League of Ireland’s midwinter remains bleak for players

If the strength of an industry can be judged by how its most vulnerable are treated, then the League of Ireland has deep problems.

The issue of player welfare becomes particularly acute at this time of year as most participants in the league are effectively unemployed and without an income from the game just as the outlay pressures associated with Christmas loom.

It is why the notion of being a professional footballer in Ireland remains a fallacy, a reality borne out by a recent survey published by FIFPro, the international group of players’ unions.