Tonights latest

[robertob]

Great Story with Wexford - Limerick! It's so crazy!

That's why I love Irish football - it suprised me every day anew! :p

[Monkfish]

where did the wexford team warm up?

[Longfordian]

Apparently they didn't warm up tonight but had they done so it would have been on the second pitch where they seemingly always warm up.

[Monkfish]

Apparently they didn't warm up tonight but had they done so it would have been on the second pitch where they seemingly always warm up.

Anyone know why? Wonder were they thinking they would go on the main pitch while Limerick were knocking around in the dark?

As regards not being allowed on the main pitch for the warm up, Didnt wallace try to pull the same **** on Derry last week? (sorry if these questions have already been answered btw)

[Buile Shuibhne]

i have to agree with you on this one . it is setting a very bad precedent to stop away teams from warming up on the playing surface.




Precedent already there - when St Francis were in the league, teams weren't allowed warm up on their perfect pitch prior to games in Baldonnel.

[oldyouth]

Anyone know why? Wonder were they thinking they would go on the main pitch while Limerick were knocking around in the dark?

As regards not being allowed on the main pitch for the warm up, Didnt wallace try to pull the same **** on Derry last week? (sorry if these questions have already been answered btw)
Wexford Youths warm up half an hour before kick off. Because L37 had gone home by 7.30, they didn't go out to warm up. After the officials had called off the game. They went out for a training session ON THE TRAINING PITCH.

I've never seen the Youths warm up on the main pitch and when Derry warmed up on the main pitch prior to the League Cup final (which was governed by the FAI). The Youths warmed up on the training pitch as normal.

Last night was very wet and we have Dundalk here on Friday. Our entire grounds staff consists of 1 man and the less damage (if possible) done to our pitch, the better it is for visiting teams to play on. As I've said previously, this has worked against us in the past when more experienced teams play to their full potential on the pristine surface. We have won more games away from home this season than at home.

I'm not saying we didn't play a part in this but there was still time to fulfill the fixture when Mick backed down

[6yardpunisha]

Still waiting for a reason that isn't, 'That's what Mick wants', or 'Our grass is pretty' as to why he won't let teams warm up for 20 minutes on the main pitch as well

i blame the credit crunch:D

[oldyouth]

Still waiting for a reason that isn't, 'That's what Mick wants', or 'Our grass is pretty' as to why he won't let teams warm up for 20 minutes on the main pitch as well
Well there you go Jebus, L37 were eventually offered 40 MINUTES on the main pitch and refused.

[gael353]

Mick Wallace:
''It does appear that Limerick did not want to play the game. We had noted that it was strange that two of their better players, Gary Sheehan and John Tierney were not in the starting 11 for some reason. Maybe there were problems that we didn't know about.''

Do dum! Mick Wallaces scouts havent been doing their job recently (they only come to ALL the limerick home games) as Limerick have been playing differant formations and players for ammm lesser teams of footballing ability. This is Wallace all being prompted into his ear by super adviser guru Pat Dolan. Not a word of what wallace is saying is from his brain, its all Dolan

[jebus]

Well there you go Jebus, L37 were eventually offered 40 MINUTES on the main pitch and refused.

I was told it was closer ot half seven and that we were back on the bus and not togged out yet. Let's give it a median of 7.25 Wallace said we could do it. That would mean we would have 35 mins to get the players back in the changing room, get togged out, get up to the other pitch, go through our 20-25 min warm up, get back down to the dressing room, go through last minutes tactics, have a team talk and get fully kitted out for the match. I don't care how inadequate Wexford's warm up is, 35-40 mins is nowhere near enough to do all this

Wallace was paying lip service so he could say to the FAI that he offered it, that is all

[EAFC_rdfl]

I was told it was closer ot half seven and that we were back on the bus and not togged out yet. Let's give it a median of 7.25 Wallace said we could do it. That would mean we would have 35 mins to get the players back in the changing room, get togged out, get up to the other pitch, go through our 20-25 min warm up, get back down to the dressing room, go through last minutes tactics, have a team talk and get fully kitted out for the match. I don't care how inadequate Wexford's warm up is, 35-40 mins is nowhere near enough to do all this

Wallace was paying lip service so he could say to the FAI that he offered it, that is all

How many times does it have to be said??? the kick off could have been delayed 15-20 minutes and there ya go, lack-of-warm-up-time problem solved! Was it not the case at the start of the season that matches were getting delayed left right and centre over kit clashes? You can argue all you want about the lights, but this 'we hadnt enough time' case doesn't wash.

