Devlin: League needs united front

LEAGUE of Ireland stalwart Pat Devlin has tentatively welcomed Niall Quinn’s proposal for change but stressed that all clubs need to be part of any process, WRITES DANIEL MCDONNELL.

The Cabinteely director of football and first team boss was speaking at the launch of the club’s new academy for U-12 level which will focus as their starting point for competing in the national underage leagues.

Former Ireland star Quinn wants the league to move away from the FAI as a stand-alone entity, with the construction of academies for all 20 clubs as part of the process.

However, he has also conceded that a commercial plan for the future might result in debates about a smaller senior structure. Devlin believes clubs need to work together, not in pockets.

“I know Niall is talking about ‘a brand’ and I think the FAI has never really looked at it as a brand,” said Devlin. “It is a brand. It needs to be fixed. How we fix it will only take everyone together at the table.

“It’s not going to take a few rebels or anything like that, we all need to be together and be singing off the same hymn sheet. I think Niall has come up with great ideas. In the future there will be changes, no doubt about it.

“You’re only as strong as your weakest link and maybe it’s us. I just hope Cabinteely can be part of that change.”