View Full Version : What happens if Mervue win the first division?
legendz
07/04/2013, 9:50 AM
"This includes the eventual setting up of a Connacht Senior League, and a Board for the single Galway club composed of a broad spectrum of football and business interests in the Galway area."
The O'Connor Report also suggested that, for a single Galway team to come into existence, the re-establishment of the Connacht Senior League was essential in providing both Devon and Mervue with an outlet for their senior sides.
While all focus has been on the domestic league side, the first steps towards a unified team was actually putting the structures in place for the Connacht Senior League, and that is now set to go ahead in October. Letters were sent to clubs in all four leagues in the jurisdiction of the Connacht FA - Galway, Mayo, Roscommon and Sligo/Leitrim - and Art Friel of the Connacht FA has confirmed to Tribune Sport that seven clubs have at least eight teams involved, and as of now it looks like we already have seven. I am still waiting to hear from a number of clubs, and if we can go up to 10 teams being involved, that would be great," said Friel.
John Delaney has previously confirmed that a sponsorship deal has been struck for the CSL on an initial three-year deal, which would give the new league plenty of time to become established. The Connacht FA didn't want to be drawn on the names of the seven clubs that have confirmed and interest, but Devon and Mervue are almost certainly two of those, while it is also likely that both NUI Galway and GMIT would look carefully at the proposal.
A fifth Galway club is also likely, but it may not be a reserve side from the new unified Galway club, which would be left to focus on putting it's foundations in place. Instead, Ballinasloe Town are strong contenders for involvement in the CSL - the east Galway club players in the Roscommon District League, and it needs just one point from its remaining four games to clinch the Premier Division title for a second successive season.
Mayo clubs such as Castlebar Celtic, Ballina Town and Westport United would also be likely contenders for the new league, as would the other League of Ireland clubs in the western area - Sligo Rovers, Longford Town and Athlone Town.
Sligo Rovers recently rejected an invitation to joins the Ulster Senior League, but when contacted about the CSL proposal this week, a spokesperson said the club had no comment to make on the matter.
I must admit to being jealous of that talk of a CSL and the one set up in Ulster. I'd like to see the FAI step in and try to set one up a Munster District League for the province's 5 other counties. The Munster Sunior League is effectively the Cork Senior League. Will the CSL be open for applicants outside of the province by any chance?!
Back on topic, talk of a 3 year sponsor secured for the CSL leads me to question will it be likely to go the way of the A Championship? I could see a CSL being competed in for 3 years. If they fail to find a sponsor after that, the CSL will be disbanded, the FAI will have the one Galway team they want in the LoI with Salthill and Mervue locked out and without any option but to return to the Galway league or where ever they competed in originally.
gufc2000
07/04/2013, 9:59 AM
I must admit to being jealous of that talk of a CSL and the one set up in Ulster. I'd like to see the FAI step in and try to set one up a Munster District League for the province's 5 other counties. The Munster Sunior League is effectively the Cork Senior League. Will the CSL be open for applicants outside of the province by any chance?!
Back on topic, talk of a 3 year sponsor secured for the CSL leads me to question will it be likely to go the way of the A Championship? I could see a CSL being competed in for 3 years. If they fail to find a sponsor after that, the CSL will be disbanded, the FAI will have the one Galway team they want in the LoI with Salthill and Mervue locked out and without any option but to return to the Galway league or where ever they competed in originally.
Apparently they have 7 clubs confirmed for the CSL. Salthill & Mervue rumoured to be two of them. NUIG & GMIT have been mentioned as well.
Other teams speculated include Ballinasloe Town, Castlebar Celtic, Westport Utd, Ballina and possible reserve sides of Sligo, Athlone and Longford. Sligo recently rejected the chance to enter a team in the USL.
Again this is all speculation. The FAI have said they expect the league to start in the Autumn. That remains to be seen.
Charlie Darwin
07/04/2013, 10:02 AM
Athlone and Longford? Hard to see Sligo fielding a reserve side either with no youth structure to speak of.
gufc2000
07/04/2013, 10:05 AM
Athlone and Longford? Hard to see Sligo fielding a reserve side either with no youth structure to speak of.
Pure speculation, but mentioned in the Connacht Tribune this week.
