Anybody up for a bit of summer fun? Ireland Draft idea

[Metrostars]

Now that summer is here and not a whole lot to talk about for a couple of months would some posters be interested in participating in an Ireland Draft competition? We could have 10 posters(or teams if more than one) draft anyone who's played an Irish international and have a poll at the end to see who has the best overall team. Here is an example of one for the US team on bigsoccer(except ours would be all-time greatest players:

http://www.bigsoccer.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1629372

[Murfinator]

I'd be game. Though my knowledge of anything pre-1990 is a bit sketchy. =P

[Sullivinho]

Not sure how it works exactly but I'm up for it.

[SwanVsDalton]

Same as Sullivinho - up for doing it, sounds like a laff, but would need more explained!

[Fixer82]

don't really understand it

[Metrostars]

The idea is that we get 10 participants involved in creating 10 of the best XI's Ireland has produced. The 10 would take turns selecting 1 player per round eventually creating 10 teams. The goal would be for each person create a team with a 4-4-2 formation.

It would work something like this. Say we had Murfinator selecting first, Sullivinho selects second, SwanVsDalton third and so on until Fixer82 who might pick 9th and I could pick 10th. Round 1 might go like this:

1 Murfinator picks Paul McGrath
2 Sullivinho picks Liam Brady
3 SwanVsDalton picks Johnny Giles
.
.
9 Fixer82 picks Roy Keane
10 Metrostars picks Niall Quinn

Now round 1 is over and those players(McGrath, Brady, Giles, Keane and Quinn) are no longer available for selection.
Round 2 would be in reverse order e.g.

1. Metrostars picks Shay Given
2. Fixer82 picks Kevin Moran
.
.

8. SwanVsDalton picks Damien Duff
9. Sullivinho picks Packie Bonner
10. Murfinator picks Terry Phelan

Round 3 would be in the original order and so on. It will get more difficult in the later rounds and you will end up having to pick more obscure players which is part of the fun so you will need to develop a strategy as you go along. Also, you've got to select a goalkeeper and you need to have players in their proper positions, e.g. no point in selecting say both Chis Hughton and Terry Phelan since they primarily played just Left back and then stick Hughton at striker. After 11 rounds everyone will have their XI. Then we can vote on who has the best all around XI.

Round 11 could end up something like
1 Murfinator picks Mick Leech
2 Sullivinho picks Alan Lee
3 SwanVsDalton picks Joe Lapira
.
.
9 Fixer82 pick Peter Thomas
10 Metrostars picks David Forde

[theworm2345]

Trust me, you don't want to do anything like those assclowns on the US or MLS forums on BigSoccer (or anywhere else really)...I used to post on the Ireland forum (some good times for sure for me, lots of bad times too though) there and still do on the Caribbean forum and these people wander in to discussions sometimes and the level of ignorance is ridiculous. I got invited to one of these drafts on the Ireland forum there about a year ago so they may have done one already, though I can't be sure it got off the ground if they asked me after a few years absence from that part of the site they must have been desperate. If you want to degrade yourself be my guest...thats the end of my (Dunphy-esque?) rant.

[SwanVsDalton]

Trust me, you don't want to do anything like those assclowns on the US or MLS forums on BigSoccer (or anywhere else really)...I used to post on the Ireland forum (some good times for sure for me, lots of bad times too though) there and still do on the Caribbean forum and these people wander in to discussions sometimes and the level of ignorance is ridiculous. I got invited to one of these drafts on the Ireland forum there about a year ago so they may have done one already, though I can't be sure it got off the ground if they asked me after a few years absence from that part of the site they must have been desperate. If you want to degrade yourself be my guest...thats the end of my (Dunphy-esque?) rant.

Riiiiiiiiight. It doesn't have to be like that here though, does it? Presumably that had more to do with the 'assclowns' on Big Soccer? Notwithstanding the potential for assclownery round these parts...

[tetsujin1979]

does that mean whoever is in the middle of the round, always stays in the middle for each round?

[Metrostars]

does that mean whoever is in the middle of the round, always stays in the middle for each round?

Correct.

So we have

Metrostars
Murfinator
Sullivinho
SwanVsDalton

We will need a few more to get started. Also, this is an assclown-free area. Well, almost anyway.

This is a list of Irish players. I don't know how accurate it is:
http://www.soccer-ireland.com/irish-soccer-players/all-irish-players.htm

[Sullivinho]

Cheers for the explanation Metro.

So the reality is... only one Gary Breen may be selected yes? ;)

[Closed Account 2]

I think we should do an "at risk" modelling approach and conduct 2-3 drafts seperately. So say we have 12 people interested, we should split it into 3 drafts with 4 people each. Then score the selected players on rank and average it across all three drafts. Otherwise one decision (e.g. picking Eddie McGoldrick)* could distort the whole thing.

