BY ALAN RODGERS

A.RODGERS@GAELICLIFE.COM

The GAA are set to get a massive wake up call in the next few weeks when figures are published revealing that participation in Gaelic Games is lagging behind soccer.

GAA President, Nickey Brennan, has said that the numbers believed to be taking part in the sport represents a signifcant challenge to the future of gaelic games. He was speaking in Armagh this week during a whirlwind tour of Ulster which included the launch of the Orchard county's Strategic Plan.

The comments of the Kilkenny native, who is due to step down from the role at the start of next year, come just ahead of a survey on participation levels in Irish sport.

"Let's call a spade a spade and the biggest threat to us is soccer. They are stealing a march on us and figures coming out in the near future won't make pleasant reading," he warned.

"Most people are involved in sport for enjoyment and one of the difficulties that we have at the moment is the competitiveness of the games," he said.

"The numbers participating in soccer are going to be shown to be more than us.

"Now, admittedly, I would challenge the numbers. As the number of five a side soccer pitches, pub teams and all sorts of other sides are being counted as participants.

"But the big thing is that these games are a leisure activity because that is what people want. They see playing five a side soccer as such and we have to achieve that as well as providing the competitive angle," he added.

Whether or not to develop competitions along the lines of pub leagues has long been a source of debate within the GAA for many years.

At the moment, the action is confined almost exclusively to the leagues and championships at senior and reserve level throughout the country.

One of the challenges for the GAA will be to ensure that this situation is improved during the coming years. And, Nickey Brennan says the need to increase the levels of participation is now vital.

"There is nothing wrong with fielding a third or fourth team with players who might just want to play the game and aren't overly pushed on training," he continued.

"If they get close to a league or championship final, then the level of effort might be pushed up. But at least it should be important to provide an opportunity for people to play for enjoyment.

"We have to remember that only a small number of players are going to be elite. The success of the GAA as an organisation is ensuring that those who may not appear that talented are nurtered.

"Mark my words, they will be the ones who keep things going in the future. We have to make sure that Go-Games and other initiatives include everyone and if that means fielding a second team to accomodate players, then do that," he continued.

The need for recreational gaelic games is expected to be among the areas covered when the GAA launches its national strategy next month.