Limerick FC cancel Barca clash

SADLY, Limerick FC have confirmed that the proposed friendly with FC Barcelona on Saturday, July 31 at Thomond Park has now been canceled.
Last week Limerick FC were mere hours away from signing an agreement with the Spanish giants, but the Football of Association of Ireland refused to sanction the game. On Thursday Limerick FC released a statement criticising the FAI for refusing to do so while the club estimated that the event could be worth €10 million-plus to the local economy.


Following several days of controversial press coverage FC Barcelona, on Monday evening, contacted Limerick FC requesting a final clarification on whether the proposed friendly was likely to go ahead. Considering the FAI stance Limerick FC officials had no option but to resign themselves to the fact that, practically, the friendly could not go ahead.
On Tuesday night the club publicly admitted that the game was off - Limerick FC explained that FC Barcelona needed to finalise their pre-season plans, especially since the club planned to begin their Asian tour in the first week of August.
The statement also indicated that its wording had been agreed by Barcelona officials and that “the only reason that this match is not going ahead is the decision of the Airtricity League Director (Fran Gavin) and the FAI not to sanction the proposed match”.
Limerick FC also claim in their latest statement that FC Barcelona emailed FAI officials on Monday, May 17 confirming their desire to play at Thomond Park and stated their disagreement with the decision not to sanction the game.
Limerick are also eager “to thank FC Barcelona for the professional nature in which all negotiations were carried out and their support for Limerick FC’s attempts to get the necessary sanction from the FAI. Limerick FC would also like to thank its fans, its fellow league clubs and all the public who supported their call for sanctioning of the game.
“It is extremely disappointing,” the statement reads, “that Limerick FC and FC Barcelona will now not meet in Thomond Park as a result of the decision by the Airtricity League Director and the FAI not to sanction the game. The loss to the region both economically and in terms of improving the profile of soccer in the region is enormous.
“Limerick will continue to appeal the decision of the Airtricity League Director as a matter of principle as there is a need to fully clarify the position all Airtricity League clubs now find themselves in with regards to the receiving of a sanction for friendly games of this nature.
“Limerick FC,” the statement concludes, “still hope that at some stage in the future they will be in a position to welcome FC Barcelona to the mid-west region and allow all sports lovers the opportunity to see some of the world’s greatest stars in person”.

Fixtures clash
Originally the FAI cited a clash with Airtricity League fixtures as their reason for refusing to sanction the game, but the national association has since explained that they are precluded from doing so because of an agreement signed with a third party charged with bringing friendlies, which would attract crowds in excess of 15,000, to Ireland.
The FAI have scheduled an Airtricity League XI to play Manchester United at the Aviva Stadium on August 4. The Man United match could clash with European ties for Irish clubs with Bohemians potentially playing in the second leg of the Champions League and several other Airtricity League clubs embroiled in Europa League action.
In conversation with Marian Finucane on RTÉ Radio One Football Association of Ireland CEO John Delaney elaborated on the FAI’s decision not to sanction Limerick FC’s proposed friendly with Spanish giants FC Barcelona while he also labeled Limerick FC officials as “naive”.
“I think Limerick have acted very naively in the whole situation,” FAI CEO John Delaney explained.
John Delaney also said that the FAI were contractually bound to a third party in terms of arranging friendly games involving Irish clubs.
“We would have a relationship in terms of the organisation of friendlies coming into Ireland and there are certain games that we can grant and certain games that we cannot grant in terms of attendance figures,” John Delaney said.
Limerick Fine Gael TD Kieran O’Donnell, who was also party to the discussion on RTÉ Radio One, challenged John Delaney on his ability of the FAI to sanction the game.
“It’s not within out ability,” John Delaney replied.

