A local TD has highlighted the lack of League of Ireland facilities in the Northern Sound region.
Deputy Cathy Bennett was one of several TDs who addressed the Dáil about Irish soccer last week.
She highlighted that the League of Ireland club in Monaghan folded in 2012.
She claimed, that the club had debts "of just €6,000."
With TDs wearing soccer jerseys from their constituency, Deputy Bennett made reference to Derry City.
She said it is reflective of her ambition that we would see an all-Ireland league and national team.
Deputy Bennett said: "There have been a lot of League of Ireland jerseys outside the Chamber today. Unfortunately, while County Monaghan does have many fantastic clubs, the only professional team in my county folded back in 2012 because of debts of just €6,000. There is no League of Ireland club in County Cavan.
"I ask the Minister of State to put more funds into encouraging that happening in Cavan and Monaghan. We all know how beneficial it is to children and young people growing up. Instead, as a TD from a Border county, today I had to wear a Derry City jersey, which is reflective of my ambition that we would see an all-Ireland league and national team.
"What we would like to see from the Minister of State is an update of the code of practice for safety and the putting in place of funding to help clubs to meet it.
"I also ask him to fulfil his party’s commitment to increase the betting tax by 1% and put that money into sports funding, and to commit to multi-annual funding for facilities and infrastructure while working with organisations to become self-sufficient," Deputy Bennett added.
