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legendz
24/11/2011, 10:31 PM
With the 2012 premier division structure confirmed, what will the structure of the 2012 First Division be?
As everyone knows, unless there's any withdrawals from the league, Galway and the 8 remaining clubs from the first division 2011 will be involved. Word has it 5 clubs are looking to join the division. Word initially was one club would join. Will more that one will be invited?
Naturally I'll be hoping Tralee be involved. Without withdrawals by current clubs, the first division will have to be at least 12 for this dream to come reality. :)
Trainee
24/11/2011, 10:36 PM
Whats the latest with Cobh?
El-Pietro
24/11/2011, 10:37 PM
hope at least 3 clubs are invited - but if 5 want to play, and can meet the requirements, why not allow all 5 in.
14 teams isnt ideal, but its better than leaving clubs out in the cold. it would also be the first step towards a 16 team premier division
legendz
24/11/2011, 10:49 PM
Looking at the 2012 premier division structure confirmed, mention of the first division is 1st to be promoted with 2nd v 3rd in a play-off to take on the team 11th in the premier. It's hard to see a 14 team FD but who knows? When some were discussing 14 earlier, it was hard to see a structure that would be workable. My money would be on either 10 or 12.
If Tralee get the nod but other clubs aren't so lucky, I'll have sympathy for their predicament. If clubs will be in that position, they should work together to lobby the FAI to see if some league could be formed with the inclusion of some reserve teams, if at all possible?
The first division has had seasons of 9 and 11 teams, 14 would be class compared to that.
citybone
25/11/2011, 9:19 AM
At least with 14 clubs it would mean playing different club to normal, i think the standard of the league would drop a little but i think that would be expected, it would give salthill and Finn harps a chance of winning a few games
gufc2000
25/11/2011, 10:57 AM
The Probables:
Galway Utd
Limerick
Waterford Utd
Longford Town
Athlone Town
Finn Harps
Mervue Utd
Wexford Youths
Question marks over Salthill Devon
The Possibles:
Fanad Utd
Tralee
Cobh
Tullamore
Castlebar
Carlow
14 wouldn't be ideal, for the same reasons it wouldn't for the premier, however, I'd consider it a different case. I'm not in favour of blocking any club that meets the criteria to be honest, with the long term goal of expanding the premier. I'd probably expand the playoffs though, if it was to 14.
Not sure how you'd organise it. Home and Away and some first division cup/ shield? Just not a split - the first is depressing enough, imagine the bottom half of a split!
citybone
25/11/2011, 11:13 AM
I think a split wont happen, if it does not happen in the prem it wont in the 1st.
Patrick Dunne
25/11/2011, 11:23 AM
Twelve teams in the First is enough.
The infrastructure criteria for the First Division are very low (enclosed pitch with dressing rooms), so three or four teams in the division will effectively playing in fields (eg Mervue, Carlow, Salthill). On the other hand, you will have grounds like Waterford RSC, Terryland, Flancare and Lissywollen.
In my opinion, the infrastructure criteria are insufficient. A covered standing terrace for 200 supporters should be the bare minimum.
culloty82
25/11/2011, 1:06 PM
Most of the clubs mentioned have been working towards getting a full licence for the last three seasons, so if all meet the standards required, 14 teams would seem the fairest solution. A split wouldn't be ideal, but at least every club would be guaranteed 16 home games. It's been claimed in the main thread that Fanad have pulled out of the running, and nothing definite has been heard about Tullamore or Castlebar, but the other three all appear to be interested.
Lim till i die
25/11/2011, 3:33 PM
The Probables:
Galway Utd
Limerick
Waterford Utd
Longford Town
Athlone Town
Finn Harps
Mervue Utd
Wexford Youths
Question marks over Salthill Devon
The Possibles:
Fanad Utd
Tralee
Cobh
Tullamore
Castlebar
Carlow
Fanad wont be there.
Has there been anything about Tullamore and Castlebar bar idle speculation on here??
Also, is Mick Wallace still bothering with Wexford Youths?? Very quiet down there.
If I had to take a guess this minute I reckon you're looking at:
Athlone
Cobh
Galway
Harps
Longford
Limerick
Mervue
Tralee
Waterford
Wexford
Acornvilla
25/11/2011, 3:39 PM
you even went to the trouble of alphabetising it :D
Lim till i die
25/11/2011, 3:43 PM
http://www.wearysloth.com/Gallery/ActorsH/8068-15562.gif
legendz
25/11/2011, 3:56 PM
It's Cobh, Tralee and Carlow who've been putting in the effort and they are involved in the U19 league. I hope to see all of these 3 get the nod to join a first division of 12.
gufc2000
25/11/2011, 4:30 PM
Fanad wont be there.
Has there been anything about Tullamore and Castlebar bar idle speculation on here??
Also, is Mick Wallace still bothering with Wexford Youths?? Very quiet down there.
If I had to take a guess this minute I reckon you're looking at:
Athlone
Cobh
Galway
Harps
Longford
Limerick
Mervue
Tralee
Waterford
Wexford
With the possibility of Carlow and Salthill being thrown in there. If Salthill are staying on, then the FAI will surely push for an even number of teams to be in there.
