Gerry lends a hand for biggest game ever

AS he points out himself, it’s all hands to the pump at Dundalk football club in preparation for the match against Legia Warsaw, and Gerry McDermott has volunteered his services in the run-up to the 17 August showdown at the Aviva Stadium, and whatever may come afterwards.

Should the Lilywhites get the better of the Polish outfit over two legs, there is the group stage of the Champions League to look forward to.

Failing that, Dundalk will go into the Europa League, and have at least three more home fixtures.

Having had a near ten-year spell with the FAI, the Dundalk man is well-placed to help out in what he says will be a team effort between UEFA, the FAI and Dundalk FC.

While with the governing body of Irish football, Gerry looked after TV and media requirements for the Europa League Final which was hosted by the Aviva in 2011; and it is in this area he will be assisting Oriel Park officials.

‘This (the Legia fixture) won’t it would certainly mitigate against some of the wild assertions being made about the financial returns if some clarification was forthcoming.

Recognition too must go to the brave individuals - and we all know their names - who rescued the club from virtual extinction not with words but with a commitment fostered in their love of the club and the game. They are now entitled to their return.

Hopefully at the end of this glorious European journey there will be a dividend not just in terms of glory, and recognition for the club and the town, but a stronger foundation on which a new or alternative Oriel Park can emerge, and a team capable of bringing more European nights like last Tuesday night to supporters.

The name Dundalk may never have registered in the mind of Alex Hleb before these last few weeks, but like the rest of us he will never be dissimilar. UEFA are treating it like a Champions League game, even though it’s a play-off.

‘It will be done to the same standards, and there are a lot of demands on the club, particularly in relation to the media,’ explained Gerry.

For example, the television companies who pay a lot of money to broadcast the games have to be looked after.

Gerry says he will be helping out Darren Crawley, Anthony Bravender and Ciaran Callan who all work in media for Dundalk, and bringing a little experience.

He will liaise with the UEFA media officer and media director, and the UEFA team which will be present next Wednesday.

‘We will be getting help from the FAI media department.’

Reflecting on the 2011 Europa League Final - an all-Portuguese affair, which resulted in a 1-0 win for Porto over Braga - he said he was involved from the ‘blank sheet’ stage when the FAI decided to bid for the game.

‘My responsibility was TV and media, and I put that section of the bid document together.

‘There was a year lead-in to that game, it is barely two weeks to this one.’

Gerry added media facilities at the Aviva, which opened in 2010, are first-rate, compliant with UEFA standards and, as a consequence, TV- and media-friendly.

‘With the game taking place in the Aviva, obviously, everyone who wants to, can go. The capacity is 51,000. That’s the great thing, it’s an opporunity for people to go to the biggest game in the club’s history.’