*McGoldrick is an extreme example, but what say if Harte was picked in the top 10 ? I wouldnt have a problem with it but a few on here might and with just one draft there would be no true consensus, it could just be a nostalgic whim on the part of one poster.

Also I think you need to put a time limit on it ? Maybe say since Euro 88 ? As it's hard for a 30 year old to have the same opinion of Johnny Giles as say a 60 year old ?

[BonnieShels]

I want in. But I'm lost. Though looking at it it reminds me of that scene in Knocked Up white Paul Rudd's character gets 'caught' doing fantasy baseball drafts.

[Metrostars]

I think we should do an "at risk" modelling approach and conduct 2-3 drafts seperately. So say we have 12 people interested, we should split it into 3 drafts with 4 people each. Then score the selected players on rank and average it across all three drafts. Otherwise one decision (e.g. picking Eddie McGoldrick)* could distort the whole thing.

*McGoldrick is an extreme example, but what say if Harte was picked in the top 10 ? I wouldnt have a problem with it but a few on here might and with just one draft there would be no true consensus, it could just be a nostalgic whim on the part of one poster.

Also I think you need to put a time limit on it ? Maybe say since Euro 88 ? As it's hard for a 30 year old to have the same opinion of Johnny Giles as say a 60 year old ?

It's every man for himself. We would all be our own managers and it's up to us individuals to pick our own team based on the available players. Once Harte is picked, nobody else can pick him. Also, limiting it to just the last 23 years would make it difficult and there would be much less players available. By researching and finding out more about older players we gain a knowledge and an appreciation of older teams before 1988.

[dotts101]

would like it but time constraints may force my hand

[EAFC_rdfl]

id 'play'!

[Fixer82]

i'm in but not really fully sure of how it works. i reckon once it kicks off though i'll get the hang of it. When and where will said draft be conducted? I don't want my wife driving to the house and catching me. She went nuts last time

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1aYlwBmbTjY&feature=related

[Metrostars]

i'm in but not really fully sure of how it works. i reckon once it kicks off though i'll get the hang of it. When and where will said draft be conducted? I don't want my wife driving to the house and catching me. She went nuts last time

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1aYlwBmbTjY&feature=related

it would happen here but I'm guessing it would take a few weeks to complete.

Metrostars
Murfinator
Sullivinho
SwanVsDalton
BonnieShels
Fixer82

If we got two more I'd think we would have enough at 8.
EAFC_rdfl

[Metrostars]

Any more takers? One more and we would have 8.

[tetsujin1979]

alright, I'll give it a go.

[Paddy Garcia]

Ok - think I've got it now - I'll take McGrath, Keane and Houghton to start ;)

[Metrostars]

OK so I did the random draw using http://www.random.org/lists/ and here is the order of the draft:

1. Fixer82
2. Murfinator
3. tetsujin1979
4. Metrostars
5. SwanVsDalton
6. BonnieShels
7. Sullivinho
8. EAFC_rdfl

So for Round 1 of the draft Fixer82 gets to pick first followed by Murfinator. It might be a good idea when you have made your pick and posted on this thread to PM the next person to let them know it's their turn e.g. once Fixer82 makes his pick, he should PM Murfinator. Once a player is selected, he can't be selected again.

So Fixer82 you're up!

[Sullivinho]

Looks like Jon Macken will be my first signing the way that draft shaped up :D

[Fixer82]

Ok I choose Shay Given

[Murfinator]

Roy Keane!

[tetsujin1979]

Liam Brady

[Metrostars]

I select.....

http://img.rasset.ie/00002b8c0c8r.jpg

Ohh Ahh Paul McGrath

Greatest performance ever by an Irish player in an important game:
QRRt8Pwv3cY

Surprised he dropped to number 4 TBH. Thought he'd go 1 or 2.

[SwanVsDalton]

Record breaking man o'goals Robbie Keane is my selection.

Gwan ya Keano!

http://upper90magazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/Robbie-Keane-Ireland.jpg

[BonnieShels]

Johnny Giles

[Sullivinho]

http://cdn.thejournal.ie/media/2010/11/86c5737f079ca542939ebb7d67b4d9d9efd96106cd.jpg

Duffer.

Left wing ✓

[Metrostars]

OK as we reach the end of Round 1, remember Round 2 will be in reverse order. So EAFC_rdfl has the final pick of Round 1 and the first pick of Round 2, then Sullvinho, Bonnieshels etc.

[ShamrockIreland]

Metrostars can I join this? If so I'll choose Denis Irwin

[EAFC_rdfl]

so I get to pick two now? nice! let me think about it!

