THEY’RE ALL EARS
Marshall insists players in North are intrigued by joint league idea
IRISH LEAGUE players want an all-island league – even if the IFA and some Northern clubs continue to show indifference.
That is the view of new Shamrock Rovers recruit Rhys Marshall who has crossed the border after 10 years with Glenavon.
The defender, 25, marked his Hoops debut with a stunning goal and assist from right wing-back in Monday’s 2-0 win away to Waterford.
And he hopes that was enough to land a role in tomorrow’s tantalising top-of-the-table clash with champions Dundalk in Tallaght.
Marshall, linked with a move to Cardiff City in the past, is eager to take his career to the next level.
He believes he can do that in the League of Ireland with Rovers but would love to see the two leagues merge at some stage.
Businessman Kieran Lucid has not binned his ambitious proposals despite hitting a brick wall with the IFA.
One all-singing, all-dancing league looks unlikely but a revamped, supersized cross-border cup competition could yet grow legs.
Marshall said: “The Irish League is brilliant, there are a load of brilliant players but the football is different down here. It’s more of a passing game
Shamrock R Dundalk Bohemians Finn Harps St Patrick’s Shelbourne Waterford Derry City Sligo Rovers Cork City
P 3 3 3 2 2 2 3 2 3 3
W 3 3 2 1
1 1 1 0 0 0
D 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 0
L 0 0 1 0 1 1 2 1 3 3
F 9 6 4 2 2 2 1 1 0 0
A 0
1
1
1
1 2 4 2 5 10
Pts 9 9 6 4 3 3 3 1 0 0 and trying to play out from the back. Up North it’s more gung-ho and full on. You don’t get a minute. It’s more technical down here.
“Up North, the players would like to see an all-island league but the individual clubs are worried about money and this and that.
“There are some very, very good players and it would be great to see the one island having the one league.
“I know there has been a lot of talk about it but unfortunately it doesn’t look like it’s happening any time soon.”
Marshall has battled an Achilles issue since joining the Hoops but enjoyed a dream debut at the RSC.
It was his teasing, early cross into the box that Akin Odimayo sliced into his own net and he then bagged a 20-yard stunner soon after.
“I was a bit nervous about my debut but that settled me down,” he said. “I was at Glenavon since I was 15 and if I didn’t move now, I’d never do it. Right wing-back gives me a licence to get forward.”
But Hoops skipper Ronan Finn has played there since before the FAI Cup final so Marshall knows he has his work cut out for a start tomorrow.
“Hopefully I’ve done enough to put a thought in the manager’s head but Finner is a great player so I can’t have any complaints,” he said.