‘They don’t care’ – Supple hits out at FAI over length of league season

BOHEMIANS goalkeeper Shane Supple believes the FAI are showing a disregard for players by failing to push through an extended league season.

Supple, a member of PFA Ireland, says he is insulted that the Abbotstown hierarchy have opted against attending the players’ union awards dinner on Saturday.

Supple is frustrated that the 2019 league season will be played in the mid-February to early November time-frame, although the FAI have yet to confirm the running order.

This year, 22 of the 36 scheduled Premier Division games were crammed into four months.

“It’s not looked at. They don’t care,” claimed Supple, speaking on the latest LOI Weekly Podcast. “That’s what it feels like to us. There’s nobody coming (to awards) and that says it all.”

The FAI, for their part, would argue that a number of clubs want a shortened season so they can save money.

Supple’s club Bohemians are parttime, and the goalkeeper admitted he is also frustrated by their end-of-season exodus. Dan Casey (Cork), JJ Lunney (Waterford), Ian Morris and Daniel Byrne (both Shelbourne, with Morris as manager) have all left.

“There’s only so much the fans and even players that have been around the club for a long time are prepared to take,” said Supple, who says that the members-owned model might have to be slightly adjusted in order to strengthen.

Bohs are keen on Waterford midfielder Paul Keegan – the Blues have lost the versatile Garry Comerford to Cork City.

As expected, Steven Beattie has left Cork for an option in the US. For the final LOI Weekly of 2018 go to independent.ie/podcasts