Chris Mulhall also had a short spell with Longford Town also.
Gary Cronin is he the right man to manage Longford Town?
Depends what you mean by 'getting involved".Originally Posted by JC_GUFC
There is no charity or altruism involved with Sports Direct. They're about as hard-nosed as retail gets. They will only be doing this because of what they can get out of it for themselves. Other busiensses would have a bit more of a 'doing good' angle, community-focus, sense of purpose, room for senior managers to sponsor pet projects etc etc.
https://www.independent.ie/irish-new...126949563.html
The Football Association of Ireland (FAI) has paid off the remainder of the €6.5m debt it owed the Mike Ashley-owned Sports Direct as part of the deal for the sporting goods company to sponsor the FAI Cup.
Paaatrick's Agletic
But that's kind of the point - if a company like that sees they can use Irish football as a way of generating revenue that's surely encouraging.
I've made the point, particularly around TV, that it's not necessarily about the viewing figures, it's about the advertisers that the TV channels can sell ads to. GAA and particularly rugby have a core group of business that want to be associated with those sports in this country, football doesn't have that.
I phoned the speaking clock to hear a voice speak, it said - "At the tone you will be very much alone"
All I'll say is ask Newcastle United supporters if Sports Direct and its owner wanting to be associated with their club was a good or bad thing.
I would accept the possibility of other companies actually wanting to help promote Irish football if they sponsored the FAI (rare or non-existent though it has been in practise). I have no real faith in Sports Direct doing so. They probably just saw an oportunity to get something at a knock-down price (which is, after all, their entire business model) due to the FAI being stuck.
It will be interesting to see if any broader aspect of the FAI's operations are involved in this sponsorship. For example, will it have any impact re the availability of Ireland shirts to retailers, for example? Will Sports Direct get any priority treatment on supply and availability? In otherwords - will people essentially need to go to an SD store online or in person if they want to be sure they can get a shirt if demand increases greatly (eg. tournament qualification) ? Will SD be able to buy them at a discounted price versus any other outlet ? If you're not familiar with what was involved with the deal Sports Direct previously had with Rangers over shirts, I'd recommend Googling it. They even took the club to court when they tried to get away from SD to Castore at the end of the contract term.
In summary, Sports Direct are no friend of football.
Last edited by EatYerGreens; 02/06/2023 at 12:52 AM.
Doubtful if that translates as 2m per year for the cup. Good business from the FAI all the same.
"Now jump up there and stuff that son of a bitch in the basket, chief"
Draw at 12:35 today on https://youtube.com/@FAITV
Dundalk v Rovers
Bohs v Shels
Probably the worst possible draw for Kerry - at least with a Premier club, there would have been a novelty to the tie, and with Ringmahon a strong MSL team, it would hardly even be an upset if they did win.
Home to Pats, not great. Unless they bring a big crowd which they probably won't. Longford wouldn't have much of a novelty factor.
Upwards to the vanguard where the pressure is too high.
Add in Drogheda-Sligo and there's some tasty all-Premier ties.
Athlone at home is spot on, though would have like an away to somewhere out of the ordinary.
A couple of weeks ago, you might have thought Treaty-Cork could be interesting, but with Cork's form, it's unlikely.
Ourselves away to Kilbarrack is an obvious “upset “ tie,although it wouldn’t surprise anyone if we lost…
Cockhill will fancy themselves at home to Bray aswell….
Irish by birth ,Harps by the grace of god.
Are St Michaels AFC, or Kilbarrack United, likely to hold their games at their usual home grounds?
I'm no expert but Kilbarrack seems unlikely, and I am not familiar with St Michaels' setup. Cockhill would be well able to host, but always have the option of Maginn if there was a lot of interest.
Fixtures there that would befitting of later rounds. Home draw is always of 1st importance imo, to have any hopes of a cup run you usually will have to beat a big fish so if Rovers do the double they will have done it the hard way now!
By beating 6th placed Dundalk who they recently beat with 10 men?
Paaatrick's Agletic
Yes totally! Do I really need to go find a tongue in cheek emoji?
When did Sports Direct become the cup sponsors, jeez things are bad when you pay someone to sponsor yer blue ribband competition!
No beyond the bounds of possibilities that Rovers and Bohs coul be out in the first round.....been a long time since 4th in the league didnt get the last Euro spot.
Long way to go
Shels could be a dark horse for the cup.
They could nill all their way to the final and bring it to penos.
Hopefully Rovers will have too much for dundalk on their own patch.
I was pleased with drawing a First Division side last season and it didn't exactly go well, but overall the whole round is good for us on paper.
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