Longfordian
25/11/2011, 4:35 PM
It's Cobh, Tralee and Carlow who've been putting in the effort and they are involved in the U19 league. I hope to see all of these 3 get the nod to join a first division of 12.
Cobh still owe a lump of money to the Revenue don't they? They won't be getting back in without paying that or coming to some arrangement.
El-Pietro
25/11/2011, 4:51 PM
you even went to the trouble of alphabetising it :D
and yet he got your clubs in the wrong order
Limerick should come before the men from Flancare
MagicMon
25/11/2011, 4:57 PM
Longford got moved up a place because Finn Harps had a spelling mistake
Lim till i die
25/11/2011, 5:08 PM
http://img222.imageshack.us/img222/9518/spellingnazisspellingna.jpg
Lim till i die
25/11/2011, 5:09 PM
With the possibility of Carlow and Salthill being thrown in there. If Salthill are staying on, then the FAI will surely push for an even number of teams to be in there.
This is where Limericks licence will no doubt become an issue.
El-Pietro
25/11/2011, 5:19 PM
http://img222.imageshack.us/img222/9518/spellingnazisspellingna.jpg
ah but I'm not correcting your spelling, merely your knowledge of the alphabet!
Lim till i die
25/11/2011, 5:21 PM
http://chzmemebase.files.wordpress.com/2011/01/memes-pimp-my-grammar-nazi.jpg
El-Pietro
25/11/2011, 5:41 PM
http://chzmemebase.files.wordpress.com/2011/01/memes-pimp-my-grammar-nazi.jpg
brilliant! I really hope you had that planned!
Lim till i die
26/11/2011, 2:07 PM
brilliant! I really hope you had that planned!
I have my moments in the office. :)
Lim till i die
26/11/2011, 2:16 PM
EXCLUSIVE!!
I have managed to get from one of my sauces in Abbottstown the structure for next seasons first division!!
STRUCTURE:
The Division will consist of seven and a half teams.
Each team to play each other 11 times.
Season to Run from April 1st to Christmas Day.
NEW POINTS SYSTEM:
3 points for a win.
1 point for a draw.
8 points for beating Limerick.
Free pints and plastic hammers for all the boys in Gdansk courtesy of big Johns big expense account.
INNOVATIONS:
Score Settling - During play every fourteen minutes the referee is to blow his whistle and a Limerick player is to leave the field.
Overtime Multi Ball - Exactly what it says on the tin.
Grass Roots Football - Boots to be phased out over the course of the season.
Attendances - Noel has came up with a new system. From now on attendances are to be calculated using the formula (spectators + players + staff * John Delaneys salary/16) This will lead to a 12% rise in attendances.
PROMOTION:
To be decided on the basis of which team can pull the most Cocker Spaniels from a large tub of creamed cheese. Limerick have to pull Alsations from a large tub of barbed wire.
YOU HEARD IT HERE FIRST. :ball:
legendz
26/11/2011, 8:28 PM
Cobh still owe a lump of money to the Revenue don't they? They won't be getting back in without paying that or coming to some arrangement.
News to me. I've seen them as certs to be in. Cobh have shown a good commitment to stay involved with the league by taking their place in the third tier in recent years.
Nah Nah Nah Nah
27/11/2011, 1:26 PM
News to me. I've seen them as certs to be in. Cobh have shown a good commitment to stay involved with the league by taking their place in the third tier in recent years.
Well they couldn't secure a first division license last year so there must be some problems. I mean they even give Limerick a first division license
Longfordian
27/11/2011, 2:05 PM
Yeah if they'd had a tax clearance cert last year they'd have been back in the First Division. According to those on the Cobh forum there hasn't been any money paid off since.
legendz
30/11/2011, 3:06 PM
Today is deadline day for the clubs applying to join the First Division. We should know who's in in a few weeks I hope?
LFC-Zulu
30/11/2011, 11:52 PM
Today is deadline day for the clubs applying to join the First Division. We should know who's in in a few weeks I hope?
Ah that word hope again. Are you new to this?
gufc2000
30/11/2011, 11:58 PM
Well the FAI did announce a provisional list of fixtures shortly before Christmas last year, so hopefully that happens this year and we'll have some idea of what kind of First Division we'll have
legendz
01/12/2011, 1:29 PM
Well the FAI did announce a provisional list of fixtures shortly before Christmas last year, so hopefully that happens this year and we'll have some idea of what kind of First Division we'll have
If we're in, I'll definitely be taking in a trip to Galway.
gufc2000
01/12/2011, 4:55 PM
If we're in, I'll definitely be taking in a trip to Galway.
Given the amount of Galway teams in the First Division, if you want an away trip at all you might have no choice but to come to Galway.
bluemovie
01/12/2011, 5:36 PM
Today is deadline day for the clubs applying to join the First Division. We should know who's in in a few weeks I hope?
Ah that word hope again. Are you new to this?
