FAI to sign deal with Endemol

[Dodge]

According to dan mcdonnell's twitter account, the FAI are to sign a sponsorship agreement witht he Dutch company Endemol. He reckons they were the mysterious company that stopped the Limerick/barca friendly

I only know them as TV producers (Big Brother etc). Anybody know their sporting interest?

[White Horse]

According to dan mcdonnell's twitter account, the FAI are to sign a sponsorship agreement witht he Dutch company Endemol. He reckons they were the mysterious company that stopped the Limerick/barca friendly

I only know them as TV producers (Big Brother etc). Anybody know their sporting interest?

It could be a reality TV show based on Shamrock Rovers. I'm a Footballer.... Get Me Out Of Here.

[thischarmingman]

Day 14 in the League of Ireland house and Pat Fenlon has spent all the housemates' money again, while Roddy Collins has been in the diary room for four days.

[thischarmingman]

Day 23 and for the 9th day running Shamrock Rovers are complaining about been victimised by the other housemates.

[dfx-]

It could be a reality TV show based on Shamrock Rovers. I'm a Footballer.... Get Me Out Of Here.

Missed opportunity

I'm a Footballer...Get Me Out Of My Contract

[Duggie]

maybe they have seen a gap in the market "Im a celebrity, now go out and build me a wall", shot on location in Bray of course. Hosted by Roddy as he has experience in plastering(thats not a jibe at him either).

[Charlie Darwin]

According to dan mcdonnell's twitter account, the FAI are to sign a sponsorship agreement witht he Dutch company Endemol. He reckons they were the mysterious company that stopped the Limerick/barca friendly

I only know them as TV producers (Big Brother etc). Anybody know their sporting interest?
Is it customary for a company to make demands six months before signing a contract? I still think it's more like to be Kentaro that blocked it.

[Philly]

Day 19, and Philly Hughes has eaten all of the housemates food.

[Roo69]

According to dan mcdonnell's twitter account, the FAI are to sign a sponsorship agreement witht he Dutch company Endemol. He reckons they were the mysterious company that stopped the Limerick/barca friendly

I only know them as TV producers (Big Brother etc). Anybody know their sporting interest?

Champions League winners Inter Milan (http://www.breakingnews.ie/sport/inter-sign-up-for-dublin-tournament-481908.html) are to head for Dublin to play in a four-team tournament next summer.

Under a 10-year, multi-million euro agreement between the Football Association of Ireland, Endemol Sport and sports agency Iconic, Inter and an Airtricity League XI will take part in the inaugural event at the Aviva Stadium on July 30 and 31, 2011.

The organisers have also promised to secure a top Barclays Premier League club and another big name from Europe to complete the line-up.

The FAI will be guaranteed a seven-figure sum each year over the length of the agreement.

[athloneman]

i would presume that the club will be getting a slice of that 7 figure sum or else they should not release there players to play in this rubbish??

[Dodge]

i would presume that the club will be getting a slice of that 7 figure sum or else they should not release there players to play in this rubbish??

Diid the players involved even get payed from the Man U game?

[hoops1]

Word is the FAI's favourites are going to be involved too.

[total hoofball]

Great, more thumpings for an uninterested LOI XI

[Jicked]

Word is the FAI's favourites are going to be involved too.

As Champions it would seem best that Rovers go forward to represent the League in this. Another XI is a complete waste of time for everyone, but this way, and if it became a regular feature, the Champions could be rewarded by playing big European sides every year even if they were say, dumped out of Europe by a Welsh team.

[legendz]

It's where a game against the IL would come in useful, so they'd have one or two games as a team first.

[Dodge]

As Champions it would seem best that Rovers go forward to represent the League in this. Another XI is a complete waste of time for everyone, but this way, and if it became a regular feature, the Champions could be rewarded by playing big European sides every year even if they were say, dumped out of Europe by a Welsh team.

If they were dumped out of europe by a Welsh team they don't deserve to play the other sides, even in a friendly...

The last tournament of this nature saw the Champions of 1997 and 1998 play. I think Derry beat Celtic. Can't remember which of Newcastle/PSV they played in other game. Pats played in 1998. We played the 2nd leg of the Champions League qualifier against Celtic on the wednesday, played Liverpool on the Friday and Lazio on the Saturday. Leeds were the other side involved (the chairman of the FAI wrote at the time that it was an honour for him as he was a lifelong Liverpool fan - Michael Hyland - ugh)

[Dodge]

It's where a game against the IL would come in useful, so they'd have one or two games as a team first.

Its in the middle of European qualifiers. The last thing players need is more games

[DaveyCakes]

Of course July 30 and 31 could very well be smack in the middle of when LOI sides are playing in Europe!