Martinho II
07/04/2013, 4:57 PM
I'm aware of that. There was no team automatically relegated to replace the team automatically promoted. That's what I'm referring to. Who was the last club automatically relegated without off field reasons being the reason for demotion?
was it Cobh Ramblers in 2008??
After reading some of his cringe-inducing ramblings on our fans forum, I'm pretty sure he's not one.
Na bac leis.
Not everyone with an interest in the game in Galway is as one eyed as you fortunately. Any LOI exposure local players are getting can only be a good thing. Its good to see one of the two teams aren't a complete laughing stock at least so far. If you went to any Mervue games you'd see that a lot of the people in attendance you'd also have seen at Galway United games.
El-Pietro
07/04/2013, 5:44 PM
was it Cobh Ramblers in 2008??
UCD. Cobh went allll the way to the A Championship.
avvenalaf
07/04/2013, 7:09 PM
Athlone and Longford? Hard to see Sligo fielding a reserve side either with no youth structure to speak of.
Just for your education..............
http://www.sligorovers.com/sligo-rovers-under-19-season-glory
nigel-harps1954
07/04/2013, 8:14 PM
was it Cobh Ramblers in 2008??
Finn Harps went down the same year.
gufc2000
17/04/2013, 1:23 PM
Connacht Senior League to get go-ahead?
Daniel Carey
THREE clubs from Mayo are among 13 invited to a meeting in the McWilliam Park Hotel, Claremorris next Monday, April 22 regarding the setting up of a Connacht Senior League.
Westport United, Castlebar Celtic and Ballina Town were contacted by Connacht Football Association Administrator Art Friel last week, as were four Galway teams (Salthill Devon, Mervue United, the Galway United Supporters’ Trust and NUI, Galway), two from Sligo (Sligo Rovers and St John’s Athletic), Ballinsloe Town, Longford Town, Athlone Town and Willow Park.
Friel told The Mayo News last night (Monday) that eight teams would be required for the League, which is scheduled to kick off in the winter of 2013, to be viable.
A meeting between members of the Connacht FA and John Delaney and Fran Gavin of the Football Association of Ireland last Tuesday backed setting up the League, and Gavin and Eamon Naughton from the FAI are due to attend next Monday’s meeting along with officers of the Connacht FA.
The original Connacht Senior League ran between 1981 and the summer of 2000.
(Appeared in the Mayo news yesterday)
adamd164
17/04/2013, 1:50 PM
...as were four Galway teams (Salthill Devon, Mervue United, the Galway United Supporters’ Trust and NUI, Galway)...
So is the idea that Mervue and Salthill would go into the CSL and GUST would field a reserve/youth side in it? Or would Mervue and Salthill also just be youths?
Martinho II
17/04/2013, 2:03 PM
So is the idea that Mervue and Salthill would go into the CSL and GUST would field a reserve/youth side in it? Or would Mervue and Salthill also just be youths?
I am assuming adamd that Mervue and Salthill leave loi and field their first team in the CSL. GUST would make the 1st division and I would imagine it would be the under 19s that already play in the under 19 league that would play in CSL. I could be wrong though.
GUST plans will be to field teams in the LOI, CSL and u-19 league.
nigel-harps1954
17/04/2013, 8:20 PM
I'd imagine what will happen is GUST will field a team in the CSL while the new Super Galway FC will compete in the LOI.
NeverFeltBetter
17/04/2013, 8:51 PM
Super Galway FC is never going to happen.
legendz
17/04/2013, 9:11 PM
I'm very envious of the CSL plans. Is there definitely no place for a club from Kerry?! ;)
NeverFeltBetter
17/04/2013, 10:24 PM
Well, if Salthill/Mervue leave and GUST come in, they'll be one shy of 20. You'd imagine they'd look for interested parties. I thought Tralee had given up on it though?
gordongekko
18/04/2013, 10:16 AM
Well, if Salthill/Mervue leave and GUST come in, they'll be one shy of 20. You'd imagine they'd look for interested parties. I thought Tralee had given up on it though?
its starting to look like a one division league would make more sense. I can't see any junior clubs with the fanbase finance or appetite to go into senior football.
culloty82
18/04/2013, 11:26 AM
Well, if Salthill/Mervue leave and GUST come in, they'll be one shy of 20. You'd imagine they'd look for interested parties. I thought Tralee had given up on it though?