I heard that new Rihanna/Calvin Harris song was written about the First Division.
legendz
01/12/2011, 9:10 PM
Given the amount of Galway teams in the First Division, if you want an away trip at all you might have no choice but to come to Galway.
Only the United game away will interest me really. I'm sure the other would only have a preference for Cobh so the feeling will be mutual.
legendz
08/12/2011, 2:42 PM
Has anyone any word on when there'll be an announcement on the first division? Is it generally in December the provisional, emphasis being on provisional, fixture list comes out?
Sam_Heggy
08/12/2011, 2:58 PM
Has anyone any word on when there'll be an announcement on the first division? Is it generally in December the provisional, emphasis being on provisional, fixture list comes out?
Last season they came out in Dec but in previous years it's usually been about a fortnight before the season starts until the fixtures are out.
legendz
13/12/2011, 8:39 PM
The Galway situation will possibly bring more into the public domain as to when there'll be some announcement on first division licences. Clubs can't be waiting forever. I hope to be seeing Tralee going to Galway next year and there's only one team I want to see us play against, that backed by GUST.
Sam_Heggy
14/12/2011, 9:29 AM
The Galway situation will possibly bring more into the public domain as to when there'll be some announcement on first division licences. Clubs can't be waiting forever. I hope to be seeing Tralee going to Galway next year and there's only one team I want to see us play against, that backed by GUST.
Why? You talk about pyramids structures and such, yet you don't want to see the 2 clubs that have qualified from the A League on merit?
Seems strange.
We'll all have a fair idea of the 1st Div by 22nd Dec (granted we do have the circus of licencing to come).
legendz
14/12/2011, 10:51 AM
They'll probably feel the same about us and will only be interest in playing Cobh. Is more to do with the traditions of clubs. Mervue and Salthill have that to earn. We ourselves should we get in have a lot to do, I've no doubts on that at all. I believe there is a place for an A league for clubs to progress. It doesn't equate to having instant respect for clubs though. It's down to clubs themselves to make a name for themselves. Fingal did it before things went awfully wrong. We'lll all have out own views I guess. The best way for any club to earn respect is to at least have been in the premier at some stage.
culloty82
14/12/2011, 10:56 AM
In fairness, Mervue seem to have come on in leaps and bounds in the last 12 months - probably still a legitimate question though as to whether all three clubs can prosper, the Indo today saying that GUST want to hold talks with Salthill, but that they're unlikely to show any interest.
A face
14/12/2011, 11:28 AM
the Indo today saying that GUST want to hold talks with Salthill, but that they're unlikely to show any interest.
Its a pity because its in both their interests to join forces.
legendz
14/12/2011, 12:53 PM
Who is anyone to say what is right for Salthill except themselves? If they are a club in their own right which they are and they have their own ambitions and plans, they are quite right to pursue that.
Jofspring
14/12/2011, 12:57 PM
Its a pity because its in both their interests to join forces.
As I said previuosly, why?
Galway can offer them fans but thats about it and there is no guarantee all the fans of Galway Utd would support this new team.
What else can GUST offer Salthill or Mervue or Both.
WoodquayBoy
14/12/2011, 2:07 PM
A sh&t load of debt for one thing!!
WoodquayBoy
14/12/2011, 2:09 PM
Obviously not the GUST that will offer that - sorry, meant GUFC.
LFC-Zulu
14/12/2011, 3:13 PM
As I said previuosly, why?
Galway can offer them fans but thats about it and there is no guarantee all the fans of Galway Utd would support this new team.
What else can GUST offer Salthill or Mervue or Both.
And to expand on the above point:
Have you seen the work Mervue have done in the last few months? Both Salthill and Mervue have fantastic setups. Their youth systems are fantastic and if you've been to either ground, it's obvious the pride they take in that. Why would they lose all credibility they've earned by merging with an experiment? They'd most likely be needing to move back in Terryland again in that case, and Mervue have already left; they'd hardly agree to return. If either side agrees, I'd be shocked. Saying that, all credit to GUST for their work, I just don't see this as a logical move.
bluewhitearmy
14/12/2011, 6:05 PM
And to expand on the above point:
Have you seen the work Mervue have done in the last few months? Both Salthill and Mervue have fantastic setups. Their youth systems are fantastic and if you've been to either ground, it's obvious the pride they take in that. Why would they lose all credibility they've earned by merging with an experiment? They'd most likely be needing to move back in Terryland again in that case, and Mervue have already left; they'd hardly agree to return. If either side agrees, I'd be shocked. Saying that, all credit to GUST for their work, I just don't see this as a logical move.
Agree with this and Jofsprings posts..
Not only do Mervue seem to have a better set up off the pitch then Galway imo they also have a better team so it would be a step backwards to merge with GUST.
nigel-harps1954
14/12/2011, 6:30 PM
Definitely can't see either club wanting to merge with them. It may be in the best interests crowd-wise, but anything else they're better off themselves. Salthill have a great setup, all they need is attendance. Very very poor turnouts from their home 'crowd', but they need a stand, and attendance and they'll go up in the LOI ladder fast.
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