them to retain them all and have a place for them, and I think they know it, and don't really care. Get the cream, and let the rest away. They won't ever admit it, but they need to lose lots of players along the way, but just not the good ones. And I mentioned douglas, add in Midleton, Carrigaline, Sars, Ballincollig into that list as well.
They could have 2 or 3 teams at U14 of actual 14 year olds, and 4 years later have only 2 minor teams joined with the group below. Douglas even played U16s in U18 recently. They don't care about losing the weaker players.
Smaller clubs need to retain players too field teams, but also to sustain the club into the future as adult players, coaches, committee members, sponsors etc. They will have a role for everybody, the large clubs don't ever need to worry about the future, everything is short term because of the luxury of numbers.
Secondly, I think the anti amalgamation push isn't coming from anyone in particular and has a lot of very valid points. But think of this from the CEOs club, Kilmeen. I don't think they are amalgamated, maybe I'm wrong.
In the past, they would have been grouped with Argideen, Barryroe, Oliver Plunketts, Ballinascarthy, Mathunas, Marys etc, but now all those clubs are amalgamated, and playing at higher levels, the likes of Kilmeen have less and less opponents within close proximity. Same in East cork with Dungourney, Castlemartyr, Russell Rovers, Cloyne etc. Amalgamating makes them too good for the Fr O'Neills, St Catherine's etc, who probably have similar numbers to each individual entity but as are not at the level consistently of the amalgamations.
In the past, there was probably 3 tiers in underage Hurling and football.
A grade which made up 20% of teams. They were generally the larger clubs with more players on the age.
Then you had B & C grade in the divisions which was equally enough spread at approx 40% each.
What we now have is still 3 tiers but the numbers have skewed.
10% tier 1
70% tier 2
20% tier 3
The tier 3 clubs are getting squeezed with less local teams to play, and they will inevitably start to lose kids and then to get natural balance, they will amalgamate with another tier 3 club and move to tier 2.
Big clubs don't fear amalgamated teams, it is the small clubs staying on their own that fear them, and rightfully so.
There is a natural hierarchy to the club game. We will always have senior, intermediate and junior clubs, and that's ok. And we should always have A, B and C grade teams at underage. We can't have everybody in the B, with a small few outliers either side.
This was their group. All second and third teams here. I honestly don’t see an issue with that.
