Football’s lies keep coming as the GAA prepare to milk the Premier League cash cow at Croke Park
And still we await an FAI statement on Infantino and his attempts to sell the game of the people
Cathal Dervan, Editor
The security man at the gate had all the purpose of an English centre-back, the stare of an Irish midfielder from Cork and the inquisitive nature of a Tony O’Donoghue. At 8am of a Monday morning, he wanted to know the purpose of my visit to Carton House, the luxury hotel just outside Maynooth.
So I told him I was there to sign for Manchester United ahead of their first training session of the day at the Kildare venue that is currently a home from home for Michael Carrick and his Premier League superstars ahead of their Croke Park War of the Roses clash with Leeds.
He’s still laughing. It started with a grin then turned quickly to a laugh. He didn’t even need to consult with one of his bosses via walkie talkie to know I was spinning a yarn, not the first time says you. At least he saw the funny side of it, the Taylor Made hat on my head giving a clue to the real purpose of my visit to the five star resort.
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Boom!!
And at least my lie gave him a laugh on the day Marcus Rushford returned to the United training ground after his time in Spanish exile and lots of kids turned out to catch a glimpse of his Manchester United return.
My attempt at humour wasn’t the only football ‘lie’ spun on Monday. Later that day Donald Trump did what Donald Trump does best and interfered again in the ways of world football as he babbled on about Gianni Infantino in a post on Truth Social, an oxymoron if ever there was one.
The truth about Infantino, according to the king of the u-turns, is that: “He is fantastic, having just presided over the most successful World Cup, by four times, ever presented. If he is gone, it will never be as successful or profitable again! Thank you for your attention to this matter. President DJT.”
So now we know. Or do we? The truth is that football needs to get rid of its own President for Profit and the sooner the better. Associations like the FAI need to get off the fence, remove the splinters from the backsides of their ineffective leaders and remove this man from office before the current split in world football becomes terminal.
We’ve still to hear a word from Abbotstown about the Infantino scandal. Maybe they’re afraid to upset this paymaster? Maybe they think the sort of money to clear their debt from a World Cup sell-off is worth considering?
Are they still supportive of Infantino’s bid for re-election next year? We don’t know because they haven’t told us anything, other than supporting a UEFA veto that they had no choice but to support - because UEFA are one of their other paymasters.
The FAI suits will probably be in Croke Park on Wednesday, sharing the joy of their GAA counterparts at another sold out match on Irish soil featuring the very best of English football.
At a time of year when Croker should still be hosting inter-county football and hurling, one of the biggest rivalries in English sport will be renewed on hybrid Irish grass.
And good luck to them. This may be an invitation for some to show us what English football hostility really looks like but at least we know why this game is in Croke Park - money.
Mayo finally winning Sam Maguire again in July glossed over the fact that the All-Ireland final is now played with five months left on the sporting calendar for the GAA to cash in on the appeal of Croker to Leeds United, Manchester United and Bon Jovi.
At least their greed, like that of Infantino, is obvious. At least we know where the GAA stand before the cash cow is milked at Croker tomorrow night.
It would be nice, in the meantime, for the FAI to let us know where they stand on Gianni Infantino after his threat to sell the game of the people from under the nose of the very people who will always own it.
A bit like that desire to sign for Manchester United, I won’t hold my breath!
AROUND THE HEADLINES
Paul Corry: Tolka Park has become ‘a pressure pot’ amid poor performances - RTE Sport
Festy Ebosele completes loan move in bid to get more minutes and regain Ireland spot - Irish Sun
Derry City and James McClean silent amid reports of possible exit - RTE Sport
Waterford’s Premier Division position if the league started after Graham Coughlan’s arrival - Irish Mirror
Trump says it would be ‘terrible mistake’ to remove Infantino - BBC Sport
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As Leeds United and Manchester United fans prepare to pack out Croke Park on Wednesday night for a pre-season friendly, coaching legend Larry Mahony and editor Cathal Dervan discuss if Irish football supporters can support teams in Ireland and England. You can catch up with Larry at bigpicturecoachingireland.com.
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