Many column inches have been devoted to the Limerick FC and Barcelona situation.
I know from correspondence received, that many viewers are unhappy with the timing of the Airtricity League selection versus Manchester United as the opening game at the Aviva Stadium.
As I said to Marian Finucane on RTÉ Radio on Sunday, until I know the full ins-and-outs of the situation, I’d reserve judgement on it.
However on the face of it, it looks like a spectacular PR own goal by the FAI.
It is important to point out that those who rush to judgement can sometimes be too hasty in condemning the FAI.
I must say that I would be of the view that the FAI running the Airtricity League is a much more preferable option to the situation that preceded it.
God save us from 22-man committees with vested club interests trying to make important decisions about the direction the League should be going.
Some of our viewers have criticised Fran Gavin for calling me Tony towards the end of the interview I conducted with him.
But I have to say in fairness to Fran, he couldn’t see me and was looking into the lense of a camera, it was a tense exchange, and Tony O’Donoghue had been conducting proceedings at the D4 Berkley Hotel where Fran was talking to me from.
I know he felt that my questioning him about his position as Director of the league was unfair, but I was only asking the question that a number of our viewers who had contacted the programme wanted to know about.
In the past I’ve asked Richie Sadlier about his tenure as CEO at St Patrick’s Athletic and I’ve also asked the question about a number of managers in the league when they were going through a rough period.
Incidentally, we did invite Limerick FC to participate but they said they weren’t in a position to appear or make any comment on the matter.
The club issued a very brief statement saying 'the club is currently reviewing comments made on the Marian Finucane radio show with our legal representatives'
Damien Richardson was very trenchant in his view that the FAI are completely right to stage the League of Ireland selection versus Manchester United match as the first match at the Aviva Stadium in preference to Shamrock Rovers against Bohemians.
Although some might disagree, and it seems that many do judging by the messages on our Facebook page and to our email address mns@rte.ie , the reality is that I’ve heard many Hoops supporters voicing the opinion that they wouldn’t want to give up home advantage for such a crucial match.
There is also the possibility that Bohs could still be involved in the Champions League at that point which means the match would be a total non-runner anyway, so I would be slow to throw too many brick bats at the FAI over bringing Man Yoo here.
If it makes money for the Association and that money filters to the clubs, then what is the harm?
As Paul McGee said on Monday night, the FAI were very helpful in the past when Limerick 37 were having difficulties.
Paul voiced the view, that the FAI 'bent over backwards' to help the club at that stage, so whilst they may have scored an own goal on this one from a PR point of view, it shouldn’t be forgotten that what the FAI bring to the party is not all bad.
The FAI Ford Cup third round draw gave us a few very interesting ties. The match of the round has to be Dundalk versus St Pat's.
As one of two all Premier Division ties, I think I may have heard a gasp from Keith Fahey when he realised he’d drawn Pats away to potentially very tricky opponents.
On the plus side for both clubs, it’ll be a packed house, huge interest surrounding the tie, and Pat’s know that they’ve already drawn 0-0 at Oriel Park this season and would probably take the same outcome in the Cup.
Drogheda versus UCD, is the other all top flight match, with Drogs likely to have a new manager installed by the time that fixture comes around (in fact they might have a new manager installed by the time you read this for all I know).
We’re guaranteed one non-league team in the fourth round draw, with Belgrove pencilled to play Avondale.
But my tip for the FAI Cup this season is Sligo Rovers.
Having come so close last year, I think Cookie and the boys will be well up for it this season, and a home tie against Athlone Town is a good appetiser for them.
Having said that, Athlone are very hard to break down and it could go to a replay.
Giovanni Trappatoni may not have won too many friends amongst Airtricity league fans after his interview with Tony, but as the panel said, he was speaking his mind, and gave it to us straight.
The standard here has definitely improved over the last number of years. Unquestionably.
But it needs to improve further to see players plying their trade here appear on the international stage on a regular basis.
I still say Twigg for Scotland.
Ndo for Cameroon (Although it’s interesting that the international boss there said Joey had to be playing elsewhere before he’d be considered).
And Mannus for Northern Ireland (when he doesn’t have bigger games to play for Rovers).
Finally, Good Bad and Ugly was squeezed out because of time constraints, but some of the good ones will definitely see the light of day on MNS in the future, so don’t fret.
