U16 Cup Farce

[olegunnar]

did u hear the one about the u16 cup competition that allowed some teams use u16 players, but other teams are allowed use u17's??

Enter the u16 girls national cup....

Can anyone understand how fai are ok with this? Girls are too old for gaynor u17 NEXT YR, too old for NEXT yrs U17 ireland squad, but are ok for this yrs u16 national cup. How a girl could turn 18, a mere 5 months after u16 cup final, and its ok?

great one fai!!!

[The One]

That's nothing Ole......only two teams(St Joseph's Girls, Sallynoggin, Dublin and Stella Maris, Dublin) are allowed to replay the last round with "overage players". Any team that was beaten in the previous round cannot replay their tie to avail of the new "overage" players rule.
This means that the teams which are through to the next round can now play "overage" players in all of the subsequent rounds.....hmmmm

I heard that only players who played in Winter Leagues at U16 may play in the U16's Cup.....which seems strange as the FAI Umbro U16's Women's Challenge Cup is a 2009 competition where as a Winter League is a 2008 competition and not every club which entered the FAI Umbro U16's Women's Challenge Cup played or had an opportunity to play in a Winter League......does that mean that they must stick to the old rule?

Add to this mix the rule in the WFAI rule addendum...(the one which gets printed out each year but doesn't seem to get distributed to all the clubs...) which says that the WFAI Committee may change the rules of the national competitions.......but NOT UNTIL AFTER THE FINAL HAS BEEN PLAYED in that season. I wonder how that rule stands up now? (If you were lucky enough to receive a copy of it, it is the last rule on the back page of the "Addendum" sheets which the WFAI produce. I think there are 6-8 pages in it and it is signed by Pauline O'Shaughnessy at the bottom of the first page).

I cannot understand why all of the "addendum" rules just aren't incuded in the WFAI Rule book for the season in question.....can anyone answer that one?

Questions:

1-Who changed the rule(FAI or WFAI)?
2-What was the protest and what was the ruling and on what grounds(should be published as it affects all clubs in the competition)?
3-Who actually has precedence in these cases(FAI or WFAI)?
4-Why is it not now referred to as the U17's Cup?
5-What are the WFAI doing in this whole sorry mess(officially it is an FAI competition isn't it)?
6-Would this ever happen in the Schoolboy National Cups?


(I'll answer 6......ABSOLUTELY NO WAY.)

[4goodsport]

Same thing happened U14...St Joseph's beat Salthill Devon (Galway) with overage players...wonder what rule will be applied to the U12 competition in Oct...?? anyone know?

[olegunnar]

thats an u11 cup now, for girls born 1994-99;)

[4goodsport]

Thx Ole that makes sense...at least now it will be a level playing field from the start of the competition, also it means that the clubs with teams U12 who have been abiding by the in-year rule won't have to change squads. One has to wonder how this became so messed up for the U14 & U16s...as usual no one is accountable.

[munsterman]

Peter Mcnamara who writes for the Evening Echo and the Racing Post has a sportshow on Life FM in Cork and today will be interviewing Pauline O'Shaughnessy on his show which runs from 6.05pm until 7pm it's 93.1fm but can also be listened to online at www.lifefm.ie (http://www.lifefm.ie) just click on listen now when the site opens up

[4goodsport]

What's interview about....I assume it's not the topic of this thread in the forum ? ...even though I would like to hear her explain it. Perhaps it's about her brilliance as a WFAI Secretary.

[libero4]

I cant believe whats going on with the u.16 cup.
Maybe I shouldn't be surprised with anything involving FAI/WFAI.
How did this all start?
If you were caught playing an overage player in previous years you would have the book thrown at you. Why the sudden change, and in the middle of the competition?
I heard some bright spark attached to one of the Dublin clubs interpreted the rules in a way where overage players could play, and has got away with it.
Where does common sense come into play? Most teams have abided by the rules. Why dont the FAI throw these teams out and tell them to get real? Where is the fairness in bringing in last years 16s mid way through the competition, and what about the teams who went by the rules and were knocked out? Can they look for replays?
The FAI/WFAI never cease to amaze me. What is Niamh O'Donoghues stance in all this? She loves the sound of her own voice, but shirks responsibility when the going gets tough.
Could someone with a bit of common sense sort out this mess. U.16 means u.16 and is defined within the rules of the competition.
What next?

