Martin Cullen: "I want an Irish team in the Premiership"

**Sheridan** · 21/12/2008, 6:32 PM

From an interview on 2FM's Sports Bag.

If a minister publicly stating his desire to make everyone currently employed in his department's industry in Ireland redundant isn't a resigning issue, what is?

**Rovers1** · 21/12/2008, 6:40 PM

That has nothing to do with the EL really. A copy of the "Wimbledon" sh!te back in the 90's?

**dcfc1928** · 21/12/2008, 8:45 PM

Really pathetic tbh.

**adamd164** · 21/12/2008, 9:10 PM

Complaints to: ministersoffice@dast.gov.ie

Dear Minister Cullen,

I think it an absolute disgrace that you, as current Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism, decided recently to air the opinion on national radio that a single football club should operate in Dublin and compete in the English league system and in European football competitions. I put it to you that it is your duty to promote the national League of Ireland (which, in case you didn't realise, already represents this country in European football, and has been doing so in an increasingly competitive manner in recent years) - a league spread throughout the country and recognised by UEFA as our official football system.

The supporters of this league (I include myself amongst them) have been fantastic ambassadors for the country when travelling abroad in European competition, and supporters of opposition teams have always been made very welcome when here for games. Moreover, as someone who regularly attends matches in the Cork area, I am dumbfounded by the level of antipathy which your comments convey towards the development of the game regionally (including in your hometown of Waterford). You are effectively promoting the anti-patriotic notion that the English governing body (the FA) ought to have dominion over an Irish side; whilst casting aside your responsability to work with the FAI to increase the popularity of our own league. This is an absolutely astonishing feat of ignorance on your part.

Yours in disgust,

**Dodge** · 21/12/2008, 9:36 PM

Don't forget that this is the same government that called on people not to shop in Northern Ireland on patriotic grounds

**sligoman** · 21/12/2008, 9:45 PM

What an absolute fool. Can't say I'm shocked though, he is in government after all.

**sonofstan** · 21/12/2008, 9:52 PM

Get emailing folks. Particularly Waterford fans.

**TonyD** · 21/12/2008, 10:00 PM

It is Martin Cullen though, one of the most stunningly incompetent and generally thick Ministers ever,(and that's tough category folks) so, you know, this stupidity doesn't surprise me. Personally, I think we should abolish the Dail and let the politicians from across the water run our country for us.

**RonnieB** · 21/12/2008, 10:03 PM

wtf... words fail me now.

**L37Ultra** · 21/12/2008, 10:12 PM

Oh god.. He probably doesnt even know there are already Irish teams and wants to enter Dublin United into the English Premiership. Ive seen it all to be honest. Did anyone who sent e-mails, get anything back yet?

**Mr Maroon** · 21/12/2008, 10:13 PM

I've emailed the ignorant ********

**pete** · 21/12/2008, 10:21 PM

Isn't this the Minister for Disaster who only has his job because he is from Waterford. FF don't do resignations.

Maybe he is looking for boost Dublin tourism?

**teckno** · 21/12/2008, 10:41 PM

Sorry lads but have to agree with our Minister for Sport on this one. Look at the bigger picture here, if we had an Irish team in Premiership etc look at the overwhelming boost it would do for Irish Soccer. It would give us a massive platform to promote the game nationally. Our top young players rather than leaving the country could now stay at home and play full time professional football without leaving their familys at 16
Before I get knocked to pieces on this one I feel in turn this could be indeed an excellent boost for League of Ireland football with more fans than even before becoming interested in the game this feel good factor I believe could spill over and in fact help to increase attendances locally etc. I love the league of Ireland etc but to me anyway I can only see positives in this!!!

**LeixlipRed** · 21/12/2008, 11:02 PM

That's ****ing pathetic tbh.

**pete** · 21/12/2008, 11:02 PM

Originally Posted by teckno

I love the league of Ireland etc but to me anyway I can only see positives in this!!!

That would be why you have so many posts here on LOI threads. If you don't know what trolling is you need to look it up.

**teckno** · 21/12/2008, 11:05 PM

No I am not taking the ****. I can see the positives in this for soccer in this country. It would be huge a boost soccer nationally to a platform that it has never before been on in this country. Imagine filling the new Lansdowne every second week with 50,000 irish people. it could do so much for the game and in turn provide the capital to really invest in the league of ireland. The attendances at League of Ireland are poor now surely this could help the numbers increase!! and in turn money could be provided to help th eircom league clubs

**teckno** · 21/12/2008, 11:06 PM

I don't post regular i admit but i do visit footie a lot and just because I have a different opinion to others does not mean I am trolling.

**sonofstan** · 21/12/2008, 11:16 PM

Assuming for a moment you're serious, how in God's name would help the LoI to have a team playing in the ENGLISH premiership here?

**teckno** · 21/12/2008, 11:21 PM

I think I have outlined above why I feel this would help the LOI. In my opinion that boost that this would do for soccer in the country would be incredible. What are the reasons to be against this. Do people really think that people would just stop going to LOI games. I don't think so could it not be used to boost the loi

**joey B** · 21/12/2008, 11:30 PM

Question teckno are you Martin Cullen

Seriously on the issue, were else would you get the Minister of Sport wanting a team from their country playing in a different country .

The mind boggles!