Eircom League Focus: City building

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Soccer News
MARK O'NEILL-CUMMINS' EIRCOM LGE FOCUS


Dublin City won the promotion play-off
against Shamrock Rovers but didn't
really get the public recognition they
deserved.

Most media outlets reported the outcome
as a loss for Rovers rather than a win
for The Vikings.

That's understandable. Shamrock Rovers
are a big name and their relegation was
big news.

It even made the news pages of Sunday
newspapers that don't even cover the
league properly in their sports pages.

Big names are always more news friendly
than smaller ones.

If, for example, Wigan beat Man United,
the media, including media in this
country, will report that as loss for
'Man U' rather than a win for Wigan.

However, the important thing is that
Dublin City fairly and squarely beat
Shamrock Rovers over two legs and are
deserving of their place in the top
tier.

Apart from a dip in form at the start
of the final quarter of the campaign,
City had a tremendous season.

There are people who think that Dublin
City are not good for the league. A
look at their attendance figures backs
up that claim.

In fairness though, they are doing as
well on that front as at least one
other Premier club and one or two in
the first.

You also have to admire and commend CE
Ronan Seery on all that he has done for
the club.

He is one of the good guys in our
league and deserves all the success he
and the club gets.

He has gone out and secured lucrative
sponsorship deals which have enabled
him to bring in talented youngsters and
give them a chance.

He also, in Dermot Keely, has arguably
the best manager in the business.

City are fighting what sometimes looks
like an un-winnable battle.

There are enough clubs in the city
trying to attract fans, clubs with long
traditions and strong ties to a
particular area. Most areas of the city
have a local side already.

If locals are not going to support the
team down the road they are hardly
going to support a new kid on the
block.

However, fans like to support a
successful team.

Dublin City are within easy reach of
being the third best side in Dublin
next season.

Shels and Bohs are out on their own but
Pat's and UCD are catchable.

If City can finish above those two, the
long term future looks bright.