[GuisaSaigon]

Embarrassing stuff, but teams should be allowed warm up on the playing surface. You were about to play 90 minutes of a game on it what harm would a warm up do? Wexford should scrap this ridiculous "warm up on the training pitch" crap to avoid future embarrassment to the League.

[Dodge]

How many times does it have to be said??? the kick off could have been delayed 15-20 minutes and there ya go, lack-of-warm-up-time problem solved! Was it not the case at the start of the season that matches were getting delayed left right and centre over kit clashes? You can argue all you want about the lights, but this 'we hadnt enough time' case doesn't wash.

You're making a presumption that the ref would've agreed to delay kick off though.

Bottom line is that wallace was acting the dick. Even if Limerick overreacted, it all stems from the initial idiocy.

[Schumi]

Like refusing to play at Finn Park because there are no showers !Has that been going on all season? I assumed it was a one-off that our players couldn't shower there a few weeks ago.


If the "Training Pitch" is used for U-21 and/or A-League games - then it has to meet the FAI's ground grading policy - and that includes having lights of a certain standard - which would be adequate.Is this a new rule? I know we played most under-21 league games, up to last year, on a pitch with no floodlights. The night games were played in Belfield Park but any games in daylight were on an unlit pitch.

[Dodge]

Has that been going on all season? I assumed it was a one-off that our players couldn't shower there a few weeks ago

Showers weren't working for Pats players on Friday

[shep]

If every professional league in the world allows teams to warm up on pitches of a far better quality to Wexfords regardless of the weather,i really cant see why Wexford feel it is neccesary for visiting teams to use another surface.

I wonder where Dundalk will warm up on Friday night??

I feel for Limerick on this one.

[Réiteoir]

You're making a presumption that the ref would've agreed to delay kick off though.

I would have thought that in this case the referee would have been in contact with the League Office to seek guidance

[Sunny Jim]

Bottom line is that wallace was acting the dick.

No, the bottom line is that Limerick refused to fulfil the fixture, having been given adequate opportunity to do so. End of story.

[passinginterest]

Had visitors up to the house last night so pretty much missed all this.
It's made my morning fly by catching up!

I thought it was poor form from Wallace to criticise Stephen Kenny, after the League Cup final, for warming up on the main pitch. I felt the Youths should have done the same that night to help them acclimatise to the new set-up and big crowd. Having made public how much this bothered him it was almost inevitable that the next team down would make a similar request, some professional mind games from Kerley I'd say. If a team requests to warm up on the main pitch they should be allowed, no questions asked, it's particularly understandable for teams that haven't played there before. Limerick knew making the request would bother Wallace, he should have been nice as pie about it and got on with things.

Wallace, the League of Ireland and Limerick 37 have come out of this looking bad. Limerick should never have left the ground before kick off, by all means lodge an official complaint, even take to the field at kick off time but refuse to commence until full warm up has been completed. Wallace is making a show of himself with his comments about Limerick leaving out good players and not wanting to play at all, he has to realise that temas will try anything to gain a bit of an advantage and if this means winding him up by asking to train on the main pitch then so be it.

Overall the incident just gives fuel to the fire the the League of Ireland is a joke. It's a sad incident.

[oldyouth]

Had visitors up to the house last night so pretty much missed all this.
It's made my morning fly by catching up!

I thought it was poor form from Wallace to criticise Stephen Kenny, after the League Cup final, for warming up on the main pitch. I felt the Youths should have done the same that night to help them acclimatise to the new set-up and big crowd. Having made public how much this bothered him it was almost inevitable that the next team down would make a similar request, some professional mind games from Kerley I'd say. If a team requests to warm up on the main pitch they should be allowed, no questions asked, it's particularly understandable for teams that haven't played there before. Limerick knew making the request would bother Wallace, he should have been nice as pie about it and got on with things.

Wallace, the League of Ireland and Limerick 37 have come out of this looking bad. Limerick should never have left the ground before kick off, by all means lodge an official complaint, even take to the field at kick off time but refuse to commence until full warm up has been completed. Wallace is making a show of himself with his comments about Limerick leaving out good players and not wanting to play at all, he has to realise that temas will try anything to gain a bit of an advantage and if this means winding him up by asking to train on the main pitch then so be it.

Overall the incident just gives fuel to the fire the the League of Ireland is a joke. It's a sad incident.
As always Mr Passing, I take my hat off to you. Good points

[sadloserkid]

Limerick have made there own players endure two of the biggest dumps in LOI in Jackman and Hogan park for years.

We didn't train in either ground.


This is the same Limerick that made teams play at Pike Rovers a few seasons back?!