Hardened stance
On Monday evening the FAI released a statement as its stance hardened on the Limerick FC issue.
In that detailed statement the national association emphasised its sole objective to foster the game in Ireland and that any profit the FAI makes is “delivered straight back into the development of the game”.
Even though Limerick FC furnished Leader Sport with a copy of the heads of agreement contract between Limerick FC and FC Barcelona for the friendly in question, the FAI questioned the bona fides of that contract. In the statement the FAI also outlined that the national association is precluded legally from granting friendly games in stadiums with a capacity in excess of 15,000 and that the FAI is obliged to retain ownership of Saturday, July 31 because of Airtricity League fixtures.
Late on Monday night Limerick FC publicly replied to that FAI statement in an effort to clarify their stance on the issue. The Super Blues refuted the FAI claim that they were aware of the third party commercial agreement in question.
Once more they reiterated the fact that the reason they were given for the FAI refusal to sanction the proposed friendly was because of a clash with Airtricity League fixtures. The club were also annoyed by the FAI accusation that they had not finalised the deal to bring FC Barcelona to Limerick. In fact Limerick had reached an agreement with the Spanish giants, but could not sign the contract as the FAI were required to sanction the deal beforehand.

Ramifications
The issue could have wide-ranging ramifications on the Airtricity League since the FAI’s third-party agreement essentially precludes all clubs from arranging similarly attractive friendlies against top class opposition.
Such an arrangement could prove disastrous for Limerick FC. The club’s five-year plan features a determination to arrange such friendlies, in conjunction with Thomond Park, as a major part of its fund-raising initiatives. Now, it appears that Limerick FC will not be in a position to raise much-needed funds in that way.
Limerick FC have lodged an official objection with the FAI Disciplinary Control Unit regarding the Airtricity League Director’s refusal to sanction the friendly against FC Barcelona. A letter regarding same from Limerick FC was scheduled to arrive at the FAI HQ in Abbotstown on Tuesday.

FAI Ford Cup
The draw for the third round of the FAI Ford Cup took place on Monday night - Limerick FC will face either Tolka Rovers or Tralee Dynamos at Jackman Park on the weekend of June 6.

Brian McDonnell

Controversial comments inflame friendly debacle

FURIOUS Limerick FC officials are meeting this morning to discuss their next move following controversial comments made by FAI CEO John Delaney on Sunday morning.
In conversation with Marian Finucane on RTÉ Radio One Football Association of Ireland CEO John Delaney elaborated on the FAI’s decision not to sanction Limerick FC’s proposed friendly with Spanish giants FC Barcelona. Delaney labelled Limerick FC officials as “naive” while he also suggested that the club had no agreement in place to bring FC Barcelona to Thomond Park on July 31.


Limerick FC have refuted this allegation and presented Leader Sport with a copy of the heads of agreement contract between FC Barcelona and the Airtricity League club.
In a detailed interview (see page 23) Limerick FC CEO Pat O’Sullivan has told Leader Sport that the Airtricity League club will not take the FAI’s refusal to sanction the friendly with FC Barcelona at Thomond Park “lying down” - it is estimated that the game could have benefited the local economy to the tune of €10 million.
“I think Limerick have acted very naively in the whole situation and I’ll tell you why,” FAI CEO John Delaney explained on RTÉ Radio One.
“Noel Mooney, who works for the FAI, spoke to the owner of Limerick on Thursday morning and explained to him that we couldn’t grant the game, that we are contractually bound to other people and that we weren’t able to grant the game. I would love to have the game played in Limerick. I have nothing against Limerick.”
John Delaney also said that the FAI were contractually bound to a third party in terms of arranging friendly games involving Irish clubs.
“We would have a relationship in terms of the organisation of friendlies coming into Ireland and there are certain games that we can grant and certain games that we cannot grant in terms of attendance figures,” John Delaney said.
“So, we explained that to Limerick on Thursday morning and they accepted that. The owner of Limerick Football Club accepted that position and he said that would be the end of the matter. Unfortunately then they started issuing statements on Thursday night and they have tried to, I suppose, bring it into the public arena to put public pressure on us.
“We’re unable to grant it that’s the bottom line. We were negotiating with Barcelona to come to Dublin next year.
“Padraig Smith and Noel Mooney went out there three or four weeks ago and met Barcelona. They looked for a proposal which was going to be sent to them in the autumn. We have also got correspondence from Barcelona last week saying that they have not agreed to the game in Limerick.”
Limerick Fine Gael TD Kieran O’Donnell, who was also party to the discussion on RTÉ Radio One, challenged John Delaney on his ability of the FAI to sanction the game.
“It’s not within out ability,” John Delaney replied.
“The game will not be going ahead. I would love it to go ahead, but the game will not be going ahead . . . We have signed up an agreement, as I said earlier, with an agency who will bring games into Ireland on our behalf. That restricts our ability to grant friendlies of a certain capacity. We’re contractually bound . . . We can’t let it happen . . . We’re legally restricted from it.”
Kieran O’Donnell asked John Delaney if it was possible to now sit down with Limerick FC and work the issue out, but the FAI CEO said: “It’s too late for that . . . If you behave in the manner that they’ve done (Limerick FC) you’re bringing the game into disrepute over the last couple of days with the way they have been behaving,” John Delaney added.
“Around the time of the opening of the stadium as well on Thursday night issuing legal letters that come into us on Friday morning was done in poor taste, naive. I also think, and I keep going back to the point, I deal with clubs all the time, I deal with national associations, I deal with agents, I know the way it works. I think the guys in Limerick have been very naive about how they’ve dealt with this and who they’re dealing with.”
FC Barcelona collected their 20th Spanish league title beating Real Valladolid on Sunday evening and while Limerick FC are still hopeful that the FAI will reverse their decision not to sanction the proposed friendly time is fast running out for the Super Blues to seal the deal.

