What Role Does the League of Ireland Play in Irish Football?

[Acornvilla]

better media coverage would be a good start

[Rasputin]

Irish 15 year-olds aspire to playing in England and not the League of Ireland. I know because my son's team are u-15's and they all wear UK replica shirrts. In all of the years I have been involved with his team I cannot remember ever seeing one of the lads wearing a LoI shirt. They all eat, drink, sleep the English Premier League. I fear it's a tide that can't be stemmed so perhaps there is a way to rescue something from the situation?

Fair enough in Kildare but do not think your talking about the majority of the country here.
In Sligo Town itself Rovers have an enormous following and tbh I remember playing footie when I was a sprog wanting to emulate the Rovers players and it was the same for alot of the lads I played with.
Even if you walk through the town the amount of Rovers merchandise on show wouldnt be far off all the United, Liverpool and Celtic gear.
Just look at the statistics themselves for us.
The Town has a population of 25,000, we get on average 2000 a game, we brought something like 7000 to Tallaght last season, that is quite impressive if you ask me.
And this wouldnt be exclusive to us, just have a look at the likes of Dundalk and Harps etc which are integal focal points of the community and something you can always chat to someone about at work.

[A N Mouse]

I've tried searching but it's like looking into a bush. Can you just let me know, in your opinion, what is the single most important thing that needs to be done to improve the League of Ireland? Just one sentence please?

Woooaaah!

Hold your horses there, as has already been said 'how can we improve the league?'tm threads are ten a penny, and you were the one who refused to discuss how the national team fit in, as it was off topic, so how is changing the topic ok when you feel like it?

[Soccer Mom]

Evil enough to beat over the head with a big Amateur stick

OUCH !

I know but a lot is to do with attitudes rather than structures etc. If we can love our National Team why can't we love our National League? I don't get it!

As I said earlier people can support the LoI without it interferring with their following of the EPL and Internationals..... None of them clash!

I know I know but somewhere along the way will fell out of love with our league. My guess it has to do with the advent of football on TV allied to the fact that the English league has always had a good smattering of Irish players so we could watch the progress of our international players without leaving the house which brings me to ...

If we selected our Irish team entirely from the LoI we'd be sorted

It's certainly an interesting idea.

Woooaaah!

Hold your horses there, as has already been said 'how can we improve the league?'tm threads are ten a penny, and you were the one who refused to discuss how the national team fit in, as it was off topic, so how is changing the topic ok when you feel like it?

Well besides 'womens prerogative' - we had already moved on and were discussing my suggestion which was generally hammered so I think it's valid to ask someone that is critical of my suggestion for his ideas.

[eelmonster]

I know I know but somewhere along the way will fell out of love with our league.

Perhaps, understandably, in Kildare, where you were never really in love with the league in the first place, you were just messing us around. I'm still very much in love with the league. For me, Irish football means the League of Ireland.

[Soccer Mom]

Perhaps, understandably, in Kildare, where you were never really in love with the league in the first place, you were just messing us around. I'm still very much in love with the league. For me, Irish football means the League of Ireland.

Well actually I'm a Dub but I was speaking about the public in general. Please believe me I am being totally serious. Clearly I can't match the passion of a lot of the contributers here but would I really love to see a thriving League of Ireland.

One thing I didn't have an appreciation of was how defensive LoI supporters are. Maybe that is because League clubs and the League itself seem to have been struggling for decades and a siege mentality has set in. If I had been aware of this I would certainly taken a more sensitive approach. It was not my intention cause anyone any upset and I apologise if I have done so.

With respect to my original poser I think I have the answer: -

No, the League of Ireland is not of key strategic importance to football in Ireland - but it should be; and to true League of Ireland supporters it IS football in Ireland.

[marinobohs]

Perhaps, understandably, in Kildare, where you were never really in love with the league in the first place, you were just messing us around. I'm still very much in love with the league. For me, Irish football means the League of Ireland.