[4goodsport]

I believe it was triggered by the Dublin league moving to a winter/Summer Season. St Josephs in particular then went on to play their 2008/2009 underage teams (U14 &U16) in the Irish cup whilst applying the 2008 rule.
Two protests were lodged one by Stella Maris U16, who got a replay and won the replay when the playing field was level, and one protest by Salthill Devon who lost the protest. SDFC sub sequentially appealed that decision and lost as well.
Reason cited was simply. The rules were not breached because there is no rule for age eligibility. This is why the FAI/WFAI issued the clarifying letter 2 weeks ago basically allowing 17 yr olds to play U16 & 15 yr olds to play U14. I believe SDFC are considering Arbitration. It’s a complete joke and the administrative body should be ashamed of themselves for allowing this to happen, the whole competition has been ruined. The “FIFA fair play” motto must not apply in Ireland
Even St Josephs have stated the competitions should be scrapped and rerun as a blitz in Sept/Oct.

[4goodsport]

FYI just recieved an email that Salthill Devon FC (Galway) have posted to all Clubs in the U16 competition : reads as follows...
Dear Secretary,

As you will probably be aware by now, the rules regarding age eligibility for the U14 and U16 National Cup competitions have been the subject of recent controversy and clarifications from the FAI/WFAI effectively means that 17 yr Old Girls can now play in the U16 2009 competition once properly registered.

Salthill Devon would like to make our position clear and state how we intend to proceed in the U16 competition.

There was a clear custom and practice in place dictating the age eligibility of players which required U16 Girls be born on or after Jan 1st 1993. This has now changed. It is worth noting that Salthill Devon won the 2008 competition on that well established basis.

We started the current U14 and U16 competitions conforming with the rules, as we understood them. We are certain that virtually all other clubs approached the competition on the same premise and in the same spirit.

In our view, this new ruling is not in the in spirit of the game nor is it fair play as it relates to the many clubs who already fielded, in our view, a correctly eligible U16 team in this competition to date.

Consistent with this belief, we at Salthill Devon intend to proceed in the U16 Umbro Challenge Cup competition and field a U16 team consisting only of girls born on or after Jan 1st 1993, regardless of who we play or are drawn against.

We are confident that you and many other clubs will appreciate our stance on this matter and, if you choose to adopt the same approach, we will certainly appreciate it and laud you for it.

[LmkSnr]

Watched 2008 u16 semi final aisling annacotty v st josephs .I remember that their was a
a difference in development ,age wise between the two teams st josephs being older and
physically stronger.st josephs won on peno,s.Makes a bit of sense now.SAD when something so simple can not be managed properly.

[4goodsport]

It's not just sad ...it is fundmentally wrong and unfair...how the WFAI/FAI allowed this to continue is beyond me. Salthill Devon at least have shown some backbone and decency to stand up for what is morally right. I would join the call for other clubs to do the same. Playing 15 year olds in an U14 competition , & playing 17 yr olds in an U16 competition..this must be only Juvenile cup competition in the world applying such rule based stupidity. I'd resign my position before defending this ridiculousness...apparently though it is being defended with Venom....well done WFAI/FAI hats off to you for a new low...

[The Chosen One]

Interesting to see the general feeling with the Fai/WFAI decisions. Questionable how a team like Stella lost their game against St.Josephs.. protested.. LOST the protest..and "Lisbon Treaty" like, get to have another go,while Salthill at U14 were in exactly the same position and were not afforded the same rules by the FAI.As its my first time to post not sure about naming names however the decisions are being made by the Domestic section of the FAI..I wonder about their ability to make judgements regarding Womens football?? All protests will be delt with in the same manor i.e. Not tollerated.I admire Salthills stance however it will have little impact as certain teams are now in a very strong position to win this competition with their 17's

[BBB In a sui]

My club is Ballyvary Blue Bombers, we have made the semi-finals with an under 14 team (that is players born on or after 1st January 1995.) Great work, expense and excitement has been part of this journey. Ironically we have reached this stage on a level playing field, That means that at least a quarter of the competition is pure.