BRIAN MCDONNELL

FAI revise ticket prices for friendly with South Africa

AS expected the Football Association of Ireland have revised their ticket pricing structure for the up-coming international friendly at Thomond Park.
Last week FAI CEO John Delaney admitted that ticket prices for the Republic of Ireland’s clash with Australia at Thomond Park were too high while he also indicated that the pricing structure would be revised for the friendly against South Africa on Tuesday, September 8.


“Well, we got 19,400 in and I know when Ireland played a rugby game there against Canada they got 19,000 in,” John Delaney said.
“But I think we have to be more flexible on the pricing for the South Africa game.
“I think we have to look at a more family-orientated price as well. I think we probably got a little learning off that, to be honest. But still, 19,400 was a good turnout and, in terms of the overall running of the organisation, the difference between playing at home and playing an away friendly, along with the TV monies we get from Sky, it’s a significant profit for the organisation.
“In the wider context of the week, too, about 7,000 people saw the training in St Michael’s and, with all the openings that we did, there is a long-term legacy out of what we have done down here this week.”
Of the official 19,428 attendance on Wednesday, August 12 2,000 complimentary tickets were circulated while another 2,000 were sold to schoolboys priced at just €7. The terrace tickets, priced at €25 and €35, sold out, leaving at least 6,000 of the €55 stand tickets unsold.
For the same against South Africa tickets, including a family friendly children’s ticket, will go on sale from next Monday, August 24 - tickets will be made available from the following outlets: www.fai.ie, Gleeson Sports Scene, Mahon House, 25 Upper William Street, Limerick and the Thomond Park ticket office. Tickets will be priced - schoolboy €7, North and South Terrace €20, East and West Terrace €30, East and West Stand €40, Child Stand ticket (under-16) €20.
South Africa will host next summer’s World Cup and will include a number of well-known players in their squad, such as Benni McCarthy of Blackburn, Steven Pienaar of Everton and Aaron Mokoena of Portsmouth.
The Bafana Bafana will play Ireland three days after taking on Germany in Munich on September 5, the same day as Ireland’s World Cup qualifier in Cyprus. The friendly against South Africa will provide a good opportunity for Giovanni Trapattoni’s players to get another game under their belts in preparation for the decisive Group 8 clash with current world champions Italy, in Croke Park.
Giovanni Trapattoni will name his squad to play Cyprus and South Africa this Friday, August 21.
Meanwhile the Limerick District League returns to action this evening.
Pike Rovers, who have won the Premier League title for the past two years, take on Kilmallock at the Pike Club - kick-off is 6.30pm. While that is the only District League fixture taking place today several games are down for decision tomorrow night while a full programme of action is scheduled for this weekend.
Sean Hehir Bookmakers have installed Pike Rovers as hot favourites to win their third consecutive league title.
The Hoops, who saw off the challenge of second-placed Fairview Rangers with five points to spare last season, are priced at 3/1 while their nearest rivals, Fairview Rangers, are 9/2.
The next likely league contenders Janesboro (7/1) and Regional United (9/1) do look strong this season, but many expect the battle between Pike Rovers and Fairview Rangers to reach epic proportions.
The first really big game of the season takes place this Sunday when Fairview Rangers host Regional United at the Fairgreen (10.30am).
Although Regional United finished fourth last season they have made some significant signings and could yet exact a big influence on the final destination of the 2009-10 Kilmurry Lodge Premier League title.

