Transfers can benefit Irish players, says Staunton

STEVE STAUNTON reckons that the League of Ireland exodus to England and Scotland reflects positively on the state of the domestic game.

Alan Bennett’s transfer from Cork City to Reading yesterday made him the 13th player this month to move across the water from the eircom League. And the Irish manager believes that those who get the opportunity to play at the highest level can only benefit from the experience.

Said Staunton: “Of course the League of Ireland clubs don’t want to lose their top players but it’s nothing different to what has gone on for the last 20 or 30 years when people like Ronnie Whelan and others were going across.