At 2.30 in the afternoon.


Had visitors up to the house last night so pretty much missed all this.
It's made my morning fly by catching up!

I thought it was poor form from Wallace to criticise Stephen Kenny, after the League Cup final, for warming up on the main pitch. I felt the Youths should have done the same that night to help them acclimatise to the new set-up and big crowd. Having made public how much this bothered him it was almost inevitable that the next team down would make a similar request, some professional mind games from Kerley I'd say. If a team requests to warm up on the main pitch they should be allowed, no questions asked, it's particularly understandable for teams that haven't played there before. Limerick knew making the request would bother Wallace, he should have been nice as pie about it and got on with things.

Wallace, the League of Ireland and Limerick 37 have come out of this looking bad. Limerick should never have left the ground before kick off, by all means lodge an official complaint, even take to the field at kick off time but refuse to commence until full warm up has been completed. Wallace is making a show of himself with his comments about Limerick leaving out good players and not wanting to play at all, he has to realise that temas will try anything to gain a bit of an advantage and if this means winding him up by asking to train on the main pitch then so be it.

Overall the incident just gives fuel to the fire the the League of Ireland is a joke. It's a sad incident.

Nail on head by that man. Well done.

[monutdfc]

Showers weren't working for Pats players on Friday
We got fined bucketloads (twice, with the second one €500 if memory serves) because there was no hot water for the referees' showers - we installed a new pump which was too efficient which meant the players had used all the hot water by the time the refs got into their shower.

[monutdfc]

ps on the topic in hand, got to agree with passinginterest. Its the LoI First Division FFS, not the World Cup finals.

[Dodge]

No, the bottom line is that Limerick refused to fulfil the fixture, having been given adequate opportunity to do so. End of story.

yeah, but what started the story? :rolleyes:

passinginterest is spot on IMo

[Schumi]

The referee wouldn't warm up on the back pitch either according to a L37 statement (http://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2008/1007/wexford_limerick37.html).

the referee Rob Rodgers confirmed to Limerick 37 that he would not be warming up on the back pitch in question as he deemed the lighting unsafe.

[oldyouth]

The referee wouldn't warm up on the back pitch either according to a L37 statement (http://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2008/1007/wexford_limerick37.html).
I'd say there is a lot of poetic licence in that comment. Match officials are NEVER asked to warm up on the training pitch and ALWAYS warm up around the perimeter of the main pitch. Incidentally, the floodlights are not usually on full power when this is going on, only 5 mins before the teams come out

[Sunny Jim]

Statement from the FAI:

"In response to yesterday evening’s cancelled eircom League of Ireland, first division match between Wexford Youths and Limerick 37, the FAI will review the detail of the referee’s report and the match delegate’s report and under disciplinary procedures, both clubs will be asked to provide a full response to those reports within the next three working days. After this the matter will be put before the FAI Disciplinary Committee. Speaking today, Fran Gavin, Director of the eircom League of Ireland said:

“We are deeply disappointed and dissatisfied that this match did not go ahead and we will be carrying out a full review and disciplinary process to take appropriate action. We will not be in a position to comment further until this case is heard.”

My guess is they'll take their time, and then bottle it. I bet they fine both clubs a small amount and then order the match to be refixed. Whereas if they had any spine they would award us the points and hit Limerick with a massive fine.

[Longfordian]

I think we should make Limerick warm up on the astro turf pitches on Saturday just to see what'd happen. In all seriousness though, as passinginterest says nobody comes out of this with any credit but I still feel the FAI may come down hardest on Limerick for not playing the game.

[Dodge]

My guess is they'll take their time, and then bottle it. I bet they fine both clubs a small amount and then order the match to be refixed. Whereas if they had any spine they would award us the points and hit Limerick with a massive fine.

Nice, balanced view there.

[dublin_owl]

Nice, balanced view there.

If you're looking for nice balanced views, I'd suggest going somewhere other than a internet football forum. ;)

[ForzaWexford]

OK I'll try and be somewhat balanced. Here's what seemed to have happened.

Wexford were wrong in the first place. I say Wexford because it was initially the groundsman who told Limerick to warm up on the training pitch, and not Mick. Mick was not present at the time. Limerick refused and set up cones on the match pitch. When Mick did arrive, he told them they could warm up on our training pitch.

Limerick refused to warm up on the training pitch for health and safety reasons. They felt the lighting was inadequate. Mick refused to let them warm up on the match pitch. When Mick heard that Limerick were then going to leave the ground, he gave in and allowed them to warm up on the front pitch. At this stage the Limerick management team decided it was too late to warm up and left the ground.

