DUBLIN refs, Dublin media, or just plain old ridden rock solid by Dublin.
The first-ever instalment of the League of Ireland in 1920 was Dublin-centric with all eight teams from the capital, which has been a bone of contention for those outside the Pale ever since.
Ironically, the football split which coincided with the War of Independence was over a Belfast bias in the IFA.
But the move to a Dublin HQ and League of Ireland just transported the suspicions of favouritism 90 miles south for the fans of new teams who joined over the years.
Everyone knows it is all bs. Sure it was a Waterford man who called the league the FAI’s “difficult child” — not ‘problem child’ as has become the common perception.
Besides, even if there was an aim to screw the non-Dub clubs, traffic is so bad here to even meet to conjure such a plan.
Nevertheless, the ‘Dem up in Dublin’ rhetoric is all part of the fun and helps give the League of Ireland some of its madness.
I was in Longford in 2005, struggling to keep a poker face when then-Cork City chief Damien Richardson delivered his infamous “ridden rock solid” rant, which took aim at a Dublin official after a shock FAI Cup exit. It is the classic of the genre.
Or Ruaidhrí Higgins asking if Conan Byrne’s comments at a Derry City-Shamrock Rovers game last season were made as he would see his fellow Dubs back home.
Then-Candystripes boss Higgins knew full well that former Shelbourne and St Pat’s ace Byrne was not singing Kumbaya on the Rovers coach home, but his comments circled the wagons.
And why should a manager not use any trick he can?
Still, the LOI roll of honour is Dublin-centric. Sixty-two of the 102 titles have gone to the capital and only Dundalk split the ‘big four’ of Rovers, Shels, Bohemians and St Pat’s.
Sure, there have been dynasties for Cork, Waterford and Dundalk but there was always a feeling that the demographics meant Dublin would dominate if Dublin got its act together.
That is what has happened in the past few years.
Whether it was the crowds post-pandemic, excellent community work, greater promotion or increased coverage, it’s been boom time.
Success on the pitch naturally meant regular sell-outs could have become more of a Dublin-thing. But they have not.
Derry City are at capacity most weeks and Drogheda United desperately need a new stadium to cope with demand.
Title pushes and cup wins have contributed. Sligo Rovers are on that road too with attendances up.
Cork City, Galway United and Waterford are all rapidly playing catch-up having been in the First Division recently.
You just have to look at this year’s early league table.
Last season, the top three were all Dublin teams and, despite their slow start, Bohemians were many people’s — myself included — tip to make a jump this term.
But after four games, three teams are unbeaten and two of them are league-leading Waterford and Drogs a spot behind, with Dublin-based champs Shels the other.
That is likely to change in the next month as the league that never settled down last season settles down.
But it is not beyond the Pale to assume the Dublin stranglehold is threatened.
