No room for slip-ups when games resume
DUNDALK manager, Vinny Perth dipped his toe in the tempestuous waters of Irish politics with his comments last week that once again sport was getting a raw deal following the new government’s decision to downgrade responsibility for sport into a mismatch of other briefs such as media, tourism, art and culture.
He called the decision “one of the worst decisions that he has seen in a long time” and added it reflected the level of importance given to sports in the country.
The Dundalk manager who normally would be reluctant to enter such unchartered waters with just strident views is not alone in his views, for others, with louder and more high profile platforms, have echoed his thoughts.
He called on society as a whole to fight the government on this decision for he pointed out that sport has a very important role to play in the well being of any society.
The point, forcibly put by the Dundalk manager, is never better illustrated than at present when the country is emerging from the four month lockdown that has put in jeopardy the future viability of many sporting organisations because of the financial hit that have suffered.
GAA, rugby, soccer, and many of the less well known sports, are struggling to pay their players wages, while the GAA which does not have that burden, will not be able to provide the same level of support to counties and clubs in the provision of player welfare and facilities.
All are endeavouring to catch the ear of the new Minister responsible, Catherine Martin, but with such a heavy workload on her desk, including the considerable task of kick starting the tourist industry, sports organisations, like the FAI, may have to wait a considerable time before getting the opportunity to make their case.
In that respect, Vinny Perth was right when he offered the view that soccer may be left behind because “it doesn’t suit the parish pump politics”, but the Dundalk manager, or others involved in the game, cannot dispute the fact that the FAI, over recent years, has made a rod for others to beat them because of the mismanagement of their structures and finances.
This obvious frustration with the way things have evolved in the four months since the lockdown may have influenced the comments of the Dundalk manager, for his club, and a few other clubs in the League of Ireland (LOI) are having to plough a lone furrow in trying to get games restarted so that they can represent the country in the upcoming European fixtures with some hope of success.
For almost a month now Vinny Perth and his backroom staff have been putting their players through their paces with almost daily training sessions, yet they face another three weeks of training before their first competitive game.
In addition to coping with the task of trying to freshen up daily training sessions to keep the players focused, the backroom team are trying to integrate three or four new players into their systems.
Three of these players, Josh Gatt, Stefan Colovic and Nathan Oduwa have played a combined total of 20 minutes competitive football for the club since signing, and although they will feature in upcoming challenge matches they will need more than the few scheduled competitive fixtures in early August before Dundalk’s European campaign gets under way.
The additions of the trio helped swell the numbers in the squad to allow an 11 -v- 11 full scale match at Oriel Park last week and reports from the camp indicate that it was a good workout, although there were some reports concerning niggling injuries to one or two key players.
That is the risk that has to be taken and as preparations are stepped up throughout July with further challenge matches, including one against Derry City, that risk will increase.
At least the club, and the backroom staff, have a schedule mapped out for the rest of the season with League fixtures resuming on July 31st. when presumably St. Patrick’s Athletic will be the first visitors to Oriel Park, followed by an away game against Bohemians.
Not all are happy with the new schedule which means that only half, 18 of the planned 36 four round series of games will be played in deciding the champions and the other issues, such as European qualification and relegation.
With five of the games already played, Shamrock Rovers holding a three point advantage as a result of their 3-2 win over Dundalk on February 28th, will be slight favourites to win the title.
Unlike last season when Dundalk overcame a 13 point gap after the first series of games there will be little or no latitude for a gap of that nature to be closed this season, and Dundalk will know that any slip up, home or away, will be crucial in deciding the title.
They also know that their home game against Rovers, whenever it is arranged, could be the championship decider, for with a number of the other teams just back in training, and with no great ambitions other than their desire to just see out the season, it is unlikely that some games will be as competitive as previous seasons.
There also remains the question of spectator admission to the games: will the number be confined to 500; what happens with season tickets; will visiting supporters be allocated some seats and if games are to be screened live will the service be adequate to enjoy the games properly and who pays for the service ?
These and many other questions need answers and soon.