There’s hope for soccer in the city yet, but it might end up in court
With the recent refusal of Limerick city to be granted a Uefa licence it looked as if soccer in the midwest was going to be without representation in the league of Ireland but hope may yet be at hand. A group calling itself Soccer Limerick have applied for a UEFA Licence to play eircom League football in Limerick next season.
An FAI spokesman confirmed on Tuesday, which was the deadline for expressions of interests, that they had received a number of applications from interested parties in Limerick.The spokesman declined to comment on the number of, or identity of the groups involved, but added that the applications they received were ‘very encouraging’. Soccer Limerick was formed under the umbrella of the Limerick Sports Partnership in November 2006.According to Ger Finnan, the spokesman for Soccer Limerick who is also PRO with Limerick Junior soccer chiefs the Limerick District Management Committee (LDMC), they were due to meet again last night.
Meanwhile in another twist to the saga RTE sportare reporting that Limerick FC Chairman Danny Drew says that the club has no other option but to go to court to seek what he believes will be a fair hearing on why the FAI would not grant them a UEFA Licence to play football next season. According to Drew, they may also take legal action against the Hogan Park Trust in relation to alleged broken promises made on granting the club a lease at their Hogan Park ground. Drew confirmed last night that he had employed the services of Limerick based solicitor Kieran O’Brien to handle their case, if they have one. Drew was appointed Limerick FC Chairman over two years ago and has invested a considerable amount of his own money and time trying to resurrect the fortunes of the club. Drew insists that he invested his own money in the club on the basis that Limerick would be granted a 25-year lease at the circa 14 acre Hogan Park ground. He added that his ultimate ambition was to secure a permanent home for The Blues and to transform Hogan Park into a 5,000 all-seater stadium. Limerick’s failure to secure a lease at Hogan Park has prevented them from drawing down over €400,000 in capital sports grants which was badly needed for work on the ground.