PERHAPS the most interesting revelation in the latest Wimbledon Coming To Dublin saga is the timing. It coincides with the demise of St James's Gate and the accompanying PR own goals for the domestic game. Co incidence?

The latest Wimbledon or putative "Dublin Dons" stories in the weekend newspapers were even accompanied by investigations into the financial health, or ill health, of National League clubs. As it also comes during the seriously flawed League Cup and in advance of an equally ill conceived starting point for the NL's Premier Division next weekend.

Essentially there was nothing new in the latest Wimbledon revelations. A 75 per cent takeover deal between the Irish based business consortium headed by U2's manager Paul McGuinness and the existing owners of Wimbledon. the Hammam brothers, had been agreed at the end of last season.

All that seems to have happened is that the various interested parties met again the night before they attended Wimbledon's Premiership opener at home to Manchester United.

The latest meeting was presented as a cash bonanza for Irish football. The commercial benefits would be considerable. At the top of the pyramid, the Dublin Dons would be structured more along Ajax or, continental lines than their English equivalents.

But the suspicion lurks that in effect Ireland would become a one club country, with everything and everybody else paling into the footballing distance.

Would the top players maintain their commitment? There is no evidence that McGuinness, Bono, The Edge, Adam, Larry or property developer Owen O'Callaghan ever see the sky over a National League ground.

The argument put forward by Sam Hammam and Eamon Dunphy, a key broker in the negotiations, and discussions revolving around the Wimbledon project, is that the interest generated will carry over to the domestic game.

Another pledge from the "Dublin Dons" is to make up whatever shortfall might ensue in gate receipts for National League clubs, although it is difficult to see how any figures could be agreed. Just as damaging might be the spin off effects toward sponsorship, not just in domestic football but in other sports such as Gaelic games and rugby.

Thus far the preferred strategy has been to meet one on one with various key people in Irish football, business, and politics. There has been no formal address made to the FAI/National League per se. Merrion Square have merely re asserted their opposition.

However, there is a belief within the Wimbledon consortium that they do not necessarily need the FAI/National League's imprimatur to press ahead with their plans, although that is not their preferred option.

It is now believed that the proposals put forward to junior football administrators outlining various investments and coaching schemes at that level have been received positively. Given that body's powerful voting bloc at FAI Council level, this may well be good strategy.

Money talks after all, in football better than most sports, and it is this reporter's belief that the consortium already have a bank guarantee in place.

There remain other stumbling blocks, most notably the Bosman ruling. Apparently, the consortium has been meeting with English FA powerbrokers assuring them that they would agree to pay a transfer fee for any player from within the Premiership, even though a putative "Dublin Dons" would come under Irish jurisdiction.