The eircom League are to postpone the start of the 2002/03 season due to the Republic of Ireland’s participation in the World Cup finals in Korea/Japan.
The league was due to start on June 8th, but as that date coincides with the World Cup, officials have decided to delay the start of the new season.
Ireland have first round matches on the 1st, 5th and 11th of June and if, as is hoped, the team make it into the second round they will be kept busy until at least the middle of the month.
This afternoon, eircom League commissioner, Roy Dooney, explained to ireland.comwhy he believed this course of action was necessary, especially as it's likely there will be no eircom League players selected in Mick McCarthy's squad.
"There are a couple of reasons why this decision has been made," said Dooney. "Firstly, we would have trouble attracting media attention when all eyes will be on Japan/Korea; secondly we would be the only European Country whose national league was on at the same time as the World Cup finals. Russia and Sweden are reorganising their leagues to avoid conflict."
"Thirdly I think it would send out a bad message if we didn’t postpone. It could highlight the difference in standards between our domestic and international teams and that should be avoided."
The League’s management committee are set to meet next Monday to establish a new start date.