What the FAI thinks of progressive clubs:

[Quadruple1928]

Clubs back Limerick..
http://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/soccer/clubs-back-limerick-in-stand-off-with-fai-120092.html

[Saint_Charlie]

Clubs pulling together?


AIRTRICITY League of Ireland clubs have rallied behind Limerick in their battle with the FAI over the proposed friendly game against Barcelona at Thomond Park on July 31.

At a scheduled meeting in Dublin ahead of last night’s FAI Cup draw, the 19 clubs in attendance expressed support for Limerick while Jackman Park officials, again backed by the other clubs, made a demand to see the third-party commercial agreement which the FAI has said prevents it from sanctioning the Barcelona game. According to sources at the meeting, it appeared that none of the clubs had previously been aware of the existence of such an agreement. It remains to be seen if the current row impacts on how the clubs will vote, in 10 days’ time, on whether to extend the league’s merger with the FAI beyond 2011.
[...]

http://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/soccer/clubs-back-limerick-in-stand-off-with-fai-120092.html

[Charlie Darwin]

While neither the FAI nor Limerick have been forthcoming with enough information for me to make a valid judgement, I feel I have some sympathy for the FAI's argument.

I think it is a perfectly reasonable argument that if a high-profile friendly is to come to Ireland, that the best outcome for the league as a whole is for it to take place in a large venue owned by the footballing authorities in the country. A friendly at Thomond Park would, let's face it, result in a large proportion of the profits being handed over to Munster Rugby - we've all seen how the GAA chanced their arm with soccer and rugby fixtures over the past few years, and Kentaro basically told them where to shove their stadium when it came to negotiations over the Brazil friendly. I would expect Munster Rugby to drive a similarly hard bargain as the only viable stadium in Limerick.

That's not to say I'd dismiss Limerick's argument. I think clubs should be allowed organise friendlies on their own and I'm not entirely sure how the FAI can exercise such stringent controls over the clubs. But from the point of view of an Irish football fan, I don't really see how Barcelona playing Limerick at Thomond would be of any great benefit to the domestic game and would much rather to see Barca stage a fixture in the Aviva where twice as many fans could get to see the best team in the world.

[thischarmingman]

"Getting money into the coffers of the association is more important than getting the money into the coffers at the clubs at the moment," said Fenlon. "So be it. There's nothing we can do about that. We all know what its about. Write the story. It's not about anything to do with football or fixtures. It's about time people stood up and wrote the story in relation to that."

Never though I'd say it but fair play Pat.

[osarusan]

That's not to say I'd dismiss Limerick's argument. I think clubs should be allowed organise friendlies on their own and I'm not entirely sure how the FAI can exercise such stringent controls over the clubs. But from the point of view of an Irish football fan, I don't really see how Barcelona playing Limerick at Thomond would be of any great benefit to the domestic game and would much rather to see Barca stage a fixture in the Aviva where twice as many fans could get to see the best team in the world.
When you consider that very few of the "twice as many fans" will ever visit a LOI ground either before or after watching the Barca game, and any money made by the FAI will go straight towards paying for the Aviva, how do you see a friendly in the Aviva being of 'great benefit to the domestic game'?

[Charlie Darwin]

Did I say it would be?

[osarusan]

Did I say it would be?

You seem to be concerned about what's best for the league in your post.


that the best outcome for the league as a whole is for it to take place in a large venue owned by the footballing authorities in the country.
........
I don't really see how Barcelona playing Limerick at Thomond would be of any great benefit to the domestic game and would much rather to see Barca stage a fixture in the Aviva where twice as many fans could get to see the best team in the world.

so the match should be moved from Thomond, where it wouldn't be of any benefit to Irish doemstic football, to the Aviva, where it wouldn't be of any benefit to domestic football either?

[joeSoap]

I would be very interested at seeing a copy of this so called third party agreement. After all the FAI do not seem aware of its contents (15,000 or 20,000 capacity being one example). I would have strong doubts as to its existence, especially in its context to League of Ireland clubs. The National side I can understand, but until it can be displayed , or at least its existence confirmed by whoever the third party is, I don't believe it.

It is well known in rugby circles at Lansdowne Road that the FAI, and Mr Delaney in particular are thought of as a joke, and rather inept. Their inability to sell their quota of debentures for the new stadium has left them with a lot of egg on their faces. I am sure that this significantly contributes to their need to host anything at all financially worthwhile in the Aviva.

