Airtiricity League XI v Manchester United confirmed for Aviva Stadium on August 4

[bennocelt]

A Dublin league select versus the rest of Ireland select would have been a nice way to open it.
Can I just ask if it was an Airtricity select playing against say Atletico Madrid, what would be the reaction? In my opinion it's a sad anti-premiership and anti-English thing. Still.

Can we not have faith in our own league and get rid of the chips on the shoulders?

I'm not expecting many people to agree with me, just trying to put the argument forward


No, just that our league wont benefit at all. Manure Utd are on show, they will get paid to come here, and John deleaney will cream his pants cheering on his team................

[bennocelt]

LOI support remains stubbornly low by standards in other developed countries. Some factors of course are the Premiership, the TV hype with Sky, Setanta and now ESPN and now the Internet. Most of the "foreign fans" I know absolutely love the game - and are lucky enough to have (debatedly) the best league in the World available to watch so easily. They want to see the best players in the world (!) with the drama and tension that goes with it.
I watched Fulham with 20 people in a pub on Wednesday after I watched an u14 club game with 40/50 parents and friends and we had no problem cheering on Fulham. And generally everyone thought it was a good game.
This week-end I will watch a local Junior game the outcome of which will be more important to me than any Premier game. Last night I played with 13 other over 40's for 90 minutes on the local Astro pitch - so like many thousands of others around the country I love football
... So - why dont I see "live" my nearest LOI club more than twice a year.
Simply , they do very little to connect with me - Galway Utd filled terryland v Sunderland 3 years ago, built a new stand to seriously improve the venue - But their management do not have a clue how to connect with their fanbase. Their catchment area would have a population of 300,000 people and they now struggle to get 1000. Any decent junior club connects everyday/week with its community to get sponsorship, lotto tickets, why do LOI find it so difficult to broaden their horizons.
While money is a factor, the "boom" years failed to deliver any steady progress in Europe which is what gives us a huge buzz.
It's not a GAA/Rugby problem IMO. Irish people love their sport - but they want to feel some connection.
As an example of the potential here, the World Cup Play-Off attendance at Croker against France was only matched by the Russia game on the same night and was three times greater than the others.
So we have a huge interest in football at junior youths level, we have an huge interest in the International game - its the Inbetweeners we cant sort out - yet. It will get there - but it could go faster.
In the meantime, if I was still a player I'd be delighted to run out against Man U - hopefully it won't be a leinster 11 tho'
LOI seems small minded, petty, conservative when looked at under the microscope - no razzamataz, still short on technique, stars (even little ones) dour contests and petty officialdom


Jesus so much wrong with this.................
Comparing live football to watching games in a pub:rolleyes:
Mentioning bog ball!!!:rolleyes:
And that statement proves how little you know - Please tell me how Irish people love their sport - they do in their hat. They love the bandwagon and the ole ole, thats for sure.
You dont need a "connection" to love football.:rolleyes: You just do!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Jicked]

Please tell me how Irish people love their sport - they do in their hat. They love the bandwagon and the ole ole, thats for sure.

Sure did you not get locked when Ireland won the Six Nations? That was great craic down the pub.

[MariborKev]

the really galling thing is that this is a safe game for Delaney and the horrible smug c**t knows it. Outside of our little band of LOI fans, no one in the country will really give a f**k at the end of the day. Its sad and depressing. Its when **** like this last week happens that we need to stand together and make our voices heard. Quite how that is done is another question but Maxi was thinking along the right lines.

That's the nub of it for me. I'm just utterly depressed by the antics of the week. The second biggest Cup tournament is overshadowed by this shambles and those running the League are shafting the biggest clubs in a European week. Enough to make you pack it all in.

[**FrOsTy**]

They should open The Aviva with Waterford United v Man United. It was the first ever football game in Lansdowne it should be the first in Aviva :P :P ( I kid I kid!)

I think they should stage the EA Sports Cup Semis Finals either side of the barstool w*ankfest

12.30 First EA Cup Semi - (Based on luck of draw who the first two teams to play in the Aviva will be)

3.00 LOI XI V Man Utd

5.30 Second EA Cup Semi

Each of the 4 teams in the EA Sports Cup Semis given a fair percentage of the tickets and the rest go on sale to general public.

By doing this it would ensure that there would be a great crowd for the first game. Full House for the Man Utd game and then hopefully they would stay and watch the second semi final given the 4 teams involved proper exposure and also gives the league good exposure in all 3 games.