And that quote in a nutshell, sums it up.
I think we all recognise the need to make changes but not throwing the baby out with the bathwater. the authorities consistently enforcing thier own rules, greater promotion of the league (media etc) and a realistic approach by clubs to expenditure would all help but change has happened
- standard of play has improved dramatically in recent years
- european results have improved
- many clubs have built up schoolboy set ups
- MNS the best LOI programme ever !
- greater availibility of club merchandise (growing up i wanted a Bohs jersey but couldn't get one)
- community/school links have improved with most clubs.

We all know that further improvements are needed to develop the League but sometimes we overlook the efforts that have been made. there is not a League in europe that does not have some problems, the way to deak with them is to address them not to give up.
As why "Irish football fans" should support the LOI - why shoud they support the Ireland national team ? England are a better team so by the same logic we should all support England. There should be a pride in supporting our own league just as there is in supporting the national side.

[dong]

And that quote in a nutshell, sums it up.
I think we all recognise the need to make changes but not throwing the baby out with the bathwater. the authorities consistently enforcing thier own rules, greater promotion of the league (media etc) and a realistic approach by clubs to expenditure would all help but change has happened
- standard of play has improved dramatically in recent years
- european results have improved
- many clubs have built up schoolboy set ups
- MNS the best LOI programme ever !
- greater availibility of club merchandise (growing up i wanted a Bohs jersey but couldn't get one)
- community/school links have improved with most clubs.

We all know that further improvements are needed to develop the League but sometimes we overlook the efforts that have been made. there is not a League in europe that does not have some problems, the way to deak with them is to address them not to give up.
As why "Irish football fans" should support the LOI - why shoud they support the Ireland national team ? England are a better team so by the same logic we should all support England. There should be a pride in supporting our own league just as there is in supporting the national side.

Agreed Marinobohs.
Particularly the bit about the standard of football. I watched the full 1994 cup final with ourselves v Derry recently and I was shocked at how poor it was. It seemed great at the time (I was only a young fella!) but it was terrible stuff (despite the result).
The standard in the games these days is a hundred times better imo.
This may go unnoticed to those whose only point of reference is MOTD highlights. If you actually sit down and watch a full Bolton v Burnley game in the EPL, for example, you would be hard pressed to see much of a difference to be honest.

[osarusan]

No, the League of Ireland is not of key strategic importance to football in Ireland - but it should be; and to true League of Ireland supporters it IS football in Ireland.

You still haven't defined exactly what you mean by "football in Ireland." It is pretty safe to guess that LOI fans would have a different definition to yours though.

[Soccer Mom]

You still haven't defined exactly what you mean by "football in Ireland." It is pretty safe to guess that LOI fans would have a different definition to yours though.

Well my definition would include all levels from schoolboys to the League of Ireland to the national team. That is what I think of when someone mentions the football pyramid. Clearly some of the LoI fans here have a different view. That's the beauty about sport - it provides debating points.

[Gaillimh Al]

Was going to write a long piece but have a head cold and cant get thoughts together properly...

LOI is a key, in both developing players who may then go on to better things (O'Shea, Coleman, Fahey etc) and in providing REAL football fans in this country with a LIVE soccer experience which they don't have to get on a plane to experience(unless maybe going from Cork to Derry for the big First Division opener). The finances issues are beginning (last night and today is a big step) to get themselves in order after years of clubs chasing the European dream, which realistically wasn't going to change an awful lot for the majority. Hopefully a good balance will be found in the next few years, where teams will continue to nurture local talent and promote the best from the level below (intermediate/junior) and maybe a happy medium will be found. Maybe.

[passinginterest]

With respect to my original poser I think I have the answer: -

No, the League of Ireland is not of key strategic importance to football in Ireland - but it should be; and to true League of Ireland supporters it IS football in Ireland.

