LEAGUE OF IRELAND:AFTER A chaotic close season during which clubs up and down the country have sought to dramatically cut their costs to avoid falling foul of tighter league rules – and many players have, as a result, seen their incomes drop significantly – Cobh Ramblers have emerged as the only real losers in the FAI's licensing process for the 2009 campaign.
Having played in the Premier Division of the league last year, the St Colman’s Park outfit look set to find themselves in the A Championship this season with the club, which was relegated amid severe financial difficulties, failing to obtain a First Division licence.
Ramblers have five days to appeal the decision but are unlikely to do so. Club chairman Barry Walsh could not be contacted yesterday but he had previously suggested that a spell in the A Championship might afford the club the opportunity to get its financial house in order.
Elsewhere, the news was good. Despite the enormous financial difficulties experienced by Drogheda United in recent months and problems with bringing their ground up to the required standard, the 2007 league champions have been given official clearance to play in the top flight again.
During the frantic fundraising campaign that preceded the club’s emergence from examinership, the then United chairman, Vincent Hoey, had repeatedly suggested that relegation from the top flight was a likely consequence of the club’s financial implosion late last year. In recent weeks, though, their increasingly optimistic outlook has turned out to be entirely justified.
Cork City and Dundalk, meanwhile, have been given licences with conditions attached. In Cork’s case, the issue involved related to payments still due to three of last year’s playing staff and Dundalk must ensure the club’s new artificial pitch meets the proper standards. Both clubs are, however, expected to sort the outstanding issues out during the time they have been given by the licensing authorities.
Assuming Cobh do end up in the A Championship then Kildare County will be granted a reprieve with the club set to be allowed continue in the First Division despite having lost a play-off against Mervue United at the end of last season.
Mervue, it was also confirmed yesterday, will take on Athlone Town in their very first league game with the match scheduled for Friday, March 6th, at Terryland Park.
The Premier Division kicks off the same evening with the meeting at Oriel Park between Dundalk and defending champions Bohemians the outstanding tie of the opening round of games.
Former Bohemians manager Seán Connor is now in charge at Dundalk and the northerner has brought in a number of former Dalymount players.
Elsewhere, Jeff Kenna faces a first-night reunion with his former club, Galway United, at Richmond Park while Derry City will kick off their campaign at home to Drogheda United. “It’s a tough start,” said City manager Stephen Kenny yesterday.
This year’s League Cup gets under way in mid-April with the league clubs due to become involved in the FAI Cup in mid-June. There will be a mid-season break at the end of that month while the cup final is scheduled to take place two weeks after the end of the league campaign, on Sunday, November 22nd.
