Dermot Keely: The time is right for the clubs to go and make a big statement to the FAI

LAST week’s column seemed to make an impact.

I got messages on social media from people telling me that they agreed with my criticism of the FAI and they believe clubs shouldn’t accept the €5,000 and should boycott future Ireland games.

But you only hear from your own church on there and I know there were a few emails sent to the Irish Sun that were more critical.

To those who questioned my love for the League of Ireland because I played for eight clubs and managed 13, maybe that says more about my ability than my loyalties.

People always wanted me, they made offers and I like to think I did all right for those teams.

It’s a long time now since I was making money from the league too, by the way.

I’m still at every Dundalk home game and watch any match I can on television.

One person seemed to suggest the problem was people like myself, who used to take over provincial clubs and sign Dubliners. He was from Athlone.

Well, when I was in Athlone, the locals weren’t good enough for us and I was employed to get results.

I know, I wasn’t there very long.

Up until recently, I used to hear the same complaint about the lack of local players in Dundalk.

But people quickly forget when results go right.

Another person, a chairman of a club, although he did not say who, also wrote to me, telling me that the FAI do wonderful work.

I’m sure the FAI must have helped his club but he didn’t explain how.

Most of his email was taken up with a story about how John Delaney has visited his club and welcomed a special-needs team to the Aviva Stadium.

All very noble but that’s the least you expect.

Dundalk ran a summer camp for special-needs kids a fortnight ago.

I’ve helped at many myself down through the years as well.

I hope that clears things up for anyone who wrote in.

The club chairman’s email amused me but the ones questioning my credentials to talk about the league?

I’m not having that.

How could anyone who genuinely loves the league not look at it and see there are big problems that need to be addressed?

I was delighted to see St Pat’s spelling out their own frustrations at how everything is being run.

We have a league that produced eight members of Ireland’s Euro 2016 squad. That’s half the Irish-born players in the squad. Proof we’ve got a production line.

But where’s the big announcement that they’re going to invest heavily in this conveyor belt?

I’ve always given the FAI credit for pushing for the Under-15, 17 and 19 leagues.

But they need real investment to make sure the best coaches are working with our best young players.

Dundalk dragged themselves from the brink of bankruptcy to the cusp of the Champions League and how did the FAI help?

Judging by the self-congratulating statement last week, they made coaching analysis programmes available to Stephen Kenny and will now help the club administratively now that they’ve hit the big time.

The time is right for the whole league to make a big statement to the FAI.

Dundalk’s Champions League run is fantastic and next week’s game at the Aviva against Legia Warsaw is big for every League of Ireland club.

The FAI, in my opinion, treats the league as a niche market, when it should be the focal point, alongside the international team.

Let’s use the occasion to show them how many of us there really are.

Tough challenge for Stephen Kenny and Dundalk



DUNDALK face a big ask to lift the Premier Division trophy for the third year in a row.

But it has to be the priority come September.

The Champions League play-off with Legia Warsaw — with the first leg next Wednesday at the Aviva Stadium — is huge.

You’re collecting at least €15million if you win it, rather than €6m.

But with European group stage football guaranteed, Lilywhites boss Stephen Kenny has a tough task through the next three months or so.

Dundalk have 21 games between league, Europe and FAI Cup over the next 79 days — it will be mentally draining.

And Cork City are well placed to take advantage, although the Rebels did slip up in their 2-1 loss to Sligo Rovers on Monday.

Dundalk have to win the league again to make sure they’re in the Champions League next year.

Fitness-wise, they are up to it.

But it’s only human that they’ll struggle coming back from the highs of Europe to league fixtures.

Losing to Galway United on Friday — three days after the BATE Borisov victory — highlighted how tough it is.

Limerick game should be the regular Saturday evening kick-off time



LIMERICK could virtually wrap up the First Division title against Cabinteely on Saturday, if UCD and Drogheda draw on Friday.

It should be a big night at Markets Field but instead it has been moved to a 2pm kick-off, as Celtic and Inter Milan play a friendly at Thomond Park at 5pm.

Limerick are a good club that are building well.

By all accounts, they promote themselves well for their regular Saturday evening kick-off time.

So let them stay there. Allowing a friendly to be played on their turf at their time is no way to grow our league.