SOCCER:REPRESENTATIVES OF the main League of Ireland clubs backing Platinum One's proposal for a new, all-island championship are to ask John Delaney, at today's FAI agm in Castlebar, to meet with them to discuss the issue.
The clubs had been frustrated by the absence from today's agenda of any discussion of the plan but have shied away from attempting to force a discussion under "any other business".
It seems they will take a conciliatory approach, requesting a meeting with the association's chief executive at the earlier possible opportunity in order to discuss their support for an all-Ireland league as well the continuing problems being experienced at present by many of the league's 22 clubs.
Although the agenda for this morning's meeting consists almost entirely of officers' reports and the presentation to delegates of the organisation's financial results for 2007, there is clearly plenty of unease among senior clubs from around the country.
Suggestions that these misgivings are limited to the larger clubs that support the Platinum One plan were dealt a blow yesterday when Mick Wallace of Wexford Youth published an open letter criticising what he described as the league's "senseless" policy towards First Division fixtures and calling for a much more realistic approach by the league's administrators.
There was, however, qualified support from the new Cork City CEO, Pat Kenny, who expressed confidence that in the event Eircom's withdrawal from its sponsorship of the league was confirmed, the association's leadership would have alternatives lined up.
They could certainly do with a fall-back plan because, even before the loss of any significant commercial backing is allowed for, the association's honorary treasurer, Eddie Murray, and director of finance, Mark O'Leary, predict 2008 will be a "financially challenging year" for the organisation.
In their report on the organisation's current financial standing, they acknowledge they had what was a very good year to the end of December 2007 thanks mainly to greatly increased match-day attendances at Croke Park and a bumper rights pay-out from German television for the European Championship qualifier in October.
They point out, however, that there will be only one competitive game on Irish soil this year, and in consequence an inevitable decline in revenue at a time when financial commitments are substantial.
Next year's home games will boost revenues again but, they point out, "the majority of the association's commitment to the Lansdowne Road Stadium development Company Limited will arise in 2009."
On the face of it the association's continued financial wellbeing would appear to depend to an unhealthy extent on the successful marketing of the somewhat overdue sale of long-term tickets and corporate boxes, which is due to begin in September.
In his report to delegates, however, Delaney expresses absolute confidence the association has the required financing in place to meet all obligations to the stadium-redevelopment project, which he estimates to involve a net figure of €74.2 million.
Having banked some €4.3 million out of last year's record €44 million turnover, to bring the association's net assets to some €16.4 million, Delaney insists that the association possesses "significant cash reserves" and says, "We have in place the finances to cover our planned capital and infrastructural commitments."
In relation to the League of Ireland, he says, "the hard work of the clubs and our new League team is clearly working."
Speaking yesterday morning in Castlebar, meanwhile, the Republic of Ireland manager, Giovanni Trapattoni, restated his confidence Steve Finnan would be available for selection again once he recovers from a thigh strain.
The Italian indicated he intended to contact Stephen Ireland and Andy O'Brien in the coming weeks to clarify their positions.
Trapattoni also acknowledged the importance of having Damien Duff fully fit for the forthcoming campaign and said the association was seeking clarification from Uefa and Fifa as to the medication the player might take in the event he suffers a relapse of the sinusitis that forced his withdrawal from the recent friendly against Colombia.
"He is very important (to us) and we have sought clarification from Uefa and Fifa (because) we need the medicine."
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