As a result of the increased demand for specialist sports advice in Ireland, A and L Goodbody has now established a sports Law Unit in its Dublin offices. The unit, which was set up last year, comes into being as sport assumes even greater prominence in Irish society than ever before.

Given the closer relationship sport now has with big business and the growth of professionalism in areas such as rugby, which were formerly amateur, the market now seems to be easily able to support specialist attention. Not only do individual athletes have to understand what rights they have with regard to pensions, sickness, issues such as intellectual property rights and the Bosman ruling but organisations such as the GAA and the FAI, who Goodbodys are dealing with in the Arena development, also need the expertise.

From 16-year-old schoolboys taking the boat to Manchester dreaming of Manchester United to multi-million pound developments, it seems that lawyers are now essential. Goodbodys are currently working closely with the FAI on advising young footballers who are signing agreements with professional clubs in Britain.