[gael353]

Where did you hear this? :confused:

Edit: Sorry, just read about it there. Would be interesting to hear the FAI's perspective on that one.

TBH i dont think they have a case to answer there as i believe the bohs barca game was a selective leak today to the media to lessen the limerick barca decision. From my understanding the figures for bohs barca just didnt add up as the only stadium they could use was the RDS 16000 capacity and tickets would have had to have been massivly priced to justify the match fee, and possible profit.

[Straightstory]

Thats just idiotic in my opinion.
A Bohs V's Shams derby is the best foot forward for our League.
For the simple fact that the are 2 of the strongest teams in the league with big fan bases and a great rivalry with an atmosphere that dwarfs Premiership encounters.
Lets face it we can never go head to head with the Premiership with regaurds to quality or shiney packaging but we can compete with match day atmosphere.
Having token players thrown togethor from different corners of the country is just a shambles and not an accurate reflection of our league.

As a Drogheda fan - I agree with you. Rovers v Bohs would be the best option.

[MariborKev]

As someone said to me, this game shouldn't be about money. It's about Irish football.

If the organisation with the game here thinks that
- They want to chase the quick buck
- They want to potentially overshadow their own club sides participation in Europe
- They want to shaft our clubs who have the temerity to organise their own "big friendlies".

We might as well pack up and go home.

[DannyInvincible]

As someone said to me, this game shouldn't be about money. It's about Irish football.

If the organisation with the game here thinks that
- They want to chase the quick buck
- They want to potentially overshadow their own club sides participation in Europe
- They want to shaft our clubs who have the temerity to organise their own "big friendlies".

We might as well pack up and go home.

Perfect summation of the farce that has been the past few days. Sadly, the FAI are the quintessential chasers of the quick buck.

[fionnsci]

How likely are clubs to release their players for this? Is it going to be a team of second stringers or will the big guns be allowed play? In other words, who will be going up against Wes Brown, Glen Fitzpatrick or Gary Twigg?

[de bowez]

How likely are clubs to release their players for this? Is it going to be a team of second stringers or will the big guns be allowed play? In other words, who will be going up against Wes Brown, Glen Fitzpatrick or Gary Twigg?

Id imagine Bohs, Rovers, Fingal and Dundalk wont be willing to release players with Europe on and Limerick wont for obvious reasons.

[MariborKev]

Would love to be a fly on the wall on Monday's meeting.

[passerrby]

sorry kev have not read all posts in this thread what meeting is on monday

[Ciaran W]

I really think the magic weekend like the one in rugby league would be worth a try.

[peadar1987]

Jesus so much wrong with this.................
Comparing live football to watching games in a pub:rolleyes:
Mentioning bog ball!!!:rolleyes:
And that statement proves how little you know - Please tell me how Irish people love their sport - they do in their hat. They love the bandwagon and the ole ole, thats for sure.
You dont need a "connection" to love football.:rolleyes: You just do!!!!!!!!!!!!!


There is a kernel of a point hidden somewhere in there though. Look at the Sunderland bandwagon. It's not like they were the best side in the world, but for some reason, hordes of barstoolers decided they felt enough of a connection to trek to one of the least glamorous corners of England, buy a replica shirt, and give up Chelsea and Liverpool for a season or two. There's definitely something there which domestic clubs could be tapping into

[TonyD]

How likely are clubs to release their players for this? Is it going to be a team of second stringers or will the big guns be allowed play? In other words, who will be going up against Wes Brown, Glen Fitzpatrick or Gary Twigg?

Glens got my vote !! Seriously though, I'd love to see the clubs refuse to release players. I wasn't too pushed until the whole Limerick/Barecelona thing came up (no interest in going to the Manure game obviously) but now I think the FAI needs to be seriously embarressed as much as possible. Oh hang on though, embarressment, FAI, nah what was I tihnking. They don't do embarressment in Abbotstown do they ?(33rd team at the WC anyone?)

[pineapple stu]

I love football
... So - why dont I see "live" my nearest LOI club more than twice a year.
Simply , they do very little to connect with me - Galway Utd filled terryland v Sunderland 3 years ago, built a new stand to seriously improve the venue - But their management do not have a clue how to connect with their fanbase.
No harm to you, but that post is drivel. "Why don't I support Galway? They don't do enough to connect with me." That's a standard get-out clause. Not once, I notice, do you say what you want from Galway. What do the top Premiership clubs do to connect with you? Appear on telly, win all the time and allow you to tap into this self-justifying stream of constant success? Issue occasional press releases about the great support their club has in your country?

