Sky is the limit
Credit:
I watched with interest the video clip on ExtraTime last week by Louise Zayed and Peter O’Doherty where
Louise, on the streets of Dublin, sought the views of the general public on the League of Ireland.
The clip was a great insight into what people think of our domestic game. I agree with some of the
interviewee’s that a lack of investment in the League of Ireland is hampering the game here. It would
be a significant achievement if the FAI managed to get Sky Sports to broadcast League of Ireland
games during the summer months when there are no English Premier League games or La Liga
matches as it would only enhance the reputation of our league, not only in Ireland but in England
too.
Players like Kevin Doyle, Seamus Coleman, Wes Hoolahan, Keith Fahey and my former team mate Shaun Williams are just some of the players who learned the tools of their trade in this country and are now in England developing these skills to a whole new level. There are many other quality players playing in the League of Ireland, who I have no doubt, could make the step up to at least Championship level across the water. Sky Sports would bring these players to the attention of the English populace and I think they would be impressed by the standard of football played in our league. If Sky Sports came on board, the FAI would receive money together with the clubs involved and this money could be used to improve facilities at the League of Ireland grounds.
Most households in the country now have Sky in their living rooms. A lot of football supporters in Ireland switch on Sky Sports first thing in the morning. I have to admit it is the first thing I do. I would love to wake up some morning to see Sky reporters at League of Ireland training grounds in the build up to a high profile match that evening. The IFA Premiership (Northern Ireland) have it, why not us?
I also agree with some of the comments by readers where they believe that the general public haven’t given the League of Ireland a chance. Buy a paper tomorrow and you will see the English Premiership all over the back pages and this is an everyday occurrence, though The Star and the Mirror carry brilliant League of Ireland pull-outs on a Friday. Our national broadsheet papers give priority to the English Premiership and in the case of the League of Ireland, only carry reports on the Airtricity Premier Division. They seldom cover the First Division. Why can’t all the Irish papers support Irish sport, not just soccer but other sports such as boxing, cricket, tennis and swimming? All these sports have great Irish athletes competing at a professional level and yet they receive little attention. I feel our national media (TV, radio and papers) should give priority to Irish sport. For example, on daily sports bulletins, the League of Ireland should be reported on first followed by results/fixtures from the English Premiership and not the other way around. If every Irish media outlet follows suit, it would be brilliant for Irish sport.
Perhaps the FAI and/or TV could commission independent research into the League of Ireland to ascertain the reasons why people don’t attend League of Ireland games and recommend some positive solutions. I am aware from talking to people that ticket pricing, facilities (parking, toilets, stadia and refreshments) and lack of promotion of games are some of the reasons why attendances are so low. Some clubs have and are making great strides in attracting supporters to their games. The League of Ireland is a fantastic environment to be involved in and I do my best to promote it amongst people I meet on a regular basis. It has suffered enough setbacks in recent times, it is about time it receives some positive news stories.
Players like Kevin Doyle, Seamus Coleman, Wes Hoolahan, Keith Fahey and my former team mate Shaun Williams are just some of the players who learned the tools of their trade in this country and are now in England developing these skills to a whole new level. There are many other quality players playing in the League of Ireland, who I have no doubt, could make the step up to at least Championship level across the water. Sky Sports would bring these players to the attention of the English populace and I think they would be impressed by the standard of football played in our league. If Sky Sports came on board, the FAI would receive money together with the clubs involved and this money could be used to improve facilities at the League of Ireland grounds.
Most households in the country now have Sky in their living rooms. A lot of football supporters in Ireland switch on Sky Sports first thing in the morning. I have to admit it is the first thing I do. I would love to wake up some morning to see Sky reporters at League of Ireland training grounds in the build up to a high profile match that evening. The IFA Premiership (Northern Ireland) have it, why not us?
I also agree with some of the comments by readers where they believe that the general public haven’t given the League of Ireland a chance. Buy a paper tomorrow and you will see the English Premiership all over the back pages and this is an everyday occurrence, though The Star and the Mirror carry brilliant League of Ireland pull-outs on a Friday. Our national broadsheet papers give priority to the English Premiership and in the case of the League of Ireland, only carry reports on the Airtricity Premier Division. They seldom cover the First Division. Why can’t all the Irish papers support Irish sport, not just soccer but other sports such as boxing, cricket, tennis and swimming? All these sports have great Irish athletes competing at a professional level and yet they receive little attention. I feel our national media (TV, radio and papers) should give priority to Irish sport. For example, on daily sports bulletins, the League of Ireland should be reported on first followed by results/fixtures from the English Premiership and not the other way around. If every Irish media outlet follows suit, it would be brilliant for Irish sport.
Perhaps the FAI and/or TV could commission independent research into the League of Ireland to ascertain the reasons why people don’t attend League of Ireland games and recommend some positive solutions. I am aware from talking to people that ticket pricing, facilities (parking, toilets, stadia and refreshments) and lack of promotion of games are some of the reasons why attendances are so low. Some clubs have and are making great strides in attracting supporters to their games. The League of Ireland is a fantastic environment to be involved in and I do my best to promote it amongst people I meet on a regular basis. It has suffered enough setbacks in recent times, it is about time it receives some positive news stories.
