Foot.ie Q&A - Tony McDonnell - Questions

**Poor Student** · 11/09/2006, 7:09 PM

- What do you make of UCD's move from Belfield Park to the Belfield Bowl? Do you think the Bowl will be significantly improved or will it be improved to just scrape minimum requirements?

**finnpark** · 11/09/2006, 7:37 PM

Do you have any inside information regarding the rumours surrounding Pat Dolan's sexuality?

**ilovejam** · 11/09/2006, 7:46 PM

Why do you always shake your head and why are you always angry?? dont you think sexy football should be played with a smile?!

Why do you run like your towing a caravan??

If/WHEN you become new manager of UCD, will you be making many personnel changes?

**sligoman** · 11/09/2006, 8:27 PM

Which name did you prefer better, UCD or UCDD?

.

**bambi** · 12/09/2006, 8:12 AM

For the last number of years, you have been the main playing figure in UCD. Who do you think are the unsung heroes in your team/previous teams?

**sligoman** · 12/09/2006, 3:19 PM

What is yer favourite, all time, EL XI?

**coislaoi** · 12/09/2006, 5:38 PM

Who is the best player currently playing in the EL?

What is your favourite away ground?

Who is/was your most difficult opponent?

Who were the best team to visit Belfield this season?

Do you think Bohs "new money" will enable them to dominate the league in years to come?

How do you react to criticism that UCD don't deserve a place in the Premier Division due to lack of fanbase etc?

**pineapple stu** · 12/09/2006, 6:08 PM

Are the PFAI concerned that some of its members may have to take pay cuts from Premier Division wages to First Division wages (or alternatively be denied the rise from First Division and Premier Division wages) because their club hasn't been deemed big enough to be in the Premier despite earning its palce on the pitch?

**Sheridan** · 12/09/2006, 6:49 PM

With short-term contracts, wage deferrals, cashflow problems, high player turnover etc rife amongst eL clubs, professional football has never been a particularly stable career path in this country. But does the PFAI have a position on the practice (especially conspicuous at some Dublin clubs this season) of young, inexperienced players being hired and discarded in short order? Given that such players are unlikely (due to their aforementioned youth and inexperience, as well their desperation to find a contract) to possess the means or acumen necessary their resist their exploitation, can the PFAI provide them with assistance and advice in this regard, or intervene through its representative at the club in question?

Does the PFAI maintain a register of unattached and transfer listed players for circulation among (or consultation on behalf of) interested clubs? I ask because many players seem to drop off the face of the footballing earth once released from their contracts.

Without naming names, have you ever been involved in a League of Ireland match which gave you reason to suspect that match officials, opponents or team-mates were attempting to influence the result for illicit (i.e. corrupt) purposes, or heard of such a thing occurring in Irish football?

**Mr A** · 12/09/2006, 6:51 PM

Do you feel that the PFAI was premature to condemn '50% wage cuts' at Finn Harps without first speaking to the club? Surely this was anything but professional?

**pineapple stu** · 12/09/2006, 6:51 PM

Originally Posted by Sheridan

Does the PFAI maintain a register of unattached and transfer listed players for circulation among (or consultation on behalf of) interested clubs? I ask because many players seem to drop off the face of the footballing earth once released from their contracts.

Don't they publish such a list on their website during the close season?

What a curious third question!

**Sheridan** · 12/09/2006, 6:56 PM

Originally Posted by pineapple stu

Don't they publish such a list on their website during the close season?

They do, but it's invariably inaccurate and the facts suggest that it's not consulted much.

Anyway, this is between me and Tony Mac, you stay out of it.

**Student Mullet** · 12/09/2006, 6:57 PM

Do you expect players with contracts which extend into next season to be affected by the 65% wage cap and do you forsee a drop in players wages next season?

**pineapple stu** · 12/09/2006, 7:06 PM

Originally Posted by Sheridan

They do, but it's invariably inaccurate and the facts suggest that it's not consulted much.

Anyway, this is between me and Tony Mac, you stay out of it.

Hey - I organised this interview; I'll preen it whatever way I want.

**Aberdonian Stu** · 12/09/2006, 7:48 PM

Are you bitter that you've always been the bridesmaid and never the bride when it comes to winning the UCD Supporters' player of the year award?

Do you follow the food and entertainment advice dished out by the UCD match programme's Sunday Morning Special column?

**Demoshield** · 12/09/2006, 9:56 PM

A player sacked for disciplinary reasons by one club is allowed to sign and play for a new club the following week, while a player who leaves with the consent of his club, or who is not attached to any club is forced to wait until the next transfer window.
So this scenario could possibly arise….
A player playing for Club A, is made a better offer by Club B. Starts missing training/games for his Club A,eventually forcing Club A to sack him. He is then free to play for Club B the following week.
What are the views of the PFAI?

**A face** · 12/09/2006, 10:10 PM

What are your dealings with the FAI? On what level and how often, etc.
Are they good to deal with? How could it be improved?

**Poor Student** · 12/09/2006, 10:42 PM

Tony has only very recently replaced McGuinness as PFAI chairman, as late as after the Shels and Harps stuff which McGuinness met with both sets of players for. A lot of these questions seem to be directed at him as if he has been in the job for some time.