In other news, Fenlon says (http://www.extratime.ie/newsdesk/articles/3484/) Bohs players won't be involved if they're still in Europe.

[Schumi]

Look at the Sunderland bandwagon. It's not like they were the best side in the world, but for some reason, hordes of barstoolers decided they felt enough of a connection to trek to one of the least glamorous corners of England, buy a replica shirt, and give up Chelsea and Liverpool for a season or two. There's definitely something there which domestic clubs could be tapping intoBy getting Roy Keane to manage them? I don't think there was much else to the Sunderland thing.


In other news, Fenlon says (http://www.extratime.ie/newsdesk/articles/3484/) Bohs players won't be involved if they're still in Europe.Pity. I was looking forward to seeing players playing two matches at the same time. :)

[Dodge]

And I'll say it agian, the Sunderland "phenom" was vastly overstated by the media here (all brought over on junkets paid for by Sunderland btw)

I think I saw a couple of jersies in Cork once, but no one I knew cared about them

[Straightstory]

No harm to you, but that post is drivel. "Why don't I support Galway? They don't do enough to connect with me." That's a standard get-out clause. Not once, I notice, do you say what you want from Galway. What do the top Premiership clubs do to connect with you? Appear on telly, win all the time and allow you to tap into this self-justifying stream of constant success? Issue occasional press releases about the great support their club has in your country?

In other news, Fenlon says (http://www.extratime.ie/newsdesk/articles/3484/) Bohs players won't be involved if they're still in Europe.

Good point, Stu.

[marinobohs]

No harm to you, but that post is drivel. "Why don't I support Galway? They don't do enough to connect with me." That's a standard get-out clause. Not once, I notice, do you say what you want from Galway. What do the top Premiership clubs do to connect with you? Appear on telly, win all the time and allow you to tap into this self-justifying stream of constant success? Issue occasional press releases about the great support their club has in your country?

In other news, Fenlon says (http://www.extratime.ie/newsdesk/articles/3484/) Bohs players won't be involved if they're still in Europe.

excellent post Stu, the bar stoolers lament that the club down the road "does not connect" with me is a joke. No doubt "Fergie,Raffa et al " drop into his house for a cuppa to ask why he wasnt at Old T or Anfield this week :rolleyes:

On the Fenlon quote, I would love to see all clubs not make players available for this "game" and no LOI fans attending it.

[OneRedArmy]

Id imagine Bohs, Rovers, Fingal and Dundalk wont be willing to release players with Europe on and Limerick wont for obvious reasons..........they're in the First Division and won't have any selected?

[dcfcsteve]

This is my first post on here in months, as I gave up on this site a while back.

As usual, the clubs/fans in Ireland get shat on by the FAI.

As usual, everyone on here stamps their feet, gets irate and throws their toys out of the pram.

And as usual, nothing at all constructive will be done about it. Until the next time we get shat on by the FAI - when the pointless cycle will just start all over again.

Meanwhile, the only 'voice' of Irish football known to the media is a culchie fantasist whio claims to represent tens of thousands of supporters here and who the media turn to whenever they need a vox pop. It's only a matter of time before he's asked to give his view on this farce and says 'Jeez - Irish football supporters are delighted to have Manchester United opening their new stadium". And so speaketh the sole voice of Irish football....

Fans in Ireland need to get themselves organised into a truly representative supporters body that has the sort of legitimacy and sensible leadership that means the media and the FAI can't ignore it. Until then this site will just continue to be a pointless whinge-fest on issues like this.

You usually need a crisis of some sort to focus minds enough to get a representative body together. Luckilly the FAI manage to create such calamaties on a regular basis, but this game and its associated calamaties could be a good rallying point to motivate people to get a fans' group going.

I'd suggest that LOI fans should show their displeasure at this event by staging their own alternative event at the same time as the Big Man U game. It could be anything - a supprters game, a gig, a themed disco - anything that would catch the media's attention, show up the FAI for this riddiculous decision, and signal that fans won't sit down and do as their dealt in future. If done right and presented sensibly to the media it would have the potential to cause a lot of embarassment to the FAI. But it would need to be done right. And that requires people in Ireland capable and willing to stop whinging, stand-up and be counted and put some effort into creating a fan's organisation that will work to try to apply the pressure/input needed to ensure calamaties like this don't arise again.