BRIAN MCDONNELL

'It’s a real honour for us to play an international match in what is now a fabulous stadium'

THE visit of Australia to Thomond Park on August 12 next could be the first of three soccer internationals to be staged in Limerick inside the next 12 months.
Speaking in the home of Munster rugby yesterday, where he confirmed this summer’s international soccer friendly, John Delaney, Chief Executive Officer of the Football Association of Ireland, said that further dates were available for soccer internationals in Limerick.
“It’s one of a couple of internationals that we would like to play over a course of time,” Delaney told Leader Sport when announcing the visit of the Socceroos.
“There are some dates that we can look at and with dates available we will now look for opposition.
“We will look at other dates - there could be one in September and one in the New Year,” said the FAI’s CEO.
September 9 is a possible date for the second of three possible matches.


“We are away to Cyprus (September 5) and then there is a Wednesday that is free to us - we will talk to other opposition and Giovanni (Trapattoni),” explained Delaney.
“We had opportunities to play friendlies away in August, but when the possibility of playing in Thomond Park became available - the idea of coming here was something that you couldn’d but do,” explained Delaney.
“I am very happy to have reached this agreement with Thomond Park Stadium. I thank the stadium’s management and board for their foresight in opening up Thomond Park to other sports which will enable us to bring senior international football to Limerick for the first time. Thomond Park is a great sporting venue and we look forward to an exciting game against Australia in August.”
Delaney said that he expects a capacity crowd of 26,000.
“When you have football stars like Robbie Keane, Damien Duff, Richard Dunne, Shay Given and Giovanni Trapattoni coming down as manager with Tardelli and Liam Brady, it’s a huge attraction. When it was first mooted about a month ago that there was the possibility of a game being played here, the reaction was huge - we were rang every day to know when it was on and who we were playing,” outlined Delaney.
Pim Verbeek’s Australian side is currently ranked 27th in the FIFA world rankings, two places above the Republic of Ireland.
The Socceroos are likely to include the likes of Scott McDonald (Celtic), Harry Kewell (Galatasaray) and Tim Cahill (Everton).
“This completes the hat-trick - Australia have played here in rugby, they are coming for the International Rules in October and now the soccer,” said Delaney, who was visiting Thomond Park for the first time since its re-development.
“It’s a real honour for us to play an international match in what is now a fabulous stadium,” he said.
The FAI are set to meet with the University of Limerick regarding the possibility of using the university facilities for training purposes.
“I met Dave Mahedy at the rugby match on Saturday and I am sure that he would love us to be out there - we play our Kennedy Cup out there every year. It would be the ideal venue for the players to train.
“We haven’t spoken to any hotels yet, but with the Castletroy Park now open, something like that would work very well,” said the CEO.
John Delaney also confirmed that Thomond Park could be used if the FAI and the IFA proceed with proposals to co-host the 2013 European under-21 championships.
“We have spoken to the IFA on a number of occasions and spoke with them yesterday (Sunday) about co-hosting a European under-21 tournament together. That has become a big tournament and it is something that we had agreed to co-bid before with the IFA, but they couldn’t meet stadium criteria,” explained Delaney.
“It is now a possibility with Thomond, the Aviva Stadium and Tallaght, which will have 6,200 seats by June,” he outlined.
The IFA would offer Windsor Park or a re-developed Brandywell.

Jerome O'Connell