2012 First Division structure?

[legendz]

With the 2012 premier division structure confirmed, what will the structure of the 2012 First Division be?

As everyone knows, unless there's any withdrawals from the league, Galway and the 8 remaining clubs from the first division 2011 will be involved. Word has it 5 clubs are looking to join the division. Word initially was one club would join. Will more that one will be invited?

Naturally I'll be hoping Tralee be involved. Without withdrawals by current clubs, the first division will have to be at least 12 for this dream to come reality.

[Trainee]

Whats the latest with Cobh?

[El-Pietro]

hope at least 3 clubs are invited - but if 5 want to play, and can meet the requirements, why not allow all 5 in.

14 teams isnt ideal, but its better than leaving clubs out in the cold. it would also be the first step towards a 16 team premier division

[legendz]

Looking at the 2012 premier division structure confirmed, mention of the first division is 1st to be promoted with 2nd v 3rd in a play-off to take on the team 11th in the premier. It's hard to see a 14 team FD but who knows? When some were discussing 14 earlier, it was hard to see a structure that would be workable. My money would be on either 10 or 12.
If Tralee get the nod but other clubs aren't so lucky, I'll have sympathy for their predicament. If clubs will be in that position, they should work together to lobby the FAI to see if some league could be formed with the inclusion of some reserve teams, if at all possible?

[Mr A]

The first division has had seasons of 9 and 11 teams, 14 would be class compared to that.

[citybone]

At least with 14 clubs it would mean playing different club to normal, i think the standard of the league would drop a little but i think that would be expected, it would give salthill and Finn harps a chance of winning a few games

[gufc2000]

The Probables:

Galway Utd
Limerick
Waterford Utd
Longford Town
Athlone Town
Finn Harps
Mervue Utd
Wexford Youths

Question marks over Salthill Devon

The Possibles:

Fanad Utd
Tralee
Cobh
Tullamore
Castlebar
Carlow

[Macy]

14 wouldn't be ideal, for the same reasons it wouldn't for the premier, however, I'd consider it a different case. I'm not in favour of blocking any club that meets the criteria to be honest, with the long term goal of expanding the premier. I'd probably expand the playoffs though, if it was to 14.

Not sure how you'd organise it. Home and Away and some first division cup/ shield? Just not a split - the first is depressing enough, imagine the bottom half of a split!

[citybone]

I think a split wont happen, if it does not happen in the prem it wont in the 1st.

[Patrick Dunne]

Twelve teams in the First is enough.

The infrastructure criteria for the First Division are very low (enclosed pitch with dressing rooms), so three or four teams in the division will effectively playing in fields (eg Mervue, Carlow, Salthill). On the other hand, you will have grounds like Waterford RSC, Terryland, Flancare and Lissywollen.

In my opinion, the infrastructure criteria are insufficient. A covered standing terrace for 200 supporters should be the bare minimum.

[culloty82]

Most of the clubs mentioned have been working towards getting a full licence for the last three seasons, so if all meet the standards required, 14 teams would seem the fairest solution. A split wouldn't be ideal, but at least every club would be guaranteed 16 home games. It's been claimed in the main thread that Fanad have pulled out of the running, and nothing definite has been heard about Tullamore or Castlebar, but the other three all appear to be interested.

[Lim till i die]

The Probables:

Galway Utd
Limerick
Waterford Utd
Longford Town
Athlone Town
Finn Harps
Mervue Utd
Wexford Youths

Question marks over Salthill Devon

The Possibles:

Fanad Utd
Tralee
Cobh
Tullamore
Castlebar
Carlow

Fanad wont be there.

Has there been anything about Tullamore and Castlebar bar idle speculation on here??

Also, is Mick Wallace still bothering with Wexford Youths?? Very quiet down there.

If I had to take a guess this minute I reckon you're looking at:

Athlone
Cobh
Galway
Harps
Longford
Limerick
Mervue
Tralee
Waterford
Wexford

[Acornvilla]

you even went to the trouble of alphabetising it

[Lim till i die]

[legendz]

It's Cobh, Tralee and Carlow who've been putting in the effort and they are involved in the U19 league. I hope to see all of these 3 get the nod to join a first division of 12.

[gufc2000]

Fanad wont be there.

Has there been anything about Tullamore and Castlebar bar idle speculation on here??

Also, is Mick Wallace still bothering with Wexford Youths?? Very quiet down there.

If I had to take a guess this minute I reckon you're looking at:

Athlone
Cobh
Galway
Harps
Longford
Limerick
Mervue
Tralee
Waterford
Wexford

With the possibility of Carlow and Salthill being thrown in there. If Salthill are staying on, then the FAI will surely push for an even number of teams to be in there.

[Longfordian]

It's Cobh, Tralee and Carlow who've been putting in the effort and they are involved in the U19 league. I hope to see all of these 3 get the nod to join a first division of 12.

Cobh still owe a lump of money to the Revenue don't they? They won't be getting back in without paying that or coming to some arrangement.

[El-Pietro]

you even went to the trouble of alphabetising it

and yet he got your clubs in the wrong order

Limerick should come before the men from Flancare

[MagicMon]

Longford got moved up a place because Finn Harps had a spelling mistake

[Lim till i die]