The power relationship in Irish football is 100% tipped in the FAI's favour. Clubs can't challenge that, as the FAI will undermine/destroy them. Only fans can address the power balance unfettered.

P.S. Please don't mention the NLSA in any replies to this, as that organisation was still born and had no thirst to stand-up to the FAI. Plus it began around the issue of international tickets, which is not the way to go (and irrelevant anyway with a bigger stadium). We need a fan group focused on domestic football - not panting after the baubles of international football.

[PartySaint]

Meanwhile, the only 'voice' of Irish football known to the media is a culchie fantasist whio claims to represent tens of thousands of supporters here and who the media turn to whenever they need a vox pop. the baubles of international football.

Hey thats our word for you guys


Top post tho

[SkStu]

great post Steve - welcome back.

[Calcio Jack]

[QUOTE=dcfcsteve;1360264]This is my first post on here in months, as I gave up on this site a while back.

As usual, the clubs/fans in Ireland get shat on by the FAI.

As usual, everyone on here stamps their feet, gets irate and throws their toys out of the pram.
And as usual, nothing at all constructive will be done about it. Until the next time we get shat on by the FAI - when the pointless cycle will just start all over again.


So are you going to do something about it and I doubt very much that a 'themed disco' is the answer? otherwise (boring) people in glasshouses ...stones etc.

[Straightstory]

[QUOTE=dcfcsteve;1360264]This is my first post on here in months, as I gave up on this site a while back.

As usual, the clubs/fans in Ireland get shat on by the FAI.

As usual, everyone on here stamps their feet, gets irate and throws their toys out of the pram.
And as usual, nothing at all constructive will be done about it. Until the next time we get shat on by the FAI - when the pointless cycle will just start all over again.


So are you going to do something about it and I doubt very much that a 'themed disco' is the answer? otherwise (boring) people in glasshouses ...stones etc.

[Straightstory]

Steve dips his toe back in Foot.ie and immediately gets it bitten! It's like a shark pool in here.

[Mr A]

The best place to protest about any clash with a Bohs Champions League Game would perhaps be for people to go to Dalymount for their game. OK, it's not on at the same time, but it would be nice to make the point that people are choosing that game over the other. How exactly that point was made in a visible way would have to be well thought out obviously.

I don't think that the Man United game is a particularly bad thing in and of itself- just that the timing is awful.

[SkStu]

The best place to protest about any clash with a Bohs Champions League Game would perhaps be for people to go to Dalymount for their game. OK, it's not on at the same time, but it would be nice to make the point that people are choosing that game over the other. How exactly that point was made in a visible way would have to be well thought out obviously.
I don't think that the Man United game is a particularly bad thing in and of itself- just that the timing is awful.

green and yellow scarfs seem to work... ;)

[RoversHead]

green and yellow scarfs seem to work... ;)Id sooner see all LOI clubs represented at one end with all club banners hung upside down and the kick off delayed by the biggest pyro display this country has ever seen,followed by continuos pitch invasions for 90mins!Oh wait a minute this is Ireland.....DOH!

[Straightstory]

Just saw the MNS discussion on this and the Limerick debacle. Fran Gavin, as usual, not very impressive (and repeatedly called Con Murphy 'Tony' during the interview). Both Rico and Ski McGee sadly out of touch with the fans on this issue. Got the impression that Con and Richard Sadlier (who wasn't asked for his opinion) possibly share the general scepticism here.
Personally, I think the most galling thing about the Aviva 'event' is that the large majority of the people there will be armchair Man U supporters; people who, at best, have no interest in the League of Ireland, and, at worse, personify the familiar arrogant, boorish types who slag it off, and tell us, the loyal fans who support football in our own country, that it's '****e'. (A good job this attitude didn't prevail in Manchester a hundred years ago, or the Red Devils would still be playing in front of two hundred people).
What an insult and a kick in the teeth for LOI fans.
Shame, shame on the FAI.

[Dodge]

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2010/may/20/sir-alex-ferguson-manchester-united

Surprised this wasn't posted

Utd's world cup players to get some time off

[Réiteoir]

Surely the tickets for this match should go on sale inside each ground on match days and clubs allowed to keep a percentage of their sales.

http://www.fai.ie/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=100971&catid=1&Itemid=8


Due to demand for tickets from Algerian supporters, the FAI will also make single match tickets for Tuesday's Republic of Ireland v Paraguay match available through ticketmaster and the FAI Umbro stores in Carrolls, Westomoreland Street and Suffolk Street from today.