From the skimpy letter received 2/3 weeks ago, I have rang the FAI on numberous occasions asking for them to clarify two things;

1) The age cathegory for this competition. What date do you have to be born after. Is it the 1st January 2009 or 2008. I am told there is no specific date!!!

2) Is it this years under 14 team (2009 model) or last years under 14 (2008 Model)? I am told that i have to play my 2009 under 14 model, but if i meet a winter league club they get to use their 2008 model. In plain english under 14's v under 15's.

From what is see they are hoping that this mess (made worse by people not strong enough to kick to touch CHEATING :(teams) just passes over for this year and they can tidy up the mess with more solid rules :Dnext year!

In the meantime we have a Semi-final with Longford Town Who made the final last year, we do not know if they will be fielding an under 15 team or not. The Game is at home for us and we don't know how to treat it. This should be a happy occasion where we are looking forward to showing our wares against our equals :D from another part of the country. Anyway life goes on.........

[The One]

Add to this mix the rule in the WFAI rule addendum...(the one which gets printed out each year but doesn't seem to get distributed to all the clubs...) which says that the WFAI Committee may change the rules of the national competitions.......but NOT UNTIL AFTER THE FINAL HAS BEEN PLAYED in that season. I wonder how that rule stands up now? (If you were lucky enough to receive a copy of it, it is the last rule on the back page of the "Addendum" sheets which the WFAI produce. I think there are 6-8 pages in it and it is signed by Pauline O'Shaughnessy at the bottom of the first page).


The important thing here is:
"NOT UNTIL AFTER THE FINAL HAS BEEN PLAYED in that season"

The WFAI/FAI are always going on about how important it is that Clubs abide by the SPIRIT OF THE RULES........and then this happens....

I just don't understand these changes/re-interpretations/whatever you want to call them. Who benefits from these changes @ U14 and U16 level? Is it a one or more clubs? Is it the girls game in Ireland?

[4goodsport]

The entire girls game in Ireland has taken a step back here...just at a time when a step forward could have built up some momentum. One club St Josephs has benefited throughout and have been the subject of two failed protests. The protests failed simply because the WFAI/FAI simply don't know their own rules and in my opinion are grossly negligent. Surely someone higher up in the fiefdom of the FAI is assessing these bureaucrates performance...have we lost what the game is all about ?
seems so...

[The Chosen One]

My club is Ballyvary Blue Bombers, we have made the semi-finals with an under 14 team (that is players born on or after 1st January 1995.) Great work, expense and excitement has been part of this journey. Ironically we have reached this stage on a level playing field, That means that at least a quarter of the competition is pure.

From the skimpy letter received 2/3 weeks ago, I have rang the FAI on numberous occasions asking for them to clarify two things;

1) The age cathegory for this competition. What date do you have to be born after. Is it the 1st January 2009 or 2008. I am told there is no specific date!!!

2) Is it this years under 14 team (2009 model) or last years under 14 (2008 Model)? I am told that i have to play my 2009 under 14 model, but if i meet a winter league club they get to use their 2008 model. In plain english under 14's v under 15's.

From what is see they are hoping that this mess (made worse by people not strong enough to kick to touch CHEATING :(teams) just passes over for this year and they can tidy up the mess with more solid rules :Dnext year!

In the meantime we have a Semi-final with Longford Town Who made the final last year, we do not know if they will be fielding an under 15 team or not. The Game is at home for us and we don't know how to treat it. This should be a happy occasion where we are looking forward to showing our wares against our equals :D from another part of the country. Anyway life goes on.........
If it any consolation I know that the Longford team have only played players born in 95 to date in the competition...lets hope they continue with this policy when the play the Bombers good luck with your game...

[BBB In a sui]

That's refreshing to hear that Longford are within the rules, so now we have half the competition 'Pure'. Thanks for your well wishes TCO.

[The Chosen One]

Has anybody realised that when the FAI re visit the rules next year they will more than likely make the U16 competion a 1994 Comp. This will mean that the girls all over the country born in 1993 will NEVER play at their age group in the All Ireland as this year is U17's and next year they will be too old...I cant wait...what a wonderful country to play in....

