Play Off 4/11

**oldyouth** · 06/11/2016, 7:52 AM

Originally Posted by White Horse

Drogheda lead 3-2.

We are trying to improve the league. This pub league amateurish stuff has no place in the top division.

Much better for the league that we have have a few *asterisks against a club's name in the middle of the season, or contacts being given to players but not being paid, or former managers bringing foreclosure orders in the courts over debts, or supporters protesting & boycotting against their clubs, or our league champions having to play on a shag pile carpet, or having travelling fans afraid to go and support their team without getting stones thrown at them on the way in, or clubs passing a begging bucket around other to save their club then using the money to sign new players, or managers questioning the integrity of other managers on social media, or a club refusing to travel to a fixture

Yeah, God forbid a local lad agreed to play for the club for a few games, shameful

**Mr A** · 06/11/2016, 9:31 AM

Wexford have been the best addition to the league in a long time- they have been stable and have built themselves up gradually. They have stayed careful in not spending money and have still pulled off some good seasons. Getting a league of Ireland club up and running is an incredibly difficult thing to do. Keeping an established one going is hard enough.

This year has been difficult, the last months especially, but they came very close to staying up which would have been a huge achievement. But they didn't go the way of Cobh, Athlone, Monaghan, Harps etc of getting up and then getting into serious difficulty or even dropping out of the league altogether. On reflection they would have been better to move to semi pro deals for more players.. but if the lads wanted to go would the club really have been able to stop them?

Some incredibly harsh stuff above from people whose clubs have not been nearly as stable as the Youths. Some would want to remember that in the LOI a club's time in the sun is generally pretty short.

**oldyouth** · 06/11/2016, 9:46 AM

Cheers Mr. A, appreciated

**NeverFeltBetter** · 06/11/2016, 10:19 AM

Originally Posted by pineapple stu

A 10-team Premier has been tried twice before and failed both times. No reason to think this will be any different.

A new approach is needed IMO. To be honest, I think the main priority is trying to encourage new clubs into the league.

And, as I recall, the last report said nothing about actually trying to do this, which was its biggest problem in my opinion.

**brendy_éire** · 06/11/2016, 11:13 AM

On a personal level, really disappointed to see Wexford down, and Drogheda up.
Love away trips to Wexford. Despite the distance it's one of the most enjoyable. Lovely town for staying over in too, with arguably the best brewery in the country (Yellowbelly; check it out).
You'd worry about how Wexford will cope next year, could be a while before we see them back up.

As for Drogheda, ugh. Worst away facilities in the country; disgusting toilets, can't see parts of the pitch from the stand, rubbish food selection.
And what about poor Kenny Shiels and the dugout positioning? Dreadful stuff.

**pineapple stu** · 06/11/2016, 11:33 AM

Originally Posted by NeverFeltBetter

And, as I recall, the last report said nothing about actually trying to do this, which was its biggest problem in my opinion.

Yup.

Though it did suggest we start importing a load of foreigners from some African/Asian country, and then sell the TV rights back to that country.

And yet it's somehow being taken seriously.

**Nah Nah Nah Nah** · 06/11/2016, 11:52 AM

Originally Posted by brendy_éire

On a personal level, really disappointed to see Wexford down, and Drogheda up.
Love away trips to Wexford. Despite the distance it's one of the most enjoyable. Lovely town for staying over in too, with arguably the best brewery in the country (Yellowbelly; check it out).
You'd worry about how Wexford will cope next year, could be a while before we see them back up.

As for Drogheda, ugh. Worst away facilities in the country; disgusting toilets, can't see parts of the pitch from the stand, rubbish food selection.
And what about poor Kenny Shiels and the dugout positioning? Dreadful stuff.

It'll be no different to any other year they were in Division 1 surely. They didn't start spending a load of money on wages they didn't have when they got promoted.

