After Dundalk's monumental victory against BATE Borisov in the Champions League last night - one which leaves them just a step from the group stages - the FAI sent out a congratulatory tweet regarding the win.
The relationship between the FAI and the league has long been a troubled one. LOI fans, rightly, believe that the league is neglected by Irish football's governing organisation. Of course John Delaney once infamously referred to it as the 'problem child' of Irish football.
Replies to the tweet really told how fans feel about the FAI's treatment of Irish clubs.
What an incredible night for the @SSEAirtricityLg and for Irish football! Well done @DundalkFC! 🇮🇪👊🏻🙌🏻 https://t.co/lDsxUxLX1Z
— FAIreland ⚽️🇮🇪 (@FAIreland) August 2, 2016
Last week, the FAI announced that it would be providing funding of €100,000 to the league. That's €5,000 per club.
That was one of the main sticks used to beat Delaney and Co.
@FAIreland ah lads seriously it was extra 5,000 euros that did it. Ye are geniuses up there?
— BH37 (@brianheneghan) August 2, 2016
@FAIreland @SSEAirtricityLg @DundalkFC You might consider giving them more than a measly £5,000 per club so.
— Timmy Birchall (@tbirchall) August 2, 2016
@FAIreland @SSEAirtricityLg @DundalkFC @FCBATE @ChampionsLeague that 5 grand was the difference lads......
— J Casey (@jcasey_25) August 2, 2016
Obligatorily, there was also reference to Delaney's 'problem child' line.
@FAIreland @SSEAirtricityLg seriously, you now want to lap up the glory of something your CEO called a problem child? #jokeshop #delaneyout
— Kevin Mullen (@mullers75) August 2, 2016
@FAIreland @SSEAirtricityLg @DundalkFC @FCBATE @ChampionsLeague Not so much the problem child tonight then eh?
— Erika Ní Thuama (@Erika_2_me) August 2, 2016
And that's just a sample of the replies. They were far more numerous.
Photo by David Maher/Sportsfile