Did I miss anything? I purposely left out times because all we have so far is hearsay, but I have it on good enough authority (Youths player) that the match delegate noted everything and will include times in his report. There is nothing of substance in the referees report (according to same Youths player). He noted that both team sheets were handed in on time, the pitch was playable, and that when he called to the dressing rooms at 7.55 Limerick were not there.

As I said before will be interesting to see what happens. Probably fines for both sides as we were both in the wrong. Nothing much more to bicker about now anyway until we find out what the FAI choose to do.

[jebus]

Passinginterest pretty much has it spot on, but I assume if the referee did say that he wasn't going to warm up on the back pitch due to lighting* then he will include that in his report and it will help our case

* I say assume because I don't know if he did say that, it would be ridiculous on our part to include that in our report to the FAI if he didn't though so I'm going to assume he did

[L37Ultra]

OK I'll try and be somewhat balanced. Here's what seemed to have happened.

Wexford were wrong in the first place. I say Wexford because it was initially the groundsman who told Limerick to warm up on the training pitch, and not Mick. Mick was not present at the time. Limerick refused and set up cones on the match pitch. When Mick did arrive, he told them they could warm up on our training pitch.

Limerick refused to warm up on the training pitch for health and safety reasons. They felt the lighting was inadequate. Mick refused to let them warm up on the match pitch. When Mick heard that Limerick were then going to leave the ground, he gave in and allowed them to warm up on the front pitch. At this stage the Limerick management team decided it was too late to warm up and left the ground.

Did I miss anything? I purposely left out times because all we have so far is hearsay, but I have it on good enough authority (Youths player) that the match delegate noted everything and will include times in his report. There is nothing of substance in the referees report (according to same Youths player). He noted that both team sheets were handed in on time, the pitch was playable, and that when he called to the dressing rooms at 7.55 Limerick were not there.

As I said before will be interesting to see what happens. Probably fines for both sides as we were both in the wrong. Nothing much more to bicker about now anyway until we find out what the FAI choose to do.


Well done on being balanced. Its not easy when your club is involved. I just think there is more to this than we have all heard because for Limerick to leave the ground half an hour before kick-off is strange. My opinion on it, is that something else must have happened that hasn't been reported because I would be very dissapointed if Limerick just left a game like that. Very unprofessional either way.

[The Lilywhites]

http://extratime.ie/newsdesk/articles/906/

[sadloserkid]

My last post in this thread... it's going round in circles now and until more evidence comes to light there's no point really. I will see you all in the outraged thread that follows the FAI's decision on the matter. :D

So for what it's worth I don't think that Mick Wallace was playing mind games at all. In any way, shape or form. I do think that he's got major delusions of grandeur and that his refusal to allow anybody to warm up on his wonderful, beautiful Avril Lavigne-meets-Natalie Portman style pitch is arrogant, overly fussy and needless. If he is going to insist on this arrangement in future he needs to light up his back pitch. Properly. Any of the Limerick fans that were there, the referee and, initially in this thread, several of the Wexford fans (with the exception, quite vocally, of Splurge all voiced the opinion that the practice pitch wasn't lit sufficiently.

When Wallace caved at 7.30 Limerick would have been well advised to try for an 8.15 kick off or some such. Somebody suggested that they should have arrived out on the main pitch at 8 and insisted on a warm up. Something like that even. Not because they were initially in the wrong (and they really don't seem to have been) but because they were there and it would have been the progressive, positive thing to do. As it is they're the team that weren't there to kick off at 8 and that will count against them. I await the fallout with some interest. I think both clubs deserve a slap on the wrists but suspect it won't play out that way.

[oldyouth]

Passinginterest pretty much has it spot on, but I assume if the referee did say that he wasn't going to warm up on the back pitch due to lighting* then he will include that in his report and it will help our case

* I say assume because I don't know if he did say that, it would be ridiculous on our part to include that in our report to the FAI if he didn't though so I'm going to assume he did
All I'll say (again) Jebus, is that it is unlikely the referee REFUSED to warm up on the back pitch because he wouldn't have been asked to do so. Match officials ALWAYS warm up on the main pitch, along the perimeter.

I'm tired of this but can't wait until the exact circumstances come out. Then, I'll return

[Martinho II]

thats an interestin precadent on cork city bohs in 1995... can any eircom league fans confirm what was the punishment for that postponed match??:confused:

[sligoman]

Derry City 0-1 Celtic [Reserves*]

*Derry fans not happy with the team Celtic sent over, Gordon Strachan didn't even come over. Willie McStay and Neil Lennon managed the Celtic side.