As the FAI are answerable to the Government in relation to grant funding etc, it now is time to up this protest a notch and involve the government. What they are doing is sickening and I know several regular International matchgoers who will not attend any more Ireland games while the Delaney Dictatorship is in place.

[Kildareman]

And was the signed agreement by the FAI with the third party before or after the clubs signed the PA?

[RoversHead]

So the FAI enter into an agreement with a third party to negotiate contracts on their behalf with foreign clubs,hardly shock horror stuff its common place around the world.A league of Ireland club wishing to host such a friendly should first contact the FAI ,yet again no shock horror its the pro way to do it and is common place around the world.Limrick dont have a leg to stand on here chaps and lets face it nobody gave a fiddlers about Limrick until it became an excuse to have a pop at the FAI.As for the ever increasing concerned parties in Limrick ,where the hell were you before this came to light?

[Macy]

What they are doing is sickening and I know several regular International matchgoers who will not attend any more Ireland games while the Delaney Dictatorship is in place.
Only now, after this?

[Dodge]

So the FAI enter into an agreement with a third party to negotiate contracts on their behalf with foreign clubs,hardly shock horror stuff its common place around the world.
I'd be surprised if there's another league in the world that has such an agreement


A league of Ireland club wishing to host such a friendly should first contact the FAI ,yet again no shock horror its the pro way to do it and is common place around the world.

YOu can't seriously believe that if Barcelona want to play Boca Juniors in the Nou Camp, they get the Spanish FA to organise it?


Limrick dont have a leg to stand on here chaps and lets face it nobody gave a fiddlers about Limrick until it became an excuse to have a pop at the FAI.As for the ever increasing concerned parties in Limrick ,where the hell were you before this came to light?
Does it matter? if the FAI did the decent thing, its not an issue for anyone

[Jofspring]

So the FAI enter into an agreement with a third party to negotiate contracts on their behalf with foreign clubs,hardly shock horror stuff its common place around the world.A league of Ireland club wishing to host such a friendly should first contact the FAI ,yet again no shock horror its the pro way to do it and is common place around the world.Limrick dont have a leg to stand on here chaps and lets face it nobody gave a fiddlers about Limrick until it became an excuse to have a pop at the FAI.As for the ever increasing concerned parties in Limrick ,where the hell were you before this came to light?

I know i'm being pedantic here but please at least learn how to spell "Limerick" before you make a comment about them.

Its great to see the clubs starting to get behind each other. Regardless of who the club is that is trying to get a friendly or who it is against, i'm pretty sure the FAI cannot just go away and sign agreements with a third party, not notify the clubs, and then turn around and tell the press all the clubs have known about these agreements the whole time when they did not.

[Lim till i die]

Clubs pulling together?


That was late last night. :rolleyes:

I'm sure there was many a long knife produced in Abbotstown in the meantime. Have zero faith in the clubs.


While neither the FAI nor Limerick have been forthcoming with enough information for me to make a valid judgement, I feel I have some sympathy for the FAI's argument.

I think it is a perfectly reasonable argument that if a high-profile friendly is to come to Ireland, that the best outcome for the league as a whole is for it to take place in a large venue owned by the footballing authorities in the country. A friendly at Thomond Park would, let's face it, result in a large proportion of the profits being handed over to Munster Rugby - we've all seen how the GAA chanced their arm with soccer and rugby fixtures over the past few years, and Kentaro basically told them where to shove their stadium when it came to negotiations over the Brazil friendly. I would expect Munster Rugby to drive a similarly hard bargain as the only viable stadium in Limerick.

"I don't really know enough to comment but nevertheless am going to make sweeping assumptions about the financial arrangements" :rolleyes:

[Rasputin]

After watching Gavin on MNS I saw what I expected, just a whole load of waffle and question dodgning where he can rhyme off all the great things the FAI have done for the LOI and for Limerick while continuously avoiding the elephant in the room.
Fair play to Con for asking a few hard questions but we need a Paxmanesque style interviewer to nail that snake to the wall.
Get Vincent Browne on with the facts and he will turn their putrid bile of concotions, lies and disingenous comments into the sword they fall on.
Im delighted and indeed proud the clubs are standing up to this ineptitude and down right authoritarianism by the FAI, tbh I didnt expect it.
The b@stards should be nailed to the wall.
My biggest dissapointment with the MNS Limerick coverge last night was Rico's comments.
After that I have lost all respect for the man, its sad to see how cheaply he sold himself out.
Compare and contrast his comments with Fenlon who's stock has really raised in my book.

