League of Ireland clubs will struggle to survive
Oduwa added to Dundalk squad
THERE is little doubt that the suspension of all League of Ireland games until at least the first week in April was the correct decision.
Apart from the risk of spreading the dreaded Covid-19 virus, consideration too had to be given to the welfare of the players.
They all have families and why should they place their families, especially their older relatives at risk.
Of course hand shaking can be dispensed with before and after games, but that ignores the obvious that there is considerable physical contact between players during games when they grapple with each other at set pieces, while players needing treatment during games are attended to by physios and others who have to use their hands.
Playing games behind closed doors, as has been suggested, doesn’t protect players from any of that, while their immune systems are also lower after the exhaustion they encounter in playing a game.
Undoubtedly the right decision was made, especially in relation to spectators attending League of Ireland games for many who frequent different venues throughout the country know that Tallaght Stadium apart, the bathroom facilities are far from adequate, especially in relation to hand washing.
There is however another concern, and while not nearly as acute as public health, it is the prospect that the League of Ireland may not survive this shutdown.
If the games resume in the first week in April, as initially predicted, then it should be ok, but if, as feared, there won’t be a resumption of sport in the country until June or July, then it is difficult to see many clubs survive without considerable financial support.
Dundalk, as many know, are, with Shamrock Rovers, in a stronger position than the majority of clubs in the League, but the worry is that there is a limit beyond which the owners and investors in the club may not extend their involvement.
Already this season, Dundalk have had a difficult start to the season in financial terms.
They have had just two home games, the opening fixture against Derry City, which drew a decent crowd of over 3,000, but was still down in numbers on the opening game of last season.
The second fixture was against Cork City, wasn’t an attractive fixture, given Cork’s current standing, miserable weather, and was played on a Monday night. Consequently the ‘gate’ was down on that expected for a visit of Cork.
Even the President’s Cup match, the official opening of the season, in which Dundalk were due to entertain Shamrock Rovers, with the prospect of a good ‘gate’, had to be abandoned because of the weather.
All of this means that Dundalk’s revenue stream since the start of the season has placed extra strain on the financial resources of the club.
The enforced shutdown seen throughout European football means that all but the biggest clubs in Europe, have the resources to survive without financial support, for it is predicted the clubs in the lower leagues in England - the so called strongest League in the world - will go under, with no less a figure than Wayne
Rooney advocating at the weekend that Premier League clubs should each allocate £1m out of their £5bn TV deal to every club in the bottom two leagues.
That windfall could never be available to League of Ireland clubs, and they will have to make their case to government and UEFA for the support they need to survive.
Will it be forthcoming? Perhaps it’s too soon to tell, but given the financial pressure government will be under, and the number of clubs all over Europe looking for financial aid from UEFA, it will be some time before a clearer picture emerges.
In the meantime, Dundalk, and other clubs, are going to have to sit down with the players body, the PFA, and their own staff and try and plan a way forward.
There is additional concern, however, for it may not be possible to finish this season’s competitions, and if the shutdown is extended, will the UEFA competitions for next season be started?
Currently the schedule, going on last year, is for the draw for the preliminary round of the Champions League to be made in the middle of June, with the fixtures in which Dundalk would be involved to be played in July.
Everyone knows that the money earned by Dundalk in the UEFA Champions League and Europa Cup constitutes a major part of their playing budget, and the club would not be able to maintain the full-time squad currently assembled in Oriel Park without the money they earn in Europe.
Naturally there are much more critical concerns for families and individuals in the current crisis, and there are very worrying times ahead for businesses and people concerning their employment prospects.
That includes the players currently on contract with Dundalk and other League of Ireland clubs, but it is much too soon to find definitive answers to those matters.
We’re all at the mercy of this horrible disease and that includes the game and the club that has been such a big part of all our lives for very many years, and it is only by supporting one another that we can survive.
Some in Dundalk FC have already shown an initiative in that regard by offering to help the most vulnerable the elderly, and it is that kind of community spirit that is needed.
DUNDALK FC added to their ranks last week with the signing of former Tottenham Hotspur trainee Nathan Oduwa.
The 24-year-old, who will wear the number 17 jersey, is a former underage international for both England and Nigeria and will be able to play immediately when the league returns as he is a free agent.
Commenting on his capture to DundalkFC.com, Dundalk manager Vinny Perth said: “Nathan is someone we have tracked for a while.
“He trained with us last week and we were really impressed with him. He can play left-wing, right-wing and we also feel he could operate as a centre forward.
“Career-wise, he probably made a couple of wrong decisions over the past couple of years but he’s got real pedigree and this is the first time he has felt at home in a group for a long time.
“He’s had loads of options and he has been to lots of different clubs over the past few months but this felt more like a home move for him. It’s an opportunity for him to rebuild his career.”
Born in London on March 5th, 1996, Oduwa came through the youth ranks at Tottenham Hotspur, signing a prodeal with the club in July 2012.
During his time at White Hart Lane, he represented England at U17, U18 and U20 level before featuring four times for Nigeria’s U23 side in the build-up to the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio.
His first taste of senior football came during a loan spell at Luton Town and another loan spell at Rangers followed where he scored his first senior goal in a 4-0 win over Dumbarton.
Oduwa then spent time at Colchester United and Peterborough United before he left Tottenham to join Slovenian club Olimpija Ljubljana in February 2017.
He played 18 times for The Dragons, scoring two goals, before moving to Danish club Vejle Boldklub in September 2018 where he teamed up with current Dundalk midfielder Sean Murray.
His stay in Denmark was shortlived, however, and just four months later he was on his way to Israel to sign for top-flight side Hapoel Hadera but he spent just five months there and departed last summer.
He subsequently spent time on trial at a number of clubs, including Swansea City, before learning of Dundalk’s interest early in the new year.
“My agent told me to come over and have a look at Dundalk and I was surprised at the standard and the facilities, to be honest,” said Oduwa.
“In England, they don’t really talk about the League of Ireland too much but the gym facilities, changing rooms and canteen here are of European standard.
“I’m only 24 but I’ve travelled to a lot of places and I’ve learned a lot,” he added.
“The world of football can be very cut-throat and players like to have security and be somewhere where they are happy to play and express themselves and I feel like I have that at Dundalk. I’m just raring to go now.”