Worrying times for the LOI

The long-term objective of the FAI has always been to have a fully professional top-flight league in Ireland, which will massively improve the standard of Irish football. But while this vision is the one that all clubs should be aiming to follow, it won’t be easy for some to switch from full-time to part-time without hindering their chance as a major league competitor.

And as Eircom League luminary Keith Fahey packs his bags and gets ready to head cross-channel this winter, general secretary of the PFAI, Stephen McGuinness, has sensationally claimed that "although a return to part-time football would see a lot of the best Eircom league player’s following in (…Fahey’s) footsteps, until we bring the crowds in and bring sponsors that can sustain the wages for full-time players, I think part-time is the way to go."

This admission comes off the back of what has been a turbulent season for many Eircom League clubs. Cork City’s debts were recently revealed to be in the region of 1.3 million and unless some serious investment can be found, they face a rocky road over the next few months. City join a growing list of Irish clubs that have found themselves in financial strife over the last few seasons, regardless of the fact they boast one of the country’s largest home support.

And now with the potential implosion of the title-winners, even the most successful clubs are finding themselves staring into the financial abyss.

The move to part-time is quickly becoming the principal solution to the growing problem within League of Ireland football, and with the demise of the bigger more successful clubs being blamed on their focus on European competition McGuinness has claimed "it is time to focus on the game at a domestic level before branching out in Europe. We need to stabilize the league financially and unfortunately going part-time is the only way to achieve this".

Today however, Drogheda United boss Paul Doolin, spoke out against the proposed plan for some clubs to return to part-time football; "If we go back part-time, how are we going to start off again? It would take another 10 or even 15 years to get back to where we are now. We need to find another option."

"It is heart-breaking" moaned Doolin, "it makes you wonder do Irish people have a hunger for a domestic league anymore?"

Didn’t know that about Pats Gouldy.

But look at Bohs – they could be screwed now. And look at what happened Shels FFS. Also Cork City in big trouble along with Drogs………the list just goes on and on. Whatever way you look at it, it’s definitely worrying times

Drogs still look like they have to go part time though Glen yeah?

Shels had one of the best, if the not the strongest LOI side in the last few years when they last won the league before the sh1t hit the fan. I thought you’s seriously had a decent chance in Europe and you’s did indeed do the league very proud. You’s are finally getting back on your feet and fair play to them for that but you’s had to start from square one again and will take years before you’s be that strong again. But it just seems that when LOI clubs get to a certain high, they seemed to be knocked down pretty bad over the last few years. It seems like this could happen to Drogs, if they go part time and Bohs, if they are indeed poxed from the high court decision.

Can understand what you say when you’re talking about patience, but fook me, it seems like it’s a slow process at the moment.