Danny Murphy has warned of the consequences of the guidelines
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A top Ulster GAA official believes new planning laws restricting construction in rural areas could have a devastating effect on the game in Northern Ireland.
Ulster Council secretary Danny Murphy claims clubs may go out of existence because of the guidelines, which are currently out for consulation.
"The devastation this would wreak on two thirds of the clubs in Ulster would be immense within 20 years," he said.
"There is a need to develop housing for young men and women in those areas."
He added: "We fully intend to confront this at any and every level.
"The right of our people to live in these areas should be inalienable.
"This will be a very serious confrontation and we fully intend to take this forward or else the consequences will be immense in 20 years."
The Ulster Council's stance has received support from new GAA president Nickey Brennan.
"This is a seriously flawed policy and if implemented will pose major problems for many of our rural clubs," he said.
The GAA has contacted the Irish Department of Foreign Affairs about the issue.
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