Fenlon returns as Irish U-23 manager

A NEW international challenge for eircom League of Ireland football was unveiled yesterday with the announcement of an U-23 International Challenge Trophy.

Former Derry City and Shelbourne boss Pat Fenlon has been named as manager of the team which will be drawn exclusively from players from the eircom League. The side will contest the group stages of the UEFA-recognised competition along with Belgium, Northern Ireland and Slovakia, beginning its campaign with a match at home to the Slovaks on November 13.

In the other group are England, Italy, Wales and Finland, with the English side to be drawn from the Football Conference and Italy selecting its players from Serie C. The final will be contested by the two group winners, with Ireland set to complete its qualifying programme at home to Belgium next autumn.

Longford Town boss Alan Mathews has been appointed as Pat Fenlon’s assistant, and a coach will be selected by the manager from participants on the FAI’s UEFA Pro-Licence course.

Ireland’s U-21 and ‘B’ managers, Don Givens and Pat Devlin, will see the tournament as a chance to check out local talent at a new level while it is also hoped the experience of playing foreign opposition will benefit Irish clubs in their European endeavours.

Said Fenlon: “I’m delighted to get back into football and to have the opportunity to manage my country. I’ve missed the day-to-day involvement in football, and the fact that we didn’t have a chance to represent the country was one thing we often complained about when I was playing. It’s difficult for players in the eircom League to make an impact at senior international level but this tournament will help give them a great chance to impress people.”

Meanwhile eircom League Director Fran Gavin has insisted that the FAI will not be revisiting its plan to set a salary cap for the domestic game, despite opposition from a number of leading clubs meeting yesterday to discuss their shared concerns about the running of the league.

Said Gavin: “We don’t discourage clubs from talking to each other but any person who thinks the FAI is not focused on the league is not living in the real world. The salary cap (which equates to 65% of turnover) will not be reopened. It’s part of a five-year plan so it’s not as if it’s news to the clubs. It will definitely be implemented. We’re not going back to the bad old days.”

Meanwhile, following a meeting between the IFA and FIFA in Zurich yesterday to discuss the ongoing row about the eligibility of players born in Northern Ireland to play for the Republic, the world governing body has asked to meet with the FAI about the matter next Monday. Derry-born Darron Gibson switched his allegiance despite having played for the North at U-16 level and when the Manchester United midfielder made his senior debut in the recent game in Slovakia, it was amid claims by IFA officials he was not eligible. The FAI maintain they have had FIFA approval for their policy.

FAI chief executive John Delaney will head up the delegation travelling to Zurich and will be accompanied by the association’s legal advisors.