2013 First Division

[adamd164]

Would it would be more practical to allow and admit Premier Division clubs to have a II or B team in the First Division rather than leaving only 7 teams in it? The majority of the smaller nations in Europe (and quiet a few of the larger nations) have a second team in a competitive league.
I doubt we could afford to be sending a first division B team all over Ireland to be honest, I think the u19s cost enough to keep going.

[Dermotron]

Apologies, a reserve team is not a prerequisite of entering a team:


In Estonia there are four leagues and, in order to obtain a licence to play in the first league, a team should a womens team as well a youth one

from here: http://www.ecaeurope.com/

[Dermotron]

I doubt we could afford to be sending a first division B team all over Ireland to be honest, I think the u19s cost enough to keep going.

So one would be at the cost of losing the other I'd imagine. Still, even if it meant the 5-6 extra teams could only be supported by Dublin teams I think it would add a lot more to the league than having it so short on numbers (this is in the understanding that the u19 league continues)

Heaven forbid another team (or 2) go to the wall during the season

[gormacha]

(You can see how the play offs went here; http://statsthatarepointless.wordpress.com/2012/11/13/play-off-woes-for-waterford-and-joy-for-others/ )

Ouch.

I may need a stiff drink.

[JC_GUFC]

technically Galway were relegated after losing the 2011 play offs. They didn't get a license for 2012

Harps/Cobh/UCD relegated together (Harps 3rd bottom - as you know)

Who was the last team to finish bottom of the Prem and play in Division 1 te following season?

[Trainee]

Who was the last team to finish bottom of the Prem and play in Division 1 te following season?

UCD in 2008

[KevB76]

I know the A Championship was dissolved and was meant as a breeding ground for young players, a chance for teams to get into the league and football for those not getting games at the bigger clubs. From my understanding the U19 league has replaced this.

The U19 league replaced the U20s which had replaced the U21's. The A Championship was an additional entity. It was compulsory for premier clubs to have a reserve team in the A Championship. They would have had U20's as well as the A Championship and senior teams to run, so was too costly to keep it going.

[adamd164]

The current setup is stupid to be fair. Why is it u19s... why not u21s or reserves league? Needs to be revised given the A Championship no longer exists.

[nigel-harps1954]

I think the under 19 league is fantastic. The problem is, there's nowhere for them to go once they are overage, unless they're good enough for the first team.
Precisely the reason why teams like Harps have just entered a reserve side into the Ulster Senior League.

[horton]

Would I be right thinking there's two tiers of USL Nigel? surely a single tier would be better for all involved if there's little more than a dozen teams involved?

[Mr A]

USL has only one tier. i think they only have ten teams this year including Harps and Derry Reserves.

[gormacha]

The current setup is stupid to be fair. Why is it u19s... why not u21s or reserves league? Needs to be revised given the A Championship no longer exists.

I think the u19 league has been very successful. It seems to be acting as a successful bridge between schoolbiy football and the pro ranks, which anecdotally at least seems to be contributing to the slow down of young players going to England too young, failing, and having to return home with their tail between their legs.

It gives them a bit more time to mature, and then hopefully for some of them, make their move up to the senior ranks. If they're good enough to go to another league, they still have plenty time. And the benefit to the LOI seems apparent.

I know each club will have had different experiences, but just using Waterford United as an example as its the only one I know in any detail, its been a roaring success. In the last year alone, Seani Maguire, Jack Doherty, Jamie Cross, Conor Coad, Kevin O'Connor, Lee Delaney and Aidan McGrath have all played for the senior team, with three of these tieing down regular places in the match day squad. That's a fantastic return for them and for the club.

[Mr A]

According to Donegal Now, the FAI will announce the D1 line-up shortly:


The league is due to begin in March but as yet Finn Harps do not know their fixture list for this season.

A spokesperson for the FAI told Donegal Now this morning that “the matter is still ongoing with detailed discussions currently taking place with one particular applicant club and there should be a decision, one way or the other, very shortly”.

It is speculated that the club in question is Cobh Ramblers.

