Kerr blasts axe-wielding league chairmen

REPUBLIC of Ireland manager Brian Kerr spoke up for his eircom league counterparts yesterday, warning club chairmen to think twice before giving managers the chop.

Speaking at the launch of the 2005 eircom league season at Dublin Castle, Kerr said: "When results are not going well I would encourage chairmen to have a good look at yourselves as the one who appointed the manager, rather than having a go at him.

"And if you're thinking of taking out the hatchet unless you're going to use it for a bit of self-mutilation, leave it aside.

"Support and back the man as you promised you would when you appointed him to the job."

Kerr who unveils his squad for the World Cup game against Israel today spoke about the sense of optimism around the league and expressed the hope that the successes of Shelbourne and Cork City in Europe last season will be emulated in 2005.

He also stressed that the FAI's Technical Development Plan is critical to enable football in Ireland to progress.

"The Technical Development plan is key to the league as much as all the other things like publicity, the media and television coverage and clubs have to get in behind this," he said.

On the subject of finances, Kerr opined that clubs' income has not increased at the same pace as players' wages in recent years. This can lead to clubs failing to meet their contractual commitments to players.

He said the solution was either for clubs to increase their income to cover all their commitments or else cut their cloth to suit their current income.

"I urge all the clubs to show responsibility in budgeting," he said.

Kerr also encouraged clubs to invest in football education and youth development.

"We've had 12 players from the league in the Irish U21s and two with the seniors in recent years and the opportunity is there to advance that, particularly at U21 level," he said.

"The squeeze is on in British football clubs now have only one team at youth level where there used to be two, and less of our players are going over. So the responsibility is on us to develop the league properly and give us a football industry to be proud of."

It was also announced yesterday that a Scottish FA referee is set to take charge of the eircom League game between Cork City and Drogheda United at Turner's Cross on April 22.

The initiative is part of a new reciprocal arrangement between the FAI and the SFA which will see an eircom League referee officiate at a Scottish Football League game this season.

UEFA are backing the exchange programme which will also involve the Irish Football Association and the Football Association of Wales in the coming months.

The League's new chairman Paddy McCaul said that the 2005 season which opens tomorrow night when defending champions Shelbourne host newly promoted UCD at Tolka Park promises to be "the most exciting and interesting" to date.

"With vastly improved prizemoney in both divisions, an unprecedented level of television coverage and the ongoing improvement of facilities, the future looks very bright," he added.

At the eircom League Special General Meeting yesterday Eamon Naughton of Galway United was elected Honorary Treasurer of the eircom League.

Following an election, the remaining two vacancies on the board of control were filled by Tony Connaughton of Athlone Town and Barry Walsh of Cobh Ramblers. The disciplinary procedures for the season were also agreed at the meeting.