New soccer season with the same old story

The new Meath & District League (MDL) soccer season is underway, but some of the old, unsavoury ways are continuing with one game abandoned by a local referee last weekend for what is understood to be verbal abuse. The premier league clash between hosts Duleek and Woodview on Sunday was ended on the hour mark by referee Dave Murphy who allegedly was the subject of remarks made by some people on the sideline involved with the Dundalk club. "Verbal abuse of referees was a problem last season and it continues to be a problem," said one observer at the game. "The referee has two choices, he can try to deal with the situation or he can pick up the ball and walk away and on this occasion he decided to take the latter course of action. It is usually just one or two people who are the problem." According to MDL secretary Gerry Gorman an investigation into the incident will be carried out when the referee's report is received. Two other games scheduled to take place last weekend were also called off although before a ball had even been kicked. The Skryne/Tara Div 2 clash against Athboy fell by the wayside when the Tara club was unable to field a team while getting 11 together also proved problematic for Donore who were unable to fulfil their O'Neill Shield tie with Balrath. It appears some clubs are finding it difficult to come up with the playing personnel required to sustain two or even one team as they lose players to emigration they find it impossible to replace. It is also believed that a percentage of players are struggling to meet the costs of turning out for their team with the weekly subscriptions an impediment to continuing in the game. "This is not the Premiership, players at junior level have to pay to play, but for those who are unemployed the weekly subscription can be just that little bit too much," said a club official. According to Balrath clubman Gerry O'Brien it is "almost impossible" to find a sponsor who will put substantial money behind a cause at the moment. While sponsors can be found to provide the various strips for the teams coming across companies or individuals to go beyond that is difficult making club fundraisers essential. "It just not possible for any club to function these days without some money coming in which makes fundraisers like the quiz night or the bag packing so important," he added. "Sponsors that will put a few thousand into a club are very hard to find." Balrath started out as a under-age club in the North Dublin Schoolboys League, but this season the they took the bold decision to enter a team in the MDL for the first time, a big move in terms of finance and commitment required from players. O'Brien says it is important that those involved in running any club are working towards the same objectives. "You need to have everyone moving in the same way with the same aims in terms of developing the club," he added.