This seem to indicate that a seven team league is a real possibility. Sigh.

[adamd164]

It's pretty obvious what's happening - the FAI are absolutely desperate to save face by getting Cobh back in to prop up the number of teams, but Cobh are totally broke so they're trying to work out any way of doing it on a shoestring or even with subsidy I'd suspect (e.g. lower Cobh's rent to the FAI, that sort of thing).

[NeverFeltBetter]

Whats one more FD team without a budget? Salthill will have renewed hope of finishing second last.

[nigel-harps1954]

Would I be right thinking there's two tiers of USL Nigel? surely a single tier would be better for all involved if there's little more than a dozen teams involved?

There's an USL Reserve Division. Could be what you're thinking of. There's only something like 6 or 8 teams in it. Probably of a lower standard than most Donegal League sides.
There's 10 teams as Mr.A said, a couple of teams have pulled out in the past few seasons and gone back to Donegal League.

[Dodge]

Cobh are back

http://www.fai.ie/domestic-a-grassroots/airtricity-league/news/102993-cobh-ramblers-awarded-a-2013-airtricity-league-first-division-licence.html

8 teams and fixtures out tomorrow at midday

[Longfordian]

Great. Could be a nice little trip if they still play Saturdays.

[culloty82]

Excellent news, if they thrive this season, maybe it'll encourage further applications in future years.

[NeverFeltBetter]

I wonder what sort of deal was made with their debt?

[Longfordian]

The FAI probably guaranteed the money outstanding to the former players, officially or unofficially. That was the major stumbling block it seems.

[gufct]

Is this the first time that a club have got a licence 3 weeks before everyone else. Delighted fo Cobh but absolute Farrrrrrrrrrrcccccccccccccccccceee good job petrol is gone so dear.

[Charlie Darwin]

Sure if Cobh don't settle with the players, the FAI can always withhold the €20 gift voucher for the Dundrum Centre they would have given them as prize money.

[Nah Nah Nah Nah]

I wonder what sort of deal was made with their debt?

They disbanded and bought the name back overnight

[Mr A]

There must have been a satisfactory deal put in place. We all know that licensing is sacrosanct and all elements of it must be met in their entirety.

[BonnieShels]

Delighted to see them back.

Now foot will have all the old school Cobh fans back on. :)


There must have been a satisfactory deal put in place. We all know that licensing is sacrosanct and all elements of it must be met in their entirety.

How dare you be so glib. No one is above the letter of licencing. Not even Johnny D.

[Comic Book Guy]

Is this the first time that a club have got a licence 3 weeks before everyone else. Delighted fo Cobh but absolute Farrrrrrrrrrrcccccccccccccccccceee good job petrol is gone so dear.

I think the reason why was to allow them some time to sign players before 31st of January. Either way I'm f****** delighted,:D:D:D.
Great way to lift the january blues... we're back baby.

[gormacha]

I'm delighted they're back in. One of my favourite away days.

[BonnieShels]

I never got a chance to have an away day there. I still might manage it this year for the sheer craic.

[adamd164]

Cobh will end up with a good few of our u19s in their side on loan I'd imagine. A handy situation to get them game time.

[NeverFeltBetter]

Well, hope everything works out for Cobh. I just wish they weren't the only ones.

[nigel-harps1954]

Well, hope everything works out for Cobh. I just wish they weren't the only ones.

Precisely my thoughts. I had sort of hoped for two more clubs.

Delighted either way. Looking forward to a trip to Cobh this season.

[Neish]

Welcome back Cobh, look forward to seeing you in Finn Park and hopefully St Colmans

[Neish]

I think the reason why was to allow them some time to sign players before 31st of January. Either way I'm f****** delighted,:D:D:D.
Great way to lift the january blues... we're back baby.

Any idea which night you'll be playing your home games. Hopefully Saturdays

[Mr A]

PFAI tweet:


We confirm that the PFAI came to an agreement with the FAI yesterday in relation to outstanding monies owed to our members at Cobh Ramblers

[born2bwild]

I never got a chance to have an away day there. I still might manage it this year for the sheer craic.
Yeah, me too - until this morning I had been in every current LoI ground.

