By Sean Moriarty

Killarney’s tradition of providing footballers to the Kerry senior team is at risk due to the lack of housing in the locality.

A recent Killarney Municipal District meeting was told that local GAA clubs are “struggling” as there are not enough youngsters signing up as their parents are forced to buy and build houses outside of the town.

The housing shortage and lack of new builds was laid bare at the meeting.

There are two GAA clubs in town, Legion and Dr Crokes and two more in the immediate outskirts, Fossa and Spa.

All four have provided star footballers to Kerry senior teams. Indeed the town’s Fitzgerald Stadium is named after Killarney man Dick Fitzgerald who won five All-Ireland medals, including two as captain in 1913 and 1914.

Last year’s All-Ireland winning team included several Killarney men like Gavin White (Dr Crokes) and brothers Paudie and David Clifford (Fossa).

That tradition is now at risk according to Cllr Niall ‘Botty’ O’Callaghan while debating the chronic lack of housing in the town.

“Young couples cannot live in Killarney,” the Dr Crokes clubman told the meeting. “Putting on my football hat, GAA clubs are struggling, big time, young couples cannot build houses.”