[northwestexile]

For anybody thats interested here is a link to the Kentaro website where it states
Republic of Ireland

The Republic of Ireland have signed a long-term agreement with Kentaro, who will also organise glamour friendly matches of Giovanni Trapattoni´s men against Brazil and Argentina in 2010.
I would make a fair guess that this is the third party that the FAI are talking about.
http://www.kentarogroup.com/index.php?id=35

It seems totally reasonable to me that the FAI sign an agreement with a sports management agency to organise friendly games in order to maximise the profits from any such games. It also seems totally reasonable the such a company would request a clause in any contract signed that any games the FAI wish to organise (and I would take it that also includes the clubs involved in the league the FAI administer) over a certain capacity would have to be organised through them otherwise whats the point in signing an agreement.

[seand]

For anybody thats interested here is a link to the Kentaro website where it states
Republic of Ireland

The Republic of Ireland have signed a long-term agreement with Kentaro, who will also organise glamour friendly matches of Giovanni Trapattoni´s men against Brazil and Argentina in 2010.
I would make a fair guess that this is the third party that the FAI are talking about.
http://www.kentarogroup.com/index.php?id=35

It seems totally reasonable to me that the FAI sign an agreement with a sports management agency to organise friendly games in order to maximise the profits from any such games. It also seems totally reasonable the such a company would request a clause in any contract signed that any games the FAI wish to organise (and I would take it that also includes the clubs involved in the league the FAI administer) over a certain capacity would have to be organised through them otherwise whats the point in signing an agreement.

Interesting post, but the point about Limerick is that it's LIMERICK doing the organising of a game invovling Limerick, not the FAI organising a game involving Ireland or some sort of Ireland select XI. The point in signing an ageement (for the agency) is they get exclusive control of Ireland/Ireland XI friendlies, not every bloody friendly in the country!

[osarusan]

It seems totally reasonable to me that the FAI sign an agreement with a sports management agency to organise friendly games in order to maximise the profits from any such games. It also seems totally reasonable the such a company would request a clause in any contract signed that any games the FAI wish to organise (and I would take it that also includes the clubs involved in the league the FAI administer) over a certain capacity would have to be organised through them otherwise whats the point in signing an agreement.

Does it seem 'totally reasonable' to you that the FAI, having made this deal with a third party, would not tell clubs about it, would not reveal the name of the third party, and , when a club who is unaware of the deal applies for a friendly which the deal does not allow, does it seem reasonable to you that the FAI would give only one reason in their official reply, that reason being that the friendly clashes with other LOI games on the same night, without mentioning the existence of or conditions of the deal with the third party?

[Dodge]

And in today's Irish Times the FAI state that this 3rd party are not involved in the Man Utd game. So I'm at a loss to see how that's outside the scope of the agreement but Limerick isn't

only thing I an think of is that each club is listed individually but not LOI selections. Would seem far fetched it it weren't the FAI

[pineapple stu]

only thing I an think of is that each club is listed individually but not LOI selections.
In which case, they can authorise a Limerick XI.

Also, you can add to the "totally unreasonable" heading the fact that the FAI have lied about their stance on numerous times already (saying clubs were informed and then saying they weren't; changing the critical attendance from 20000 to 15000 and so forth)

[MariborKev]

Yeah,

Just finished the article and agree with the points that Stu and Dodge are making. What are we running at now, maybe 4x as much coverage of this fiasco as the "good news" over the United friendly?

[Dodge]

What are trying to say Kev, that when the game gets the go ahead, the FAI and Limerick will prclaim themselves marketing geniuses?

[A N Mouse]

Back to the small-mindedness and self serving pettiness.

Am I right in thinking that if Limerick take legal action against the fai, then fifa would suspend the fai? As, Chile, I think it was (one of the south americans), were threatened with being thrown out of the world cup if on of their clubs proceeded with an action.

That would some f u to delaney and co :D

[KevB76]

A friendly at Thomond Park would, let's face it, result in a large proportion of the profits being handed over to Munster Rugby

Munster rugby dont own or run Thomond Park

[Dodge]

The English FA weren't punished for all the English football cases brought to court (West Ham, Tevez etc etc)

I think there's FIFA sanctions if the government interfere with the football body though

[pineapple stu]

Like FIFA'd suspend England anyway.

