A 7-team league First Division Next Year

[Charlie Darwin]

Don't know if its been asked/answered on here already. But just say Rovers B finish top. Will they go down as champions and get the trophy or will it go to second place? And would second place get the automatic promotion spot and 3rd and 4th get the playoffs?
Of course they'd go down as champions. It's only happened once before in Spain, when Real won the Segunda Division and were passed over for promotion by the teams below them. Realistically, they're not going to win it anyway. All indications are it will be 18 year olds with 4-5 senior players there to provide some experience, much like some of the other sides in the Division.

[legendz]

how can people say that the b team idea is a joke?? in spain and germany b teams play in the division below the top tier or even the next league. youngsters who are not good enough for 1st team yet playing a real game of football every week with all the pressures of relegation and so forth. this is not the case in england and look at the difference in player production in those countries. if rovers or st pats or cork had a bteam in the loi 1st division it would be quality for their younger players to be playing waterford, galway, longford every week. wakey wakey people.

I'd agree with that. It's a brave move for any club to enter a second team with the costs involved. I'm not in favour of it being at the expense of fielding an U19 team. The B team should be for players out of U19's and not in the first team squad. I'm interested to hear how they plan to sort out registration for A and B teams. I'd imagine at least 16 players will have to registered with the first team ruling them out of B action. If players registered with the B team play x number of games with the first team they should be automatically ineligible to play with the B team for the rest of the season?

[nigel-harps1954]

I wish people would stop comparing the League of Ireland with the Spanish and German leagues regarding the B teams. There's a distinct difference in that there's still enough competitive clubs in those leagues to allow for the B sides.

[Bawnville Hoop]

I wish people would stop comparing the League of Ireland with the Spanish and German leagues regarding the B teams. There's a distinct difference in that there's still enough competitive clubs in those leagues to allow for the B sides.

Compare it to the Estonian league then, exact same operation.

[nigel-harps1954]

Compare it to the Estonian league then, exact same operation.

Not really. There's 6 levels of league football in Estonia.

[Bawnville Hoop]

Estonian league, take their premier and first divisions. Flora Tallinn and Levadia in Premier with B teams of each in the first division.

There's nothing more to it.

[Charlie Darwin]

I think the point is that they have six levels, so they're there on merit, not by default.

[Dodge]

I think the point is that they have six levels, so they're there on merit, not by default.

Based on what? I'd guess they entered the league at the second division

[Charlie Darwin]

You'd guess or you know? I didn't say what league they entered at - I said there are leagues below them, meaning there is some element of merit to their being in the second tier.

[republican]

I wish people would stop comparing the League of Ireland with the Spanish and German leagues regarding the B teams. There's a distinct difference in that there's still enough competitive clubs in those leagues to allow for the B sides.
i wasnt for a min comparing the standards of the leagues, was simply saying their system is much better and produces more players through the systems. can we not copy the same idea in this country?? if viable of course but this should be up to the clubs to decide.

[Spudulika]

There is merit in having B/II/D teams in the league system, short term, though it still stifles the development of a proper national league. In the Baltic countries B teams are the norm, as are farm clubs - whose players are technically property of a parent club yet rented/loaned for a season(s). However (as already pointed out above) the big difference is that there are levels below where clubs can aspire/develop from.

[wonder88]

A big problem with the First Division in recent years is the travel costs involved. For example in must set Harps back a pretty penny to go all the way down to Wexford, and for the Youths to fulfill the return fixture (twice due to the small number of clubs in league). Due to the transport system in Ireland, Dublin is the most central/accessible location for the country clubs so it a good idea to have another club based in the capital along with Shels. Last year there was no Dublin based club, so I would support a B team as long as they are from the capital.

[Macy]

Don't know if its been asked/answered on here already. But just say Rovers B finish top. Will they go down as champions and get the trophy or will it go to second place? And would second place get the automatic promotion spot and 3rd and 4th get the playoffs?
It'll depend on who is in the automatic relegation spot in the premier.