Not quite, the correct answer is yes the League of Ireland is of key strategic importance to football in Ireland, however it is currently undersupported, underutilised, underfunded, underdeveloped and underaknowledged. The only way to correct this is if the football community at all levels from grass roots to the top of the FAI are willing to recognise it's importance.

[Soccer Mom]

Not quite, the correct answer is yes the League of Ireland is of key strategic importance to football in Ireland, however it is currently undersupported, underutilised, underfunded, underdeveloped and underaknowledged. The only way to correct this is if the football community at all levels from grass roots to the top of the FAI are willing to recognise it's importance.

I hate to always appear to be disagreeable but...

... in my opinion it is up to the League to demonstrate it's relevance, attractiveness, and importance to the the wider football community. That will not happen until the clubs get their act together. Hopefully today's developments presage that. Obviously the majority of clubs seem to be heading in the right direct - was just outside Tallaght Stadium (had to get rid of my tickets - couldn't get to the match tonight) and there's a great buzz about the place. I suppose I'm a bit of a pessimist because I've seen so many false dawns. Also I think I may have been unduly influence by Daire Whelan's, Who Stole Our Game which I finished reading recently.

[dahamsta]

Could the minority that are just dropping in snarky one-liners please knock it on the head?

Whatever about the motives of the OP, the quality of discussion here is generally excellent, so just go with that. Try it on a few of the other threads too!

[Acornvilla]

I hate to always appear to be disagreeable but...

... in my opinion it is up to the League to demonstrate it's relevance, attractiveness, and importance to the the wider football community. That will not happen until the clubs get their act together. Hopefully today's developments presage that. Obviously the majority of clubs seem to be heading in the right direct - was just outside Tallaght Stadium (had to get rid of my tickets - couldn't get to the match tonight) and there's a great buzz about the place. I suppose I'm a bit of a pessimist because I've seen so many false dawns. Also I think I may have been unduly influence by Daire Whelan's, Who Stole Our Game which I finished reading recently.

lets agree to start being more optimistic there is plenty of potential in the league and it means a lot to a hell of a lot of people.. finally the powers that be seem to be flexing their muscles a tad more like they should, so sustainability and growth of the league is very possible in the near future

[Soccer Mom]

Whatever about the motives of the OP, the quality of discussion here is generally excellent, so just go with that. Try it on a few of the other threads too!

I swear I have no motives other than to get a get a better feel for why the LoI is of such strategic importance - as stated in the 2005 Genesis Report. I couldn't relate to the statement but I'm definitely better-informed now. I am certainly not trying to do down the League despite how it might appear.

lets agree to start being more optimistic there is plenty of potential in the league and it means a lot to a hell of a lot of people.. finally the powers that be seem to be flexing their muscles a tad more like they should, so sustainability and growth of the league is very possible in the near future

I'm all for optimism Acornvilla so long as it is not misplaced and there are reasonable grounds. Please don't take this as a condescending comment -

but once I got past the initial defensive 'attacks' I have come to realise that the passion of the contributers is genuine. And once again I'm probably coming late to the party here, but if that passion could be harnessed to proselytise on behalf of the League then maybe....

[dahamsta]

Soccer Mom, please use the button to the right of "Reply With Quote" to quote multiple posts. I've had a merge a dozen of your posts in this thread.

[Church Hill 1]

Long-time lurker, first post! This has been a fascinating read so I felt compelled to add my tuppence worth. In response to the OP, football in Ireland - or the LOI as we know it - is without doubt the most important cog in the FAI machine, even though it seems to be well down their list of priorities in terms of investment, promotion, etc., although the tough decisions on Derry and Cork are a step in the right direction.

As previous posters said, without the league, players like Doyle, Fahey, Coleman and going back further Roy Keane, Kevin Moran and Paul McGrath, may all have been lost to the game had it not been for the LOI. Not only does it provide Irish players with a realistic opportunity to make a good living from the game here, but it also rewards the better players as it puts them in the shop window for potential moves to the more lucrative clubs in the UK. So that's why the league is integral to Irish players, which in turn eventually provides players to the international team.

