What is the future now for EL?

[Magicme]

The key to breaking this cycle is, I believe, the FAI. Something substantially different needs to be done in promoting our league. An all-island league might be the answer here. But we have never seen our national association (you know - the one's who say 'we care about Irish football...' ) make even a half-arsed attempt at promoting our league. I can't help but belive that if they introduced a well-thought out promotional campaign - including making best use of the 60,000-odd captive audience they will have at Croke Park 8 times a year - that within 2 season we would start to see the results at the turnstiles.

Sadly - there is more chance of Ian Paisley being made Pope than the FAI making an effort to promote domestic football.....

Paisley for Pope then! I think the FAI are closer to coming up with the goods than you think. Next Friday there is a communications seminar on in Dublin where (hopefully) all clubs will be in attendance and learn more productive ways of marketing themselves. Also appointing Noel Mooney to help all clubs in their promotion of the game is a big step forward, have never seen such an enthusiastic person! He was nearly peeing his pants with excitement at the thoughts of putting bums on seats in the eL when he met with us b4 Christmas. There are ideas and a budget in place so while it may not make drastic inroads it is gonna make a difference.

[pete]

I am optimistic that the FAI can do something to improve & promote the league however it must be difficult with the ongoing off the field problems. Would be pointless having a promotional campaign with having to fight for media coverage amoung Shels collapse...

[Macy]

and maybe Longford.

Playing wise it probably wasn't the best, but for the future of the club I think it's been hugely positive as after a couple of years of starting, we're really getting financial realism and sustainability at the club.

There are a lot of positives to the close season, but the continued inaction of the FAI in terms of promotion of the league and licencing, particularly with regard to shels, really frustrates me. They have failed to kill the shels story, and so it continues to rumble on doing harm.

[khoop]

I can't help but belive that if they introduced a well-thought out promotional campaign - including making best use of the 60,000-odd captive audience they will have at Croke Park 8 times a year

Well yes - but unfortunately the GAA have the giant screens bagged for those gigs.....

[BohsPartisan]

They'll be in use for the Ireland internationals though surely.

[pete]

Transfer prices have already started to increase & Cork City rejected bid worth up to 550k euro + large sell on clause from Hull City last night.

When we rejected much smaller bid from Southend earlier in the close season Roy O'Donovan was not disappointed ash eknew he was better than that & willing to wait for club to sell to bigger club. It wasn't so long ago irish clubs & players jumped at the chance of selling players for the Championship in England...

[BohsPartisan]

Not a wind up or anything Pete genuine question. When are Cork going to spend some of the money replacing the players that left?

[NY Hoop]

The future is proper facilities at all grounds and some clubs are making an effort in fairness.

Also a proper one hour highlights programme at a reasonable hour. You can have all the live games you want but the fact that there is still no cameras at some premier games in this day and age is a thundering disgrace.

Some clubs (2 in the premier) do not even have a tv gantry

KOH

[pete]

Not a wind up or anything Pete genuine question. When are Cork going to spend some of the money replacing the players that left?

No idea. Scouting in progress apparently... I think squad of about 15 players currently...

[Soper]

NY Hoop - I agree wholeheartedly with your point about gantrys.Just to use an example, even the local rugby team here in Caerphilly has a quality gantry, albeit from back before rugby was 'regionalised'.Clubs need to tidy up the small things, like putting roofs on stands, having the toilets clean etc.

[pete]

I see the GAA have got 80,000 people turning up to see nice bright big lights. is there a lesson for the FAI here & how can we market...?

[paul_oshea]

create a good stadium with lots of lights? pete i thought you worked in computers?

[SligoBrewer]

I see the GAA have got 80,000 people turning up to see nice bright big lights. is there a lesson for the FAI here & how can we market...?

its a ball of ****e

an average game ie bogball
in an average match ie national bogball league
that wouldnt attract 2 fans normally..

seriously..
i think they're all goin for the saw doctors gig!

[A face]

id hardly call Trevor Molloy,Paul Keegan ,Sean Dillon, Robbie Doyle and Danny Murphy that.

Sorry now but both player would be welcome in any eL side. Danny Murphy part of the meanest defence over the last few seasons and Dillion was an excellent player.

[charliesboots]

bas examples to use....agree with other posters about Dillon and Murphy. Surprised nobody else has mentioned Keego - perhaps the most naturally talented target man to play in the league this century. He's done it for NE Revolution in the States, he's done it Pats, Bohs, Longford and Bray here and no doubt he'll produce the business in Scotland too. The eircom League's loss is most definitely Scotland's gain.

[Soper]

There has to be at least some players in the League that could step up to the 'plate' and be the next batch of stars?

[Magicme]

yes there are Soper, and we are feeding them angel dust up here!

[NY Hoop]

NY Hoop - I agree wholeheartedly with your point about gantrys.Just to use an example, even the local rugby team here in Caerphilly has a quality gantry, albeit from back before rugby was 'regionalised'.Clubs need to tidy up the small things, like putting roofs on stands, having the toilets clean etc.

How about your own club getting one then? A guy with a handycam surrounded by fans in the main stand just doesnt cut it.

KOH

[Soper]

Alas, we would if I owned the club.

[NY Hoop]

Alas, we would if I owned the club.

You dont need to own the club to make a suggestion. When our previous incompetents were ruining the club the fans paid for the games to be covered. Find out how much it would be to put up a gantry and say to the club the fans will pay half if they do. Just an idea.

KOH