Early August exits a grim scenario for domestic game

EARLY August and early exits in European fare thereby confine "National League clubs interests to purely domestic matters, save for Shelbourne's now academic Cup Winners' Cup second lag tie in Norway a fortnight hence. It's a grim scenario.

Or is it? Had the referee not incorrectly stifled Shelbourne's potential comeback at source or had that merely resulted in a face saving two all draw, the scenario might not be so grim.

Sure, Shelbourne's performance was flawed in the opening half hour, when uncertain defending might well have ensured an even worse result were it not for Alan Gough's heroics. And the bottom line is that the domestic game's best sides failed to win one match in going out at the preliminary round stage.

The consequences could be dire given the National League ranks 35th on UEFA's complex system of co efficients. Next Thursday's UEFA executive meeting will decide whether all league winners will regain their place in an expanded Champions League, albeit with two preliminary rounds.

But it's worth fighting on, and if so the questions remain. Are our clubs doing enough? Are they co operating enough? Are they being given every assistance? What more can be done?

The people who should care the most and should be doing the most reside in Merrion Square, be it permanent full time officials, club representatives or unpaid administrators.

Ideally the League should have it's own chief executive to form a review body which would immediately conduct an investigation into the clubs performances in Europe.

That, believes the St Patrick's Athletic chief executive Pat Dolan, ought to be the first step. Dolan is more interested in deep rooted, long term strategies such as "the marketing of our own league."

The argument that only improved results in Europe would instigate a changed perception of Irish clubs in Ireland and the kind of revolution he is striving for doesn't wash with Dolan. "Look at the English clubs' results in Europe. At a time when they've never been worse their game is booming commercially and financially. Why? Through better marketing and TV coverage.

The absence of any RTE cameras at the National League grounds for the European ties underlines the point.

Dolan and St Patrick's Athletic are justifiably upbeat about their performance against Slovan Bratislava last month. Likewise Bohemians, who, but for the sending off of Mooney, might well have beaten Dinamo Minsk.

Performances in Europe and in pre season friendlies against cross channel opposition have markedly improved in the last four years. The FAI's assistance toward summer get togethers was another step forward. More could be done, and some form of extra competitive fair would be welcomed by Dolan, though he and his club are against summer football.

Shelbourne appear uniformly in favour of it. "We must not be afraid to grasp the nettle," says Damien Richardson. "We must not seek refuge in tradition because tradition hasn't served us well in Europe."

Far from downbeat about this season's performances, Richardson maintains the performances were "too good to be relegated to the record books. There are lessons to be learnt."

There are no easy answers. There are even some managers who do not particularly care about how their clubs operate in Europe.

It may be no coincidence that all three Dublin clubs conceded the advantage of playing the first leg away, thereby enhancing the chances of a bigger home gate but also betraying an age old inferiority complex. This is begging bowl mentality, compounding the lack of competitive match practice in the crucial opening half hour. Given the crowd on Thursday, that policy can't have made much difference.

There remains a lingering doubt that National League players are caught in a Catch 22 fear of the unknown, which improved results would be the best means of eradicating. The likes of Tony Sheridan are blissfully free of this, as, naturally, is Shelbourne's, newly acquired French full back Pascal Vaudequin.

Their performances were the most uplifting memory from Thursday. Opinions fluctuated wildly on Sheridan's performance. Some players - correctly knowing their limitations - make 10 short, safe passes in a game and will be lauded from the standards. Others will make to crunching tackles and win countless 50-50 balls and be extolled for their bravery.

Each are vital components of any side, but another sort of bravery belongs to the few like Sheridan, who will try a dozen first time passes in a game beyond the vision of most, or take on a man or try a shot. When they don't come off, amid moans and groans, they look worse. Yet when they do they are the most likely to unlock a defence.