Licences 2011

[Louth4sam]

Time for a good froth at the mouth folks!!

http://www.droghedaunited.ie/news/2011/february/news_003.php

Delighted to hear that. No matter how crap Drogs will be this season they'll still be a draw (well for the first game at least)

[Longfordian]

I'd assume that if Cobh were only given an A division Licence and not told to upgrade their application that they won't be coming up. Three less games for First Division clubs though unless they're playing each other 4 times?

[micls]

So the first division is now 10 team? So 3 more games? Will all the fixtures change. Do we have to play mervue and Salthill 4 times!

Ah the confusion!

[WindmillWarrior]

Poor Galway man, that is a shocker. Always a decent bunch of fans. Hope yis bounce back

[Dodge]

So 2 10 team divsions then

Premier
Bohs, Bray, Derry, Drogs, Dundalk, Mons, Shams, Sligo, Pats, UCD

First
Cork, Shels, Athlone, Longford, Mervue, Wexford, Salthill, Waterford, Harps and Limerick

Few shockers there.

[Louth4sam]

Galway United REFUSED a Premier Division licence, only awarded an A Championship one, "for failure to fulfill financial criteria"

That's a shocker. Any chance of appealing it? What was the financial criteria that was missed out on?

[micls]

Will the proposed 12 team premier still happen next year? If so then you just need to finish in the top third of the first to get a shot, less if someone else goes bust!

[Longfordian]

The appeals never work as they will consider whether the wrong decision was made at the time of the original application and not any change since. I'd say they were told what they needed to do and couldn't manage it. Tough on them as by the sounds of things they were working hard to address their situation.

[pineapple stu]

Did not see Galway coming, even if they are a basket case financially. With the A League going this season, are they confirmed of promotion to a 12-team First for next year, or have they got one shot only at promotion? Real kick in the teeth for the fans too; have to feel sorry for them.

Any word on when revised fixtures are due out so? As in, do we travel to Drogheda or Monaghan on the opening day?

[redobit]

Ah the good old soap-opera that is the LOI, it never ceases to amaze me.

[harpin]

So 2 10 team divsions then

Premier
Bohs, Bray, Derry, Drogs, Dundalk, Mons, Shams, Sligo, Pats, UCD

First
Cork, Shels, Athlone, Longford, Mervue, Wexford, Salthill, Waterford, Harps and Limerick

Few shockers there.

First Division teams play each other 4 times then right?

[writerbk1969]

Christ this is getting impossible! I'm writing a book on all the LOI clubs at mo (plus lot of defunct ones) , and was half way through a piece on PREMIER Division Galway United.
Now they are in the A Championship??
Good thing I didn't start the Fingal piece.

[JC_GUFC]

So is it going to be a 10-team Premier Division and a 10-team First Division now?

Whatever about Division 1 the A Championship really is a tour around the country!

[Louth4sam]

Ah the good old soap-opera that is the LOI, it never ceases to amaze me.

Same here. Can't believe that Bohs got a premier licence and Galway didn't

[pineapple stu]

You might know this JC actually - can Galway United actually survive in the A League? We've seen the changes Cobh had to make when they dropped in; Galway with some players under contract (?) and now really low gates and few of them, not to mention high debts - can they keep the show on the road this year?

[Dodge]

Whatever about Division 1 the A Championship really is a tour around the country!

half the country. Northern section

[eamoss]

Read this on Twitter

Galway United refused Premeri Div licence, given 'A' Chanpionship license instead. Money still owed to 3 players. Club has 5 days to appeal
http://twitter.com/willster1888

[redobit]

Same here. Can't believe that Bohs got a premier licence and Galway didn't

+1. The FAI have a lot to answer for.

[Mr A]

Can't imagine how the Galway fans are feeling- they're bound to be bemused at this and a lot of questions will no doubt be asked.

This league is truly mad.

[btid1]

+1. The FAI have a lot to answer for.

Is the reason not obvious?

Galway owe money to three players.Bohs owe money to none.Simple really!

[Longfordian]

Actually, wonder if Limerick's conditional licence is dependent on them dropping their action against the FAI?! Nothing would surprise me.

[John83]

Same here. Can't believe that Bohs got a premier licence and Galway didn't
Yeah, interesting one. I wonder if Galway will say exactly what they went down on.

Sad to see Galway fall so far. Hopefully they can get promoted and rebuild in the First.

I kind of hope Bohs and Drogs get their **** together now. It'd be ridiculous to be down to 18 league teams before the end of the year.


Actually, wonder if Limerick's conditional licence is dependent on them dropping their action against the FAI?! Nothing would surprise me.
I doubt it - that'd be one hell of a game of chicken to lose in court - but they may be withholding some of their regular fudge until Limerick start toeing the line again.

[Mr A]

If its only money owed to three players surely they'll get that sorted and get into D1 at least in time.

The question then is whether Cobh get bumped up too.

[Dodge]

Read this on Twitter

http://twitter.com/willster1888

its all above you too Eamo

[WoodquayBoy]

5 days to appeal, at last update from club 3 players - Bobby Ryan, Thomas Heary and James Creaney were owed money, as well as former manager Ian Foster. Some, or all, maye have reached agreement on the money owed - a combined total of €10k from what I hear - over the weekend, I don't know. There may also be an issue with a tax clearance cert. Heartbroken. On the playing side, only 1 player has signed a contract, lot of last season's crowd were waiting for licence confirmation. That looks a very clever move by them right now

[redobit]

Is the reason not obvious?

Galway owe money to three players.Bohs owe money to none.Simple really!


Eh theres 4 million reason for Bohs not to get a Licence

[Longfordian]

If you hadn't a signed agreement with everyone into them by yesterday then unfortunately any appeal will fail. Ditto the TCC if that's an issue.