[Longfordian]

I still have to do Limerick (any of their grounds), Dundalk, Mervue and now Cobh.

[Comic Book Guy]

I'd say Saturday nights, it always was the preferred time anyway.

[Martinho II]

well done to cobh! I havent being in cobh since 2000 when we got promoted there! Nice to go back to one of the traditional loi clubs again. assumin greg o 'halloran was paid back what was owed and he will make a comeback for them!

[don ramo]

I wonder what sort of deal was made with their debt?
the FAI bought our ground off us, leaving us with an option to buy it back within a certain time period (to my knowledge, this was the initial deal, but i dont know if it was the final agreement), the money from the sale was used to pay off most of our debts and for the last 2 or 3 years we've been slowly paying off others that the sale money couldn't cover,

we were refused a license last year because one of our creditors wasn't satisfied and blocked our application till they got paid in full,

its been a very long road back, and a lot of people in the club should be commended for all the hard work it has taken to get us back into the league, now after 2-3 seasons of A league football and no senior football at all in 2012 im really looking forward to seeing some decent football back at St.Colemans Park,

[Dermotron]

Think I'll got to a Cobh Vs. Waterford or Youths game this season to celebrate (whichever has the largest Kilkenny contingent in their squad :P)

[adamd164]

"Rams boss Hill ready for new challenge"

http://www.extratime.ie/newsdesk/articles/9474/rams-boss-hill-ready-for-new-challenge/

[Neish]

I'd say Saturday nights, it always was the preferred time anyway.

Great. Myself and nigel-harps1954 started organising away buses last year considering organising a over nighter to Cobh next season hopefully we get a game in St Colmans in the summer. But done't think it would work if it would be friday nights

[Charlie Darwin]

God, has it been 5 years already?

[adamd164]

God, has it been 5 years already?
I thought the same, scary. Bit of a contrast in fortunes for both Cork clubs compared to you guys since then! :eek:

[wonder88]

Great to see Cobh back, hope they go easy on player wages until their gates justify it. Never been to Cobh, but I plan to take in a game for sure this season. Pity that the GUST bid has been blocked again this year, it is now two seasons without the team I have supported since watching them play Thurles Town (Neville Steedman on the wing) as a kid, playing in the league that I for some strange reason love. This brings the number of clubs in the LOI to 20, but 8 teams in a divison is still too small, so will we see a further change next year ?

[NeverFeltBetter]

Seeing the set-up at Cobh with the budget they have to work with, I can't be alone in expecting a very low finish. I hope Cobh are capable of building and moving onwards and upwards as best they can, I don't want to see them stuck in a Salthill situation. I really want more than a team to make up the numbers in the FD.

[Pablo Escobar]

Seeing the set-up at Cobh with the budget they have to work with, I can't be alone in expecting a very low finish. I hope Cobh are capable of building and moving onwards and upwards as best they can, I don't want to see them stuck in a Salthill situation. I really want more than a team to make up the numbers in the FD.
I can see us loaning them a few players.

[adamd164]

Cobh's ground, Coleman's Park, is actually very decent for first division level, and would be at least on par with several premier division grounds since they put in a new stand the season they were in the premier.

They tend to do alright for crowds considering that they represent a small island, expect their gates to be above average for the first division next season (not that it would be difficult mind).

They are totally broke, but I guess that doesn't make them stand out either!

[Mr A]

They're out!: http://www.airtricityleague.ie/images/2013-1st-Div.pdf

SERIES NO. 1
Fri. 8 March Salthill Devon v Longford Town Drom ` 7.45 pm
Fri. 8 March Waterford United v Finn Harps R.S.C. 7.45 pm
Sat. 9 March Athlone Town v Mervue United Athlone Town Stadium 7.30 pm
Sat. 9 March Cobh Ramblers v Wexford Youths St. Colman’s Park 7.30 pm