The dispute surrounding the League of Ireland's return rumbles on.
Monday's controversial vote saw Shamrock Rovers move against the majority of Premier Division sides. The Dublin side's decision angered other clubs, including Sligo Rovers. The process behind the decision has been questioned by Sligo Rover's treasurer David Rowe.
Dundalk boss Vinny Perth joined Ger Gilroy and Nathan Murphy on Tuesday's OTB AM. He believes the controversy has been exaggerated to a degree and the level of dispute amongst those involved has been misrepresented in some quarters.
"We're in a difficult situation but it's not as bad as people think, we're a lot closer than people think," Perth said.
Nine of the clubs in the Premier Division were in favour of one team being relegated, and one First Division side being promoted. However, Shamrock Rovers' vote ensured that an additional team may be relegated in a play-off at the end of the 13 game stretch that begins on July 31st.
David Maher/SportsfileThe Dundalk manager acknowledged the difficult situation the league finds itself in and advised everyone involved to show restraint over the next week to resolve it. Perth understands the necessity for a difference of opinion from various parties, and that dialogue should continue to avoid further dispute.
"All clubs have to fight for their own cause. Sligo are no different and we completely understand their perspective."
League of Ireland 2020
Dundalk voted alongside eight other Premier Division sides, however, it was far from the ideal situation for the champions, who played over 50 fixtures last year and would have preferred the league to continue past October.
11 November 2019; Dundalk head coach Vinny Perth lifts the cup after the Unite the Union Champions Cup Second Leg match between Dundalk and Linfield at Oriel Park in Dundalk, Louth. Photo by Eóin Noonan/SportsfileUltimately, the Lilywhites will have to accept the decision made and find a compromise in the direction chosen.
It will allow games to resume, Perth was quick to highlight this is hugely positive for the entire game in Ireland. This would hopefully stem any tide of supporters abandoning the league in the long-term.
"There is a potential for people to lose the habit of going to LOI games," Perth noted.
This would be terrible for the game in this country, particularly after an excellent start to the season, the highlight of which was a highly entertaining clash between Shamrock Rovers and Dundalk, before the pandemic halted it in its tracks.
Stephen McCarthy/SportsfileThere is a larger conversation to be had around the future of the game in Ireland. Despite the high participation rate from the grassroots to the LOI, it is the game is underfunded, according to Perth.
"Can the FAI and can the government get the most participated sport in this country back up and running? Where is sport in this country, when you look at the new ministers being announced, sport is part of five or six different things," he said on OTB AM.
Catherine Martin was recently announced as the Minister for Media, Tourism, Arts, Culture, Sport and the Gaeltacht, which is a wide portfolio. Since the announcement of the new Cabinet, many have questioned whether sport should hold a higher priority at the government level.
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