[4goodsport]

Chosen one you are spot on thats why this is so screwed up & unfair....as a btw on the U16 cup front I have to take my hat off to Killalla, Raheny, Lifford, St Francis & Wilton who have joined the "boycott"...and have stated I believe that they will field genuine U16 teams as per the the rules we have all played by for 20 yrs.....wonder what Stella have decided to do...hopefully given their initial protest and victory in the replay they will revert to real U16s akin to the way they correctly started the compeition...anyone know about Stella ?.....It's a real fingers up to the WFAI/FAI when the clubs justifiably ignore this bureaucratic nonsense. As far as what rules the WFAI/FAI will apply next year...who knows !! , they may revert, continue with this stupidity, or do something even more stupid...the latter seems to be the trend in my experience...G'Luk to all the clubs remaining in both competitions and fair play to those clubs who have "fair play" attitude.

[The Chosen One]

My understanding of Stella's position at the moment is that they will not be bullied by the other teams in the competition to play 1993's only.I hope they rethink this attitude as it is not a bulling tactic, it seems to me, that the clubs involved are taking a stance for what is right,has been right for many years and will continue to be right...players first.Has anyone heard the outcome of the Lifford v Stella game I understand that Lifford failed to turn up for a game which they did not know was on last Sunday??? Anyone know what has happened.

[BBB In a sui]

I also have to take my hat off to Killalla, Raheny, Lifford, St Francis & Wilton who have joined the "boycott"...
We in Ballyvary are not going to play under 15's in an under 14 competition, (for f***s sake). Great to see that (some of) the clubs have some cop on, decency and fair play. We put a vote to the Parents and Players and they are behind us, their only (and legitimate) concern is that our under 12 players playing for the under 14's will come up against an under 15 who could seriously injure a player of this age! It is sad that this has happened this year (or found out this year), there is alot of hurt and alot of the good will from host and visiting clubs which has and could be built up for the progression of the game will be lost.

[The One]

My understanding of Stella's position at the moment is that they will not be bullied by the other teams in the competition to play 1993's only.I hope they rethink this attitude as it is not a bulling tactic, it seems to me, that the clubs involved are taking a stance for what is right,has been right for many years and will continue to be right...players first.Has anyone heard the outcome of the Lifford v Stella game I understand that Lifford failed to turn up for a game which they did not know was on last Sunday??? Anyone know what has happened.


that's a laugh...normally it's Stella who don't turn up for matches...and still get the win! Happens too often to be errors.......needs to be addressed

[Play On]

Lifford appealed the fact that Stella Maris were claiming a walk over and thankfully common sense prevailed and the game has been resceduled to August 16th....that was the date originally set for the semi final so those dates have now been pushed back.

[The Chosen One]

I'm glad to see that Lifford have been given a chance at least to play this time....I wonder, though, how they will fare against Stella's Under 17's.I feel sorry for the remining teams who now have to reschedule their holidays again The FAI isssued clear dates at the start of the competition and also stated that all games had to be played on or before those dates.The original date for the semi's was 2nd August and the Final was on the 16th.They then moved the dates to the 16th and 30th. How do they expect parents and players to plan around the possibility of progression through the competition with a constantly moving dateline.I have spoken to a lot of managers and they feel that the competition is now a complete waste of time the FAI have ruined football in this country for hundreds of girls and their coaches who have planned for this year.Shame on the FAI and shame on Stella Maris who refused to play until the 16th..the tail is still wagging the dog.

[BBB In a sui]

Maybe, I am becoming computer illiterate but i've found it impossible to see what stage either the under 14 or under 16 competitions are at on the FAI site. There are no results, with just groups of pairings on each side of the draws to the final. It's like they are afraid to show (the teams who have progressed) how behind they are in the fixtures on the other side of the draw.

Will be hard to sell this competition next year, even if there is a defined age (Year), who is to say that cheating will not continue as there is never an audit of Match Cards or players.

I know there is no entry fee but Hospitality and buses cost money. Have to agree also on holidays, parents are now voting with their feet and just heading off. Also from feedback don't seem to care about the competition.

The abusers have been courted and accomodated, while the rule players have been cast aside and bullied into submission.

This Competition has to be broken into District, provincial and then National to work/monitor.

