Charlie from the Stands: Times they are A-Changing!

As I get more into the punditry side of the League of Ireland, I am frequently asked about how I view the standard of the current League of Ireland, compared to that when I played. It’s dangerous territory when you are a former player commenting on the state of the League. You run the risk of sounding like an old bar-stooler, having a go at this, that and the other.

But truthfully, it is a difficult question to answer, almost impossible in fact. You are talking about different eras, ones with so many variables.

In many ways, the appetite for the domestic game is at an all-time high. This is down to new cohorts of fans – young and old – attending matches, clubs improving their matchday experiences and generally, the League getting a bit more attention from its organisers and media alike. The media interest has indeed shifted from just local newspapers and radio stations having to carry the responsibility of reporting, to increased television coverage, podcasts, social media and fan groups. And that all comes from somewhere…

I have mentioned before about the importance of clubs’ marketing teams and how new, fresh ideas are finally being grasped by clubs, and this is becoming more evident season on season. Each club is painting their own picture online, bringing fans near and far content and insight into the club, replicating – if only in a tiny way – the big clubs all over the world.

Personalities like Damien Duff then add a little more to the domestic scene. Rivalries and derbies getting airtime. Underdogs overcoming the so-called ‘top’ teams every week. It’s all happening. Then, throw in the return of former-Ireland manager Stephen Kenny over the last few weeks, and we are at fever pitch.

For players, it’s an incredible time to be involved in the League. I think back to away fixtures against the likes of Sporting Fingal, Kilkenny City, UCD and Dublin City, where you’d have your own travelling support and more less a man and his dog watching. I just hope the current crop know how lucky they are. The interest in the League was well summed-up recently, when a Manchester United fan said to me that he doesn’t even watch United anymore. Instead, he is only interested in Derry City (who could blame him?). But this is no longer a unique statement, it’s something that you hear more often than not (again, that might be more down to United, but we’ll give the League credit!)

My final season in the League was in 2016/2017, one which was cut short due to injury. Having played the opening six games in the season, I had a chance to play with this new breed of player and then watch them week-in, week-out. The club had a nucleus of young hungry players who wanted to play for Derry City first and foremost, and then if given the opportunity, to test themselves across the water. Truthfully, I was very impressed by the young players in the squad - Ronan Curtis, Aaron McEneff, Ben Doherty, Conor McDermott and Conor McCormack to name a few. The running power, technical ability, creativity and dedication to the cause - it was refreshing to see, and infectious to be around.

On Monday night at the Brandywell, I was equally as blown away by the work-rate of Padraig Amond (36) and Pat Hoban (32), two players are at the tail end of their career, but you wouldn’t know it. Their desire, passion and appetite for the game was incredible. Indeed, Amond has played 90+ minutes in all 19 games for Waterford this season at the age of 36. Those two players in particular are built from different stuff, stuff that we are seeing less and less of in the current generation.

I am not buying this nonsense that the game has changed. I understand certain things have changed but when I go to a League of Ireland match, I want to see players that excite me, that take chances with the ball and that are not afraid to make mistakes.     

There is undoubtedly talent in the League – of course there is. At every club, you have players that will stand-out and provide moments of magic. Think Patching, McEleney and Duffy at Derry; Byrne, Farrugia and Burke at Shamrock Rovers; Forrester and Melia at St Pat’s, Jarvis and Burt at Shelbourne. But my concern is that these players have been doing it for years. I look at the players that I played with and against who were worth the admission fee alone: Liam Coyle, Jospeh N’Do, Wes Hoolahan, Paddy McCourt, Niall McGinn, Jason Byrne, Mark Farren, Keith Fahey.

Nowadays, I am struggling to think of the young, gifted, hungry players that are lighting this league up, getting people off their seats and taking advantage of this incredible stage. In Mason Melia, St Pats’ have an obvious talent who looks destined for a move cross-channel when he hits 18. Then you have the players on loan to clubs in the league, Darragh Burns, Will Jarvis, Johnny Kenny, Maleace Asamoah – all players that will get their games, spark excitement for a year or two and then head back to their parent clubs.

Surely with the implications of Brexit meaning that our better young players must wait until they’re 18 before moving to the UK, we will now be able to develop these youngsters and give them a pathway to first-team football in the League of Ireland, before they inevitably set off elsewhere. It’s alarming that Burns and Kenny left the League as the best young players, only to return on loan to still be the best young players. Maybe there is deeper problem in developing young talent in this country that needs to be discussed. Academies, Training facilities, and Coaching standards!

Intent

Derry City’s win over Waterford on Monday was one of intent. Waterford went into the game having convincingly overcome Bohemians on Friday, and were setup by Keith Long to frustrate and limit the home side and hit them on the counter. But like a game of ‘chicken’, Ruaidhri Higgins started with an aggressive team to counter Keith Longs confident Waterford side and to go for the win as early as possible - refreshing!

With Cameron Dummigan and Ben Doherty as full-backs, coupled with Patrick McEleney as the No. 6 in midfield, Derry put the visitors to the sword.  With that shape, it would take a good side to compete with Derry. When you put that team on the pitch, it sends a message to the opposition players to say we are going for this without any hesitation - it breads confidence in every way. Add the work-rate, application and drive shown by the players that night and you felt that three points were inevitable.

I believe that the current Derry squad is the best that has been assembled since 2006. Their technical ability and quality with the ball, cannot be questioned. However, the one question this side still has to answer is if they are willing to work hard enough to earn a League winners medal this year. You look at teams that click into gear when going after a title – like nothing will stop them. Derry haven’t shown that yet, but I believe that with this squad, they will have an opportunity to do so. Because I don’t see Shelbourne giving up that lead easy. Friday night will be another big test of that, and one which they will go into without their inspirational captain Patrick McEleney, who we all wish well during his recovery.

Well in true ‘commentator’s curse’ fashion, just when I was writing Sligo Rovers off and tearing into how poor a side they were, up they pop with a win over league-leaders Shelbourne, before following it up with a home win over Drogheda United. The six points lifts the Bit o’Red above both Bohemians and St Pats’ in the table. Honestly I can’t figure this league out at all. I watched John Russell’s side against Bohemians and couldn’t see them winning another game this season - unbelievable Jeff.

But aside from Sligo, the big winners of another double gameweek were the resurgent Dundalk, who took four points from fixtures against Derry City and St Pats’. At Oriel Park, Dundalk were well worth a share of the spoils, troubling Derry with their new counter-attacking football and getting players into the opposition box at every chance. They followed that 0-0 draw with an impressive 3-2 win over Stephen Kenny’s side, in a game full of quality. Jon Daly has instilled a level of belief and a clear team dynamic with the Louth side, one which they will need if they are to continue their pursuit up the table.