Pat Dolan runs down the league

**A face** · 19/01/2006, 10:31 AM

This is taken from another message board

Did anyone else watch the FAI press conference unvailing of Wet Sponge Staunton and "his team" on setanta sports yesterday. Well all was a tad boring with the usual meet and greet of it all but in the studio they had bernard o'byrne (former ceo of the fai) and Pat Dolan.

As much as i hate to say alot of what Dolan said made sence except for on part:

When asked about whether any eircom league players would be blooded into the international set up he came out with an unbelievable answer. For a league which has made his name, gave him everything he has got this far his reply was there are not many players of international standard in the eircom league and (a direct quote) "lets be honest the eircom league is a joke anyway".

If this actually took place, then it is impossible that people will defend his actions without anyone then being able to question their intentions for defending this run down of the league, the league that gave Pat Dolan his soapbox to preach off for so many years. You cannot defend this under any conditions what so ever.

**Speranza** · 19/01/2006, 10:37 AM

As much as I hate the man and his two-faced fake ways I think he was referring to the F.A.I. and how they run the league. He often bases his column around giving the F.A.I abuse so I wouldn't be surprised if that is what he was blabbering about.

**ThatGuy** · 19/01/2006, 10:50 AM

Damn that Pat Dolan for speaking the truth. He should have gone on TV and lied.

Why didn't he tell us that the Eircom League is superb in every way? All the clubs are superbly run, the administration is great, the stadiums are top class, attendances are high, the youth structures are second to none, and we have a league full of players who could cut it against the likes of France at international level.

**Raheny Red** · 19/01/2006, 10:55 AM

Yes, fair enough but you don't say something about the hand that once fed you!

**pete** · 19/01/2006, 10:56 AM

He clearly could have said it differently. Dolan has made his living by working in the eL & wasn't so long ago he was praising the virtue of professional irish football.

**Lim till i die** · 19/01/2006, 10:56 AM

Pat Dolan called the league a joke??

Wow, the rumours are true he has been in Limerick checking out our facilities

**ThatGuy** · 19/01/2006, 10:58 AM

The Eircom League is a joke. I am a member of an Eircom League club, I will go to around 25 games this year and I will spend a fortune doing so. You can't be offended by someone telling the truth, and Dolan is a man who would (sadly enough) probably die for the league to become great given the chance.

**liamon** · 19/01/2006, 11:09 AM

Originally Posted by ThatGuy

.. and Dolan is a man who would (sadly enough) probably die for the league to become great given the chance.

And how wil it become great if it keeps getting abuse in the media?
We need positive publicity and spin to generate the interest to move this league on. Dolan should know this.

**BohDiddley** · 19/01/2006, 11:13 AM

Thanks for enlightening us on that TG.
I had all on my own twigged that we didn't have La Liga or the E. Premiership to boast about. Still, in my delusion I thought that the EL was composed of some talented players and a lot of honest folk doing their best to keep the beautiful game alive in Ireland difficult circumstances -- an uphill struggle in the face of some maladministration and deep political antipathy, but principally the kind of philistinism referred to. And that teams were supported by motivated, passionate and knowledgeable fans, albeit all too few in number.
Now that we know that the EL is indeed a joke, and its managers are to be applauded for telling it like it is, I suppose we should all look for better things to do with ourselves on Friday nights.

**dcfcsteve** · 19/01/2006, 11:30 AM

I guess the main question here is which of the following 3 things was he ACTUALLY saying in-context :

1) That the Eircom League IS a joke - full stop (i.e. reporting fact).
2) That HE himself thinks the Eircom League is a joke (i.e. reporting HIS opinion).
3) That everyone ELSE thinks the Eircom League is a jone (i.e. reporting popular perception - particularly in reference to the Ireland Manager).

He could've been saying any of the 3 possible meanings above - none of which is great, but 2 or more of which he can hardly be hung for as he's just 'telling it like it is'.

As they tell alcoholics and gamblers - stage one to solving a problem is to first of all acknowledge that it exists....

