reddevil82
member
Reged: 27/06/2008
Posts: 67
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Just thought I'd highlight the fact that several clubs in the League of Ireland are on the verge of extinction. Cork City are €1 million in debt, while Cobh, Galway, Waterford and Sligo are in similar difficulty. Obviously, it's not unique to Ireland, with many English and Scottish clubs also in trouble, but just wondering how they can compete with Sky and Setanta. Maybe they need to follow Norway, and not sell players overseas before they reach 18.
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rotku
member
Reged: 14/06/2007
Posts: 105
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A nice idea but I can't see it working since a majority of clubs in the league of ireland don't have underage teams and even if they do, as far as I can remember from my playing days, other that at the league of ireland level since you are not receiving a wage for playing you only sign an agreement year to year to play for a club but the club hold no rights over you, and you can transfer clubs anytime from September to January for no fee. Therefore any schoolboy club that has a good player on their books (Robbie Keane from Crumlin United to Wolves comes to mind) can lose the player at any time since they are not under contact. Normally a nominal fee is paid by the English or Scottish club to ensure the smoothness of the move but officially I don't believe the schoolboy club are entitled to anything.
Unfortunately for league of ireland clubs this means that by the time the player reaches 18 and moves from schoolboy level to senior level he is most likely not good enough for the English or Scottlsih leagues (I know there are soem exceptions - Kevin Doyle, Roy O'Donovan etc.) or is available after returning home after a unsuccessful spell in England or Scotland.
I do agree that something needs to be done but I think a whole upheaval of the system is required from grass roots through to league of ireland and considering out football association cannot ever build their own stadium do you think this is achievable?
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reddevil82
member
Reged: 27/06/2008
Posts: 67
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One idea that could work is what the Wexford soccer team are doing and basically developing their team around a youth structure. The Kerry District League were successful in the League Cup with much the same idea and hopefully my hometown Tralee will have a League club by next year, as the key to Dynamos membership application is a feeder link between the senior side and Kingdom Boys, which is their youth division.
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rotku
member
Reged: 14/06/2007
Posts: 105
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Sounds good Reddevil though I don't think it would be as easy in Dublin where there are so many clubs for youngsters to play for it dilutes the talent across the city rather than having 5 or so really talented sides feeding the league of Ireland clubs.
Good luck to Tralee Dynamos, it's always good to see new blood in the league and look at what Wexford youths have achieved in a short time with reaching the league cup final this season.
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reddevil82
member
Reged: 27/06/2008
Posts: 67
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St. Pat's and Drogheda's displays in Europe just go to prove that if the larger clubs could attract attendances of 5-10,000, they would really be on the brink of a breakthrough. Obviously, financial backing is also important too, if someone like Denis O'Brien or Dermot Desmond invested a fraction of their current spending on soccer into a club, you'd soon notice the results.
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rotku
member
Reged: 14/06/2007
Posts: 105
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Interesting how Keith Fahey is suddenly being linked with a move to Germany after his performance on Tuesday night......the same kind of performance he has been putting in all season without recognition outside the League Of Ireland circle!!
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