The single match Paraguay ticket will guarantee holders priority access to purchase one ticket for the Manchester United match on August 4. Holders of the two match ticket for Paraguay and Algeria are entitled to priority access to purchase two tickets for the August 4 game.

There's your answer - ticketing not even benefiting the League who are being made to put a team out for it...

[dcfcsteve]

great post Steve - welcome back.

Thanks Stu. Though I'm not back - merely passing through... :D



This is my first post on here in months, as I gave up on this site a while back.

As usual, the clubs/fans in Ireland get shat on by the FAI.

As usual, everyone on here stamps their feet, gets irate and throws their toys out of the pram.
And as usual, nothing at all constructive will be done about it. Until the next time we get shat on by the FAI - when the pointless cycle will just start all over again.


So are you going to do something about it and I doubt very much that a 'themed disco' is the answer? otherwise (boring) people in glasshouses ...stones etc.

As you know well, I'm based in London.

And common sense would suggest that an important element in trying to get an Irish fans' group off the ground would be to have people actually based in Ireland to do it. Which is probably why you ignoreed that fact, and the reference to it in my post.

I did try my bit re NLSA whilst based in London - but again, it was an absence of hands-on in Ireland that saw that idea fail to progress.

So how's about yourself then ? Are you based in Ireland, and if so - what are you goiung to do yourself ? Or is it just a lot easier to snipe from the sidelines...?

P.S. Thanks though for the reminder of why I don't come on here much any more.... :o)

[GUFCghost]

I really think the magic weekend like the one in rugby league would be worth a try.
Rugby League is over hyped bull ****.

[A N Mouse]

Rugby League is over hyped bull ****.

Where as the barstoolers would have you believe we've just got the ****

[Dodge]

Rugby League is over hyped bull ****.

Regardless, that weekend gets a great crowd to it.

[Macy]

Regardless, that weekend gets a great crowd to it.
How many scots though?

[Aberdonian Stu]

Regardless, that weekend gets a great crowd to it.

Actually the crowd isn't that great as they only half fill Murrayfield each of the days and (like in GAA) a lot of fans come in and out depending on when their team is playing so visually it looks poor as the crowd looks even smaller.

I was in Edinburgh for the same weekend (over for a holiday) as the Magic Weekend this year and there were some RL fans about but it wasn't comparable to the swarm for the Leinster-Leicester game last year. The city was more abuzz over the Great Edinbburgh Run that was on the same weekend.

[Macy]

We should have a League of Ireland Magic Weekend in Edinburgh - Limerick could play Barca on the Sunday, SFA sanctioned.

[peadar1987]

If people won't travel 15 minutes to watch Cork, Galway or Derry in their own grounds, why would they travel the whole way across the country just because you've used the word "Magic". If it was that easy, you could just call it the Magic Brandywell and watch the crowds roll in.

[A N Mouse]

If people won't travel 15 minutes to watch Cork, Galway or Derry in their own grounds, why would they travel the whole way across the country just because you've used the word "Magic". If it was that easy, you could just call it the Magic Brandywell and watch the crowds roll in.

Or you could tell people man u are playing :rolleyes:

RL may well be over-hyped bs.

But we're under-hyped and underrated.

If we got a few more column inches (in our own national press), and inversely the greatest league in the world got less, then it might be a little easier to attract some of the thousands flocking to some meaningless mid-season friendly to our grounds.

[Macy]

If people won't travel 15 minutes to watch Cork, Galway or Derry in their own grounds, why would they travel the whole way across the country just because you've used the word "Magic".
Because the Irish are event junkies.

[endabob1]

Because the Irish are event junkies.

I love the way this term is bandied around here like it's something unique to Ireland.

[Dodge]

I love the way this term is bandied around here like it's something unique to Ireland.

Its unique tat the Irish are ONLY event junkies

[Charlie Darwin]

Kind of like the way all LOI fans are smug?

[sligoman]

Can't see any Rovers, Dundalk or Shams players being released for this now they're in the league cup semi's 2 days before-hand and also have league games that weekend.

[Ezeikial]

Can't see any Rovers, Dundalk or Shams players being released for this now they're in the league cup semi's 2 days before-hand and also have league games that weekend.

Probably no Monaghan players either?

[Dodge]

Kind of like the way all LOI fans are smug?

nah, just some of us.