Ex-employee support for new soccer league

EX-EMPLOYEES of the leisure company Nightowls, forced into liquidation, were last night given the thumbs up by Cork clubs to retain the novel pay-to-play night soccer league.

Three administrators at the Cork-based headquarters of Nightowls International Leagues plc are hoping to have the support of more than 80 clubs for a September 9 start of a new season’s league in Cork city and Cobh.

Ex-League of Ireland player Sean Hegarty said a new company, Cork Night Leagues, is to be formed after a decision by Nightowls league founder Rom Hyde to wind up his company.

Mr Hegarty, a Munster League referee, said, “We couldn’t let the idea die. We were shocked by last Friday’s

announcement of the company going into liquidation. We called a special meeting of all the clubs involved and their representatives signalled overwhelming support for the league format to be retained,” he said.

“We had 80 teams in the Cork leagues last season and 20 further applications from new teams.

“The Cork administrators have valuable experience in the running of the now defunct Nightowls leagues,” said Mr Hegarty, a former Cork City and Cobh Ramblers player.

A provisional league fixture will be circulated to the clubs shortly with a final programme completed within a month, he said.

Backed by two ex-Nightowl administrators Nigel Moriarty and Karen Landon, Mr Hegarty said a new company will be shortly registered under the title Cork Night Leagues.