[JC_GUFC]

So that needs new teams who either apply themselves or there is an invite communicated to all the existing Premier Div clubs outlining that there is a new option available to them, a reserve team in the first div. This communication was never made. Its not an option (after the horse has bolted) to refer to the standard club application deadline and say 'oh well, because you didn't think of the idea of fielding a reserve team (something that was scraped something like ten years ago), and the fact that you've missed the deadline anyway, then its your problem." .....



I don't see why not.

There was a clear message from the FAI looking for expressions of interest to play in the First Division for the coming season. There have been rumours of Rovers Reserves for a couple of years. It wasn't a total off-the-wall thought that potentially Rovers Reserves would apply and be accepted.

I would ask your own club did the board have any discussion about the potential of a entering a reserve team into the LoI.

That's not to say the FAI haven't totally screwed things up with regards to getting new clubs in. Tralee and FC Carlow were ready to make the step up. They said Carlow could join if they played in Kilkenny! I would like to see the logic behind offering Salthill Devon a licence, who decided they were going to pay their players now that they'd gotten rid of Galway United, but not Tralee or Carlow.

[Dodge]

I would like to see the logic behind offering Salthill Devon a licence, who decided they were going to pay their players now that they'd gotten rid of Galway United, but not Tralee or Carlow.

I think Salthill was another one of those "we need a club badly" jobs. The FAI should never have admitted them. I think it's a good thing they've learned from that and applied some sort of licence requirements to new entrants like Tralee or Carlow. If a club can't meet the minimum standards, it can't really have any issue with not being allowed in. How is it going to grow without even the thinnest of bases?

[Nesta99]

All the tinkering in the world can be done with the first division, B teams, amalgamated teams, regional divisions etc. None of it is ever going to really succeed until the most basic of bases is that prize money is greater than participation fee. Even a waiver of entry fees for a number of years albeit ensuring that money goes to meeting some minimum criteria would be a step in a better direction.

[gormacha]

i wasnt for a min comparing the standards of the leagues, was simply saying their system is much better and produces more players through the systems. can we not copy the same idea in this country?? if viable of course but this should be up to the clubs to decide.

I don't think the fact that Real Madrid have a B team is a significant factor in the production of players.

There is no culture of B teams playing in the LOI. I feel it degrades what is already a pi55 poor division.

[Charlie Darwin]

I don't think the fact that Real Madrid have a B team is a significant factor in the production of players.

There is no culture of B teams playing in the LOI. I feel it degrades what is already a pi55 poor division.
Several of the current Real team spent several years in the Bs before making the step up, and they've sold many others on for millions at a time. Pretty much every forward available to the Spain team, bar Torres, came through Real B.

[The Donie Forde]

Anyone remember the good old League of Ireland 'B' Division, back in the day? I think it was mainly Leinster clubs, mostly LOI reserve teams and a couple of non-Leinster teams like Waterford?

I know LOI 'B' even played representative games occasionally.

Thus, while there may be no recent 'culture' of B teams, we've certainly had it in the past.

[Dodge]

Anyone remember the good old League of Ireland 'B' Division, back in the day? I think it was mainly Leinster clubs, mostly LOI reserve teams and a couple of non-Leinster teams like Waterford?

I know LOI 'B' even played representative games occasionally.

Thus, while there may be no recent 'culture' of B teams, we've certainly had it in the past.
UP until 2011 we had the A championship which was a reserve league in any other name.

[sadloserkid]

Not on topic as such but I wonder how many people saw where Carlow were playing their games? It made Drom look like Thomond Park.

[gufc2000]

Talk on Galway Bay FM about the Connacht Senior League being formed shortly, and also the possible formation of an FAI Intermediate League? Whatever that would entail I don't know

[A face]

Not on topic as such but I wonder how many people saw where Carlow were playing their games? It made Drom look like Thomond Park.