[KevB76]

I think it is a perfectly reasonable argument that if a high-profile friendly is to come to Ireland, that the best outcome for the league as a whole is for it to take place in a large venue owned by the footballing authorities in the country.

But from the point of view of an Irish football fan, I don't really see how Barcelona playing Limerick at Thomond would be of any great benefit to the domestic game and would much rather to see Barca stage a fixture in the Aviva where twice as many fans could get to see the best team in the world.

The FAI / Aviva were never going to host Barcelona on July 31st 2010, so your point is irrelevant.

[Macy]

only thing I an think of is that each club is listed individually but not LOI selections. Would seem far fetched it it weren't the FAI
Or the agreement is something to do with using Lansdowne. If there is an agreement....

[WoodquayBoy]

Am I right in thinking that if Limerick take legal action against the fai, then fifa would suspend the fai? As, Chile, I think it was (one of the south americans), were threatened with being thrown out of the world cup if on of their clubs proceeded with an action.
They haven't taken action against us before over failings at 'our'* clibs like Portsmouth, Southampton and Luton, so why would they now?
*well, according to Trapattoni, they are our clubs as he won't consider LOI players

[pineapple stu]

This is about clubs sueing their national association though, not over clubs being run badly.

Can't find anything on why a national association can be suspended. El Salvador got suspended last week (http://www.fifa.com/aboutfifa/federation/releases/newsid=1209619.html), Chile and Iraq got threatened in the last few months and various other countries (Peru, Greece, Kenya) have been suspended too.

[Aberdonian Stu]

The suspension tool often relates to government intervention in national associations.

[joeSoap]

So....let's petition the government. It does after all involve the people of Ireland who are being deprived of an opportunity to see the best players in the world play in Limerick by a near tyrannical despot who runs the organisation. It certainly is in the economic interest of the mid-west region and in the national interest of the development of the game, which is partly funded by government grant money.

[Dodge]

OK I've thought about this a bit so I've finalised my theory on it.

1) Limerick, through an agency, agreed to play Barcelona in Thomand Park.
2) The League refused on the basis that there were other LOI games that night
3) Limerick went to media to complain
3) League said it was because of a) other games b) they were looking to bring Barca over themselves and c) the mysterious "3rd party agreement"
4) Limerick complained some more. Media cited friendlies played only last year that clashed with league fixtures
5) League said the agreement covered friendlies over 20,000 attendees.
6) Clubs and media said "huh?"
7) League said agreement actually covers crowds of 15,000+ but their friendly v Man Utd is not covered by agreement.
8) League adds that a reason why the game wasn't sanctioned was that it would benefit only one club. Then lists several friendlies that only involved one club including some organised by 3rd parties)
9) Limerick, along with other clubs, state they have never heard of such agreement
10) All hell breaks loose

We know some things.
1) The FAI clain to have signed an agreement with a 3rd party relating to friendly games.
2) The clubs in the league were never informed of such an agreement
3) The FAI has refused to name the 3rd party
4) The FAI is in financial ****s due to Aviva
5) The FAI wanted to host Barcelona in the Aviva stadium

Some reasons the FAI list for the refusal can be easily dismissed
1) Clash with league fixtures. The friendlies last year did (Waterford v Ipswich for example).
2) Only benefits one team. All friendlies granted in that last 10 years have been similar.
3) FAI won't allow other 3rd parties involved. In the last 3 years Platinum One have organised friendlies for Pats and Rovers.
4) FAI won't allow games played on non FAI pitches. Cup Final was played in the RDS in 2008 and Pats v Hertha/Steaua likewise. Tallaght is of course a municipal stadium too.

The only possible answer is that the FAI need the Aviva Stadium to host every game that could possibly make any substantial money and rather than be truthful with Limerick, they thought they'd fob them off with the "clash" excuse. When Limerick cried foul, the FAI were genuinely shocked and went into a tailspin spewing out several different possible excuses, hoping one would be accepted by clubs and media. If it was simply a case of a legally binding contract (which didn't affect LOI v Man U), then they'd have no problem at all in producing it for the clubs. Particularly as the clause in the league's participation allows the FAI to sign commercial contracts "for the good" of football here (and they have no bother in announcing other positive commercial agreements). The only query is whether such an agreement exists at all

Now granted this post is a long winded way of saying what I thought when the story first broke (FAI were being greedy swines) but can anyone think of something I've missed or a reaosn why my theory is wrong?

