Canham and the FAI
It was another challenging week for the FAI. Despite having the best of intentions, they always seem to find themselves battling a proverbial chip pan fire. This was supposed to be the week that the association addressed the fear factor issues and misconceptions about their pathways plan. A good idea to be fair. However, they ended up fielding questions about the author of said plan’s resignation. Which of course brought out the finger wagging and the “Same old FAI” tropes.
I know the FAI is everyone’s favourite football, but, whether we like it or not, they are responsible for running the gae in this country. And we need a functioning and capable FAI to do this job adequately. Marc Canham wasn’t everyone’s cup of tea, and he made an absolute balls of certain key footballing decisions. The handling of Vera Pauw, the hiring of Stephen Kenny’s successor and of course the Colin Healy situation to mention a few. However, it wasn’t ALL bad. Most of it was, but not all of it…
The pathways plan for example, a massive undertaking but vital for the game to progress in this country. Finally, the FAI had developed a strategy that could be presented to the government for funding. The €863m price tag might seem an outrageous figure, but that’s what decades of neglect will do. However, the FAI are not above reproach and poor performance MUST be called out. As long as it’s fair of course.
I did have to laugh at some of the hyperbole in Eamon Dunphy’s article in the Mirror, though. I like Dunphy. In his day he was great craic as a pundit but also a brilliant writer. However, that day has gone.
To say Marc Canham contributed absolutely nothing, is disingenuous. To bemoan the non-renewal of Stephen Kenny and belittle his replacement Heimir Hallgrimsson as merely a dentist is outrageous. Kenny was clearly out of his depth in the end, his non renewal was an act of mercy for himself and the supporters. However, what happened after was a bit of a farce.
I won’t even comment on his suggestion to install an 84-year-old Johnny Giles on a three-man panel with Liam Brady and Niall Quinn to simply fix Irish football.
Don’t Aluko Back in Anger
Ah yes, Eni Aluko, the answer to a question no-one asked. It astonishes me how people with a little bit of influence in2025 are bereft of any self-awareness. The former Lioness had a pop at former colleague, and by the sounds of it, former friend Ian Wright on BBC’s the Woman’s Hour. She claimed that Wright was one of many male pundits gobbling up spaces for female pundits wishing to comment on the women’s game.
For context, Ian Wright has only appeared on the WSL as a pundit, once. The Arsenal legend has also been a huge supporter of the women’s game, the players and Aluko herself. Wright has even personally funded the ACL rehabilitation of Kayleigh McDonald after the player had been released by Stoke City. So why she would pick on Ian Wright Wright Wright (intentional) is anyone’s guess.
Wanting attention perhaps? Well, she got it.
Aluko did apologise, eventually. But only after a backlash. Apparently, her bosses at ITV were none too happy, either. Whether that prompted her public apology, I don’t know. What I do know is that Ian Wright has come out on Instagram saying, “he cannot accept it”. Can you blame him?
The women’s game is growing, which is great. However, it still needs all the help it can get. Ian Wright was a fabulous striker and has become a huge presence on social media. His influence can only help grow the game. So just bloody well embrace it, Eni. Jaysus.
Liverpool’s 20th Title Win
I was delighted to see Liverpool claim their 20th League title on Sunday. Though I couldn’t help but laugh at the bitter United fans claiming they’d only won their second. Silly little devils forgetting that football was around before 1992. They’ll also say that the Covid title has an * next to it, even though they were a whopping 25 points clear of a putrid Man City before the lockdown.
Anyways.
As a bit of a lapsed Liverpool fan myself, it was satisfying seeing the club I’d supported since the late 1980s take their rightful place next to Manchester United, on top of that bloody perch.
My passion for the club game has waned tremendously over the years. Money and soul snatching will do that unfortunately. However, much to the chagrin of a certain group of mates, who are bitter bastards, I am still entitled to enjoy this moment of glory having lived through the Graeme Souness years.
Sorry, not Sorry.