THE G.A.A. has just ushered out its 125th anniversary, but major problems lie ahead for the Association in Wexford, particularly at under-age level.

With the 2010 club season just under way, the difficulties facing clubs have been highlighted by Coiste na nÓg Chairman, Diarmuid Devereux.

The St. Patrick's clubman reveals that over 40% of Minor clubs either cannot field 15-a-side teams or amalgamate with another club, or cannot even take the remaining alternative of entering Division 5 of the under-age championship which provides for 13-a-side teams.

While Devereux highlights that this is a problem that the G.A.A. is facing nationally with the numbers not there, it's now developing into a major source of concern in Wexford.

He stressed that just 20 clubs can produce 15-a-side teams in Minor hurling with 22 in Minor football, while Division 5 in Juvenile football is now 12-a-side. He also pointed out that 30% of clubs cannot field 15 players on their own, while if one adds Juvenile and Minor together there is a huge issue that needs to be resolved.

Another interesting statistic revealed by Devereux is that they have more players participating in Divisions 4 and 5 than in Divisions 1, 2 and 3, suggesting that there is a huge momentum in clubs to get into the bottom division which subsequently must lead to a drop in playing standards.

He also pointed out the many unbalanced final scorelines in the first round of Juvenile football championship games played on Sunday last, feeling that there is now a huge grading problem for clubs too.

Given the numer of top Senior clubs either unable to field under-age sides on their own, leading to amalgamation, or playing in the lower division, it looks like the cultivation of under-age players is drying up in clubs, which in future years could lead to major problems at adult level.

The Coiste Chairman highlights the problems in Gorey District. He says that six clubs have amalgamated - Kilanerin with Tara Rocks; Castletown-Liam Mellows with Kilrush-Askamore; Buffers Alley with St. Patrick's.

He also feels that there is a marketing problem with their games, and now he feels it's time these problems are taken on board and discussed.

'I will be calling a special Coiste na nÓg meeting in the coming weeks to discuss the present frightening statistics. We just have got to deal with it positively and not leave it rot in the bin,' he said.

All the forecasts of future demographic change suggest that some areas will continue to lose population, which is now prevelant in rural Wexford, where clubs are finding it increasingly difficult to field under-age sides as a single parish.

However, this has not broadened the base of the Association in the major towns.

Right now only Enniscorthy Rapparees and Starlights are bucking the trend. Gorey, despite the greatest pupulation increase, is struggling as is New Ross, while Wexford town has been devoid of under-age success.

Many factors have hit the G.A.A. base in Wexford town, one being the regular merry-go-round transfer saga each year. One club, St. Joseph's, have entered two adult sides this year, but feed off the work done at under-age level in the other town clubs since they fail to have an under-age structure of their own.

- BRENDAN FURLONG