[osarusan]

The only difference in my thinking is that I'm far from than convinced that any third-party agreement exists at all. I'd say it's more likely that it is another of the excuses coughed up by the FAI as a response to their other reasons being discredited. It basically means that Thomond is ruled out, and therefore any friendly generating the kind of revenue worth something to the FAI will be at the Aviva.

As i said previously, Limerick have gone legal on this, and I'd expect a legal request for the third-party agreement to be made soon enough (I should state that I have absolutely no connection or position with Limerick FC, and all of this is just speculation on my part - as in, that's what I'd do if I were the solicitor - get the agreement out in the open, and start hounding the agent, whoever they are (presumably Kentaro)).

[pineapple stu]

4) FAI won't allow games played on non FAI pitches. Cup Final was played in the RDS in 2008 and Pats v Hertha/Steaua likewise. Tallaght is of course a municipal stadium too.
Not to mention Ireland v South Africa in Thomond last year.

I think your logic is broadly correct alright. That said, it wouldn't surprise me if the FAI agreed to the friendly in principle and were then told by this third party that it contravened their agreement, unbenownst to the FAI. When this was pointed out, the FAI realised they'd screwed up and are now in a very embarrassing situation, so they try and fob it off with strong-handed nonsense excuses in the hope that no-one complained. The FAI strike me as the kind who'd find it very hard to put their hands up and say "We messed up here, sorry".

[passerrby]

dodge you have far to much time on your hands...unless of course you work for a local authority, then its a proper use of your time

[endabob1]

Bang on the money summation there Dodge

[Jofspring]

Anybody else think one lie by the FAI is just one too many? (not to mind the numerous ones they seem to have been spurting out)

[Macy]

The only difference in my thinking is that I'm far from than convinced that any third-party agreement exists at all. I'd say it's more likely that it is another of the excuses coughed up by the FAI as a response to their other reasons being discredited.
I also remain to be convinced, as there can surely be no legitimate reason for not showing this contract to FAI member clubs if it does exist.

[TheBoss]

I think it has got the to stage, if the FAI grant the game, they look fools and if they continue to not sanction it, they look fools aswell. They are in a real mess at the moment.

[endabob1]

I have a question pertaining to the Sunderland friendly at Thomond Park. The FAI say that it was allowed because it was a charitable event, but it involves neither the national team or a LOI team so what business is of the FAI?
If 10 mates and I invite Milan over for a kick about in front of 15,001 of our nearest and dearest friends who we are charging to get in for our own monetary gain, will the FAI step in?

[pineapple stu]

Also, is Limerick FC a charitable body? (I know UCD AFC is, but that may be due to college links). If so, then this game is technically for charity too.

[atfconline]

Did he really say that? I'm glad I missed it or I still wouldn't have calmed down by now. If he did, it would be impossible for him to deny Limerick a license next year with that you-tube clip available. Glad Con asked his question...all through Gavin's blurb you couldn't help but think Gavin was lying.

Just re-watched it and he said,


We only recently granted them a fixture against Sunderland in July, so we do work with the club. We've worked with the club in the past and we'll work with the club hopefully in the future with their return to the Market's Field.

So we have lots of commitments to Limerick. We brought two fixtures into the area last year (internationals fixtures), that's what we do, that's what we always do and hopefully Limerick will see this and the people of Limerick will also see this.

We want senior football in Limerick and we've been working hard over the last few years in maintaining our presence in Limerick and we intend to be there for the long term. Hopefully that's with Limerick and I'm sure it will.

[SkStu]

Also, is Limerick FC a charitable body? (I know UCD AFC is, but that may be due to college links). If so, then this game is technically for charity too.

http://www.3tsbroadcasting.com/_data/docs/smashy.jpg

sorry, too soon? ;)

[Charlie Darwin]

So the match should be moved from Thomond, where it wouldn't be of any benefit to Irish doemstic football, to the Aviva, where it wouldn't be of any benefit to domestic football either?
I agree with you that there'd be very little benefit to the domestic game in either case. From a personal point of view, I'd rather see Barcelona face stronger opposition in a larger-capacity venue.


"I don't really know enough to comment but nevertheless am going to make sweeping assumptions about the financial arrangements" :rolleyes:
You don't think a game played in front of 50,000 in a venue co-owned by the FAI would bring in more money than one in front of ~25,000 at a venue Irish football has no stake in? I have to say I disagree.


Munster rugby dont own or run Thomond Park
My bad, the IRFU.


