Almost everyone will agree that anything good for Shamrock Rovers is generally good for Irish soccer and all will rejoice that the club is to get a new home after 11 years of wandering.

Since the days at Glenmalure Park the Hoops have played home matches at venues such as the RDS, Tolka and Dalymount so the news that they have now got planning permission for a new ground in Tallaght means that they can concentrate on the future.

The one reservation that this observer would have, however, is that the crowd limit has been set at 6,000. In the great days at Glenmalure Park crowds double that size were frequent and there is no reason why that could not be repeated.

That is a matter for the planning authorities but there is, apparently, some indication that this figure might be extended some time in the future.

Not being a regular at National League matches this writer is not in a position to comment on the standard of the game, but I am assured that some very good quality matches are being played. Visits by teams from Britain and the Continent have attracted big crowds and matches of this nature are seldom decided by more than a couple of goals. Gone are the days when heavy defeats were often the outcome.

The news that Shamrock Rovers are now to have their own stadium is very good for Irish soccer in general and even as one who often shouted vehemently against Rovers I join in the rejoicing.

It is to be hoped that the young people of Tallaght take Shamrock Rovers to their hearts and come out in strong support. Anything would be better than Wimbledon. One of the strange things in domestic soccer in recent times, however, is the row between three National League clubs and Derry City over transfers.

What has happened, apparently, is that Derry have snapped up three players from clubs in the Republic and have refused to pay any transfer fees claiming that, under the Bosman ruling, they are not liable to do so.

Derry quote a rule laid down in the case of Belgian player Marc Bosman who successfully claimed that, under European law, he was free to move from one playing jurisdiction to another without his club being allowed to demand a transfer fee. That seemed straight-forward enough since Bosman wanted to move from one European Union country to another. In the case of Derry City, however, there is a complication. The club is based in the United Kingdom but play in the Republic of Ireland - two separate and distinct European nations. It seems to me, and other National League clubs, that Derry want the best of both worlds.

They cite the Bosman ruling and say that they would be breaking European laws if they paid transfer fees for players whose contracts with National League clubs have expired. They are not very popular with the three clubs involved - Sligo Rovers, Dundalk and UCD - who claim that if Derry want to play in the National League they must recognise the National League regulations.

Other National League clubs feel threatened by Derry's stance because Derry could target players from all over the Republic and entice them to join without paying a penny in transfer fees.

It is a tricky situation and will take some working out and it certainly hasn't improved Derry's popularity with the other clubs. It is feared that they are taking advantage of the Bosman ruling to avoid their responsibilities to the other National League clubs.

Technically Derry City have a case but other clubs say the spirit of the situation would require Derry to pay transfer fees. There can't be a situation in which Derry City are treated differently from every other club in the league.

The fact is that Derry City were given a hearty welcome when they joined what was then the League of Ireland and brought with them a breath of fresh air and a great boost for domestic soccer. They have had their fair share of success and nobody begrudged them that.

There is a danger that the good relations between Derry and the other clubs is being damaged. That is very regrettable indeed. A solution to the problem will have to be found otherwise things will get worse and the feel-good factor caused by the good news about Shamrock Rovers will go for nought.