This cuts down on Travel Costs.
Cuts down on overage players!
Makes it easier to monitor at each stage.
Also need for 4/5 neutral venues for games where away team have more than a two hour Journey.

[The Chosen One]

I agree with you BBB the FAI website is useless,lacks credible information,is not up to date vague and misleading...reflects the organisation itself.However, the U14's semis are Ballyvarry against Longford and Colga vrs St.Josephs.I think the Ballyvarry game is on this weekend I'm not sure when the other game is being played.There seems to be confusion in the U16 Cup (Ahem!!) Stella have to play Lifford,so Raheny have to wait and god knows when they will get to play..I was told yesterday that St.Francis are playing Salthill this Sunday???? in the quarter final I thought Salthill were thrown out for not turning up to play Kilalla?? can anyone clear that one up:confused: Wilton await the winners of that game.Best of luck to all those playing this week.:)

[The One]

In other countries I have played and coached players have to bring an identity card from the league they play in to each game. These cards are presented to the referee by the club official for each player in matchday squad. The referee then visually identifies the player with the card provided in the changing room prior to the game.
This may seem a bit over the top...however, it cuts out all the crap that we're seeing here.
If you cannot present a card to the ref, you don't play.

[The Chosen One]

I agree wholeheartedly with you T.O. I have long advocated the introduction of identity cards within the league structure here but met with strong resistance.The leagues should take the initiative this year and start the ball rolling.I understand the need under the child protection policy to safeguard the young players however schools are issuing I.D. cards and I cannot see any reason why we can't do the same.It would stop the embarrassment and upset for players being asked to sign pieces of paper at half time and also prevent the managers becoming confrontational over this as well.Can anyone give a reasonable reason why I.D. cards are a bad idea:confused::confused:

[4goodsport]

Identity cards are a great idea but we should note that it wouldn't have helped with the current debacle...to enforce age eligibility there must be a clear statement of the dates under which the age groups are played...at the start 2009 Umbro Challenge cup the rules had no such dates, simply put any girl or adult registered could have played in any age group...thats how open it was. The WFAI/FAI subsequently clarified the age eligibility half way through the competition (giving the advantage to the "cheats")....and guess what...wait for it...the new U11 Girls national competition has reverted to the "traditional" correct age eligibility....so all those girls playing in U12 leagues around the country don't have a national competition this year !!!
and they have applied a different age eligibility to what they just weeks ago applied to U14 & U16. forgive me but this WFAI/FAI combo idiotic council/committee have lost the plot...incompetent is too kind a decriptor...I am beyond frustrated.

[The Chosen One]

I think we have to accept at this stage that nothing is going to change with the ruling body do we have any other option other than to shut up and put up???? Players and managers have been treated with contempt by the decision makers but we have no forum to express our disgust with how they are dealing with this issue and furthermore they are NOT willing to listen."Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely."

[LmkSnr]

I disagree changeing age limits shows a total lack of power.Because rules are set to give everyone a degree of fairness.And clubs that set about breaking them and keep working behind closed doors untill they acheive this are the problem.The WFAI/FAI should show strength when this occurs and not weakness.Remember rules are a put together to be followed not broken. SO to show ultimate power all they have to do is nothing JUST FOLLOW THE RULES.

[4goodsport]

LmKSnr I think the word we are all looking for is "spineless"....btw I just noted that Colga beat St Josephs in one of the U14 Semi finals yesterday. Can't say that displeases me given the way Joeys have approached this tournament at U14 & U16 level.

[munsterman]

forgive me but this WFAI/FAI combo idiotic council/committee have lost the plot...incompetent is too kind a decriptor...I am beyond frustrated.

I might be wrong but I'm fairly sure it is the executive and not the Council who would be responsible here. The executive are the committee members and the provincial reps, they meet with the council a couple of times a year and tell the council what they are doing the council is made up of league representatives, who as i said are informed by the executive whats been happening and whats planned and the council can question things and make suggestions and then bring the info back to their respective league.
On the subject of ID cards I think that is a great Idea

[The Chosen One]

Congratulations to Colga and Longford Town on their qualification for this years Under 14 All Ireland Final.Have a great day out :):) I hope St.Josephs see the error of their ways congratulations Joey's you screwed it up for every one this year.

