DUNDALK

 

I haven’t written for a while, what with the Covid situation and football being played in empty

stadia.  All necessary probably, to fight this awful pandemic.  Being so far away and not

hearing what people are saying, only getting information through social media makes it

difficult to be fully aware of what's going on in the Club.

But at a minimum the handling of Vinny Perth’s sacking and the subsequent departure

of John Gill and Alan Reynolds has been shambolic.

Let me say from the outset that I am not a friend of Vinny’s, so I am not here to fight his corner,

but if someone outside the coaching team was trying to influence team selection, then Vinny

should have gone when  that happened. If that was not the case then the Board have a

right to fire the Manager and Staff whenever they want.  They also have the right to hire

whoever they want.  But we, as supporters have the right to question whether  these decisions

are right for the Club.  I don’t care who the current owners are, but I know this, they are only

minding our Club.  Dundalk nearly went out of existence in 2012, but it survived due to the

intervention of Andy Connolly and Paul Brown.

When Peak 6 took over it was  a well run Club, with good players and a top Manager.
Unlike Andy and Paul, who did it for the love of the Club, Peak 6 made an investment decision.
I said at the time that they were in it to make money for their investors.  That's perfectly ok
and a legitimate reason to take over a Club.  But when the S..T hits the fan and European
Football does not look like happening, the value of the investment decreases and the
investors depart for greener pastures.

I will say this to the Board, if you intend to cut and run, then do that.
The people of Dundalk will ensure that Dundalk FC  will survive, as they always have done.
If on the other hand you want to stay and rebuild the Club, well that would be great too, but do
not run OUR Club into the ground, do not make matters worse.
You have the right to hire and fire if you are here for the long term.  If you are not then leave now
and close the door on your way out,  Let someone else come in and refresh the squad. 

I don’t know anything about the two Italians who have just been appointed but it looks like

they are just here to steady the ship.  Whether they can do this only time will tell.. 

Maybe that's what is needed now, but I don't think so.  There are 16 players out of contract,

decisions have to be made there.  Discussions also have to be made about new recruits,

who is going to do this, not Filippo Giovagnoli and Guiseppe Rossi.  They simply do not know

the League.  It begs the question, is this what the Board wants? Was the story that they wanted

input into Team Selection true?  If that is the case we are doomed.  Many Boards of

Management have tried this, but it does not work.  If they are waiting to see if we get

European qualification that is also no reason to stay.

I have said I do not know Vinny personally but he did a great job when Stephen Kenny left. 

I do know John Gill, he was my assistant and friend for many years, and still is.  He is a

top class Coach and if he wants he will be working again in the League very soon.  I don’t

know Alan Reynolds but his work in Waterford was exceptional.  It will be some job of

work if the Board of Management can replace these three with three of equal ability.

Our Club has survived many crises and many people have came to our aid.  We have a

history of local people coming into the Club to help, not for financial gain but for the

love of Dundalk FC.  During my era some of those that come to mind include Des Casey,

Enda McGuill, Eamon Hiney, Oliver Quinn not forgetting the great local players Tommy Mac,

Barry Keogh, Dessie Gorman and many more before and since.   We have a network of

vocal and hardworking supporters, all down the years who are epitomised by the late

Harry Taaffe. Although I am a Dub, Dundalk is my Club and like everyone from the “Town”

will watch and make sure OUR CLUB  survives.

League starting again

Once again we are back to the age old problem of the League of Ireland.  Each club looks out only for itself.  There is no interest in the group or what is best for the LOI.  This selfishness is how John Delaney prospered.  He was able to play on this individuality.

We are the last League back playing.  This in itself is a disgrace.  The League is run by the FAI and the "new body" has scored very few points in this debacle.

I have said for years that our League is not big enough for two divisions.  I believe their should be one big division 14/16 teams, but this argument is for another day.  The first division is the graveyard of League of Ireland football - very little support and incredibly hard to get out of.  It does serve the function of finding good young players and giving them a chance to play men's football.  But this is the job of the Premier clubs.  they should be recruiting and playing their own players.  But this,  I believe is the job of the "New FAI" in the future.

Right now I think it is right and fair that we should have ONE UP, ONE DOWN, and a play off between the 2nd from bottom in the Premier division and a team in the 1st division.  That second team can be selected purely on the League form. ie 2nd in League or some other form of selection. eg 2nd/3rd play off and the winner plays the 2nd last team in the Premier division.  This is fair and equitable to all clubs.  If the FAI is there to manage - then do your job and Manage.

It's Been a While

Seems a long time since my last blog, that's the official title but I just call it the ramblings of an old League of Ireland Fan.

The John Delaney mess has taken up the last few months.  I am amazed at the number of people who knew so much but did not tell us about their doubts and fears at the reckless manner in which the FAI was being run.  Its amazing how brave people become when the object of their fear has gone.  i can hold my hands up and say that I had no knowledge of the inner workings of the FAI., but my gut feeling was that they were at the minimum inept and at worse corrupt, has been proven to be correct.  Where were these people when they were needed,  who have now come out bristling with indignation at the plight of the FAI and the manner in which it was run.  Why did they not step up to the plate.  People who read my column in the Sun will know where I stood on John Delaney and his fiefdom.

But where are we now? not much better I fear.  We have ex board members now trying to get back on the merry go round.  I have said this before and I repeat it,  this organisation needs to to be changed from the top down, it does not need tweaking, it needs root and branch reform.

In the last couple of weeks we have had the election of Independent Directors..  Now I don't know Roy Barrett, New Chairman of the FAI, Gerry Owens CEO, and Niall Quinn Deputy CEO., all members of Niall Quinn's Visionary Group.  I would not have the same vision for the League of Ireland as this group but I respect other peoples views and their right to have a different view.  There is no doubt that these people ALL have an interest in progressing the LOI.  Not my vision, but a vision all the same.  It is a long time since anybody in the FAI showed any evidence of having any vision for the future of Irish Football.

While we do need a vision for the future we also need some practical steps to be taken now.  Some of these  are being addressed.  Refinancing debt and securing the jobs of the people working at the coalface of Irish Football, securing new and increased funding for the sport that has the largest number of participants in Ireland.  They also face problems in house.  The manner in which they have dealt with the problems of the First Division is shocking.  First denying Limerick FC a licence, then being forced to go to court and agreeing to allow Limerick FC to apply for a licence.  Admitting Shamrock Rovers Reserves without the agreement of any of the other 1st Division Clubs was I believe, typical of the way the Competitions Department works.  It is their way or no way.  We now face the possibility of an 11 team, 20 match League, augmented by a stupid Shield Competition.  the 1st Division Clubs don't know who they are playing, or how many matches they have.  How can they budget for a season when this is the case with 3 weeks to go to the K.O.  The 1st Division is a shambles, that is the fault of the people still running our Leagues.  Unfortunately in a crisis the small man normally pays the price.  The axe falls on the ordinary worker doing his best.  Well this time I would suggest that reform be from the Top Down not the Bottom Up.