WATCH: Aherne proud of direction taken by Aisling Annacotty

Standing on the new grass pitch overlooking the new community centre and state of the art dressing rooms, it was hard not to be impressed by the new set-up at Aisling Annacotty. The club begin their Limerick District League Premier Division campaign on Thursday evening when they host Regional United (6.30).

Last season, the Annacotty club finished in sixth position which in the upcoming campaign would see them compete against the top clubs on a weekly basis in the second half of the season, when the league splits into a top and bottom six. However, Aisling manager Mike Aherne has grave concerns about the new league structure.

I think the structure is a concern for anyone with a decent player because if you don’t get into the top 6, they will be cherry picked by other clubs.

It just hasn’t been thought out and I have heard interviews with other managers and I am not sure that anybody really knows what way it is going to go.

For me, I don’t think it is going to work regardless because the bottom six teams will lose interest in the second half of the season.

Aherne also aired his frustration at the direction that other clubs are taking; stating that Aisling Annacotty will continue to concentrate on investing in top-class facilities.

“I think the league will continue to suffer as the power has completely shifted to the player. The players will determine which clubs are strongest. The strongest clubs will be the ones that can attract the players through whatever terms they can offer.”

Aherne goes into detail about his concerns and frustrations as well as his hopes for the current group at Aisling. To watch the full interview, click on the link below.