*edit* Damn you...*shakes fist*

[Charlie Darwin]

As Champions it would seem best that Rovers go forward to represent the League in this. Another XI is a complete waste of time for everyone, but this way, and if it became a regular feature, the Champions could be rewarded by playing big European sides every year even if they were say, dumped out of Europe by a Welsh team.
I don't think you could guarantee any particular team being in it because of European competition. Well, apart from Bohs.

[SkStu]

this Select XI rubbish is no good, doomed to failure if the idea is to promote the league.

It should be one or two league teams with two European teams.

[Bluebeard]

In that case, it only makes sense to incorporate a team that is not going to be playing in Europe into this big jamboree.

However, it better not be Waterford. We seriously need to have no distractions next year.

With these the case, I am going to recommend that it be Bray. They'll not be worried by the distractions, and will not need to start playing competitively until half past October, and they'll somehow pull it out of the bag in the last two or three weeks. Again. It would also be good for them to know this far in advance that they are not playing at home that weekend so that they can plan to have the builders in that week.

[pineapple stu]

The last tournament of this nature saw the Champions of 1997 and 1998 play. I think Derry beat Celtic. Can't remember which of Newcastle/PSV they played in other game. Pats played in 1998.
Very randomly found the goals of those games on an old video a couple of weeks ago. Seán Dundee and Danny Murphy and Phil Babb and Rusty and Eddie Gormley and Colin Hawkins. Them were the days...

[danthesaint]

Word is the FAI's favourites are going to be involved too.

Rovers or Man U? ;)

[BonnieShels]

Well I think we can take it that this tournament is clearly an example that things haven't changed and the fudge train is in motion. Yesterday was a mirage.

[White Horse]

Champions League winners Inter Milan are to head for Dublin to play in a four-team tournament next summer.

Under a 10-year, multi-million Euro agreement between the Football Association of Ireland, Endemol Sport and sports agency Iconic, Inter and an Airtricity League XI will take part in the inaugural event at the Aviva Stadium on 30 and 31 July 2011.

The organisers have also promised to secure a top Barclays Premier League club and another big name from Europe to complete the line-up.

http://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2010/1115/dublin_avivatournament.html


Perhaps yesterday was a mirage afterall.

I won't be spending my hard earned money watching meaningless friendlies against an Airtricity IX

[osarusan]

In addition to the tournament, Inter will do some pre-season training in Ireland and will play another game at either Turner’s Cross or Thomond Park.

The association has already ensured the latter venue is free on the date concerned.

Endemol Sport, whose parent company brought the world the television show Big Brother, were the reason Limerick City were prevented from hosting Barcelona in the summer.

The League of Ireland club’s plans to bring the European champions to Thomond Park were scuppered by a contract with a “third party” at the time, which prevented the FAI from sanctioning games in venues that held 15,000 fans or more.

Irish Times states (as opposed to suggesting) that Endemol were the reason for the Limerick/Barca issue.

Also, that Inter warm-up game being played in Thomond against Limerick would be very welcome.

[pineapple stu]

Didn't know ye'd reverted to being "Limerick City".

[crc]

A League XI would be a complete joke; on a hiding to nothing. It would be different if one of the clubs were invited, but that's difficult because of European commitments. I don't think the clubs should have anything to do with this. And after the master-stroke of the €10 tickets yesterday, the FAI have turned around and shot themselves in the foot again. I realise they need to pay for the stadium, but it would actually be better to have four foreign teams in this tournament than suffer the embarrassment of this years Airtricity v Man Yoo yet again.

[Charlie Darwin]

A League XI would be a complete joke; on a hiding to nothing. It would be different if one of the clubs were invited, but that's difficult because of European commitments. I don't think the clubs should have anything to do with this. And after the master-stroke of the €10 tickets yesterday, the FAI have turned around and shot themselves in the foot again. I realise they need to pay for the stadium, but it would actually be better to have four foreign teams in this tournament than suffer the embarrassment of this years Airtricity v Man Yoo yet again.
There were a lot of things to be embarrassed about the Man Utd game but the scoreline wasn't one of them.

[osarusan]

There were a lot of things to be embarrassed about the Man Utd game but the scoreline wasn't one of them.

Ah, yes it was.

[legendz]

Its in the middle of European qualifiers. The last thing players need is more games

If an inter-league clash was to come about again, it'd be better placed around the early spring.
If clubs want to promote themselves they can do so through their own performances in the domestic game and European competition. The FAI, while out to make money for themselves it has to be said, have to look at promoting the league, not one or two of it's club. I think the games are a good idea. It's unfortunate regards timing but the only time the games can go ahead. Last summer's representative side would have been more of a unit had they played together once or twice before, which an inter-league clash would've given them.

[Mr A]

Whatever about the involvement of an LOI select team, an annual injection of over a million euro to Irish football has to be good news.