Tralee have definitely ruled it out due to the sheer cost of entering a team, the only way Kerry would enter in the near future is through a representative team and there's no appetite for that at the minute, it certainly won't happen by 2014 at any rate.
NeverFeltBetter
18/04/2013, 11:59 AM
It doesn't seem like there any likely candidates anymore.
Super Galway FC is never going to happen.
Plans are well advanced meetings have been taking place since xmas with all stakeholders and interested parties with agreement by all that a Galway team will rise from the ashes ,what it will be called has to be decided........................................... yet
BonnieShels
19/04/2013, 11:50 AM
Plans are well advanced meetings have been taking place since xmas with all stakeholders and interested parties with agreement by all that a Galway team will rise from the ashes ,what it will be called has to be decided........................................... yet
Galway United?
Galway United?
Highly unlikely .......too many debts and skeletons left behind and the old directors wont be involved who still own that name
You won't get better than Super Galway
Sam_Heggy
19/04/2013, 3:36 PM
Galway United (supporters trust) FC.
Patrick Dunne
19/04/2013, 4:19 PM
Continuity SD Galway
NeverFeltBetter
19/04/2013, 4:48 PM
GalMerDev.
Longfordian
19/04/2013, 5:01 PM
Galway United Supporters Trust Incorporating Those Members of Mervue United and Salthill Devon Who Are Of Goodwill Towards The Development Of Senior Football In Galway At A National Level Football Club.
nigel-harps1954
19/04/2013, 5:15 PM
Nick Leeson FC.
gufcfan
19/04/2013, 5:17 PM
Galway United Supporters Trust Incorporating Those Members of Mervue United and Salthill Devon Who Are Of Goodwill Towards The Development Of Senior Football In Galway At A National Level Football Club.
Not descriptive enough.
gordongekko
19/04/2013, 5:18 PM
Galway United Supporters Trust Incorporating Those Members of Mervue United and Salthill Devon Who Are Of Goodwill Towards The Development Of Senior Football In Galway At A National Level Football Club.
that won't fit on the front of our dvd
Longfordian
19/04/2013, 6:02 PM
that won't fit on the front of our dvd
Just throw in lots of helicopters and nobody will notice
Going slightly of topic here, but Devon are now in serious do-do. With revenue down drastically from the all-weather pitches and players leaving from all age groups, now the junior team have been relegated from the top division in the G&DL. A lot of their members are now asking the directors what lays ahead for the club and have informed me that they will be seeking for a swift return of one club representing Galway in the LOI, a club that doesn't involve their own club.
legendz
23/04/2013, 7:51 PM
If that's true and they are looking to leave the LoI, will Salthill join the CSL?
If that's true and they are looking to leave the LoI, will Salthill join the CSL?
Yes thats why its been set up both salthill and mervue will be playing in CSL
Acornvilla
23/04/2013, 11:44 PM
It'd be fairly strange to see Mervue drop out of the league if they manage to hold onto a playoff spot. Salthill I can understand leaving thou seeing as they have a poorer record and smaller crowds, don't suppose there's much chance of GUST taking Salthills spot but Mervue hanging on in?
NeverFeltBetter
23/04/2013, 11:53 PM
How could Mervue play in the top tier though, if they did get there, with that level of support and that ground?
Acornvilla
24/04/2013, 12:02 AM
How could Mervue play in the top tier though, if they did get there, with that level of support and that ground?
I wouldn't expect them to get promoted I highly doubt they ever will, I still think they'll do well to come 3rd. However, there's no reason why they can't be a decent outlet for local talent to play in the 1st division. Having both themselves and Salthill is overkill obviously but I don't necessarily think having one amateur club from galway in the league will hurt GUST long term, they aren't even really competing for the same fan base anyway.
Its not like I'm saying anything new here, but earrah why not..
White Horse
24/04/2013, 12:06 AM
that won't fit on the front of our dvd
This time it will be a blu-ray.
gufcfan
24/04/2013, 12:50 AM
My own prediction is that they will finish 5th. Promotion talk will persist for a good while yet, with them playing Salthill again after Athlone.
adamd164
24/04/2013, 3:23 PM
My own prediction is that they will finish 5th. Promotion talk will persist for a good while yet, with them playing Salthill again after Athlone.
