Quote Originally Posted by thejollyrodger
As for supporting other clubs in Europe , well the better Eircom League clubs do in Europe the better for everyone. Better results mean the clubs are improving - players fitness, footballing ability, concentration levels etc. There is no substitute for playing against quality opposition week in week out. So other EL clubs should improve as well. Its what happens in every othe league. Its in every EL clubs intrest to do well in Europe.

More people will follow the league if they know the standard of football is as good as other European leagues. Bigger attendences mean more money through gate receipts, sponsorship, tv and media coverage, which all mean the clubs get bigger and better, stadia will improve, even things like referring and player eligible to play for Ireland will improve.
Agreed, if the quality and profile of the league is to improve we should all support our representatives in Europe and set aside our differences for a couple of games. The very suggestion of cheering on a foreign team against an Irish side smacks of pettiness and is an example of the smallmindedness that is holding the league back. While a healthy rivalry is an integral part of football, we need to pull together to raise standards and attract more support and investment to the league. Success in Europe, albeit modest at present is just one way of achieving this.