It always amazes me when LOI fans assume that full time "paid" training is mandatory to provide a high level product to the supporting public.
While most here won't like to hear it, the LOI should be taking a leaf of our GAA's book. The top 100 gaa players would be as fit (at least) as EL players (ditto on skill levels) and they are only getting grants for gear and mileage plus occasional job perk. Why won't EL do it for same? If they are good enough to demand full time wages, let them go across Irish Sea. ireland doesn't have population or fan base to sustain full pro league (no more than if GAA wanted to go full time paid, it couldn't finance it)
Get players who want to perform and train to an optimum based onsomething else apparent for every euro they can acquire for themselves.
FAI should draw a line in sand and start a new philosophy for high level soccer in Ireland. 2 to 3 franchises in Dublin, and teams for 10-12 other teams based on population areas. e.g Galway/Mayo, Limerick/Calre etc.
This is fundamental reason EL will continue to fail to draw anyone outside of the current hard core.
I would support a North side based Dublin team but I just can't adopt a current team with crest kisser who will jump ship for an extra €20/week.
The additional cash for TV revenue etc could be ploughed into facilities and underage. You might find thatthis concept could be universally popular as with falling attendances in preniershop (and vast swades of empty terraces each week), the Irish public are not the only ones de-affected from the entirely commercial nature of modern football.