Promotion from the A Championship

[christo]

Countys survival hopes are very slim as we need 8 points from 8 games and hope that Longford and/or Mervue go pointless.
Put it this way, we're not going to survive on goal difference !!!!

At the moment there is 14 goals difference between the two clubs, every goal we score against them counts as double and any week we win and they lose we will make up at least 2 goals as well. We have lost very few games since Joey came in by more than 1 goal as well, I don't think goal difference is that much of a reach, although I wouldn't want to rely on it

[Dillonman]

well said HS.

Dublin is civilised.


:D:D

If making the news every day for the wrong reasons is civilised then im living on the wrong planet!

[Dillonman]

At the moment there is 14 goals difference between the two clubs, every goal we score against them counts as double and any week we win and they lose we will make up at least 2 goals as well. We have lost very few games since Joey came in by more than 1 goal as well, I don't think goal difference is that much of a reach, although I wouldn't want to rely on it

The kiss of death!;)

[christo]

The kiss of death!;)

Never again

[christo]

Kildare players on €2,000 a man to stay up! (apparently)

Judging by tonight they ain't

[Acornvilla]

who made up that stupid rumor anyway how the heck could kildare afford to pay the players that!

[Sam_Heggy]

who made up that stupid rumor anyway how the heck could kildare afford to pay the players that!

:D Like every other club with wages :D

[Martinho II]

who made up that stupid rumor anyway how the heck could kildare afford to pay the players that!

I heard that rumour a few weeks back too.. I would say that theres a resemblence of truth in the rumour.. that promise could have come from a sponsor..

[davidatrb]

I heard that rumour a few weeks back too.. I would say that theres a resemblence of truth in the rumour.. that promise could have come from a sponsor..

The difference in prize money between finishing bottom and finishing second from bottom is 250 euro I think. Maybe they are going to split that and give each player a tenner or so, that is if that 250 isn't spent already.

[Kildareman]

I heard that rumour a few weeks back too.. I would say that theres a resemblence of truth in the rumour.. that promise could have come from a sponsor..

It, of course, has nothing to do with the fact that the person to start the rumour on here....ASH, is one of your chums and whos a regular visitor to Flancare??? ;)

[Ash]

It, of course, has nothing to do with the fact that the person to start the rumour on here....ASH, is one of your chums and whos a regular visitor to Flancare??? ;)

Take that back!!!! (Not about being mates with Marty ;))
3 visits there this season and 1 was while working for ATFC. Hardly the stuff of a regular :D

[Martinho II]

Take that back!!!! (Not about being mates with Marty ;))
3 visits there this season and 1 was while working for ATFC. Hardly the stuff of a regular :D


here here!! No I heard the rumour elsewhere but thats all it is a rumour!! Well with six games to go all three bottom sides lost over the last few days will there be any budgin at all? We are on course for our worst season in twelve seasons..:(

[Titan]

That 2 grand staying up bonus is utter rubbish. Trust me I'm a doctor!

[Sam_Heggy]

That 2 grand staying up bonus is utter rubbish. Trust me I'm a doctor!

Great, I've been having these awful headaches lately, none of the regular pain killers seem to work, have you any suggestions?

[pineapple stu]

Get someone to drive over your arm. You'll forget about the headache in no time.

[Scrufil]

Jeepers Titan I didn't know you were one of the Blizzards!

[Sam_Heggy]

Get someone to drive over your arm. You'll forget about the headache in no time.

Good news, my headache is gone, but unfortunately I got my wife to drive and well, she missed my arm and now my toes hurt.

[Titan]

Good news, my headache is gone, but unfortunately I got my wife to drive and well, she missed my arm and now my toes hurt.

Only one course of action I could prescribe. Stop watching LOI football. The headache should go with immeiate effect and you will also be a more rounded saner individual!

[Sam_Heggy]

Only one course of action I could prescribe. Stop watching LOI football. The headache should go with immeiate effect and you will also be a more rounded saner individual!

No hope, I'm way past the point of no return

[Sunny Jim]

So, Kildare have blown their last chance to avoid a playoff. Now can they beat Salthill Devon? For the good of the LOI I hope so. Three teams from a city as small as Galway is verging on the ridiculous. Can we have Cobh back please?

