FINN HARPS manager Ollie Horgan has hit out at the decision of League of Ireland clubs to revert to a ten-team Premier Division.
Harps were one of the clubs to oppose the change but the proposal, tabled by leading members of the Premier Club Alliance, will come into effect from next season.
This year, three teams will be relegated from the Premier Division to pave the way for the switch to the ten-team top flight in 2018.
“I disagree with it, but no-one can tell me why it has happened,” Horgan told Donegal Sport Hub.
[adrotate group=”46″]“I don’t know the reasons why they’re changing to a ten-team Premier Division.
“Surely, if they are making such a drastic change, there should be reasons given. I can’t see any positive reasoning behind the decision from our point of view or from a football perspective.
“I do believe that it will dilute the quality of the game here.
[adrotate group=”88″]“If someone could list me ten reasons why it has happened, I might be able to accept. No-one has been able to give one reason, let alone ten.”
In 2016, Harps finished above Longford Town and Wexford Youths. This year, they will need to have three teams beneath them if they are to avoid the drop.
Horgan said: “The way it is, we know and we always knew that we’d be in a battle. People slagged me last year for saying that but, look, at least we know that we’re going to be in the battle.
“Some other bigger clubs could find themselves in that battle too. Certainly, bigger clubs than Finn Harps could find themselves in bother and they could have voted for it. At least we have voted against it.”
[adrotate group=”53″]This year, only the First Division champions will be promoted to the top flight with the play-offs having been scrapped.
Harps were promoted via the play-offs in November 2015 when they overcame, first, UCD and then Limerick, on a dramatic night when BJ Banda’s last-gasp goal sealed a memorable win for Harps.
Horgan has expressed dismay at the decision to do away with the promotion-relegation play-offs.
He said: “I was below at St Colman’s Park for the play-off between Cobh Ramblers and Drogheda United.
“That was the biggest crowd I’d ever seen at Cobh. The place was hopping with people. It was great to see. It was the same with ourselves and Limerick the year before in the play-off.
“Now, they’re doing away with play-offs. It’s a complete farce.
“Limerick ran away with the First Division last season.
“What if there had been no play-offs for the other teams? What happens if a team runs away with it this year and it’s basically over from June?
“Will the other clubs want to keep paying wages? Of course not. Why would they?”
Horgan’s Harps return to pre-season training tomorrow ahead of the start of the season on February 24, when they welcome Cork City to Ballybofey.
Packie Mailey last night became the latest player to confirm that he is staying put at the club with Ciaran Gallagher, Damien McNulty, Ciaran Coll, Gareth Harkin, Ethan Boyle, Danny Morrissey, Jonny Bonner and Harry Doherty all having put pen to paper.
Tags: