InterToto carrot not on menu so half baked format may go

THERE now seems every chance that the half baked and hastily agreed format for next season's FAI National League will be scrapped.

The format involved a 10 game League Cup followed by a 22 game Premier Division and an 18 game First Division.

Partly this is because the format was so badly conceived. The carrot which was supposedly going to lure the clubs (if not the media or fans) to give their all to the League Cup was the prospect of qualification for the InterToto Cup.

However, UEFA sources have informally notified Merrion Square that no such carrot can be offered. The InterToto place is for the next best placed side(s) in the league who failed to qualify for the UEFA Cup.

A further technical flaw in the proposed format was the possibility of the third placed First Division club having to wait four or five weeks before participating in the promotion/relegation play off.

Then there are all the other flaws within the format - almost guaranteed reduction in gate receipts all round and a sprint rather than a trek to the title.

Since the decision of last Tuesday week, a growing groundswell of opinion has developed, with some clubs openly writing to others for a chance to reconsider the decision, and the four Dublin clubs, St Patrick's, Bohemians. Shelbourne and Shamrock Rovers, meeting last Friday to discuss matters of mutual concern the greatest one being this issue.

It is expected that the matter will come up for discussion at the next management committee meeting on May 7th, when it is hoped this appalling decision will be overturned.

Speaking of matters InterToto, Sligo Rovers simply have to take part in the mid June to July competition, be it mid summer madness or not. They and the FAI/National League have to make sure it happens. UEFA, very keen to make this competition work (look at their reaction to Wimbledon and Tottenham's half hearted participation), may not grant them any choice in the matter anyway.

As things stand, Sligo have only six players in contract for next season and have yet to ensure Steve Cotterill's continuation as manager. Meantime, the pitch and the facilities would probably riot be approved by UEFA, raising the likelihood of them having to move their home ties against Dutch and French opposition elsewhere.

Sligo, have never received a penny's grant from the FAI. Galway, St Patrick's, Cork and Bohemians have received about £600,000 in FAI grants and a junior club recently obtained £100 000. Sligo have been a life blood of the domestic game. The FAI's coffers are not bottomless, but with the onset of the InterToto, now is the opportune time to prioritise their case.

Sligo have already been in touch with last season's National League representatives Bohemians, and may not have been entirely disappointed with what they heard. Bohemians were given £10,000 from the FAI a £10,000 participation fee by UEFA and a further £6,000 from the pool for TV rights. The last two figures are certain to rise by £10,000 or more. As it was, Bohemians made about £1,600 profit after travelling and players expenditure.

It's that time of year again - nominations for this and that of the year. The players have already voted on theirs and, ideally, the soccer writers should have separate player and manager of the year awards, but the personality combines both (and anyone else worthy of mention).

St Patrick's will hog it, and rightly so. Brian Kerr's managerial achievements now brook no argument. He has accumulated and juggled the best squad in the country expertly, within which there have been many outstanding performers Dave Campbell, Eddie Gormley and Ricky O Flaherty to name but three.

Bohemians ultimately ran them closer than anyone, thanks in no small measure to the goals of a rejuvenated Derek Swan. Sligo were not far behind, enjoying their best season since 77 in the league, and manager Steve Cotterill is entitled to take a bow as they could not be considered the best squad in the country.

It's a tough one, but I would hope that our final six, from which a winner will be feted on May 27th, reads something like Brian Kerr, Eddie Gormley, Dave Campbell, Steve Cotterill, Stephen Geoghegan and, all bias aside, Mick O'Byrne.

A National League delegation headed by Michael Hyland will visit Derry this week to seek some sort of compromise whereby City make a payment to another National League club for acquiring an out of contract player.

Derry are likely to stick to their belief that, as they are outside the Republic's jurisdiction, they don't have to. This could get messy, with UEFA and the EC the final arbiters, but Derry can't have it both ways.

Underlining the urgency of the issue, is that Derry manager Felix Healy expects to sign James Keddy (UCD) and Gavin Dykes (Sligo) for free before the weekend. Both players are out of contract.

The Bosman ruling can also work against Derry and Pascal Vaudequin and Harry McCourt are expected to leave the club.

Meanwhile, Ray Cass, the management consultant called in by the FAI/National league, will put forward his proposals for updating the association's structures at a specially convened meeting of the full council on May 17th.

. Brian Kerr's testimonial game, St Patrick's against Middlesbrough, will take place at Richmond Park on Thursday, May 9th.

. Dates for the promotion relegation play off between Home Farm and Athlone have been agreed. The first leg will be at Whitehall next Friday night (7.45) and the second leg at St Mel's Park on Thursday May 9th (7.30) with extra time and, if necessary, penalties to decide the outcome.