Galway, Mervue and Salthill discussion

**redobit** · 10/11/2009, 8:50 AM

Originally Posted by Terry

The planning notice for the mervue grounds went up only in july (half way through the season) with up until the end of August for any of the locals to oppose the works, so, nothing could be done anyway until the end of these dates. It is widely known that mervue gave such short dates at the start of the season so to get low rent payments to play in terryland as to the one that GUFC have to pay.

FAO PADDYFIELD:

I havent seen the planning permission myself for the drom, it was players and staff that told me of the developments.

Planning submissions are open to the public, so you should be able to see the planning permission and any drawings if you know the applicant name or address etc. if you check on Galway CoCo planning section or on the City council website, which ever is relevant.

**Big Chief** · 10/11/2009, 10:46 AM

The situation is ridiculous. Mervue should not have been allowed into the League and neither should Salthill Devon for that part. The main focus of the League of Ireland has to be increasing attendances from which increased gate receipts and sponsorship can be gleaned and money generated to improve facilities and playing staffs.

While I am on the point Kildare County (who I understand have now folded), UCD, Monaghan United and Sporting Fingal offer nothing and should also be removed. There are far too many senior clubs in Ireland as it is without allowing another one to join the ranks.

**Paddyfield** · 10/11/2009, 10:55 AM

Originally Posted by Big Chief

While I am on the point Kildare County (who I understand have now folded), UCD, Monaghan United and Sporting Fingal offer nothing and should also be removed. There are far too many senior clubs in Ireland as it is without allowing another one to join the ranks.

Monaghan Utd seem to be a well run and self sustained club. The could show other clubs how to live within their means. When they played in the Premier Division in the 90's, they had big home crowds and brought a large traveling support to away games. I recall them bringing a few hundred to Galway on more than one occasion.

**gufct** · 10/11/2009, 11:02 AM

Originally Posted by Paddyfield

Monaghan Utd seem to be a well run and self sustained club. The could show other clubs how to live within their means. When they played in the Premier Division in the 90's, they had big home crowds and brought a large traveling support to away games. I recall them bringing a few hundred to Galway on more than one occasion.

Monaghan are very well run but they have a tiny fanbase and they were a novelty back in the 90's and punched well above their weight for 2 seasons under Billy Bagster.

If salthill take up the offer of a first division spot the FAI will single handedly destroy loi soccer in Galway. Galway United have a huge debt and are being propped up by Directors loans,Mervue have struggled to get crowds in excess of 120 and putting a third clun=b in Galway is lunacy and anyone that thinks otherwise is living in cloud cuckoo land. There is barely the support for 1 team in Galway let alone 3.

**gufcfan** · 10/11/2009, 5:09 PM

Originally Posted by Terry

Salthill received there planning permission to build a stand in the drom a while back and they plan to have one up to first division standards at some stage next season.

That's what Mervue "planned".

Don't have a stand and probably never will.

**gufc2000** · 10/11/2009, 6:05 PM

Originally Posted by Big Chief

While I am on the point Kildare County (who I understand have now folded), UCD, Monaghan United and Sporting Fingal offer nothing and should also be removed. There are far too many senior clubs in Ireland as it is without allowing another one to join the ranks.

I can't understand this. Monaghan Utd are one of the best run clubs in the country. They are investing their money in infrastructure, youth set-ups and facilities instead of wasting it on players like many other clubs have foolishly done.

And besides, have you clubs at the ready to jump in and take the places of these clubs who supposedly offer 'nothing'?

**Big Chief** · 11/11/2009, 8:19 AM

Originally Posted by gufc2000

I can't understand this. Monaghan Utd are one of the best run clubs in the country. They are investing their money in infrastructure, youth set-ups and facilities instead of wasting it on players like many other clubs have foolishly done.

And besides, have you clubs at the ready to jump in and take the places of these clubs who supposedly offer 'nothing'?

No I don't and that is exactly the outcome which I would endeavour to achieve. There are too many senior clubs in Ireland as it stands. The population of the Republic of Ireland is around 4 million and soccer is clearly not the most popular spectator sport therefore it simply can't support 22 senior clubs.

