View Full Version : Foot.ie Q&A - Tony McDonnell - Questions
A face
09/09/2006, 8:32 PM
** Please note - Questions Only, please discuss in another thread.
OK folks .... Its that time again, we have lined up another Q&A session....... We, the patrons of foot.ie are invited to compose questions on and for the PFAI (http://www.pfai.ie) and Tony McDonnell.
"UCD stalwart Tony McDonnell has been elected as the new Chairman of the Professional Footballers' Association of Ireland. McDonnell takes over from Stephen McGuinness who will remain with the Association as Players' Relations Officer." - From the PFAI article. (http://www.pfai.ie/index.php?mod=one&id=15296&PHPSESSID=d339bb31efa37290249ee9d5cbc9932d)
You will have a week to compose you questions below and we'll pass them onto Tony, then he'll send back his answers and we'll post them up here, same as usual.
All normal message board rules (http://foot.ie/info/rules.htm) apply, no abuse will be tolerated, this thread will be policed and not foul play will be permitted.
** Please note - Questions Only, please discuss in another thread.
How's it going Tony, what's been the highlight of your career so far on the playing front?
Also, who is the toughest midfield opponent you've faced?
Cheers.
A face
09/09/2006, 10:11 PM
- What is your opinion on the 65% wage cap that clubs will have to contend with from here on in for our league?
- With alot of clubs moving towards fulltime status, this obviously has noticeable difference on players and to an extent changes the game to a degree, what in your opinion are the biggest obstacles facing players and the PFAI during this transition
- What do think of players advisors/agents?
- What do think of the Irish players advisors/agents?
Sniffer
10/09/2006, 3:11 PM
During the recent wage crisis at Shelbourne we heard very little from the PFAI. Did you have any involvement in the situation ?
sligoman
10/09/2006, 5:07 PM
Do you think the FAI taking control of the league will be a good thing for Irish football?
What do you think of the standard of refeering(sp?) in this league?
pineapple stu
10/09/2006, 6:04 PM
How come you never went across to England? What offers (if any) did you get from cross channel? Do you really get paid that much in banking that it's not worth turning pro? :p
- Is it true that the PFAI requested that all players contracts are paid after tax (i.e. If player earns €1000 per week the club pays the PAYE on top if this). Do you think this contributes to the recent tax problems at clubs?
pineapple stu
10/09/2006, 6:22 PM
Can't see how...? All that is is a different way of stating the same thing.
Anyhoo, we'll see what comes back.
Poor Student
10/09/2006, 6:24 PM
- How difficult do you think it will be to combine your full time job, being a player (not to mention club captain) and being PFAI chairman?
- During one injury laden season you assisted coaching the UCD reserve team. Do you see yourself getting into coaching after you finish playing?
- Do you intend to see out your career at UCD and for how long more do you envisage playing?
- Do you regret having not played elsewhere for the prime of your career and perhaps won a trophy?
Bald Student
10/09/2006, 9:13 PM
Does anyone in the UCD midfield wear fake tan?
pineapple stu
10/09/2006, 9:49 PM
Or sailor suits?
Sam Savic
10/09/2006, 9:50 PM
Not a question, but I would just like to wish Tony the best. He is a model professional. Always gives 100%, scores goals from midfield and should have been signed by Rovers years ago.
pineapple stu
10/09/2006, 9:52 PM
Wouldn't have signed for you anyway, I'd say.
Sam Savic
10/09/2006, 9:53 PM
Wouldn't have signed for you anyway, I'd say.
Yep. I forgot to mention loyalty.
pineapple stu
10/09/2006, 9:54 PM
Too true!
Nice to see his qualities are recognised anyway.
finnpark
11/09/2006, 2:30 PM
Q1. Is there really a need for the PFAI since the eircom league is not professional?
Q2. How long have you been professional yourself?
Thanks
Peadar
11/09/2006, 2:40 PM
Q. With the FAI to take control of the league next season and further implementation of the Genesis Report, what new challenges do you see for the PFAI going forward?
How will the PFAI respond to the crisis brought about byt the retirement of placid casual?