However, the league's main importance is to the fans and those who are employed or involved in the running of clubs. I recently moved to the USA and I can honestly say one of the main things I'll miss is the LOI and following Sligo Rovers. The club means everything to me. It's my home town team. I've followed them for more than 20 years. Through various fundraisers, gatherings, etc. I genuinely feel a part of the club I love. I have helped out behind the scenes. I have had many conversations with many managers and most of the players over the years. I drowned my sorrows alongside the players after the FAI Cup final defeat in November. How many Liverpool, Man Utd or Celtic fans could say the same about the club they call their own? I'm sure my experience of my club is mirrored up and down the country. But it is what makes being a fan of a LOI club so special. I feel privileged to be a fan of Sligo Rovers, a club with such a strong history and deep roots in its community. A club I can genuinely call my own.

Yes, the league has many flaws. Like Passinginterest said, it is under-supported, under-utilised, under-funded, under-developed and under-acknowledged. But it has been proven that with success on the pitch, clubs like Rovers, Shams, Bohs, Dundalk, Galway, Waterford, Derry and Cork could easily attract between 4 and 5,000 on a regular basis. Shams already are getting 6,000+, it is up to the rest of the league to match their adventure and endeavour to ensure a bright future for the league.

[danthesaint]

And that quote in a nutshell, sums it up.
I think we all recognise the need to make changes but not throwing the baby out with the bathwater. the authorities consistently enforcing thier own rules, greater promotion of the league (media etc) and a realistic approach by clubs to expenditure would all help but change has happened
- standard of play has improved dramatically in recent years
- european results have improved
- many clubs have built up schoolboy set ups
- MNS the best LOI programme ever !
- greater availibility of club merchandise (growing up i wanted a Bohs jersey but couldn't get one)
- community/school links have improved with most clubs.

We all know that further improvements are needed to develop the League but sometimes we overlook the efforts that have been made. there is not a League in europe that does not have some problems, the way to deak with them is to address them not to give up.
As why "Irish football fans" should support the LOI - why shoud they support the Ireland national team ? England are a better team so by the same logic we should all support England. There should be a pride in supporting our own league just as there is in supporting the national side.

great post, summed up how i feel about it.
i dont get the whole supporting a team in england thing i used to do it when i was younger, have been to games in england loads of time, and to me the standard of football was probably worse than loi football.
imo its all about money, i think sky and television are ruining football, its so easy for people in this country who put on a foreign jersey and go to the pub and watch the match, they will never experience the feelings we feel, we have a connection with our clubs, there is little or no investment from fai or government which doesnt help.
it doesnt help when someone like cork sells player like kevin doyle for less than 100k and now he is worth millions, same with fahey
results in europe are improving, at this stage, every team should have a stadium like the sdcc stadium
without a league of ireland there cant be a national team, i dont think alot of barstoolers know that, even those going to ireland games.
i dont go to ireland games, i dont think they do anything to represent our league, would love if fifa introduced a rule, whereby you have to select a certain amount of players from the league, would start getting people to take notice of players. its weird if someone gets called up to ireland team, that murphy lad that played with bohs, most loi fans would be delighted, same when it comes to europe, we would support each other, you wouldnt get that in the english league
alot of blame has to lie with parents as well, who do nothing to encourage their kids supporting loi football, what harm is it to go to a league of ireland game on friday and do whatever on saturday and sunday

irish football is league of ireland

[Macy]

The problem in Irish football is that too many of the constituent parts don't see the League of Ireland as the top of pyramid. The School boy clubs should be feeding into the League of Ireland clubs not being more concerned with their child exports, the intermediate leagues should see themselves as stepping stones for players or have aspirations themselves to compete in the League of Ireland. We've too much give everyone a piece of the pie thinking, and that comes back to the way the FAI is constituted.

However, why anyone would use the Genesis Report as the basis for any meaningful discussion is beyond me.