John Caulfield: 'We have to get Government to be serious and to ringfence money for LOI'

CALL TO ARMS; Galway United manager John Caulfield at the launch of the SSE Airtricity League of Ireland 2024 season held at Vicar Street in Dublin. Photo by Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile

John Caulfield has endured too many false dawns over 40 years in League of Ireland to not be wary of the feelgood factor ahead of Friday’s season kick-off.

He may be synonymous with Cork City as the club’s joint record scorer and manager who delivered the double in 2017 but he’s back in the big time as Galway United boss.

It took three full seasons in the First Division but bolstered by the investment of local billionaire brother Brian and Luke Comer they sauntered to the 2023 title.

Eamonn Deacy Park, like most of the 10 venues this weekend, will be full on Friday when they welcome FAI Cup holders St Patrick’s Athletic to the west.

That reflects a growing interest in the domestic game but one Caulfield fears is hamstrung by obstacles. At least he feels clubs have got their house in order.

The onus, he affirms, is on the FAI and the State to harness the good times by overseeing an investment programme to generate a proper, functioning football industry.

“There’s a much better perception of the LOI, clubs are more secure and stadiums are selling out,” he said ahead of the visit by FAI Cup holders St Patrick’s Athletic to a packed Eamonn Deacy Park.

“We have a full-time Premier Division more or less, players are getting paid. We won’t hear of clubs going bankrupt. Nor players not getting wages, which led to negative publicity.

“Certainly, there is an optimistic feeling out there that is justified with the crowds.

“But the downside is most of the stadiums are miles behind. The upgrade of stadia and stands is urgently needed. Ultimately, we have to get the Government to be serious and to ringfence money for LOI.

“Costs of renting training grounds is phenomenal; it means us giving out 11-month contracts to players.”

Similar to his counterpart, Shamrock Rovers manager Stephen Bradley, the 59-year-old has called on citizens to use the upcoming local, European and general elections to lobby their politicians for Government grants.

“This excuse of giving money to the FAI when they’d problems is a cop-out,” he said of the 2020 bailout brokered by the State, Uefa and Bank of Ireland.

“Other sports have nice stadia but as we saw by 8,000 at the President’s Cup final in Tallaght last Friday – a friendly – football fans will pay for proper facilities.

“Clubs are driving things forward with one hard behind their back. Ultimately the FAI is made up mainly of junior and schoolboy/girl committee members.

“That’s their drive, to be fair to them, but there has to be a real interest in professional football.

“I believe there must be a campaign for the LOI to stand up and be counted, applying pressure for LOI investment rather than passing the buck.”