[osarusan]

Whatever about the involvement of an LOI select team, an annual injection of over a million euro to Irish football has to be good news.
I would have thought it would go straight to their bank loans? I mean, it's good that they're getting the money this way as opposed to elsewhere, but I don't expect to see any extra money spent on domestic football. I hope I'm wrong though.

[Lim till i die]

Didn't know ye'd reverted to being "Limerick City".

Whatever you're having yourself, we're all inclusive.

[legendz]

The players should get something for it in terms of match fees anyways. Also the fact it's going to be a regular fixture as opposed to a one-off event, the competition should be able to have a high enough profile after one of two years. The players involved should be able to get a higher profile off the back of the games as well which in turn will be good for their respective clubs. If sides involved like Inter take up warm-up games in the country, it'd be great as well.

[L.T.F.C.]

As Champions it would seem best that Rovers go forward to represent the League in this. Another XI is a complete waste of time for everyone, but this way, and if it became a regular feature, the Champions could be rewarded by playing big European sides every year even if they were say, dumped out of Europe by a Welsh team.

What a great post, you managed to shít on another team while saying that your team should get to enter it regardless. In that case, there should be no prizemoney for winning the league.

[Jicked]

Never miss a genuine opportunity when it comes to TNS eh. I still think Champions representing the league instead of an XI makes more sense (although the dates make that difficult), and would say as much if Bohs were Champions. As for prize-money, I don't think the LoI side would be able to force a very big appearance fee from Endemol.

[Bluebeard]

Whatever about the involvement of an LOI select team, an annual injection of over a million euro to Irish football has to be good news.

Somehow, I think that €1m will not go very far into the huge advertising budget to be expended on the glamour games with Armenia and Macedonia forthcoming, never mind the games between Scotland, Wales, & N.Iron...

[De Town]

I won't be spending my hard earned money watching meaningless friendlies against an Airtricity IX

Well they have a hard enough task playing with 11 players, but to just play with 9 players? Well that's making it pretty impossible for the lads.

[A N Mouse]

Have absolutely no problem with a league XI in this tournament.

Provided it's managed right. Week off before/after for everyone to stage friendlies. Commitment from visiting clubs to play 2/3 other games. Help bringing in 1/2 slightly higher profile (than the current norm) teams to fulfill other friendlies. Some visible benefits for all clubs.

Course the chances of any of this are indirectly proportional to the credit given to the fai for the cup final ticketing.

[PartySaint]

As Champions it would seem best that Rovers go forward to represent the League in this. Another XI is a complete waste of time for everyone, but this way, and if it became a regular feature, the Champions could be rewarded by playing big European sides every year even if they were say, dumped out of Europe by a Welsh team.

Don't be ridiculous

[Dodge]

I think the idea of having 2 weeks off for friendlies is the worst idea I've heard since the idea of 2 weeks off for holiers

[A N Mouse]

I think the idea of having 2 weeks off for friendlies is the worst idea I've heard since the idea of 2 weeks off for holiers

Well sounds like we're stuck with this representative side in a tournament thing for a while. May as well try and do it right.

I mean if there a full set of fixtures and these visiting teams are going to be playing other games then our european representatives are unlikely to available to fulfill friendly fixtures. They'll likely be the first to complain about other teams getting 'glamour' friendlies. Would leave il teams to benefit.

[Dodge]

Sod them, every club here would prefer Europe to friendlies.

Can't have everything

[sullanefc]

Why not leave the team who finishes just outside the European places into this. 4th or 5th?

[Dodge]

Why not leave the team who finishes just outside the European places into this. 4th or 5th?


At the rate we lose clubs it'll be 6th or 7th

I'd imagine the real answer is its part of the Airtricity sponsorship

[gael353]

The FAI will not let clubs use agents to bring in teams....check
No team can play friendly games on days when there are some vitally important airtricity league or european games......check
No other LOI team would benifet from a friendly held by just one club.....check


:bulgy:

[Dodge]

In fairness there was never any doubt that LOI clubs could use outside agents. Platinum have arranged friendlies for Rovers the past two years and before that for others (including pats)

[osarusan]

But wasn't one of the reasons listed off by Gavin on MNS that outside agents were not allowed as they were taking money out of the game? I'm pretty sure it was given as one of the many and ever-changing reasons for not allowing the friendly.

[legendz]

Limerick to be fair have other things to be focussing on. It's a shame the city didn't get the Barca tie but Limerick at the same time don't exactly have a ground where they can host their own games. Clubs should be able to play friendlies in their own ground unless under construction.
On this tournament, it's an FAI run tournament so I'd agree with fielding a representative side. Otherwise the participating club would be getting an advantage. If any club feels they should be hosting a competition like Shamrock Rovers for being Champions, let them host their own tournament in the Tallaght stadium and make their money from that.