Whelan turns Premier critic

THE Europa League trophy was officially handed over to the city of Dublin yesterday, the ceremony in the Royal Hospital Kilmainham a reminder that the finals of Europe’s premier club competitions are now only two games away.

And a reminder too that, of the eight clubs remaining in contention in the Champions League and Europa League, only one, Manchester United, hails from England.

And according to former Republic of Ireland and Liverpool great Ronnie Whelan — UEFA’s official ambassador for the 2011 Europa League — that stark statistic should give the Premier League’s cheerleaders pause for thought.