The revenue needed to sustain clubs is clearly not being generated via the turnstiles in terms of customers wanting to pay to see Irish players in Ireland. Do you not believe that the PFAI and its members are contributing to the woeful economics of the league by allowing a situation to develop were Irish Pros and Semi Pros are paid inflated amounts that bear no connection to their revenue generating capacity on the pitch?
Is their no responsibility for the PFAI in this situation?
BohsPartisan
11/09/2006, 4:41 PM
Have you ever had to deal directly with Ollie Byrne? How disagreable was he?
Poor Student
11/09/2006, 7:09 PM
- What do you make of UCD's move from Belfield Park to the Belfield Bowl? Do you think the Bowl will be significantly improved or will it be improved to just scrape minimum requirements?
finnpark
11/09/2006, 7:37 PM
Do you have any inside information regarding the rumours surrounding Pat Dolan's sexuality? :D
ilovejam
11/09/2006, 7:46 PM
Why do you always shake your head and why are you always angry?? dont you think sexy football should be played with a smile?!
Why do you run like your towing a caravan??
If/WHEN you become new manager of UCD, will you be making many personnel changes?
sligoman
11/09/2006, 8:27 PM
Which name did you prefer better, UCD or UCDD?:D.
For the last number of years, you have been the main playing figure in UCD. Who do you think are the unsung heroes in your team/previous teams?
sligoman
12/09/2006, 3:19 PM
What is yer favourite, all time, EL XI?
coislaoi
12/09/2006, 5:38 PM
Who is the best player currently playing in the EL?
What is your favourite away ground?
Who is/was your most difficult opponent?
Who were the best team to visit Belfield this season?
Do you think Bohs "new money" will enable them to dominate the league in years to come?
How do you react to criticism that UCD don't deserve a place in the Premier Division due to lack of fanbase etc?
pineapple stu
12/09/2006, 6:08 PM
Are the PFAI concerned that some of its members may have to take pay cuts from Premier Division wages to First Division wages (or alternatively be denied the rise from First Division and Premier Division wages) because their club hasn't been deemed big enough to be in the Premier despite earning its palce on the pitch?
Sheridan
12/09/2006, 6:49 PM
With short-term contracts, wage deferrals, cashflow problems, high player turnover etc rife amongst eL clubs, professional football has never been a particularly stable career path in this country. But does the PFAI have a position on the practice (especially conspicuous at some Dublin clubs this season) of young, inexperienced players being hired and discarded in short order? Given that such players are unlikely (due to their aforementioned youth and inexperience, as well their desperation to find a contract) to possess the means or acumen necessary their resist their exploitation, can the PFAI provide them with assistance and advice in this regard, or intervene through its representative at the club in question?
Does the PFAI maintain a register of unattached and transfer listed players for circulation among (or consultation on behalf of) interested clubs? I ask because many players seem to drop off the face of the footballing earth once released from their contracts.
Without naming names, have you ever been involved in a League of Ireland match which gave you reason to suspect that match officials, opponents or team-mates were attempting to influence the result for illicit (i.e. corrupt) purposes, or heard of such a thing occurring in Irish football?
Do you feel that the PFAI was premature to condemn '50% wage cuts' at Finn Harps without first speaking to the club? Surely this was anything but professional?
pineapple stu
12/09/2006, 6:51 PM
Does the PFAI maintain a register of unattached and transfer listed players for circulation among (or consultation on behalf of) interested clubs? I ask because many players seem to drop off the face of the footballing earth once released from their contracts.
Don't they publish such a list on their website during the close season?
What a curious third question!
Sheridan
12/09/2006, 6:56 PM
Don't they publish such a list on their website during the close season?
They do, but it's invariably inaccurate and the facts suggest that it's not consulted much.
Anyway, this is between me and Tony Mac, you stay out of it.
Student Mullet
12/09/2006, 6:57 PM
Do you expect players with contracts which extend into next season to be affected by the 65% wage cap and do you forsee a drop in players wages next season?
pineapple stu
12/09/2006, 7:06 PM
They do, but it's invariably inaccurate and the facts suggest that it's not consulted much.
