John Delaney’s League of Ireland own goal

Next week the Champions’ League group stages begins and it highlights the complete failure of John Delaney to steer League of Ireland clubs anywhere near the pinnacle of European competition.

John Delaney has recently signed a bumper 1.8 million deal that will keep him in charge of Irish football until 2020. One of the largest parts of John Delaney’s brief is the well been of our National League and here he is failing spectacularly. Apart from the recent calamitous events at Tolka and Dalymount Park, it is the failure of our League of Ireland teams to progress to the latter stages of European competition which is most damning of Mr Delaney stewardship of the FAI.

When you consider teams from Cyprus, Belarus and Slovenia having populations of between 1-2 million progressing through to the main draw of the Champions League this year, you would have to wonder what strategy Mr Delaney has had for the League of Ireland over the past nine years of his reign. Mr Delaney loves to talk about the National team but I would ask the FAI supremo to track the fortunes of Cyprus, Belarus and Slovenia National teams over the coming years, he might realise that developing the League of Ireland could lead to a stronger National team and that it could be just worth putting real thought and investment into our National League.

Failing that he might take up one of those well paid job offers he continually assures the Irish media he attracts. Indeed I would guess if you added up the salaries of his equivalent CEO’s from Belarus, Slovenia and Cyprus you would not get near to Mr Delaney’s salary.

Gary O’Connor

57 Hazel Lawn

Dublin 15