The Aitricity Premier League was dealt a serious blow yesterday when Monaghan United announced it was withdrawing from this season’s competition and ending the contracts of its manager Roddy Collins and players with immediate effect.
In our preview of the commercial realities facing domestic Irish soccer, we had highlighted the difficulty which Monaghan United appeared to face in securing a sponsor, and the fact that Kingspan Century Homes, one of the first naming rights sponsors in Irish sport, had withdrawn with the home ground title reverting to Gortakeegan.
Monaghan United were promoted last season but struggled so far in the top flight with nine points from the 14 games played.
A statement from Chairman Jim McGlone appears to be the first that players and the FAI had known about the decision to withdraw.
“This decision was a hard one and not taken lightly but it was felt that this was the only real option left to us at this time.”
“The reason we have taken this decision is mainly but not only financial. To keep a team playing at the highest level in this country is expensive and with the clubs inability to tie down an anchor sponsor, coupled with the rising costs of membership of senior football and the lack of support from the national league it was felt that no other option was available.”
The FAI held a board meeting in Poznan where many members were for the final game in the Republic of Ireland’s Euro 2012 campaign.
In a statement issued afterwards it “expressed its disappointment at the decision of Monaghan United to withdraw from the Airtricity League Premier Division.”
“The Association regrets that the club has taken this decision at this time and is disappointed that the matter was not discussed with the League prior to the announcement.”
It went on to highlight that the club has received significant support from the FAI and the National League including a facility development loan for €150,000 of which over €100,000 is still outstanding as well as a €25,000 grant to the club in 2009 during its AGM in Monaghan, and assistance in securing Sports Capital Grants.
Sponsorship proposals in limited circulation since before the start of the campaign in March hinted that shirt front sponsorship might have been secured for as little as a low five figure sum but whether due diligence on the club would have instilled the confidence that any sponsor would require is now open to some question.
The League has undergone a transformation in its approach to finance with most clubs offering only annual and in many cases nine month contracts to players, seeking to build a sustainable model against increased pressure from Premier League and Champions’ League soccer as well as other sports.
The new approach appears to be working with Shamrock Rovers, Sligo Rovers, Bohemians, Drogheda United and Cork City all securing positive partnerships from business this season and appearing to move in the right direction.
The decision by Monaghan United to withdraw is a serious blow however, coming as it does on the day that the English Premier League fixtures for next season are published and only days before the next round of fixtures in the Airtricity Premier League.
Sligo Rovers are seven points clear at the top after the expunging of the fixtures that Monaghan had fulfilled; with UCD now bottom of the table on nine points.  One club will be without a fixture each week now for the rest of the season, adding to their own difficulties in making a financial return on the season.
The Professional Footballers’ Association of Ireland said that no discussion had taken place with the them or any of their members and that the first many of the players heard of their no longer being employed was through social media and the radio. It expressed its hope that player’s wages, currently in arrears would be paid and their contracts honoured.
The demise of Monaghan United in its present form is a dark cloud that reflects sport not being immune to the harsh economic reality of modern Ireland.  Nevertheless lessons can be learned, not least about the need to talk to all parties and try to find a solution before closing the doors.
Sport for Business is not just about attaching commercial benefit to the glory of sport.  It is equally pointed towards ensuring that sports of all sizes and appeals can structure themselves in order to produce that glory at some point down the line.