PEACE BREAKS OUT IN FIRST DIVISION DRAMA

AFTER 11th hour negotiations, the 2020 First Division kicks off on schedule this evening with ten teams on board, one of whom, Shamrock Rovers B, cannot be promoted. The First Division Alliance (FDA) will be pleased that FAI CEO Gary Owens and Deputy CEO Niall Quinn not only listened to their grievances, but acted. Under the old FAI, that would never have happened. It was that regime who devised the National League Executive, essentially hand-picked cronies of former CEO John Delaney. The sooner that body is fully fit for the purpose intended the better. In their statement, the FDA pointed to the ‘neglect’ of good governance by the NLEC in its handling of Rovers issue, and only agreed to participate in the new season after receiving ‘assurances’ by FAI chiefs that this would be resolved. ‘Our clubs will play against a ‘B’ team for the 2020 Season only. However, our clubs will participate under protest,’ said the clubs. The FDA barked loudly enough to muzzle the availability of players to Rovers, whose players must be U21, of which no more than one outfield player and one goalkeeper can be selected from A team panel. A proposal from the FDA that Rovers select players born after 2003 was refused. The limits on U21 players only seems stringent. Say a player, aged 22 or 23, returns from England to Rovers and needs games to reach the pace of the Premier Division. Where does he play? Against the backdrop of rumblings, the FAI is committed to a full review of the league over the coming six months. That is likely to lead to a third tier in 2021, like the A Championship of 2008 to 2011.