Coleman: Cork, Dundalk at Championship level

Ireland captain Seamus Coleman believes that Cork City and Dundalk would be good enough to compete at Championship level in England and insists that the League of Ireland does not get the credit it deserves for producing players and teams of high quality.

“When some of the younger players (in England) ask about the standard in the League of Ireland, you might hear ‘League 2’ thrown about now and again,” said the Everton man who kicked off his senior career at Sligo Rovers.

“I know there are some teams in the League of Ireland who are better than others so it’s hard to compare but Cork City now or the year Dundalk were in the Europa League, you’re talking Championship-level teams.