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Derry City players celebrate a goal against Finn Harps this year. Lorcan Doherty/INPHO

Derry City declare support for all-island league, urge other clubs to follow

‘We would encourage other clubs to acknowledge the fragility of the present arrangements,’ say the Candystripes as they give unwavering support for a new format.

DERRY CITY HAVE today issued a statement to give their backing to the ‘impressive’ proposed all-island league.

The model presented by businessman Kieran Lucid and data company Hypercube could see IFA and FAI affiliated clubs play truncated versions of their existing competitions before a combined tournament.

The Candystripes’ statement is unwavering in its support for a tournament outlined by the All-Island League Advocacy Group, noting that the Covid-19 pandemic puts professional football at a ‘seminal’ point on both sides of the border.

“The pandemic has exposed the underlying fragility of the present model,” says the Derry City statement before urging other clubs to openly back that view and restructured competitions.

In pure business terms it is not viable. There is not enough income being generated to sustain the business. Great efforts are made to keep clubs in existence, but those efforts can only be limited as they lack the finances to grow the business.”

Commenting broadly on the report into the viability of 32-county tournament, the uniquely-positioned Airtricity League club said:

“Derry City is impressed by the thoroughness of the research, the understanding and sensitive way in which all clubs on the island were approached and heard, and by the weight of the financial benefits for all stakeholders that would result from the recommendations contained in the report.

“Particularly impressive is the model that accommodates the two leagues on the island to maintain their present structures and yet accommodating an all island structure. Equally impressive is the format that will accommodate smaller clubs to remain comfortably within financial demands while having the opportunity and support to become more ambitious for their players and supporters.

“This is a seminal moment in the well being and even existence of professional football on this island.

“Presently, we have two football leagues, both precarious in structure and financial viability. The consequence of the corona virus has added to the difficulties of maintaining a football club.”

The statement adds:

“It always shocks fans when they discover that the prizemoney for winning the League in the north is £22,000 and in the southern league the prizemoney is €110,000.

“Pitted against the reality that it takes over £1,000,000 a year to maintain a medium successful club and the financial difficulties become apparent. 

“We are informed that the IFA and the FAI have agreed to jointly examine the report. We see this as creative and important.”

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    Mute #JUSTICE4NOEL
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    Mar 30th 2020, 7:48 PM

    Dan Leavy returning soon will be huge for Leinster and Ireland. The best forward in the country when healthy and a challenger with Underhill and Curry for those 2 lions flanker positions.

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    Mute Sean Fahey
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    Mar 30th 2020, 10:20 PM

    @#JUSTICE4NOEL: I’m very excited to see him come back too and, sadly, will be hopeful that he is the same player when he gets back.

    The Leinster medical team are excellent at managing rehab, very few if any players with recurring injuries, I’m optimistic that he will be.

    Will Conners might be focused on as a 6 such is the depth at 7.

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    Mute Carmine Lorenzo
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    Apr 1st 2020, 12:09 PM

    @Sean Fahey: Leavy could be a highly effective 6 too. He’s not a renowned jumper in the lineout but he can do everything else, and offers serious balance to any backrow, in similar ways that SOB did in previous years. Touch wood he comes back as the same player, as you said, the Leinster medical team have a good track record. Keen to see where Leavy and Conan will fit from an Irish perspective now Doris and Deegan have got their breakthroughs aswell.

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    Mute Jamie Bent
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    Mar 30th 2020, 6:57 PM

    That drop still haunts me. Better team lost that day!

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    Mute Sean Fahey
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    Mar 30th 2020, 7:13 PM

    @Jamie Bent: Ulster were immense that day but every now and then you either ride your luck a little bit or run out of it completely. It’s up there with Fofanas bicep alright.

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    Mute Kevin
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    Mar 30th 2020, 10:04 PM

    @Jamie Bent: I’d dare say it still haunts stockdale too. He hasn’t been good since.

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    Mute Oval Digest
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    Mar 31st 2020, 9:34 AM

    Two things stand out to me from a Leinster POV re-watching this -

    It’s such a shame Adam Byrne has never really kicked on. Immense physical gifts but just seems to be lacking something to really cement his place. Rumours that he’s off at the end of the season too.

    Secondly, Ross Byrne really is a big game player. Might not have the athleticism of his bro or even Sexton, but he never lets Leinster down in Europe. He has had by far the better outcome from the Carbery move so far.

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    Mute Kingshu
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    Mar 30th 2020, 7:42 PM

    It was a great performance for year one, of a 3 year plan. Year 2 and in play off spot in league, and Q final in Europe is nice showing, who knows where it will end, but certainly on target to be in finals and aiming for silverware in year 3.

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    Mute acallkelly
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    Mar 31st 2020, 11:54 AM

    I hope Dan Leahy will be given time to get to his own high standard, Leinster supporters will give him the space, not sure about the rest of chattering classes though !

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    Mute PScald
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    Apr 1st 2020, 5:16 PM

    @acallkelly: you’re right Leinster supporters are just superior people.. I heard theyre close to a vaccine

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