Anyway, this is between me and Tony Mac, you stay out of it.
Hey - I organised this interview; I'll preen it whatever way I want. :)
Aberdonian Stu
12/09/2006, 7:48 PM
Are you bitter that you've always been the bridesmaid and never the bride when it comes to winning the UCD Supporters' player of the year award?
Do you follow the food and entertainment advice dished out by the UCD match programme's Sunday Morning Special column?
Demoshield
12/09/2006, 9:56 PM
A player sacked for disciplinary reasons by one club is allowed to sign and play for a new club the following week, while a player who leaves with the consent of his club, or who is not attached to any club is forced to wait until the next transfer window.
So this scenario could possibly arise….
A player playing for Club A, is made a better offer by Club B. Starts missing training/games for his Club A,eventually forcing Club A to sack him. He is then free to play for Club B the following week.
What are the views of the PFAI?
A face
12/09/2006, 10:10 PM
What are your dealings with the FAI? On what level and how often, etc.
Are they good to deal with? How could it be improved?
Poor Student
12/09/2006, 10:42 PM
Tony has only very recently replaced McGuinness as PFAI chairman, as late as after the Shels and Harps stuff which McGuinness met with both sets of players for. A lot of these questions seem to be directed at him as if he has been in the job for some time.:confused:
Whoops, didn't know that Poor Student. My questions stand though!
BohsPartisan
13/09/2006, 10:39 AM
When is this Q & A happening anyway?
Schumi
13/09/2006, 11:26 AM
Do you think a full-time professional league is viable in Ireland?
bambi
13/09/2006, 12:21 PM
Of the goals you have scored, what is your favourite? Best match played in? Biggest inspiration?
Do you think UCD could win the league in the next 10 years?
sligoman
13/09/2006, 12:50 PM
Do you think UCD could win the league in the next 10 years?Another question for Tony, do you think UCDD will still be IN the league in the next 10 years?:D
bluemovie
13/09/2006, 1:09 PM
What do you think could be done to attract a larger support for UCD?
Does the lack of interest among most UCD students irritate you?
Where's good for a pint round your way?
John83
13/09/2006, 4:02 PM
How did you get along with Paul Doolin?
As a player in the LoI, you must have played with or against a lot of players who were capable of much more than they achieved. Who of these do you think was the most gifted player not to fulfill their potential, and why do you think it was?
How's that hamstring?
BohsPartisan
13/09/2006, 4:05 PM
What do you think could be done to attract a larger support for UCD?
Does the lack of interest among most UCD students irritate you?
Following on from this question:
Do you think UCD should go for a name change and try and market themselves to the local community who in that general area have had no local side since Shamrock Rovers left Milltown?
Aberdonian Stu
13/09/2006, 4:52 PM
Do you wish you could still play Colours games so you could kick some Trinity ass?
pineapple stu
13/09/2006, 5:28 PM
Would you ever consider moving back to Donegal to play For Harps ?
Eh? Tony's from Dublin...:confused:
You're not mixing him up with Micko Donnell, are you?
When is this Q & A happening anyway?
Are you asking Tony or us? :p
Whenever the sensible questions dry up, I suppose.
DmanDmythDledge
13/09/2006, 5:36 PM
What's your best memory as a UCD player?
What has been your main decision in staying at UCD for your whole career, and do you have any regrets that you never tried your luck in England?
Do you have any ambitions to go into management, and if yes with UCD, and if yes again would you give me a job on the coaching staff?:p
If you were Pete Mahon would you have done anything differently?
Who has been your most difficult opponent to play against?
Who has been the best player you have played with?
Who in the current UCD team do you feel can make the most out of their potential?
Were you a supporter of the Eircom League before your playing career began, and if yes who?
Will you continue to go to UCD games even after you leave the club some day?
What sort of captain would you describe yourself as?- more like Roy Keane or David Beckham?
Is Paul Doolin also a w@nker in real life?
BohsPartisan
13/09/2006, 10:55 PM
Are you asking Tony or us? :p
Whenever the sensible questions dry up, I suppose.
Sorry that question was for Tony! :D
(I think it might be time)
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