With SU coming under Football South I think they are going to do much better - the new CEO wants to make a few bucks? Well go him because what's the alternative? You got it - lose a few bucks. And with money in the kitty I hear a few Paddys may be headed to SU for the coming season. That will be fun I'm sure. The coach is a fantastic choice in my opinion - O'Reilly? O Really! And I don't understand why anyone would criticise the development of players that's gone on under Football South to be honest. The Milk Cup experience is terrific in the NZ context - who else does that in NZ? And we have produced some quality recently - sheesh Joel, Cam, James take a bow. Yes with some help elsewhere but that's always the case. The raw talent was grown here.
Aye? Maybe I've missed a rather large dose of sarcasm? What on earth makes you think they're going to have money to spend?!? FS were pretty much financially poked prior to taking on SU. If they let the head rule the heart (financially speaking) then they wouldn't be taking on SU that's for sure. FS are essentially having to risk all cash reserves (and the Home of Football idea) to take on SU.
I sincerely hope Paul O'Reilly is a great appointment, and want to give him a chance. But the cynical side of me looks at the fact that he's only lasted 6 months in each of his two roles since arriving in NZ (although South Canterbury seemed genuinely gutted to lose him). And he gets talked up for his coaching credentials - when in reality he's never coached men above school and Irish university level. Impressive record in those respects though.
In saying all that I think it's a good move, and better than just repeating what hasn't worked already. The fact that our Youth side has been more than competitive recently shows there's some potential around.
Is it fair to credit FS for the success of the Milk Cup experience? I would have thought they was almost solely down to individuals like Macca and more recently Flipper.