IRISHMEN? The following people must accept much of the blame for the underachievment of the National League and must also acknowledge their part in creating the current soccer environment in Ireland. The following supposedly Irish souls have brought anger to many genuine soccer supporters who intend to rid Ireland of Premiership support. Note how many of them are employed by Raidio Teilifís England-oh sorry! Éireann. Bertie Ahern: Dear, oh dear, when the leader of our country has more interest in English soccer, it is bad. I recently noticed him at the Pats European game (apparently his first visit to Richmond Park) and he spent as much time looking at the programme as he did the match. Maybe this was due to his statement that day that he could not remember signing some cheque, or something sleazy like that. He is a disgrace to Ireland given his apathy towards the NL and his apparent love for "United", a foreign club which is helping to destruct our League. Ahern is a disaster and is a disgrace to Irish soccer. His apathy towards the National League of Ireland has been complimented by the paltry funds received in recent years by clubs. A horrendous leader to us, he is a huge disappointment. He, along with Sports Minister Jim McDiad shamed the FAI recently. The two "sports loving" politicians black-mailed the FAI when the Irish Soccer governing body announced their new plans for a stadium. The two of them have no interest in the Eircom NL. Eamon Dunphy: You know him. The man who called Cathal Dervan, a self-confessed condemner of the ludicrous "Dons for Dublin" proposal, a "scurvy little pup". The man who said that teams like Shelbourne were "rubbish". The man who said "Well I know I wouldn't invest £50,000 in Limerick F.C.", in a snide tone. The man generally accepted as the most ardent rubbisher of the NL. Mr. Dunphy is a man who really would experience difficulty in attempting to tell us NL fans that he is a legit patriot. A man who should not be acknowleged in an at all positive manner by NL supporters. His departure from the media will bring many a smile. Truly, the worst of them all. Bill O' Herlihy:Bill O' Herlihy, the RTÉ presenter and the fella who stunned many with his "I'm Bill O' Herlihy and that was the Premiership" speech last season. O' Helihy really showed his true Irishness by an horrendous comment early on last season. While discussing Arsenal's European C.L. group, he came across the name of Dynamo Kiev which prompted his response,"Sure they couldn't even beat Cork!". This referal was to Cork City's defeat by CSKA Kiev not so long prior. So Bill rubbishes a team from Ireland to highlight the chances of a team from England. What a wally. An Irish presenter. Vincent Hogan: While primarily a hurling analyst (for the Irish Independent) Hogan also writes frequently about soccer. English soccer. He is another of those media men who still have not established that the Premiership is an English product and that the National League is Irish. Scribbles about "Fergie" and the likes like they were our own. Regards Liverpool F.C. as "we". Sad. Dion Fanning: I can never recall any article in the Sunday Independent about the NL written by Mr. Fanning. Seemingly, on the basis of his writing, he thinks we are English. Jim Beglin: Probably the most hated co-commentator known to National League fans. Another masterful RTÉ move was his appointment, Beglin commented when Manchester United reached the European Cup Final that he "was delighted for English football". When Manchester scored against Monaco in 1998, he commented "it's exactly what we wanted". WHO ARE WE? WHO? Almost, if not as bad as Dunphy. Paddy Murray: He writes for the Sunday "paper full of crap" World. He is an ardent Manchester United follower. Follower. He has never, in my recollection recalled seeing this English team in action. Continually, he scribbles jargin about sad ABU's and so on. I can never remember him acknowledging Ireland's league. Another in a sad list of idiotic Irish people who are unaware of their nationality. The only thing I agree with him about is that ABU's are a sad element, my reasons slightly different to his... John Brennan: He is Sports Editor for the Sunday "paper full of crap" World. Additionally, he is a hypocritical fellow. After Ireland defeated Macedonia in June, Brennan berated about the 6,000 or so empty seats at Landsdowne. "Where was the great Irish soccer public last Wednesday?", questioned Brennan. How can this moron in any way criticise a soccer public, which he has helped lead towards Englishness in his rag of a paper? Brennan is the Sports Editor of a paper which dedicated almost 10 times more content to the English Cup Final than to OUR Cup Final 1st replay last season. Somebody ask this guy who he thinks he is. Micheal Hyland: Oh God...This guy is the head of the National League and he is as well shovelling cement for FÁS. He never seems to speak out about the league, never seems to do anything remotely constructive. I was told that last year in the Match Programme of the Carlsberg Tournament, that he "welcomed all Liverpool fans because he always was a Liverpool fan". Can anyone confirm this? In fairness to the bloke, he would be better off earning the pension, something soon to come his way, no doubt. George Hamilton: Yet another f***in Premiership dude in Ireland's national station. Asked who he supported, this Irish guy replied, "Arsenal", an English team. So you would think that he certainly would want Manchester to do poorly in Europe. On the contrary, this flying gael was a major fan judging by his commentries on the "BIG UNITED NIGHTS" on that shaggin s*** of a station we have. More names will follow. Tell me who. Johnny Ward, Editor