**patrickccfc** · 06/11/2016, 12:48 PM

Originally Posted by brendy_éire

can't see parts of the pitch from the stand,

Must be a Louth thing

**NeverFeltBetter** · 06/11/2016, 1:02 PM

Not a great week for Youths: Women's team just smashed 5-0 by Shels in the FAI Cup Final.

**brendy_éire** · 06/11/2016, 1:53 PM

Originally Posted by Nah Nah Nah Nah

It'll be no different to any other year they were in Division 1 surely.

If we're going to a 10 team Premier, it'll be more difficult than usual.

**GC13** · 08/11/2016, 5:50 PM

Originally Posted by El-Pietro

COngrats to Drogs. I think they may have been better off losing this in the long term. I think they would have won the division next year and if we do move to 10/10 rather than 12/8 divisions they might have a better chance of staying up the following year. I quite like United Park. Its a ****hole but its a fun ****hole. Love the roof on the away end. Makes even a handful of fans sound loud.

Who do people think will win the First next year now? I don't think Longford or Wexford will be in great shape. Maybe Longford will surprise me. Cobh could improve on this year and make a run at the playoffs, maybe win it with some luck.

Cobh to be promoted - lets be realistic they mainly play the long ball and are so similar to Wexford they will cancel each other out - neither will figure in the final shake up with their style of play. UCD are the most likely to win automatic promotion with the likes of Longford and who knows in the contesting the playoff's to see who will face second from bottom!

**Comic Book Guy** · 08/11/2016, 6:05 PM

Originally Posted by GC13

Cobh to be promoted - lets be realistic they mainly play the long ball and are so similar to Wexford they will cancel each other out - neither will figure in the final shake up with their style of play. UCD are the most likely to win automatic promotion with the likes of Longford and who knows in the contesting the playoff's to see who will face second from bottom!

Have you seen us play much this past year? If anything we're reliant on light pacy players and not a big target man as you imply.

**El-Pietro** · 09/11/2016, 8:48 AM

Sure Rob Lehane is a giant, all 5 foot 8 of him.

**osarusan** · 09/11/2016, 9:43 AM

Cobh tried to pass the ball when they played against us, and did so quite well at times.

Pacy attackers and not really that tall at all.

Lehane looked very good in the first division, but Cork obviously didn't want to hold on to him. I wonder will he be with Cobh next season.

**GC13** · 09/11/2016, 11:40 AM

Originally Posted by Comic Book Guy

Have you seen us play much this past year? If anything we're reliant on light pacy players and not a big target man as you imply.

Yes true, lets not forget how the ball gets to them - long kick outs from goalkeeper and defenders in behind the back four - its a shame because there are some quality players at Cobh but unless the style changes no chance!

**GC13** · 09/11/2016, 11:42 AM

Originally Posted by GC13

Yes true, lets not forget how the ball gets to them - long kick outs from goalkeeper and defenders in behind the back four - its a shame because there are some quality players at Cobh but unless the style changes no chance!

No one mentioned a target man its over the top for the pacy players to chase down / try to outpace the defenders and GK

**SFC16** · 15/11/2016, 6:35 AM

Originally Posted by GC13

Cobh to be promoted - lets be realistic they mainly play the long ball and are so similar to Wexford they will cancel each other out - neither will figure in the final shake up with their style of play. UCD are the most likely to win automatic promotion with the likes of Longford and who knows in the contesting the playoff's to see who will face second from bottom!

Ramblers have played a really attractive style of football this season, your comment is so ill informed a Limerick fan corrected you on our behalf!

Originally Posted by osarusan

Cobh tried to pass the ball when they played against us, and did so quite well at times.

Pacy attackers and not really that tall at all.

Lehane looked very good in the first division, but Cork obviously didn't want to hold on to him. I wonder will he be with Cobh next season.

Interesting to see how many we can hold on too - but i'd be confident Lehane will stay actually. Best of luck next season. Will John O'Flynn be with ye do you think?