[gufc2000]

So, Kildare have blown their last chance to avoid a playoff. Now can they beat Salthill Devon? For the good of the LOI I hope so. Three teams from a city as small as Galway is verging on the ridiculous. Can we have Cobh back please?
I agree. I thought Kildare would win tonight, but Mervue's win now should see them safe. Probably beyond Kildare now to catch Longford even

[Kildare Lad]

Terrible match last night, before hand I had a feeling County would get the win and make the last few matchs interesting, but no, on the night Mervue were marginally the better team I thought, seemed like they wanted it more and IMO deserved the win. Goal was a bad one to conceed keeper mis-judged a cross which flew into the far corner.

Dont think there is even a slight chance of us catching Longford now. Just hope to god we can beat Salthill now but at this stage I am not very confident.

[**FrOsTy**]

That 2000 euro bonus was the safest bet in the world!

[davidatrb]

Terrible match last night, before hand I had a feeling County would get the win and make the last few matchs interesting, but no, on the night Mervue were marginally the better team I thought, seemed like they wanted it more and IMO deserved the win. Goal was a bad one to conceed keeper mis-judged a cross which flew into the far corner.

Dont think there is even a slight chance of us catching Longford now. Just hope to god we can beat Salthill now but at this stage I am not very confident.

I agree, terrible match. Extremely disappointed. Baba, Purcell and O'Brien terribly missed. I'd disagreeing that Mervue were only marginally better, I think they were streets ahead. Bad night to give two young lads their debuts in the back four - throwing in Powderly too into the back four for I think his first game of the season too.

[London-Irish]

So Salthill have now won the division. What is the latest news on the play-offs please?

[Titan]

First Leg:
10th Novemebr Salthill Devon V Kildare County
Kick off and venue to be confirmed

Second leg:
13th November Kildare County V Salthill Devon
Station Road 8PM

[RonnieB]

Best of luck to Kildare.

[trevy]

The FAI will hardly want another team from Galway in the league after whats happened to Mervue this year with poor results on the field and very small crowds. We'd be better off with a club from a new area that doesn't already have a club there.

[brendy_éire]

We'd be better off with a club from a new area that doesn't already have a club there.

Maybe so, but there's nothing the FAI can really do about that, bar encouraging clubs from 'empty' areas to apply for the A Championship.
Salthill have got to where they are on merit, and if they get into the First Division fair play.

[Martinho II]

can anyone explain to me how salthill devon qualified for the playoffs? Is there still two divisions in the A League or has that changed now?

[Gaillimh Al]

Salthill Devon won their group in the A championship. They play Shamrock Rovers in the Final this Saturday in Drom (2pm).
They were the top non-league side in one group, and as there were no non-league sides in the top 4 in the other group, they automatically go through to the play off with Kildare.

[dcfcsteve]

For the sake of Irish football - please God, don't let Kildare lose to Salthill Devon.....

[sheao]

For the sake of Irish football - please God, don't let Kildare lose to Salthill Devon.....

There could possibly be 3 teams in Galway and no team in Cork in the LOI next season :O .

[Lamper.sffc]

The FAI will hardly want another team from Galway in the league after whats happened to Mervue this year with poor results on the field and very small crowds. We'd be better off with a club from a new area that doesn't already have a club there.

Never work. You cant just make a club up out of nothing. Oh wait:confused:

[culloty82]

Why the sudden rush to run-off the play-off anyway? Best to leave the licensing sagas over Cork and Derry play out first. If either or both are demoted, both Salthill and Kildare will be in Division 1, and if the clubs are saved, the play-off can go ahead in January.

[gufc2000]

Why the sudden rush to run-off the play-off anyway? Best to leave the licensing sagas over Cork and Derry play out first. If either or both are demoted, both Salthill and Kildare will be in Division 1, and if the clubs are saved, the play-off can go ahead in January.
Because squads will have changed by January.

Oh the thought of it, 3 Galway teams in the league :eek:

[christo]

Just a question on Salthills grounds, I am assuming it won't be up to eircom league standard like Mervue's wasn't last year, will this mean that they will have to play in Terryland as well as Galway and Mervue :eek: if they go up by what ever means

[Bray Head]

Because squads will have changed by January.

Oh the thought of it, 3 Galway teams in the league :eek:

Galway will soon catch up on Dublin. You just need another three more teams now.