As for Monaghan United, who have had a reasonably good season by their standards, I stand over my belief that they should be removed from the league. I attended a game on a Tuesday night against my club Finn Harps, who were in the process of having a generally miserable season on the field, at Kingspan Century Park and it was noteworthy that there were still more away fans than home ones in what was an atrocious attendance. It is irrelevant if they have all the infrastructure imaginable if there is simply no support and no interest among their local community.

**Terry** · 11/11/2009, 9:07 AM

Originally Posted by gufcfan

That's what Mervue "planned".

Don't have a stand and probably never will.

What? the way salthill have gone about it is completely different than the way mervue did, and it is going ahead if you read mervues website. They are only getting past the locals complaints now.

**Bluebeard** · 11/11/2009, 10:42 AM

Was there not some oddness a few years ago whereby there was some kind of odd "merger" between Salthill and Galway Utd? I seem to recall something in some newspaper speaking of Salthill actually in some strange legal way "owning" GUFC.

Before the bile at my ignorance is spewed, I ask this only for information - I recall something dimmly about it, but I reckoned folk on here would know the actual details.

**harps1954** · 11/11/2009, 1:10 PM

What's the odds on Salthill not getting a FD Licence?

The reason I ask is because I reckon the FAI will cut the FD back to ten teams, and Derry City will start next season in the 'A' league.

**Gaillimh Al** · 11/11/2009, 1:21 PM

Salthill yet to make decision on First Division participation:

http://www.extratime.ie/newsdesk/articles/2770/

**number16** · 11/11/2009, 2:18 PM

Salthill have applied for a FD licence, and assuming they get approved, will be in the FD next season.

**Guitd** · 11/11/2009, 2:22 PM

Originally Posted by number16

Salthill have applied for a FD licence, and assuming they get approved, will be in the FD next season.

ya but where will they play ,dont think drum will meet standards and terryland is over used allready with galway united and mervue plus the 54 clubs in the galway league using it, cant see local clubs giving up their finals to allow salthill play there as well.

**harps1954** · 11/11/2009, 2:36 PM

Originally Posted by Guitd

ya but where will they play ,dont think drum will meet standards and terryland is over used allready with galway united and mervue plus the 54 clubs in the galway league using it, cant see local clubs giving up their finals to allow salthill play there as well.

Plus, there isn't a hope in hell of the FAI allowing three clubs to use the one ground.

**WoodquayBoy** · 11/11/2009, 2:45 PM

Which is why in an earlier post I expressed concern that United could be the ones to lose out, as I would imagine Mervue and Salthill would have part ownership of Terryland through the GDL

**Riddickcule** · 11/11/2009, 2:56 PM

It's absolutly ridiculous having 3 clubs from a city of 70,000 people.

Having said that, they played fair and got here fairly, so who are we to stop them.
Would make far more sense to have say Tralee or Tullamore come into the 1st Div.
*sigh

**Cosmo** · 11/11/2009, 3:35 PM

Originally Posted by Big Chief

While I am on the point Kildare County (who I understand have now folded), UCD, Monaghan United and Sporting Fingal offer nothing and should also be removed. There are far too many senior clubs in Ireland as it is without allowing another one to join the ranks.

Whats with the monaghan bashing? If ye were gona put clubs out of the league cos of their low support, there'd be nobody left in the league.

Monaghan are a very well run club - have a great wee set up there. they've more right to be in league than most other clubs as they play by the rules. Fair play to them, if only more clubs were run aswel as them (bar the poor crowds obviously!!)

**citybone** · 11/11/2009, 4:11 PM

I would have liked to have seen Salthill vs Mervue in a playoff and have 2 ten team leagues. Derry can start out in the A Championship.

**Terry** · 11/11/2009, 7:44 PM

Mr Delaney was in Galway over the weekend stating that it would be bad for the city if salthill were to join the league, but, tony johnstone of salthill says that they "have the grounds and the player pool, to be successful in the first division".

**Dodge** · 11/11/2009, 7:47 PM

Funny seeing some Galway fans saying they shouldn't be allowed in the league due to off field issues.

Will they ever believe in promotion due to on field performance?

Oh, and long live Monaghan (and all other clubs trying to do the right thing)!