There has been much Take about a proposed All Island League.
The FAI hosted a national league strategic planning this weekend in Abbotstown. Both legendary footballer Niall Quinn and tech entrepreneur Kieran Lucid presented propositions for their future plans. The group is to meet at the start of August and then again towards the end of the month, by which stage they want Quinn and Lucid to address any queries which have been flagged.
The NI Football League has confirmed that both the leader’s administration and clubs have recently met those behind the proposal, although stress that no formal talks have taken place.
This week four Irish teams are set to take part in European action, Dundalk are hoping for Champions league qualification, while Shamrock ROvers, St. Patricks Athletic and Cork all have dreams of playing in the Europa League.
Up north Linfield, Crusaders, Cliftonville and Ballymena vye for a lucrative slice of the Europa league pie. With seven european spots up for grabs currently across Ireland, the new plans would undoubtedly see this reduced. Lucid is hoping Uefa show some flexibility in this regard if the All Island league happens.
There is a confidence in increasing revenue for clubs, A Uefa representative confirmed the SSE Airtricity League is one of only a few leagues in Europe where clubs did not receive any television money., so this will be regarded as a priority
Speaking with KCLR the St. Pats striker and Kilkenny man Mikey Drennan believes it sounds promising
“I suppose it will make it more competitive, its only a positive, its a good idea, i think they are on about a new sponsorship deal, which means more money generated, so obviously that creates more financial backing, which means better players, more wages and the ability for them to be paid all year round”.
