Mark O'Neill-Cummins' Eircom League Focus

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02/01/2006, 5:00 PM
sligoman

Mark O'Neill-Cummins' Eircom League Focus

Transfer news:

The eircom League pre-season transfer merry go round is in full swing and chances are your club has bought, sold or released at least one player since the end of the 2005 campaign.

Some clubs have been busier than others.

New appointees John Gill (Dundalk) and Michael O'Connor (Athlone Town) along with Dermot Keely at Dublin City have been particularly active in recent weeks as they shape their sides for the respective challenges ahead.

Shamrock Rovers will have a new look side in the First Division in 2006 with Pat Scully having taken several players from former side Kilkenny City and releasing many of last season's side.

There has been comings and goings at UCD also.

Damien Dupuy and Mick O'Donnell have departed Belfield Park but Darragh Ryan has returned.

The big talking point during this off season has been the interest shown in our league by foreign teams.

Not only were Swedish side Djurgardens IF interested in Jason Byrne but reportedly showed an interest in John O'Flynn.

The Corkman nearly went to England but surprised and delighted all eircom League fans, not just The Rebel Army, with his dramatic u-turn. His decision to stay at Turner's Cross was influenced not only by his friends and family, but also by City fans.

A move to anything less than the English Championship would be a step down for any eircom League player, especially a player of O'Flynn's quality.

One man who has made a step up is Wesley Hoolahan.

Hoolahan says that he hopes that his move to Scotland will help him gain a full international cap.

He deserves that but it's sad that he should have to leave the eircom League to achieve it.
02/01/2006, 5:03 PM
sligoman

Quote:

Originally Posted by O'Neill Cummins

A move to anything less than the English Championship would be a step down for any eircom League player.

Quote:

Originally Posted by O'Neill Cummins

One man who has made a step up is Wesley Hoolahan.

Such a fool, one minute he says anything lower than the Championship is a step down and then he says Hoolahan made a step up by joining Livingston:rolleyes:.
02/01/2006, 5:39 PM
gustavo

the team he is joining isnt but the league he is joining is
02/01/2006, 6:08 PM
Drumcondra Red

No, the team and the league is a step down, bar the old firm scottish football is crap!
02/01/2006, 6:18 PM
hoopy

Using Noel Hunt as an example I've no doubt he would get into any Irish side at the moment, but there's a few sides in Scotland he wouldn't get into. Not saying that's a defining fact, but it is a fact
02/01/2006, 6:28 PM
Poor Student

Quote:

Originally Posted by hoopy

Using Noel Hunt as an example I've no doubt he would get into any Irish side at the moment, but there's a few sides in Scotland he wouldn't get into. Not saying that's a defining fact, but it is a fact

Hunt has scored 9 goals in 4 seasons in Scotland and has struggled to ever tie down a first team spot. This season he has started only 10 games and been a sub in 12 with only 2 goals. So he cannot even guarantee himself a spot in arguably Scotland's worst or certainly one of its worst teams. If Scottish football bar the Old Firm is crap then the Eircom League is crap. It's easy to throw a label on a league like that.
02/01/2006, 6:38 PM
hoopy

Quote:

Originally Posted by Poor Student

If Scottish football bar the Old Firm is crap then the Eircom League is crap. It's easy to throw a label on a league like that.

That was the gist of my post PS, however you put it better than I did
02/01/2006, 7:39 PM
ndrog

To say that the scotish premier leauge is not of a higher standard is ridiculous, and not just the old firm, hearts and hibs would also be miles ahead of eircom.leauge teams.Standards are judged by lots of things like stadia and professionalism.So when was the last time a ref didnt show up for a spl game ?
02/01/2006, 9:29 PM
pete

Hunt was good but not great when he went to Dunfirmline. He would have trouble getting into the top half dozen eL sides now.
02/01/2006, 9:39 PM
Roverstillidie

Quote:

Originally Posted by pete

Hunt was good but not great when he went to Dunfirmline. He would have trouble getting into the top half dozen eL sides now.

being the top payed player at dunfermiline, the question is why would he want to come back to the EL?

if you think a player with his touch, pace and athleticism wouldnt take his pick of EL clubs you werent watching very hard.
03/01/2006, 9:39 AM
pete

Quote:

Originally Posted by Roverstillidie

being the top payed player at dunfermiline, the question is why would he want to come back to the EL?

Maybe when he is out of contract or in scottish 1st division?

I'm surprised he is top earner at Dunfirmline as he does not seem to start many games. Maybe newer players on tighter budget?
03/01/2006, 11:53 AM
ThatGuy

Quote:

Originally Posted by Drumcondra Red

No, the team and the league is a step down, bar the old firm scottish football is crap!

If you think that the EL is a better league than the SPL you are living in cuckoo land.

Take the Old Firm out and what are you left with?

Take the top two Irish sides out and what are you left with?

The Championship is better than the EL, League One is better than the EL, and the SPL is better than the EL. But so what? Why the obsession with comparing football in Ireland with football in the birthplace of the sport?
03/01/2006, 1:08 PM
pete

Quote:

Originally Posted by ThatGuy

If you think that the EL is a better league than the SPL you are living in cuckoo land.

Take the Old Firm out and what are you left with?

Take the top two Irish sides out and what are you left with?

I think most people are trying to say that top eL same if not better than SPL minus the old firm. Its obviously a bit selective but thats the way it is.
03/01/2006, 2:34 PM
NY Hoop

Quote:

Originally Posted by Poor Student

Hunt has scored 9 goals in 4 seasons in Scotland and has struggled to ever tie down a first team spot. This season he has started only 10 games and been a sub in 12 with only 2 goals. So he cannot even guarantee himself a spot in arguably Scotland's worst or certainly one of its worst teams. If Scottish football bar the Old Firm is crap then the Eircom League is crap. It's easy to throw a label on a league like that.

Noel left us in January 2003 so this his 3rd season over there. He got the winner sat to take them off the foot of the table. It took him a while to get used to full time football plus the astroturf they play on didnt help. Dont think he has been injury free for more than a few months over there. Granted it is a shame he hasnt started more/scored more but he needs a consistent injury free run.

Super talent and a joy to watch.

Flip side is Richie Byrne playing well for Aberdeen though.

It's like the whole Swedish league comparison. Despite cork putting them out of Europe (not beating them) their league is better just like Scotlands. Anyone who has been over there will tell you that. Just look at the infrastructure, the stadiums and the consistent format that is not tinkered with every second season. Sure our top clubs can match their sides but overall their league is better.

KOH