With the League of Ireland targeting the third week in June as resumption of on-the-field action in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, Alan Cawley believes the time frame is realistic, while adding that more tough calls will be made by clubs before another ball is kicked.
On Friday, The Football Association of Ireland and the National League Executive Committee, via a tele-conference, set aside the weekend commencing Friday 19 as the return date for the Premier Division and First Division.
A decision was made to shorten the season for the Premier Division, to now comprise a 27-game series, while the First Division clubs will "examine the possibility" of fulfilling their entire schedule.
Key points from @SSEAirtricityLg meeting 👇
— SSE Airtricity League (@SSEAirtricityLg) March 20, 2020
👉 June 19 resumption date targeted
👉 2020 season to finish on December 11
👉 27-game Premier Division schedule
👉 Full First Division schedule
👉 #EASPORTSCup deferred
➡️ https://t.co/2jvcBfFcLR#LOI | #GreatestLeagueInTheWorld pic.twitter.com/uqGAf9I12c
Having to something to aim for in these worrying times is welcome, with RTÉ pundit and former Shelbourne player Cawley telling 2fm's Game On: "Like any sportsperson, you are always looking to strive for something and with the crisis we are in, you are just looking for some light at the end of the tunnel.
"The fact that the taskforce has met - the FAI, the PFAI and the league - and on the back of UEFA recommendations to come up with the dates that they have with this three-month break is realistic.
"I never thought 29 March for football here and England resuming in April was real at all. The implications about how serious the whole thing is only starting to kick in now.
"The 19 June is a realistic timeframe to put on this and give us a bit of hope that we have something to look forward to."
On Thursday, Sligo Rovers, temporarily laid off all their staff in an attempt to protect long-term employment. A decision, now even more prudent with a 13-week break at the earliest before any resumption. Cawley believes it's inevitable that other clubs will also cut their cloth.
Sadly Sligo Rovers won't be the only club that will have to do this as they all try navigate their way through this crisis. Very tough decision to make I’m sure but the right one as it will preserve the future of this great club in the long term! ⚽️🇮🇪 https://t.co/YWz8qn2G0c
— Alan Cawley (@alancaw) March 19, 2020
"I tweeted about yesterday in saying that Sligo will not be the only club to make that decision," he added.
"In coming from Sligo I know a lot of people with the club and it was with a very heavy heart that they came to that decision because nobody wants to break that news to players and staff.
"By all accounts from what I heard the players were very understanding and understood where the club were coming from in making the decision. Essentially, it is to preserve the future of the football club.
"A lot of clubs are fighting fires at the best of times and with this crisis on top of them, there is no way that the clubs will be able to pay players now that we have a break of three months and with the season ending on 4 December.
"That will be the news we'll be hearing over the next two or three days.
"We want to make sure that we do have clubs in the future. We don't want clubs going to the wall. That's what will happen if tough decisions aren't taken."
The news that Republic of Ireland internationals James McClean, Kevin Long and Enda Stevens were among a group who have donated €25,000 towards an emergency fund to help League of Ireland was welcomed.
Cawley is also hopeful that the new regime at the FAI will also be proactive.
"There is talk of affiliation fees being dropped and that will be welcomed in the short term. You are talking €17,000-€18,000 per club.
"Over a three-month period clubs will need a lot more than that. To be fair to Niall Quinn and the FAI since they have got involved, there has been a more welcoming feel from all the stakeholders involved in Irish football towards the League of Ireland.
"I think you will see investment of some sort to try and sustain things. The league will take investment and that's why the gesture from the lads yesterday was very, very welcome."