[Schumi]

Why the sudden rush to run-off the play-off anyway? Best to leave the licensing sagas over Cork and Derry play out first. If either or both are demoted, both Salthill and Kildare will be in Division 1, and if the clubs are saved, the play-off can go ahead in January.

Who would pay the players in the meantime?

[gufc2000]

Just a question on Salthills grounds, I am assuming it won't be up to eircom league standard like Mervue's wasn't last year, will this mean that they will have to play in Terryland as well as Galway and Mervue :eek: if they go up by what ever means
Presumably, all this talk of Mervue having Fahy's Field ready for this year seem to be wide of the mark

[sadloserkid]

Can we have Cobh back please?

Why? They've been terrible in the A Championship this year. Surely any clamour should be for Tralee. Or maybe Castlebar. :)


Maybe so, but there's nothing the FAI can really do about that, bar encouraging clubs from 'empty' areas to apply for the A Championship.
Salthill have got to where they are on merit, and if they get into the First Division fair play.

What that man said. Salthill seem extremely progressive and I think they'd only be an asset to the league. if Galway can't sustain three LOI clubs then, in the mid to long term at the very worst, Galway will not sustain three LOI clubs.


Just a question on Salthills grounds, I am assuming it won't be up to eircom league standard like Mervue's wasn't last year, will this mean that they will have to play in Terryland as well as Galway and Mervue :eek: if they go up by what ever means

True but none of the clubs own Terryland so none of them really have a definitive claim on it.

[gufc2000]

Result from the 'A' Championship Final Today:

Salthill Devon 0-1 Shamrock Rovers
Cowen 90

According to a poster on our forum, he reckons they'll beat Kildare

[christo]

Is there any news on new teams joining the A Championship (bar us of course) for next season, and as for three LOI clubs from Galway are Mervue still thinking of pulling out of the league

[gufc2000]

Is there any news on new teams joining the A Championship (bar us of course) for next season, and as for three LOI clubs from Galway are Mervue still thinking of pulling out of the league
Portlaoise almost joined last year so I would expect them to join next year. I haven't heard anything concrete about Mervue pulling out either.

[JC_GUFC]

Is there any news on new teams joining the A Championship (bar us of course) for next season, and as for three LOI clubs from Galway are Mervue still thinking of pulling out of the league

I heard last night that they're committed to another season. 3 clubs in Galway seems crazy alright but to be fair to Mervue and Salthill they've got there on merit. At least they're more progressive than a lot of other non-league clubs.

[Ezeikial]

Result from the 'A' Championship Final Today:

Salthill Devon 0-1 Shamrock Rovers
Cowen 90

According to a poster on our forum, he reckons they'll beat Kildare

Report



Shamrock Rovers claim Newstalk A Championship title

Salthill Devon 0
Shamrock Rovers 1

Shamrock Rovers claimed the Newstalk A Championship thanks to a Don Cowan goal deep inside second half stoppage time of the competition final at Drom against Salthill Devon. The Hoops claimed a 1-0 win after Cowan struck in the 97th minute with virtually the last kick of the ball.

The first half was splayed in blustery conditions and was evenly contested throughout, both defences in dominant form.Don Cowan for the Hoops showed the first glimpses of form as he threatened the home rearguard, but was contained well by Sean Murphy.

Salthill’s first half chance fell to Shane Browne after 25 minutes but his snap shot was well wide of target. Cowan produced the Hoops’ first real chance two minutes later but his shot from an acute angel was tipped over by Ronan Forde in the home goal.

On the half hour Sean Dunne’s cross was headed over by Marcin Maranek as the home side pressed forward in search of the lead.

Chances were few and far between as the first half ebbed towards the break, with neither side making any errors or delivering any real breakthrough moves. However Mickey Gilmore looked a real threat at times for Salthill while Cowan looked the most likely for the Hoops.

The pattern of the second half mirrored the opening half in many ways with a tight hard fought encounter with few clear cut chances, until the 7th minutes of time added on when goalkeeper Ronan Forde was stranded outside his area and he could not control the ball Cowan ended up with the easy task of tapping the ball into an empty net.

Salthill lost striker Marcin Maranek who hobbled off after ten minutes to be replace by Damien O’Reilly who posed a major threat for the remainder of the half. Five minutes later the Hoops had a real chance when Paddy Kavanagh wriggled free but his ‘on target’ shot was blocked by Sean Murphy and cleared.

