Originally Posted by dcfcsteve
The bottom line is that Irish football is itself responsible to a large degree for the media's attitude towards it.
It's really not rocket-science to get media coverage - especially in towns outside of Dublin. Small local charities, schools, Student Bodies, church groups, rugby/GAA clubs can all seem to manage it, but somehow it's beyond the realms of Eircom League clubs. Few of our clubs/the FAI do anything themselves to present a regaular, positive image to the media. All we do is just moan when the only thing they seem to run-with is bad news.....
At a local level - if we feed the media with positive stories (and in some cases, just ANY stories) they will run with them. It really is that simple. I don't know what it's like in other towns, but Derry City has always had more than its fair share of local media coverage. There was a lul for a few years whilst a spat with a local paper was worked-out, but we do get good coverage overall.
At a national level, it's a tougher nut to crack. But there's no reason why the FAI couldn't smooshe journalists and built-up a positive relationship re the EL over time. Hang on - there is a reason ! Its's the FAI.......