[BBB In a sui]

So we finally get the final of the under 14 Cup, three weeks after it should have been played! I have mixed feelings about the competition this year. Although my club Ballyvary Blue Bombers reached the semi final with REAL under 14 players, we were alway looking over our shoulders as to our opposition playing 'Legally' under 15 players. Our Management team were put in severly damaging situation of reaching the semi finals with our REAL under 14 team and were faced with dropping that whole squad, bar four players for the semi final. This put us in a situation of you are dammed if you do and you are definitely damned if you don't. Because of the uncertainty of the situation we did not promote or advertise the semi at home as how can you explain to the local community as to being outclassed in a semi final by players a year older (if they play such players)? Anyway we stuck with under 14 players as they got us this far and the parents respected us for putting players before the glory of the club. Anyone i have talked to about the situation thinks i am making it up. Look if i was looking from the outside i would think they were making it up! Personally, I know we did not have the squad/group to win competition, but a journey we make to this stage severly damaged relationships with trusting opposition teams and the FAI in general who sought to hide behind their read the rule book when you needed to clarify a situation. Time to go on a much needed holiday

[4goodsport]

BBB hats off to you for getting so far. Putting this debacle of a competition behind us...I am now wonder what the age eligibility will be for 2010....anyone know ? Will we be reverting back or will they apply the same rules again next year.....anyone with an inside track here...
It would be nice to know prior to season kick off so that we can align accordingly...level the playing field again.

[The Chosen One]

I just heard that Stella U17's are playing Raheny's U16's tomorrow in the last 4 of the competition.I know who I'm rooting for...........................:)

[The One]

I heard that result of the Stella v Raheny game was 3-1AET (1-1) and Stella played their "U17's squad" + Raheny played their "U16's squad".....

can someone confirm please....thx

[The Chosen One]

I can confirm that indeed Raheny did play only players born 1993 and younger i.e. 1994 and 95s in todays game.Stella Maris however played 7.. yes thats SEVEN players, born in 1992...poor consolation for the tear filled faces of the Raheny players who gave their all at the end of the game.It was a close game Raheny took the lead in the first half but Stella equalised.Nip and tuck for the rest of normal time however the physical strength of the older players showed in extra time and Stella ran out winners 3-1.........best of Luck to Stella in the Final...yeh rite:mad::mad:

[4goodsport]

That's just crap...is there any sense of decency left...Raheny I applaud you...hold your heads up high, your day will come.

[AWOL]

I can confirm that indeed Raheny did play only players born 1993 and younger i.e. 1994 and 95s in todays game.Stella Maris however played 7.. yes thats SEVEN players, born in 1992...poor consolation for the tear filled faces of the Raheny players who gave their all at the end of the game.It was a close game Raheny took the lead in the first half but Stella equalised.Nip and tuck for the rest of normal time however the physical strength of the older players showed in extra time and Stella ran out winners 3-1.........best of Luck to Stella in the Final...yeh rite:mad::mad:


Well done Raheney. Your girls held them to 1 -1 in normal time. I think you guys will be ones to watch in the future. The fact that Stella went on to score 2 more really means very little, considering they were fielding a team that would have been thrown out of all competitions had they been schoolboys. What does that say about how the WFAI really feel about women in soccer? Every one to the AGM with submissions in hand and lets fix this. Can someone post here when AGM is on. Well done Raheney hold your heads high ye did it honestly.

[37Beour]

Well done Raheny...ye did it the right way abiding by the rules its a pity the WFAI couldn't do the same. And more of a pity the competition was ruined this year and now older players are inelgible for next year....or are they who knows?!!!:eek:

I am astounded that in 2009 such a thing can happen....needs to be a serious clear out in WFAI ranks. Not that such a thing would ever occur...more politics than the Dail.:rolleyes:

[The Chosen One]

Just so those of you reading this forum don't quite get the gist of the problems faced in this years competition here is the "clarification" of the age rule passed by the council and communicated by Paul Brady FAI Domestic Manager, for the U16 cup 2009 "Players who were under the age of 16 on Jan 1st 2008 and who were registered to play at U16 level for a club,are eligible to compete in the 2009 U16 competition for that club provided they are still registered with the same club for 2009 season"
They completely ignored the fact that those players who were 16 in 2008 actually played in the U16 All Ireland in May 2008.Who do they think they are kidding.WFAI its time to fall on your swords and get out of womens soccer.
p.s. If that is a clarification of a rule that doesn't exist I would love to see what a rule looks like.