[EAFC_rdfl]

i pick stapleton and ronnie whelan even if my memories of either are slim!
http://news.bbc.co.uk/media/images/38690000/jpg/_38690945_frank_stapleton_150x220.jpghttp://www.soccer-ireland.com/football-images/liverpool/players/ronnie-whelan.jpg

[EAFC_rdfl]

btw I've no problem if you want to let shamrockireland join and go into the list above me, i.e. his pick of irwin stands and he is up next to pick again. up to you metrostar

[Metrostars]

Metrostars can I join this? If so I'll choose Denis Irwin

We've already started so I don't think so. But you can team up with someone already in the draft and confer on selections.

Selections so far
Fixer82: Shay Given
Murfinator: Roy Keane
tetsujin1979: Liam Brady
Metrostars: Paul McGrath
SwanVsDalton: Robbie Keane
BonnieShels: Johnny Giles
Sullivinho: Damien Duff
EAFC_rdfl: Frank Stapleton, Ronnie Whelan

[Sullivinho]

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1252/1131045028_a680daa1ae.jpg

[SwanVsDalton]

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1252/1131045028_a680daa1ae.jpg

Well that's my tactics out the window...

[BonnieShels]

Andy Townsend

[SwanVsDalton]

David O'Leary - for penalties.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/olmedia/1965000/images/_1969333_oleary300.jpg

[Metrostars]

I select....

http://www.sportsignings.com/images/products/products/IRELAND/Image19.jpg
http://img.skysports.com/09/11/496x259/Ray-Houghton-Republic-of-Ireland-World-Cup-US_2383582.jpg

Ray Houghton

[tetsujin1979]

dammit, Houghton was going to be my next pick!
I'll go with Denis Irwin (assuming he's still available?)

[Metrostars]

dammit, Houghton was going to be my next pick!
I'll go with Denis Irwin (assuming he's still available?)

Hehe Yes Irwin is available.

[tetsujin1979]

Hehe Yes Irwin is available.
ok, cool,
Brady and Irwin are in team tets
mailed Murfinator to make his next pick

[ShamrockIreland]

Metrostars it was before anybody else started the second round but anyway I'll help EAFC if he wants with the older players :)

[sean r]

I want to draft paul butler!!!!!!!

[sean r]

also joe O'Cearuill soon my squad wil be worse than galway!!!

[osarusan]

It would work something like this. Say we had Murfinator selecting first, Sullivinho selects second, SwanVsDalton third and so on until Fixer82 who might pick 9th and I could pick 10th. Round 1 might go like this:

1 Murfinator picks Paul McGrath
2 Sullivinho picks Liam Brady
3 SwanVsDalton picks Johnny Giles
.
.
9 Fixer82 picks Roy Keane
10 Metrostars picks Niall Quinn

Now round 1 is over and those players(McGrath, Brady, Giles, Keane and Quinn) are no longer available for selection.
Round 2 would be in reverse order e.g.

1. Metrostars picks Shay Given
2. Fixer82 picks Kevin Moran
.
.

8. SwanVsDalton picks Damien Duff
9. Sullivinho picks Packie Bonner
10. Murfinator picks Terry Phelan

Round 3 would be in the original order and so on.


Would it not be fairer if the people picking players each got a chance to pick first one week?

Say, week 1 is

1. Murfinator
2. Sullivinho
3. SwanVsDalton
.
.
9. Fixer 82
10. Metrostars



and then week 2 is

1. Metrostars
2. Murfinator,
3. Sullivinho
.
.
10. Fixer82



Then Week 3 is

1. Fixer82
2. Metrostars
3. Murfinator
.
.etc

And so on, with each poster dropping one position each week. This way, if the tournament has ten rounds, everybody has a go at picking a player from each of the 10 positions.

[Metrostars]

Both ways have their good points. The problem with everyone getting number pick is that for the person who starts at number 10, it will take 10 rounds for him to get to the top. The "top-down, bottom-up" method that we are using is fairly even e.g. it's great to go number 1 but then you have to wait 18 picks before you go again while if you're number 10 you have to wait for your first pick but then you get to go twice. But overall it evens out.

It is Murfinator's turn now but he hasn't picked yet. Should we make a 24 hour limit and then skip to the next person and whenever he gets back he can make his pick? Otherwise this might get bogged down.

Don't forget that the goal would be for each person create a team with a 4-4-2 formation with a goalkeeper.

[SwanVsDalton]

Both ways have their good points. The problem with everyone getting number pick is that for the person who starts at number 10, it will take 10 rounds for him to get to the top. The "top-down, bottom-up" method that we are using is fairly even e.g. it's great to go number 1 but then you have to wait 18 picks before you go again while if you're number 10 you have to wait for your first pick but then you get to go twice. But overall it evens out.

Wouldn't they both be fairly even? Since it would the number 2 person would be the one waiting longest to get first pick. But they'd have been a decent pick anyway in the first few rounds. Not that I mind either way, you're the one running the show and I'm happy enough (apart from about not getting Kevin Moran...).