Collapse of football on our shores has arrived

THE narrative surrounding the Ireland international team remains one of perpetual misery and yes, here we go again, another fine mess.

- 

The game in Armenia was only three days ago, but it feels like Irish football has been put back thirty years.

We're used to seeing angry reactions to Irish horror shows, but people just seem stunned and mystified by this one, including the manager.

But that shock factor is hopefully the catalyst for what really needs to happen to Irish football.

Because that's the drastic realisation - that the game is in big, big trouble.

Decade upon decade of bad governance and neglect has led us to a situation where the biggest sport in the country is in dire straits.

Football in Ireland should have a thriving industry behind it, creating thousands of jobs - instead it's completely undervalued by people with absolutely no vision.

It's shocking and so bizarre when you consider how crazy the country goes when the Ireland team qualifies for tournaments, and the economic benefits of that.