[John83]

Eh theres 4 million reason for Bohs not to get a Licence
If it were simply about debt, it'd be a pretty damned small league.

[gufc4life]

Wow that really show s the pale clubs do have a separate set of rules from the Fai to follow . shocked how Bohs got a license ad also drogheda and Gust were making such good progress . Dunno what to say really tbh.

[eamoss]

its all above you too Eamo

The last bit about them owing money and 5 days to appeal was not.

[Longfordian]

Perhaps it's an "unofficial" condition alright.


Yeah, interesting one. I wonder if Galway will say exactly what they went down on.

Sad to see Galway fall so far. Hopefully they can get promoted and rebuild in the First.

I kind of hope Bohs and Drogs get their **** together now. It'd be ridiculous to be down to 18 league teams before the end of the year.


I doubt it - that'd be one hell of a game of chicken to lose in court - but they may be withholding some of their regular fudge until Limerick start toeing the line again.

[redobit]

If it were simply about debt, it'd be a pretty damned small league.

Ya but its one rule for one and another rule for another.

As I said the FAI have a lot to answer for.

[Dunny]

Whats this "conditional License" Limerick have been given??

[Magicme]

Whooooo let the Mons up..... :D soooo happy but gutted for Galway.

[pineapple stu]

Wow that really show s the pale clubs do have a separate set of rules from the Fai to follow .
In fairness, Galway of all clubs can't complain about FAI bias. Through all three divisions without a single promotion/relegation to show for it.

That said, I don't see how it can benefit Galway or the league to bump them down to the A Championship. Relegate them by all means; start them in the First on -10 points if the properly run First Division teams are liable to object to a basket-case licence application being equated to a First Division licence, but the A League relegation is just stupid. But on the plus side, maybe this'll be the catalyst to get Leeson out of the club entirely and start running it on a sound footing.

[Dodge]

Wow that really show s the pale clubs do have a separate set of rules from the Fai to follow . shocked how Bohs got a license ad also drogheda and Gust were making such good progress . Dunno what to say really tbh.

Bohs was never in doubt once the players were in agreement. Drogheda don't owe any players /clusb anything.

Presume Cork, Monaghan, Longford and Athlone gettinga premier licnse is a 'Pale' thing as well is it?

[WallyGUFC]

That's the thing though. No matter if the rogue trader leaves, who is going to show up to A-Championship games in Terryland? Not looknig good for the future of the club at all.

[holidaysong]

Galway relegated the same way they got promoted.

[redobit]

With the greatest respect to Galway fans: Monaghan have a bar in their ground :cool:

[Mario]

This pale talk rubbish is nonsense. The committee is independent and Waterford get a 1st license proves this!

Gutted for Galway but have heard lots of stories via a well placed source so am not that surprised!

But I am still shocked that Bohs and Drogs got a premier license, both should have been banished to the first division at least. Jokeshop!

[geezer]

Licence I would have expected, Premier would have been hard to achieve. Tax Clearance cert an issue, as well as outstanding payments. One thing is for sure it will be hard to see anyone get anything now. Huge fallout locally from this. Supporters done everything we could... An appeal will be lodged thats for sure our chickens have come home to roost. devastated

[Magicme]

Will someone pinch me coz I really think am dreaming!!

[Mr A]

Will someone pinch me coz I really think am dreaming!!

You're not dreaming.

It just seems like that because the League of Ireland is so consistently mental.

For example- one of the best grounds in the country may not be hosting LOI football this year but two pitches with fences in the same city (ish.. Salthill's ground is nearly in bloody Mayo) will be.

[Longfordian]

You have to try I guess but doesn't it cost something like €2,500 to appeal? Good money after bad tbh
Licence I would have expected, Premier would have been hard to achieve. Tax Clearance cert an issue, as well as outstanding payments. One thing is for sure it will be hard to see anyone get anything now. Huge fallout locally from this. Supporters done everything we could... An appeal will be lodged thats for sure our chickens have come home to roost. devastated

[Dodge]

Will someone pinch me coz I really think am dreaming!!

You might want to wait for that appeal to be heard before celebrating too wildly.

Remember in this league...

[culloty82]

Shocking news about Galway - if they're to be relegated two divisions, can't see any reason why Bohs wouldn't be also, and Drogheda kept in the FD. Lower down, major surprise that Cobh didn't get a First Division licence - have Tullamore pulled out like Castlebar, when they aren't on that list.

[Longfordian]

I see Limerick's condition is that they have to provide security for their budget by Thursday. Presumably in the form of a guarantee.

[Nesta99]

Wow that really show s the pale clubs do have a separate set of rules from the Fai to follow ..

You dont have to remind us of that. Time to dust off the old DVD promo!!

Seriously though Galway not getting a licence really did come out of left field, I would think that Tax clearance problems had to be the main reason if miserly 10k was all that needed to be agreed upon-your major shareholder (or up front prize money from the FAI) could have coughed that up. As for Bohs - i was hoping for a backdoor pass into Europe again but wasnt to be. Quite incredible stuff getting their finances in order so effeciently and completely to qualify for a licence *cough*

[peadar1987]

You're not dreaming.

It just seems like that because the League of Ireland is so consistently mental.

For example- one of the best grounds in the country may not be hosting LOI football this year but two pitches with fences in the same city (ish.. Salthill's ground is nearly in bloody Mayo) will be.


And out of the 5 largest cities in Ireland, only one will have any representation in the top flight.

[Dillonman]

New club in a championship...Fanad Utd from Donegal.

Edit: No mention of Tullamore and we all know castlebar have pulled out.