Rovers looked the stronger in the opening 20 minutes of the half, but Salthill gradually got into their stride and they were the team going forward in the close quarter but could not just get that vital last touch.

The final was a good advertisement for Irish soccer, played in a good spirit with plenty of quality play despite the windy conditions.

Victor Ekanem was selected man of the match for his excellent display in the Rovers rearguard. Shamrock deserved their victory by virtue of the fact that they took their chance when it came. Salthill Devon have come a long way in one season from bottom of the A league last year to contesting this years final. They have a playoff with Kildare for a place in the first division to come as a consolation prize.

Salthill Devon: Ronan Forde, Paddy Quinlan, Geroid O’Lidhinn, Sean Murphy, James Whelan, Ryan O’Donnell, Sean Boyle, Robbie Porter, Mickey Gilmore (Brian Geraghty), Marcin Maranek (Damien O’Reilly), Shane Browne.
Subs not used: Marty Mannion, Ronan Larkin, Ger Cheevers.

Shamrock Rovers: Robert Duggan, Simon Madden, Craig Rothery, Pat Flynn, Victor Ekanem, Barry Johnston, Paddy Kavanagh, Ross Chisholm, Padraig Amond, Don Cowan, Darren Good (Jason Oladele)
Subs not used: Thomas Hyland, Keith O’Neill, Stephen Conlon, Michael Iscihei

[gufc2000]

Attendance was around 300, with 30 from Shamrock Rovers

[Jofspring]

I'd say Kildare could beat salthill. They've improved alot and can be a physical team when they want. Think they are better going into this playoff than they where going into it last year.

[pineapple stu]

How come Galway is in a position where it could be hosting three senior football clubs? Given Cork has only one club - and I think never more than two - and no other city has more than one club (if you exclude Institute in Derry), it's strange that Galway has the intermediate set-up to get three clubs into senior football.

[Gaillimh Al]

How come Galway is in a position where it could be hosting three senior football clubs? Given Cork has only one club - and I think never more than two - and no other city has more than one club (if you exclude Institute in Derry), it's strange that Galway has the intermediate set-up to get three clubs into senior football.

(Deep Breath) - Galway does not have an intermediate set-up...there is no Senior League in Connacht (not enough Junior clubs willing to commit to the expense). Hence the reason why Salthill and Mervue decided to enter the A championship to give an outlet for the youth systems at both clubs that they have put so much time and effort into. The Junior league in Galway at the moment is no breeding ground for developing talented youngsters. Neither side thought they would be in the positions they are in now so soon. Mervue scraped into the play-off last year, then fully deserved their win over Kildare. Salthill seemingly were the best side in their group, so now get the same opportunity. Both were aided by the fact that the LOI clubs on this side of the country have been struggling to field A sides, let alone decent ones.

They have both developed fantastic facilities over the last decade (I played for Mervue underage in the 80s when for a time they didn't have a dressing room in Fahy's Field) that they can be proud of, and will continue to develop. This mainly comes from the dedication of volunteers and club members. Salthill and Mervue have gotten to the point where they are consistently challenging for Irish Cups at underage level (Mervue won at U14 and U16 in recent years and Salthill have lost a couple of finals). Hence the desire for them to play at a higher standard when they reached 19/20. When the CSL was around, both clubs best players would have been promoted to this side, and then quite a few went on to play for Galway United.

Compare both these structures to that of Galway United, who after 31 years in LOI have barely got a pot to **** in. No training facilities, renting a ground, massively in debt, no direct influence on ayouth system. Why would either of the other clubs want get associated with that mess. Devon did a few years ago to get Galway out of a jam. The relationship didn't end well from what I remember.

The FAI created the A championship to create a sort of pyramid structure for progressive clubs. Mervue or Salthill can't be blamed for taking advantage of the situation. Whether it will be ultimately to their benefit remains to be seen.

In summation - If there was a Connacht Senior League, this wouldn't have happened. There isn't, so it did.

Shamrock Rovers put out a very strong team today, from the looks of it. Duggan, Amond, Kavanagh, Johnston, Chisholm, Flynn, Madden, Cowan....all played in Premier this year. Salthill had 8 starters who came through the ranks with the club. Not a bad effort to lose to a 97th minute goal.