**holidaysong** · 19/01/2006, 11:34 AM

Did anyone actually see that programme on Setanta? He said it in an ironic kind of way. He was actually giving out that our manager will not be based in Ireland and that the whole going searching for players under the "granny rule" approach being adopted was not best for the long term. He said something like: Is it acceptable that we do not train our own players? Is it acceptable that players like Kevin Doyle need to move abroad to be considered for an international callup? Well apparantly in Ireland it is because lets be honest the eircom league is a joke anyway.

**Clifford** · 19/01/2006, 11:49 AM

Originally Posted by holidaysong

Did anyone actually see that programme on Setanta? He said it in an ironic kind of way. He was actually giving out that our manager will not be based in Ireland and that the whole going searching for players under the "granny rule" approach being adopted was not best for the long term. He said something like: Is it acceptable that we do not train our own players? Is it acceptable that players like Kevin Doyle need to move abroad to be considered for an international callup? Well apparantly in Ireland it is because lets be honest the eircom league is a joke anyway.

That's what I saw and wonder how someone who saw the interview could think differently. The guy loves the EL and can't believe that the scene keeps getting overlooked by international managers so consistantly.

**BohDiddley** · 19/01/2006, 11:56 AM

Originally Posted by holidaysong

Did anyone actually see that programme on Setanta? He said it in an ironic kind of way. He was actually giving out that our manager will not be based in Ireland and that the whole going searching for players under the "granny rule" approach being adopted was not best for the long term. He said something like: Is it acceptable that we do not train our own players? Is it acceptable that players like Kevin Doyle need to move abroad to be considered for an international callup? Well apparantly in Ireland it is because lets be honest the eircom league is a joke anyway.

That sounds much more plausible.

**harry crumb** · 19/01/2006, 12:08 PM

Dolan has praised this league more than anybody else in Ireland since he has come home from England.

And you pick a partial quote that may be taken out of context.

Give the guy a break.

**NY Hoop** · 19/01/2006, 2:12 PM

Originally Posted by harry crumb

Dolan has praised this league more than anybody else in Ireland since he has come home from England.

And you pick a partial quote that may be taken out of context.

Give the guy a break.

Spot on.

BTW the "other MB" wasnt a cork one was it??

KOH

**Dodge** · 19/01/2006, 2:50 PM

Originally Posted by harry crumb

Dolan has praised this league more than anybody else in Ireland since he has come home from England.

Just on a point of order. He didn't come home to Ireland.

Obsessed, me? Nah...

**Jerry The Saint** · 19/01/2006, 3:45 PM

Originally Posted by holidaysong

Is it acceptable that players like Kevin Doyle need to move abroad to be considered for an international callup?

The ironing is delicious....

**Colm** · 19/01/2006, 6:18 PM

Originally Posted by harry crumb

Dolan has praised this league more than anybody else in Ireland since he has come home from England.

And you pick a partial quote that may be taken out of context.

Give the guy a break.

In fairness, don't mind A face, he's just obsessed with Dolan and has something against him for some reason!

As you said Harry, he's always praising our league and to pick a quote out of context like that is just plain wrong.

**TonyD** · 19/01/2006, 9:15 PM

When I saw the beginning of this thread I couldn't believe it. Having listened to Dolan over the years, and despite the amount of league supporters who despise him, I've never heard ANYONE speak up for the league as much as he has, and I find it hard to think of anyone over the last decade who has generated as much publicity for the league. In fact I've seen him slated for over-hyping the game here. I found it amazing that he could have said what was in the original qoute. To then read the full quote of what he actually said puts it in a totally different light. To be honest the amount of venom directed towards Pat Dolan, from fans, other managers, commentataors etc always amazes me. OK, he shoots his mouth off a lot, but always to try and talk up the league. Why is this a hanging offence in some peoples eyes ? I don't know how many of you listen to "The Absolute Game" on Monday evenings on Anna Livia radio, but not a week goes by without Billy Bagster(Ex Monaghan manager) making some snide remark about Dolan, usually connected with his weight. Such personal remarks coming from someone who looks like a cross between Mr Beans Dad and the "Man from Del Monte" are a bit rich.