Réiteoir
13/04/2004, 5:26 PM
Life as an eircom League manager - using Championship Manager 03-04
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Another slow day at Dalymount Park was about to take a momentous turn for the newly appointed manager Chris Rock.
I was sat in the Jackie Jameson Bar underneath the Jodi Stand eating a bit of lunch and indulging in a couple of pints of Smithwick’s whilst flicking through the Sky Digital Big Screen system that was installed only a week ago.
“Sky Sports News seems a good idea”, I thought, “Might be able to find a couple of transfer targets after the weekend of International Friendlies”…
(Kelly Dalglish presenting) “And now we cross over to the FAI Board of Control Meeting at the Shelbourne Hotel in Dublin for an important news conference”…
(Cut to main ballroom at the Shelbourne Hotel – seated behind the standard big table are representatives from each of the "Big Four" Clubs - Bohemians President Felim O'Reilly, Cork City Chairman Brian Lennox, Shelbourne Chief-Executive Ollie Byrne & St Patrick's Athletic Chairman Andrew O'Callaghan - and the President of the Football Association of Ireland, Milo Corcoran.)
(Corcoran): “A momentous day in Irish Domestic Football circles has been reached today. At 9am this morning we had submissions from two National League clubs, Dublin City and UCD that due to financial restrictions, they would not be able to continue operating as Football Clubs, and would therefore be tendering their resignation from the League of Ireland.”
“Therefore – it has been agreed that as of next season – that is the 2004 season – that Irish Domestic League football will go through a re-zoning process. The proposal which has been agreed between the remaining 20 League Member Clubs, is that we will take all the member clubs of the League of Ireland, and also two other successful applicants.”
“We have agreed that on a week Saturday – an event which will be broadcast live on Sky Sports, and TV3 – that all of these teams that have been accepted – will be placed into a draw machine, and an open draw will take place to determine the divisions and leagues that all these clubs will play in as effective from the start of the 2004 season.”
(Back to Sky Sports studio)
(Kelly Dalglish) – “Well, there we have momentous news concerning Domestic Football! Next season we could see Shelbourne in the First Divsion or Limerick visiting Derry City in the Premier! – Keep tuned to Sky Sports News for reaction to this decision”
“Well” I thought, downing the second pint “Could really give domestic football in the Republic a shot in the arm. Wonder where we’ll end up?”
Only downside I could see was the potential end of our rivalries with Shelbourne, St Partick’s Athletic and Shamrock Rovers.
Ah well, the sacrifices we have to make…
All of a sudden the phone in my office started ringing – could be the start of a long day…
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Another slow day at Dalymount Park was about to take a momentous turn for the newly appointed manager Chris Rock.
I was sat in the Jackie Jameson Bar underneath the Jodi Stand eating a bit of lunch and indulging in a couple of pints of Smithwick’s whilst flicking through the Sky Digital Big Screen system that was installed only a week ago.
“Sky Sports News seems a good idea”, I thought, “Might be able to find a couple of transfer targets after the weekend of International Friendlies”…
(Kelly Dalglish presenting) “And now we cross over to the FAI Board of Control Meeting at the Shelbourne Hotel in Dublin for an important news conference”…
(Cut to main ballroom at the Shelbourne Hotel – seated behind the standard big table are representatives from each of the "Big Four" Clubs - Bohemians President Felim O'Reilly, Cork City Chairman Brian Lennox, Shelbourne Chief-Executive Ollie Byrne & St Patrick's Athletic Chairman Andrew O'Callaghan - and the President of the Football Association of Ireland, Milo Corcoran.)
(Corcoran): “A momentous day in Irish Domestic Football circles has been reached today. At 9am this morning we had submissions from two National League clubs, Dublin City and UCD that due to financial restrictions, they would not be able to continue operating as Football Clubs, and would therefore be tendering their resignation from the League of Ireland.”
“Therefore – it has been agreed that as of next season – that is the 2004 season – that Irish Domestic League football will go through a re-zoning process. The proposal which has been agreed between the remaining 20 League Member Clubs, is that we will take all the member clubs of the League of Ireland, and also two other successful applicants.”
“We have agreed that on a week Saturday – an event which will be broadcast live on Sky Sports, and TV3 – that all of these teams that have been accepted – will be placed into a draw machine, and an open draw will take place to determine the divisions and leagues that all these clubs will play in as effective from the start of the 2004 season.”
(Back to Sky Sports studio)
(Kelly Dalglish) – “Well, there we have momentous news concerning Domestic Football! Next season we could see Shelbourne in the First Divsion or Limerick visiting Derry City in the Premier! – Keep tuned to Sky Sports News for reaction to this decision”
“Well” I thought, downing the second pint “Could really give domestic football in the Republic a shot in the arm. Wonder where we’ll end up?”
Only downside I could see was the potential end of our rivalries with Shelbourne, St Partick’s Athletic and Shamrock Rovers.
Ah well, the sacrifices we have to make…
All of a sudden the phone in my office started ringing – could be the start of a long day…