Team was: Mark Brown, Paul Caddis, Ryan Conroy, Massimo Donati, Glen Loovens, Darren O'Dea, Koki Mizuno, Mark Crosas, Ben Hutchinson, Paul McGowan, Paddy McCourt (C)
Subs: Jason Marr, Scott Fox (GK), Mark Millar, Simon Ferry, Kevin Cawley, Danny Lafferty

[Longfordian]

Hadn't Celtic promised their first team for that one?. I'd imagine there'd be a bit of annoyance up there if so, especially if tickets were dearer than normal.

[sligoman]

Hadn't Celtic promised their first team for that one?. I'd imagine there'd be a bit of annoyance up there if so, especially if tickets were dearer than normal.25pound for a Celtic reserve match:eek:

[Mr Maroon]

Derry City 0-1 Celtic [Reserves*]



Team was: Mark Brown, Paul Caddis, Ryan Conroy, Massimo Donati, Glen Loovens, Darren O'Dea, Koki Mizuno, Mark Crosas, Ben Hutchinson, Paul McGowan, Paddy McCourt (C)
Subs: Jason Marr, Scott Fox (GK), Mark Millar, Simon Ferry, Kevin Cawley, Danny Lafferty
For all the names in bold, who?!
Was Paddy McCourt captain just because it was in Derry, yeah?

That must have been a pain in the arse if they were promised a strong Celtic team.

[thischarmingman]

25pound for a Celtic reserve match:eek:

Total rubbish. Most boring match I've ever been to, especially the second half. Recriminations continuing on Derrycitychat.com as I type.

[L37Ultra]

What was the attendance for Derry-Celtic?

[higgins]

They had promised us 4 first teamers for the Shels Celtic game we played a few months ago. Were to tell us in the week leading to the game so as we could advertise it.

Of course they sent nobody anyone would know over.

Just lucky we didn't make a loss on that match!!
Shower of arseholes.

Looking after themselves getting a half decent game for their reserves is all.

[Longfordian]

25pound for a Celtic reserve match:eek:

Forkin hell. A bit of goodwill lost for Celtic amongst the Derry fans methinks.

[Réiteoir]

thats an interestin precadent on cork city bohs in 1995... can any eircom league fans confirm what was the punishment for that postponed match??:confused:

It was replayed at a later date

(I actually posted the link to said video a couple of pages back)

[DonO'Bate]

All I'll say (again) Jebus, is that it is unlikely the referee REFUSED to warm up on the back pitch because he wouldn't have been asked to do so. Match officials ALWAYS warm up on the main pitch, along the perimeter.

I'm tired of this but can't wait until the exact circumstances come out. Then, I'll return

I am with L37 on this having read all the posts, the chairman/owner/manager of a club shouldn't be allowed to dictate to an opposing team how or where they can or can't carry out their pre-match routine, nor should he have hinted at some ulterior motive for L37 not wanting to fulfill the fixture.
Do match officials have to get permission from Mr Wallace to carry out their pre-match inspection of the main pitch. They should be allowed to warm up on the pitch itself and not forced to jog along the perimieter. Are the opposing management and team barred from walking the pitch prior to KO as is customary at other LOI grounds. As mentioned before pre-match warm up routines aren't going to cause long term damage to the pitch. As for the more bad publicity for League, I disagree as it has often been said there is no such thing as bad publicity.

[jebus]

I am with L37 on this having read all the posts, the chairman/owner/manager of a club shouldn't be allowed to dictate to an opposing team how or where they can or can't carry out their pre-match routine, nor should he have hinted at some ulterior motive for L37 not wanting to fulfill the fixture.
Do match officials have to get permission from Mr Wallace to carry out their pre-match inspection of the main pitch. They should be allowed to warm up on the pitch itself and not forced to jog along the perimieter. Are the opposing management and team barred from walking the pitch prior to KO as is customary at other LOI grounds. As mentioned before pre-match warm up routines aren't going to cause long term damage to the pitch. As for the more bad publicity for League, I disagree as it has often been said there is no such thing as bad publicity.

odd that this whole thing has given me a greater appreciation for Galway Utd :confused:

[Blue Man]

I dont recall either Cobh or Limerick having any grievances about warming up on the astro turf, where there is hardly enough room to swing a cat never mind warm up, in Whitehall when both played Dublin City. And both club's keepers had to warm up on the adjacent VEC GAA pitch which I can honestly say is a deathtrap. Surely these are bigger health and safety issues than warming up on a perfect pitch with 'decent lights'?

[dfx-]

Rovers 2-2 Bray

Meh.