Peers - League profile needs to be raised

Amidst the dramatic ending to this year’s FAI Cup Final, not only were there goals galore and pulsating attacking play from both Sligo Rovers and Drogheda United, but there was also a serious injury.

Sligo’s defensive stalwart Gavin Peers suffered a bad knee injury late in the game, and was forced off, leaving the game at ten versus ten. It is often said that the worst injuries are the ones obtained without contact, and this was one. However, as soon as the final whistle went, it was encouraging to see a stricken but jubilant Peers, hobble on to the pitch on a set of crutches.

To be fair, the long strides with the crutches were a bit low-key compared to Peers’ celebration for the other goals.

Speaking to extratime.ie, Peers said: “Once Danny (North) came on and scored, I knew we had them. That’s why I was kicking the advertising hoarding with Danny, because I just knew it was coming. Then when he scored the second, you can tell how I felt, jumping on the car. Having to go off injured hurt because I was no longer in control, and that was the hardest thing, having to watch the rest from the treatment room.

“I actually asked could I go back on because I hadn’t been subbed off, but when I tried to put my boot back on, I felt the pain in my knee as soon I stood up. Then they got the equaliser, but thankfully Elds (Anthony Elding) scored, and I was jumping around and had to celebrate with the lads.

“Lifting the cup then with my best mate, Danny Ventre, was special and being able to have my son Bradley on the pitch, and my new-born son Blake there just topped everything off.

“I think that it was the best game we’ve been involved in, in a long time. Personally, the best game for me would’ve been the one in which we beat Shamrock Rovers, because of the crowd and who were we playing. But this was definitely special, because of the goals and the end-to-end action.”

For Peers, the Cup win adds to his growing collection which contains two previous Cup winners’ medals and a league winners’ medal from last season. In the Airtricity Premier Division this year though, it was not to be for Sligo, and Peers attributes this to the amount of injuries the side experienced.

“With the league, I think we lost it with the amount of injuries we had. I was out for six weeks at the start of the season, and to be honest, from then I probably played my best football since I joined Sligo. But aside from the league, it’s been another good season, and another medal in the drawer.

“It's crazy how we've won it three times in four years - but keep them coming!”  

Having seen his defensive partner Jason McGuinness leave the club prior to the campaign, Peers was under pressure to lead the Rovers back-line this season, partnering younger defenders Jeff Henderson and Evan McMillan this season.

“To be honest, playing with Jason (McGuinness) was probably the best partnership I’ve had. This year, we swapped Evan for Jason, and Jeff had been there last season too, so it just freshened it up a bit. We’ve all had our injuries, and been filling in for each other, but both lads have come in and done really well."

Sligo seemed to benefit from experience in key positions, such as in defence, but this is something that Peers attributes to maintaining a consistency and level of happiness within the squad, making players eager to remain at the club.

“The blend of experience and youth in the squad has been there for the last five years. Players like myself, Danny Ventre, Jospeh Ndo, Alan Keane and Iarfhlaith Davoren have been here for a good while, and then there’s a few here for around three years, so it’s been good being able to work with the same players. Like every year, there are new faces that come in, do a job, and leave again, but I think we’ve been successful because everyone gets on, and want to be here, and hopefully, that’s how it will stay.”

Being an advocate for the Irish game, the Dublin-native is always keen to point out the strong points of the domestic game, but like most League of Ireland players and supporters, he is hopeful that more is done to improve the quality of life for the domestic players.

“I think the FAI really need to care about the league.

“I saw Marc McSharry bringing up the league in the Seanad recently, and to be honest, it’s long overdue. How can it be brought up there, and the FAI not do anything about it?”

Like anyone working, there is a need for job security for League of Ireland players. Senator McSharry commented on this in the Seanad, mentioning that the two teams that produced such a spectacle in the Aviva Stadium would all effectively be signing on the dole once the celebrations had ceased. Security is something Peers is vying for.

“There are loads of things (that could be done to improve the league). It needs to go full-time, with players signing 52-week contracts. Players jump from club to club every year, because of these 40-week contracts and it’s hard to find longevity at some clubs. Surely, there can be an agreement between the Social Welfare and the FAI to fund this somehow. That would be a start.”

Another interesting way to improve the profile of the league, Peers believes, is to give League of Ireland players the opportunities that GAA and Rugby players have, of taking part in publicity campaigns.

“Everyone seen the entertainment we produced, and previous finals have produced, and it has even been said to me that our game was better to watch than most of the Premier League fixtures that weekend. Does that not say enough?

“I think getting players from the league out there in the public eye could be a big one (in generating interest). You see players from the GAA and Rugby on television adverts a lot, and there would be no harm in putting some players from our league in similar campaigns.”

With Peers set to be at the Showgrounds for the foreseeable future, he does concede that some players are not even this lucky to have their future sorted at this time of year.

“I’ll be here for another two years anyway, and I’m really looking forward to it. I just want to get my injury sorted, and hopefully, am in a position to even improve on my best form from this season.”

Sligo Rovers will hope he returns even better. After all, it’s always good to have a strong backbone.