Irish soccer - Clubs need realistic expectations

When a death is expected newspapers will usually have the obituary ready. So it was with Cork City Football Club yesterday. At mid-afternoon, the prospects for the survival of the club did not sound great, which made the outcome all the more welcome.

The club owed €439,000. Although it made various offers to pay debt in installments, it was unable to come to accommodation with the tax people. In the light of all the recent publicity about businesses in trouble over owing not just millions but billions of euro, it seemed almost ludicrous that Cork City would be wound up over a debt of less than half a million.

The club looked like becoming another victim of the Celtic Tiger economy and the unrealistic expectations it spawned. Cork City FC got a stay of execution last week on the understanding that it would pay €220,000 immediately and the other €219,000 by close of business yesterday. It duly came up with the money before the deadline.

Sometimes, such a crisis can highlight a bright side by providing a tangible demonstration of the commitment of its friends and supporters. People like Roy Keane and Dermot Desmond came up with valuable help. Roy Keane bought one of the Cork City players on behalf of Ipswich Town and had his team play a money-spinning game with the club. Dermot Desmond also agreed to have Celtic play a friendly with Cork City.

A number of clubs in the League of Ireland have been in deep financial trouble in recent years. They include some of the most famous clubs like Shamrock Rovers, which survived examinership, Shelbourne and Bohemians, as well as Drogheda United. Too many clubs had unrealistic expectations.

There will have to be some imaginative thinking on what route Irish soccer will take. In recent years rugby has gone professional and has been thriving. There is no reason that soccer should not do so as well, if it adopted a more practical approach in the financial climate.

Irish soccer supporters with the international team have proved to be among the best and most effective ambassadors that this country ever sent abroad. They impressed people everywhere by following their team to World Cups in the true spirit of sport. None of the Irish team at those times was playing with any club in this country, but most of them were nurtured in the League of Ireland.

The supporters, who distinguished themselves in Europe, America and Asia, have demonstrated that there is a magnificent basis of support in this country. This should be exploited with a practical approach and realistic expectations.