The FAI / Aviva were never going to host Barcelona on July 31st 2010, so your point is irrelevant.
Not that date, but I'd be surprised if Barcelona would visit Ireland twice.

In any case, it certainly looks like the FAI is looking after itself at the expense of a club.

[Dodge]

If 10 mates and I invite Milan over for a kick about in front of 15,001 of our nearest and dearest friends who we are charging to get in for our own monetary gain, will the FAI step in?

yes, and rightly so. All games played by professional require tha sanction of the country's governing body. Doesn't matter if its Limerick hurler v Barca or Pats v Clliftonville. If Limerick were to play barca in the Nou Camp it'd need the consent of the Spanish FA (insurance, refs etc etc). Its usually just a tick the box type thing, and in my memory no game has ever been refused.

osarusa, sorry if I didn't make it clear enough. I too very much doubt the existence of such an agreement.

[Jofspring]

My bad, the IRFU.

Don't think it is the IRFU either, well to a certain extent not the IRFU anyway. I am a ten year ticket holder in Thomond Park and they made a point at the time of opening of saying "Thomond Park Stadium" is its own company that will be looking to not only host Rugby but also Football, Concerts, Wedding Receptions, Private Functions, to raise money to pay for the stadium. It is in Thomond Park Stadiums interests to get this game played also. This is where the FAI holding all the cards and making sure all the big games are held in the AVIVA would affect "Thomond Park Stadium" the company and bring the competition act ive seen mentioned here already into play.

[Lim till i die]

You don't think a game played in front of 50,000 in a venue co-owned by the FAI would bring in more money than one in front of ~25,000 at a venue Irish football has no stake in? I have to say I disagree.

And if the Dublin footballers play Kerry infront of 84000 at Croke Park it will bring in even more money.

If The Rolling Stones play Hyde Park in London, it will bring in even more money again.

What in the name of God is your point man??

You basically said you didn't know enough to comment then went out to spout a load of rubbish about Munster Rugby making all the money. That's all.

Anyway, where do you think the moneys going if Oireland ever play Barca in the Aviva?? Are we all going to get shiny new stands out of it??

John Delaney earns more than Limerick FC's squad FFS.

[Charlie Darwin]

Don't think it is the IRFU either, well to a certain extent not the IRFU anyway. I am a ten year ticket holder in Thomond Park and they made a point at the time of opening of saying "Thomond Park Stadium" is its own company that will be looking to not only host Rugby but also Football, Concerts, Wedding Receptions, Private Functions, to raise money to pay for the stadium. It is in Thomond Park Stadiums interests to get this game played also. This is where the FAI holding all the cards and making sure all the big games are held in the AVIVA would affect "Thomond Park Stadium" the company and bring the competition act ive seen mentioned here already into play.
That would make sense - from what I can gather Thomond Park Stadium Company Limited (awful name) is a 50/50 partnership between Munster Rugby and the IRFU, but the IRFU obviously calls the shots.

You're right that the FAI hold the cards, but were they to sanction a game in Limerick, there'd be no option other than to have it in Thomond, so the Thomond company would be able to drive a really hard bargain. Maybe they would be more receptive than I give them credit for, but they have to look after their own interests and Limerick would definitely need them more than they'd need Limerick FC.


And if the Dublin footballers play Kerry infront of 84000 at Croke Park it will bring in even more money.

If The Rolling Stones play Hyde Park in London, it will bring in even more money again.

What in the name of God is your point man??
You're the one who questioned my take on the finances. I'm just saying the net financial gain from having a game at the Aviva is greater than having it at Thomond. Fairly basic point.


You basically said you didn't know enough to comment then went out to spout a load of rubbish about Munster Rugby making all the money. That's all.

Anyway, where do you think the moneys going if Oireland ever play Barca in the Aviva?? Are we all going to get shiny new stands out of it??

John Delaney earns more than Limerick FC's squad FFS.
I don't know enough about the exact contractual details to comment on the exact contractual details. I do know that playing a game in the Aviva is going to bring more money to Irish football than playing it in Thomond.

[Lim till i die]

You're the one who questioned my take on the finances.


The Financial Arrangements for this particular game. You know NOTHING about them. Zero. Zilch. Nada. You're just blindly speculating.


I do know that playing a game in the Aviva is going to bring more money to Irish football than playing it in Thomond

Define "Irish Football"

Could mean anything from putting jacuzzis in Abbotstown to building a clubhouse for Ballymun United to paying off the FAI's Lansdowne debts*





*That last one is actually quite likely.