The football in Ireland interview

This is the second of a multi-part series in which I’m interviewing web log writers from around the world about football in their countries.

This second installment comes from Ireland and Cathal Breathnach from a web log called Football Corner, my thanks.

FC: The Irish League is a virtual unknown to me; can you tell me about it?

CB: The Irish League is called the Eirocm League and it consists of 2 divisions, The Eirocm League and the Eirocm First Division. There are 12 teams in the Eirocm League and there are 10 teams in the first division.

FC: Follow-up: What teams stand out at the moment in the Eirocm League?

CB: There are 3 or 4 teams that stand out at the moment; they are Bohemians from Dublin, Shelbourne who are also from Dublin, Cork City who as you get by the name are from Cork and Derry also stand out at the moment (as you get by the name are from Derry).

FC: Who are your top 5 players playing in Ireland and top 5 playing outside of Ireland?

CB: The top five players playing playing in Ireland are:

1. Kevin Hunt (Bohemians)
2. Owen Heary (Shelbourne)
3. Pat McCourt (Derry City)
4. Gearge O'Callahan (Cork City)
5. Steven Ward (Bohemians)

The top five players playing outside Ireland are:

1. Damien Duff (Chelsea)
2. Roy Keane (Man United)
3. Robbie Keane (Tottenham)
4. Shay Given (Newcastle)
5. Richard Dunne (Man City)

FC: How do you rate the development of football in Ireland in relation to the rest of Europe? And the World?

CB: The Irish League may not be the biggest in the world but from a spectator's perspective it is very exciting. Over the last couple of years it has really started to improve and people in Ireland who used to only support an English team have started to support their local side as well. I would say the Irish League is still a bit behind the bigger leagues like The Premiership, La Liga and Serie A.


FC: Would you like to see a Europe wide league that included Irish teams or do you feel each nation needs to have its own league?

CB: No, I think every nation should have their own league but I wouldn't mind seeing all of the big teams from around the world playing in one big league.

FC: Follow-up: And what if it meant 2 teams were plucked from the Irish top flight?

I wouldn't like if two sides were taken from the league because some of the great local derby's could be ruined and I also think it would be bad for the supporters of them teams because they would have to travel to different countries to see their team play.

FC: What's your take on the Irish national side at the moment?

CB: The Irish national side is in good shape at the moment coming first in their qualifying group for the World Cup. Many papers don't think we will qualify because France and Switzerland both have games in hand on us but I think we might just qualify.

FC: What do most Irish people follow, the Irish League or the Premiership? What about you?

CB: I think most Irish people support the English leagues but I think they should at least support their local side as well. I like the Irish League but I also love the Premiership.

See a list of all the interviews published so far

Please

email if you'd like to conduct an interview (over email) or if you know the name of a weblog in your country.