Top flight make-up to be decided by committee

**dcfcsteve** · 04/07/2006, 10:11 AM

I think it's clear that Niall Quinn is there to provide a touch of 'glamour', kudos, and media-accepted neutrality.

His presence will change nothing. I'm sure the answer to who will be in the top drawer is already well known at Merrion Square. Quinn will be presented with a fait accompli and asked to put his paw print on it. Having a well known 'neutral' involved i the 'process' therefore aids the FAI's sales job and the credibility of this exercise. He's just a stool for the FAI here.

**manic da hoop** · 04/07/2006, 10:34 AM

Originally Posted by dcfcsteve

I think it's clear that Niall Quinn is there to provide a touch of 'glamour', kudos, and media-accepted neutrality.

His presence will change nothing. I'm sure the answer to who will be in the top drawer is already well known at Merrion Square. Quinn will be presented with a fait accompli and asked to put his paw print on it. Having a well known 'neutral' involved i the 'process' therefore aids the FAI's sales job and the credibility of this exercise. He's just a stool for the FAI here.

Nail on the head.

**Rory H** · 04/07/2006, 1:12 PM

^probably

he showed how much he knew about the eircom league when jason byrne came on for ireland and quinn was doing the punditry..it was embarassing how little he knew....

**pete** · 04/07/2006, 2:07 PM

Niall Quinn can do whatever he wants in the UK but IMO there is no point to him being on the "panel/committee".

He was just a player and has no coaching or admin experience whatsoever so he is in no position to offer advise on how to run a club.

**A face** · 04/07/2006, 2:08 PM

info@fai.ie .... no harm in letting them know either is there.

**Philo** · 04/07/2006, 2:22 PM

My problem with Quinn is that I suspect he'll seize the opportunity to fill Sunderland full of Irish teenagers, thus further depriving the domestic game of the young talent it desperately needs. No one involved in this committee will make the eircom League their priority which is essential if progress is ever to be made.

**A face** · 04/07/2006, 3:13 PM

Originally Posted by Philo

My problem with Quinn is that I suspect he'll seize the opportunity to fill Sunderland full of Irish teenagers, thus further depriving the domestic game of the young talent it desperately needs. No one involved in this committee will make the eircom League their priority which is essential if progress is ever to be made.

We already FAI staff doing that for all the other clubs, why shouldn't Quinn get in on the act

It is the wrong appointment it has to be said.

**Anto McC** · 04/07/2006, 4:22 PM

Originally Posted by A face

info@fai.ie .... no harm in letting them know either is there.

Done!!

**dcfcsteve** · 04/07/2006, 5:03 PM

Originally Posted by Philo

My problem with Quinn is that I suspect he'll seize the opportunity to fill Sunderland full of Irish teenagers, thus further depriving the domestic game of the young talent it desperately needs. No one involved in this committee will make the eircom League their priority which is essential if progress is ever to be made.

To be fair, that assumes that Sunderland don't already have a scouting network with links into Ireland, which they do. It's not the 'Christopher Columbus in the Amstel tradition' ad. Quinn : "Hey guys, what about that big bit of land over there...?!?" ; Sunderland AFC : "Oh yeah ! Why don't we look for a few players over there...!"

Any Irish kid worth they salt will be being watched by reps of a number of English clubs already, Sunderland included

**Jerry The Saint** · 05/07/2006, 8:07 AM

Originally Posted by dcfcsteve

Any Irish kid worth they salt will be being watched by reps of a number of English clubs already

This is true but it's ridiculous to think that the FAI would consider employing one of these scouts/agents/advisors....

**A face** · 05/07/2006, 10:05 AM

Originally Posted by Jerry The Saint

This is true but it's ridiculous to think that the FAI would consider employing one of these scouts/agents/advisors....

They are promoting the guys these days.

**dcfcsteve** · 05/07/2006, 10:35 AM

Originally Posted by Jerry The Saint

This is true but it's ridiculous to think that the FAI would consider employing one of these scouts/agents/advisors....

Well as Quinn isn't one, I don't see what your point is......?

**CollegeTillIDie** · 05/07/2006, 9:12 PM

Niall Quinn he's a horse of a man .

**BohDiddley** · 06/07/2006, 9:40 AM

Originally Posted by dcfcsteve

I think it's clear that Niall Quinn is there to provide a touch of 'glamour', kudos, and media-accepted neutrality.

His presence will change nothing. I'm sure the answer to who will be in the top drawer is already well known at Merrion Square. Quinn will be presented with a fait accompli and asked to put his paw print on it. Having a well known 'neutral' involved i the 'process' therefore aids the FAI's sales job and the credibility of this exercise. He's just a stool for the FAI here.

There are ways to have the 'glamour' of Niall Quinn rub off on the national league, other than installing him in an exclusive commmittee that at a whim can decide the futures of Irish clubs. Quinn's position, and therefore that of the commmittee, is glaringly compromised by his financial interest in a foreign league that competes for support here, and by his much-flaunted preference at home for other codes. It wouldn't have been too difficult to find someone 'glamorous' who didn't have these issues.

**Poor Student** · 06/07/2006, 10:03 AM

By the way, does anyone have any idea when we'll know which teams made the cut and which didn't?

**passerrby** · 06/07/2006, 10:30 AM

the middle of Dec and at a guess Boh, Shels Rovers, Pats Cork,Derry,Longford, drogs, are pretty sure of a place with Galway, Sligo waterford,Limerick,Bray Fightingfor remaining places,
that leaves dublin City, kildare, Cobh Monaghan,Kilkenny Athlone, FinnHarps, UCDa nd Dundalk in the graveyard.

**el punter** · 07/07/2006, 3:06 PM

I believe the last Irish international to get involved with the eircom League was none other than Mr G Farrelly....not much a path to glory for Quinner to follow eh?

Incidentally as well as getting stuck in with the GAA and foreign football, Quinner is also heavily involved in horseracing (might own a greyhound too).

In fact eircom League football is one of a rapidly shortening list of Irish sports that he has no publicly expressed interest in, yet he is now involved in influencing the future of the game here. This is mental.

**dublinred** · 07/07/2006, 3:52 PM

Can we change the title of this thread to Top Flight to be Decided by the High court , can't see any team who is moved to the first division going to be happy with the outcome.