Nero fiddles while Rome Burns.

Another sign of no change in the attitude of the FAI “suits”  to the working people they are supposed to look after. The treatment of the Under 21’s sums up their mind set totally.

At Under 21 we have a team bristlning with talent playing in a Euro Qualifier.  They have to travel to Armenia next Thursday, then play Sweden the following tuesday.  This will involve taking a total of 5 flights, three there and two back. It basically means the lads are going to be exhausted for both matches and their hopes of qualifying severely damaged. Why is this happening you ask - Well the FAI are in such a state financially that they cannot afford to look after International teams property..  The reasons of course are financial. The fall out from the John Delaney debacle is now affecting the elite level of Irish football. We know already it is having a devastating effect on the grassroots. Employees are in fear of losing their jobs and all sections within the structures are suffering.  

We have just had the case of money due to go to the FFA (Football For All) being siphoned off elsewhere.  This is an absolute disgrace. People with disabilities are already discriminated enough in their normal life without carrying on the discrimination by the FAI.  Colm Fay of FFA found out in March that the budget from government was É212,490 when he was under the impression that no more than E80,000 was available. A full-time member of staff  has left the FAI and not been replaced. Colm Young reported this to Donal Conway and Rea Walsh, the new face of the FAI and they failed to shed any light on this matter SHOCK, HORROR

This is a disgrace and wrong at every level.  Who WAS to blame - John Delaney. Who IS to blame now - the current mob..  All of these things happening we are told, are because of the financial crisis left in the wake of John Delaney .  How bad is it?

We don’t know.  Why do we not know? Because the accounts for 2018 and the amended accounts for 2017  have not been published. They are due this month, or maybe next month or the month after.  While the FAI are not doing the job they were elected to do, it seems they can come to a quick arrangement wihen it comes  John Delaney , which we have no details on. That deal will make the E100,000 they can’t find for the U21’s look like small change.

I will also point out that the “suits” were not able to attend the Oireachtas committee meeting because they were being wined and dined in Switzerland.  How much did that junket cost I wonder. The more things change the more they stay the same. 

Last night Dundalk beat Linfield 6-0.  A result that clearly shows the gap that has been created between the LOI and the Irish League.  I don’t think there is any real doubt that currently the LOI if far stronger than the Irish League despite the fact that the FAI show no interest in our League.

What is worrying was the behaviour of a small section of both fans.  Despite the 20 years of the Peace Process the mind-set of this small section hasn’t changed.  The display of the PARA flag in Windsor Park was done to provoke a reaction from Dundalk.supporters.  The same thing happened in reverse at the match in Oriel Park with the singing of pro IRA songs. Can you imagine the scenes if these matches were played in al All Ireland League.

And that’s a Wrap

Well the end of the season has come..  I think the League of Ireland teams can be proud of themselves. Attendances are up, the football has improved.  If you take out the antics of the FAI, I'd say the product has definitely improved.

Dundalk, League Champions for the 5th time in 6 years.  This despite the departure of Stephen Kenny to International Football.  You have to commend the efforts of Vinny Perth and his staff. It is not an easy task coming in after such a successful manager.  People say the team is already there, so it's an easy task.. Not so. it is so difficult to come in and perform at the standards which have been set over the past 5 seasons..  the players have only to drop their standards a notch and another team will step up to the plate.  

Well that team will be Shamrock Rovers.  They will benefit hugely from winning the FAI Cup.  Beating Dundalk in the final will be a huge boost to their confidence and belief.  to be considered a top side you must win a trophy to have a good season. Well Rovers did that on Sunday and deserved their win.  The fact that it was Dundalk they beat will give them the confidence and belief they can win a League Title. In fairness next years League title can only go to Dundalk or Rovers.

I look forward to Shels being in the big League next year.  I really hope they can consolidate their position in the top League.  Progress has to be made slowly and I hope supporters give the team a chance and don't expect miracles.

I have already written about the great job Keith Long, his players and staff have done over the past couple of seasons. to secure a European spot is a phenomenal achievement especially when you consider they are basically a part-time team, while the teams around them are predominantly full time.

It is easy to praise the top 3 teams, but for me there in an unsung hero that will probably be ignored completely when the awards are given out.  his name is Olly Horgan, Manager of Finn Harps. His feat of keeping them in the Premier Division matches any of the achievements of the teams above him.  I was really sorry to see Drogheda losing the play-offs but delighted for Olly who has done the impossible and will have to do the same again next year.

Just a brief comment on an All Ireland League.  It came as no surprise to me that the IFA would not be supportive.  Turkeys don't vote for Christmas. There is no doubt that in an All Ireland League the suits lose.  Why would they give up positions of power to join up with a League that has a dysfunctional management team.  I also believe that football in Ireland is not at a stage to merge. Even after 20 years of the Peace Process, can you imagine Linfield going to Derry/Dundalk and vice versa.  I am not convinced that football fans have made the progress that the rest of society has over the past 20 years. Maybe I'm Wrong!!

You know you are getting old when your babies start to retire,  May I congratulate Derek Pender on another magnificent season for him personally and for his club.  He played for me when the game was played in a completely different fashion to how it is played now.  He was truly formidable. To be able to adjust to the modernisation of the game so successfully says everything about the man.  Happy retirement Detser - no more aches and pains on Saturday mornings after giving it all on a Friday night.

All the above sentiments are heartfelt, but this blog is a bit yo-ho-ho, Happy Holidays.  I have left the final say on UCD to last. I was there when the "Doc" Tony O'Neill started the professional program in UCD.  He wanted students on scholarships to have the benefit of playing with professionals. This policy came to early fruition when they won the FAI Cup beating a great Shamrock Rovers side in the final.  the scholarship scheme has progressed now to such an extent that all the top clubs have players who have played with UCD and benefited from the education program.  This year they bowed to the pressure of their stakeholders and sacked one of the most talented coaches in the country. Shame on them.