Viability of League Of Ireland: What is the Future?

The demise of Monaghan United this year just a few short months after promotion from the League of Ireland First Division was a shudder that went right to the core of senior football in the Republic. Questions were asked, Monaghan joined a list including Kildare County, Galway United, Kilkenny City and Sporting Fingal of clubs who financially fell by the wayside. How have the FAI, the governing body of the game in this country allowed them to happen. The introduction of stricter budgets since they took over the League was to prevent this kind of thing happening, making it a thing of the past. 

Just as some fans of LOI clubs thought it couldn't get any worse, on the 19th September 2012 the FAI held meetings with clubs to discuss the structure of the 2013 season. Having witnessed as a Wexford Youths supporter the farce that the First Division 2012 season, you would have thought action and positive action at that being taken. Our south-east neighbours Waterford United, a club with great history were leading for calls of a single tier division before the meetings in September. Pat Devlin, manager of Bray Wanderers was one of the men supporting that view, he said in August:

“Sponsorship, attendances, everything’s been really badly hit over the last couple of years and so we need change right across the board,” he said.

“I don’t think a lot of clubs can survive the way things are going and the top three or four can’t play on their own. They are going to have to take the views of the smaller clubs into account.” 

Which brings us to the decision made by the FAI, below was their held view after consultation with the clubs, it read:

"The Board of Management of the Football Association of Ireland today (September 19) confirmed the structure of the Airtricity League for 2013 season.

Prior to the decision, information meetings were held with clubs and the matter was also discussed by the National League Executive Committee.

The Board recommends a 12 club Airtricity League Premier Division for the 2013 season. The Board will also seek expressions of interest for First Division licences from clubs or new entities for the 2013 season. Interested clubs will be invited to contact the FAI in the first instance after which they will be forwarded a pack and a licensing manual to apply for an Airtricity League First Division license."

Repetition is common place in League football, my own club Wexford Youths have faced for example Limerick FC or 37 when they both joined the League in 2007 a total 21 times over that period in the League alone. Put that into context that is almost ten seasons of football played between the both clubs if they just played home and away once. This is similar in the whole League, it is no wonder some fans are turning away. No disrespect to the big clubs but how many Dublin Derbies can one take in one season, over 20 last season. Familiarity can breathe contempt, when you are playing the same side like as I mentioned regarding my own club so many times in a League format supporters can get fed up with that and stay away. 

What is the future? 

Seeing the likes of Sligo Rovers make the breakthrough this year in terms of winning the League was fantastic and as a club their recent shirt deal with Umbro is one to take solace in that financially good things like that can happen. Then again the independent report recommending their should be only 1 club side from Galway in senior football, released by Fran Gavin and the FAI in October will leave just 7 teams to play in the First Division next season as it stands. And Waterford United's concerns over their viability in next season's competition after their recent play-off defeat to Dundalk. The First Division could end up with just 6 teams and possibly the loss of one of its most historic clubs.

It remains to be seen what happens but facilities are essential along with ticket prices in this day and age in attracting supporters to the game. Its not the big clubs in the country that are at stake here, as Pat Devlin said the top 3 or 4 cannot play on their own. Will the FAI revisit and rethink their recommendations for the structure of the 2013 season remains to be seen. If they don't in my opinion, it would reinforce the point that they only care for the national side while the ranking of the domestic league in UEFA ranking terms descends into further obscurity. 

European League Rankings

As of November 23rd 2012, Republic of Ireland's domestic league ranks 36th in the list of 53. Next season the League of Ireland will lose its 2.500 ranking points from 2008/09, after a disappointing season in European action this season their position is unlikely to improve. 

Similar leagues to this country such as the Scandinavian leagues, fair far better than our own in terms of rankings. We marvelled at Shamrock Rovers run in the Europa League last season which was fantastic for the exposure of the League. Imagine if more clubs not just a once off consistently did well in Europe at the same time, it is possible but only if the FAI change the league structure which suits all clubs not just the few. 

For the good of the game, it has too happen.