[The One]

That's different from what I heard back in May/June. I was told that the player must have played U16 level over the Winter of 2008-2009.
The way you are putting it...it's even worse! The FAI/WFAI have effectually made the competitions U15 and U17 for 2009.
I know that this matches up with the UEFA age groups. (The FAI/WFAI changed the Gaynor Cup age groups last season...to.....U15 + U17 age groups.)
Is this rule "clarification" a way of covering-up a commitment to UEFA that the FAI/WFAI needed to make by this season(and forgot...until the season had already begun) to receive funding?.......

......either way it is just another example of the incredible incompetence at the higher level in women's soccer here in Ireland.

(I have done a bit of research through the Women's forums going back to 2006 and every year there are problems with the National Cup competitions so this is nothing new girls(and guys!). (With the exclusion of a couple of people), it seems there is an ongoing and increasing lack of interest in Women's football in the FAI).

[The Chosen One]

You are indeed correct regarding the realignment of the age groups in the Gaynor Cup however oooops!!! they got it wrong again...dear oh dear. The age by year of birth for the under 17 competition this year was set by the WFAI at players born in 1992...amazingly none of the players who traveled to the Gaynor Cup born in 92 are eligible to play in this years UEFA U17 competition as players born in 1993 are the qualifying age not 92.Another waste of players time and incompetent WFAI management.How many players who were the correct age trailed and not selected were sitting at home while the overaged 92's enjoyed a free weekend in Limerick

[BBB In a sui]

You are indeed correct regarding the realignment of the age groups in the Gaynor Cup however oooops!!! they got it wrong again...dear oh dear. The age by year of birth for the under 17 competition this year was set by the WFAI at players born in 1992...amazingly none of the players who traveled to the Gaynor Cup born in 92 are eligible to play in this years UEFA U17 competition as players born in 1993 are the qualifying age not 92.Another waste of players time and incompetent WFAI management.How many players who were the correct age trailed and not selected were sitting at home while the overaged 92's enjoyed a free weekend in Limerick

Look they are probably hoping that UEFA re-write the age rules so that this can be accomodated:D

[The One]

Thanks BBB.....How could I be blind.......it's so obvious when someone points it out....

Of course...the FAI are ALWAYS the first organisation UEFA approach for advice on how to make their organisation more professional, especially in relation to Women's Football.

I now await the changes in age groupings across Europe.

We're a few steps ahead as usual.....proactive, innovative and all those other good things......specifically in Women's Football eh?

[Squeez]

You are indeed correct regarding the realignment of the age groups in the Gaynor Cup however oooops!!! they got it wrong again...dear oh dear. The age by year of birth for the under 17 competition this year was set by the WFAI at players born in 1992...amazingly none of the players who traveled to the Gaynor Cup born in 92 are eligible to play in this years UEFA U17 competition as players born in 1993 are the qualifying age not 92.Another waste of players time and incompetent WFAI management.How many players who were the correct age trailed and not selected were sitting at home while the overaged 92's enjoyed a free weekend in Limerick

Surely 92's would be seen for U19s international team so not entirely a waste.!

[apo11o]

Just so those of you reading this forum don't quite get the gist of the problems faced in this years competition here is the "clarification" of the age rule passed by the council and communicated by Paul Brady FAI Domestic Manager, for the U16 cup 2009 "Players who were under the age of 16 on Jan 1st 2008 and who were registered to play at U16 level for a club,are eligible to compete in the 2009 U16 competition for that club provided they are still registered with the same club for 2009 season"
They completely ignored the fact that those players who were 16 in 2008 actually played in the U16 All Ireland in May 2008.Who do they think they are kidding.WFAI its time to fall on your swords and get out of womens soccer.
p.s. If that is a clarification of a rule that doesn't exist I would love to see what a rule looks like.

This mean that a players who turned 16yrs of age in 2008 can play u16 in 2009?

Is this a Winter league or did the competition begin on or after the 1st Jan 2009?