League of Ireland clubs have made progress in European competition this season, with Stephen Kelly hoping that the financial rewards accruing from UEFA can be used to benefit the league as a whole.
After Bohemians and Dundalk made it as far as the third round of the Europa Conference, Shamrock Rovers are still involved in the competition and face Flora Tallinn for a place in the group stage. Getting that far would yield the Premier Division champions close to €3million, with more financial gain on offer depending on results thereafter.
Speaking on RTÉ's Champions League coverage, Kelly, while thankful that individual clubs will benefit he also feels that that reward should be greater and that Europe's governing body should do more to help small leagues like the League of Ireland.
"If UEFA want to spread the pot, then it's all about getting money to the far reaches," said the former Republic of Ireland international.
With Shamrock Rovers still involved and Dundalk and Bohemians performing well in Europe this season, @StephenKelly_2 would like UEFA to recognise the League of Ireland as a whole for such performances @SSEAirtricityLg #rtesoccer @lisafallonsport pic.twitter.com/sbBdbUItbW
— Soccer Republic (@SoccRepublic) August 17, 2021
"That's what they say, that's their goal, football for all, grassroots in every country to get a structure. It would make a lot of sense if we get rewarded as a nation, as a league, for a team doing well.
"So if we got a pot that would go towards infrastructure for all the teams, and not just Shamrock Rovers who will benefit anyway.
"The finances that they are going to get will be amazing. It's deserved because it's on them and what they are doing with their coaching.
"I hope there is an opportunity for leagues to get a fund and that would help infrastructure in a lot of countries."
Commenting on the runs made by Irish club in Europe, RTÉ analyst Lisa Fallon said that Bohemians and Dundalk "were well able for the quality of opposition" against PAOK and Vitesse Arnhem respectively and that Shamrock Rovers "would have felt hard done by" in exiting to Slovan Bratislava in the Champions League.
"League of Ireland teams have proven that the quality of coaching, of tactical nuance, standard of player, and professionalism is high. It's very high. We are showing that football teams from this country can compete and further investment can help that."
