Agreeing with Pat Spillane is not something done lightly by the occupant of this seat. In fact, the mere thought of doing so makes one shudder. It is my firm belief that the pontificating Templenoe publican is of the belief that the world was made either by or for a Kerryman.
However, even that inclination cannot dissuade the feeling that he is of course right about the lunacy of the split season in GAA and the potential disruptive effect it could have – or perhaps already is having – on the development and/or promotion of our national games. The GAA’s tumbleweed rolling down the road in high summer being the only impediment to other – I shall refrain from using the F word – entities invading their space.
Thankfully, a fair while ago now, some agricultural policy maker with their head screwed on did away with the asinine practice of leaving land setaside – or fallow to give it the official title. That is to say, literally paying farmers to do nothing with land. Just leave it there, idle for the year. The only stipulation to getting the Brussels payment being that the acreage in the scheme had to be topped a few times a year.
If such a scheme were still in operation, the Brains Trust of the GAA would be well advised to enlist Croke Park – at least – therein. Wouldn’t it be far better than having the likes of Coldplay or Taylor Swift sully the hallowed sod. Watched by a crowd, a sizable majority of whom wouldn’t know the differ between a football, a sliotar and an egg cup!
For, as uncomfortable a truth as it may be, not only does GAA stadia lying empty present opportunities for other codes, they’re taking them. What’s more, their PR and marketing departments aren’t even being extended in doing so. Quite simply because – in the case of League Of Ireland soccer at least – such has been the quality of fair in the season just ending, the #GreatestLeagueInTheWorld has marketed itself.
Now, in no way would I consider myself to be an aficionado of the domestic football scene, but, even being a sporadic attendee thereof over the last decade and a half or so, it can be attested first hand the degree to which the standard of football in the LOI has improved in that time. Which has in itself led to an exponential burgeoning of attendances thereat.
If you are a longstanding – or sitting – devotee of this space though, you will know that memories of what can be justifiably called another golden era in the league remain vivid here. When players such as Terry Eviston, Tom McNulty and Down Gaelic footballer Peter Whitnell were the fulcrum of a decent Dundalk side, Stephen Geoghegan was the best striker in the league and got called up by Jack Charlton as a result of same.
Aside from all that, though, it’s hardly a secret that, aside from attending the odd Bohemians game over the years, there’s a connection between St Patrick’s Athletic and Dunboyne which dates back to the last century via the Mullaly family and carried on – in a playing sense at least – by Martin Reilly, Conor and Josh Keeley and Tommy Lonergan and, of course, the Inchicore club’s President is our own Tom O’Mahony.
The Keeley lads dad Brendan is a former Bohs goalie who, like his elder son, did a spell in the Irish League before the aforementioned senior offspring most recently has been domiciled with Shelbourne.
No doubt, you’re thinking it’s a great time to be connected to the Tolka Park outfit. In theory, you’d be right, but because Shels boss Damien Duff gave the Dunboyne man the rough end of the stick throughout the season.
Be that as it may, Duffer’s impact, not only on Shelbourne but the domestic game on a bigger scale. Indeed, for the second occasion in the space of a few days, I find a prediction made a long time ago coming true. Earlier in the week, it was the return of Michael Murphy to Donegal, but, slightly before there was the Duffer effect coming into full bloom the LOI Premier Division title headed to Drumcondra for the first time since 2006.
https://boylantalkssport.com/2022/02/19/duff-opens-with-derby-defeat-but-will-lift-league/
Though at this time, it is only right and fair to laud the other teams whose counter brilliance to that of Duff’s dynamos made it the best domestic football season in living memory. Quite often with acts of utter defiance and not much else.
Whether that be Shamrock Rovers dealing with the demands of being as deeply involved in as many competitions as was and is the case, or Drogheda United – with another Dunboyne lad, Theo Hennessy on board – parking their league position to make it all the way to the FAI Cup Final against a Derry City side also worthy of a day in the metaphorical sun on foot of the part they played in the most enthralling League Of Ireland campaign to date.
However, in reference to same, one cannot think of defiance without paying tribute to their Louth neighbours Dundalk who – although eventully relegated – described admirable fortitude in the face of gross mismanagement off the field.
Surely there hss never been a worse illustration of same than the spectacle of the former and current owners becoming involved in an unsightly spat in the Oriel Park stand. Naturally, the ruinous ransacking of the club by Ainscough et al has meant the club having to return to fully part time status.
A world away from the glitz and glamour of just a few short years ago and from the wave of positivity infused into the league by Duff and what he has achieved thus far.
You’d just that the rising tide will indeed carry all boats and that those currently struggling with strife aren’t left behind due to the misfortune inflicted upon them by the incompetence of others.
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