I'm not saying they will get promoted, but I do think it's a realistic possibility.
The first division has already had a full series of fixtures (shockingly!) so they've played everyone and they're second. There's no standout team bar maybe Longford.
gufcfan
24/04/2013, 3:45 PM
I'm not saying they will get promoted, but I do think it's a realistic possibility.
The first division has already had a full series of fixtures (shockingly!) so they've played everyone and they're second. There's no standout team bar maybe Longford.
The FD is poor, but I don't see Mervue sustaining this form over the season. A full round has been played already, but there are only 3 points between where Mervue are currently and Cobh/Athlone in 4th/5th. I'm not predicting a collapse, I'm just saying that over what's left of the season, the teams immediately below them will earn 3 or 4 points more than Mervue at least.
legendz
24/04/2013, 6:08 PM
I wouldn't expect them to get promoted I highly doubt they ever will, I still think they'll do well to come 3rd. However, there's no reason why they can't be a decent outlet for local talent to play in the 1st division. Having both themselves and Salthill is overkill obviously but I don't necessarily think having one amateur club from galway in the league will hurt GUST long term, they aren't even really competing for the same fan base anyway.
Its not like I'm saying anything new here, but earrah why not..
I'd agree with that as well. The urban counties, i.e. those with the cities Cork, Galway and Limerick able to have 2 clubs, where one is probably lower fanbase in the first division. Cork have with Cobh.
galwayhoop
24/04/2013, 9:34 PM
Mervue have every chance of remaining in the playoff places in what is a terribly poor first division. Longford are pulling away and should easily get promoted. Mervue have at least as good a team as any of Athlone, Harps, Cobh or Waterford and are ahead of Salthill and Wexford.
However even if Mervue were to get to and win the playoff between the 2nd and 3rd placed first division teams then I couldn't see them beating the second from bottom premier division team. Last season Dundalk were muck in the premier but yet comfortably overcame what was a very strong, compared to this season, Waterford team.
NeverFeltBetter
24/04/2013, 10:04 PM
Longford were in much the same position this time last year, and collapsed late on. There's anyone of four teams I'd still say is capable of winning automatic promotion.
Longfordian
24/04/2013, 10:29 PM
True though I don't think any of the others this year have the relative depth Limerick had last year whilst we've definitely strengthened in key areas. We haven't hit top form yet mind you and an injury to O'Sullivan for any length of time would be a big concern.
Acornvilla
25/04/2013, 12:13 AM
Well at least this time if something happens to him, we have Purdy and Shaw to fall back on, as well as a few other decent attackers at this level, last year we had Purdy and Shaw with absolutely nothing worth mentioning behind them, when both got injured we were goosed.
Mervue have every chance of remaining in the playoff places in what is a terribly poor first division. Longford are pulling away and should easily get promoted. Mervue have at least as good a team as any of Athlone, Harps, Cobh or Waterford and are ahead of Salthill and Wexford.
However even if Mervue were to get to and win the playoff between the 2nd and 3rd placed first division teams then I couldn't see them beating the second from bottom premier division team. Last season Dundalk were muck in the premier but yet comfortably overcame what was a very strong, compared to this season, Waterford team.
I know that friendlies are not exactly the best way to measure the strength of a team, but Mervue Utd and UCD (currently their most likely opponent) actually played against each other in the pre-season, and Mervue won deservedly. UCD, Bray and Shelbourne seem to be much weaker than last year's Dundalk. Wouldn't rule out Mervue, Finn Harps or anyone else beating one of these three teams.
Longford were in much the same position this time last year, and collapsed late on.
I think (hope and pray) we've more depth to the squad this year - injuries did for us last season. This season we've already had a good few out and kept going. But time will tell.
Really not seeing the 1st being any poorer than other years tbh. It was skewed the last few years with a few clubs with essentially premier division squads, but the general standard is about the same imo. Couldn't give a toss once we escape this hell hole though.
Powered by vBulletin® Version 4.2.2 Copyright © 2025 vBulletin Solutions, Inc. All rights reserved.