YES WE CAN'

Marc showing Irish football in a good light but Government support needed

- patdolan

WASN'T it brilliant to see FAI president Paul Cooke speak so strongly in his programme notes for the Ireland v Bulgaria game last Sunday?

Cooke's message was simple: it is time for the government to deliver for Ireland's biggest sport.

Football is the biggest sport on the planet and also on this island.

This is a sport that makes a difference in Irish society year in and year out.

One problem has been the FAI.

Has it been perfect?

No, of course not.

But too many politicians have played to the gallery and put the boot in and have ignored the great work that Irish football delivers all across the country every day.

I remember being part of the first Irish team - an Under-20 team - that played in a World Cup in the Soviet Union.

Way back then, I had to fly to Dublin to get my visa. I was told to go to FAI HQ in Merrion Square to get the paperwork that I needed to get the visa from the embassy.

I kept knocking and knocking and there was no one there.

That was the old FAI.

The new FAI is much better. There is an impressive HQ at Abbotstown. The Aviva is part-owned by the FAI. The organisation is professional.