Yeah, but is that where their LOI games were going to be played? The IT has a pitch with a stand i thought. The ground you are on about is in Ballon, and to be fair they have to train somewhere. City training in Bishopstown and that isn't a brilliant ground either being honest.

[nigel-harps1954]

I would imagine, if Carlow were ever to re-apply, they'd have to play out of Carlow IT. They have a seriously good sports ground from all I've heard about it. Big stand, modern facilities down to the bone. They'd put a few current LOI clubs to shame with their facilities.

[sadloserkid]

Yeah, but is that where their LOI games were going to be played? The IT has a pitch with a stand i thought. The ground you are on about is in Ballon, and to be fair they have to train somewhere. City training in Bishopstown and that isn't a brilliant ground either being honest.


I would imagine, if Carlow were ever to re-apply, they'd have to play out of Carlow IT. They have a seriously good sports ground from all I've heard about it. Big stand, modern facilities down to the bone. They'd put a few current LOI clubs to shame with their facilities.

I've never seen the IT facilities to be fair. They were playing at Ballon though (albeit A/U19 games) and there's no way it could host senior ball. I actually loved it as a setting (big silos in the near background and what have you) but if that was what they presented as their ground when they were looking at coming in a couple of years back I can almost understand why they were told to look at Buckley Park (though that makes no sense for them either obviously).

Are they actually playing anywhere at all now though? Do they have a senior team? There was almost a hint of something makey-uppy about them I felt... :confused:

[NeverFeltBetter]

Not as far as I can tell. Info on them very hard to come by.

[ForzaForth]

Wexford Youths played Shamrock Rovers in a pre-season friendly in IT Carlow at the beginning of last year. Great facilities ok, would remind you a lot of UCD's Belfield. First time there and, if I'm right, the main stand overlooks a GAA pitch rather than a soccer pitch. The match was played on an all-weather but there were grass pitches there too.


I didn't see FC Carlow's pitch at Ballon, but I saw them play Youths' U19s at Tullow. Would be hard to approve Tullow as a LOI facility.

I always had the impression that Carlow's chances of LOI football died when Shane Keegan moved from Carlow to the Youths as a manager and brought some of the players with him. Might be wrong, though.

[Martinho II]

Wexford Youths played Shamrock Rovers in a pre-season friendly in IT Carlow at the beginning of last year. Great facilities ok, would remind you a lot of UCD's Belfield. First time there and, if I'm right, the main stand overlooks a GAA pitch rather than a soccer pitch. The match was played on an all-weather but there were grass pitches there too.


I didn't see FC Carlow's pitch at Ballon, but I saw them play Youths' U19s at Tullow. Would be hard to approve Tullow as a LOI facility.

I always had the impression that Carlow's chances of LOI football died when Shane Keegan moved from Carlow to the Youths as a manager and brought some of the players with him. Might be wrong, though.

did Shane keegan manage Carlow IT before gettin Youths forza?

[ForzaForth]

Marty

He came from FC Carlow at the beginning of the 2012 season to us. Off the top of my head, he brought three players with him at least - CJ Browne, Jimmy Dermody and Shane Clarke. The last two were still with us at the end of 2013 although Jimmy was injured. CJ left half-way through the 2013 season.

[citybone]

Talk on Galway Bay FM about the Connacht Senior League being formed shortly, and also the possible formation of an FAI Intermediate League? Whatever that would entail I don't know
Great about the Connacht Senior League. Even just 8 teams would be good, Mervue, Salthill, Castlebar, Westport, Galway FC Reserves?, Sligo Rovers Reserves? Tuam Celtic/St. Bernards ? Balina? Ballinasloe? Loughrea? NUIG? Gawlay Hibs? Ballyheane?, Iorras Aontaithe FC?. Too many Galway city clubs would not be good but it should be the best teams in the provence.

[gufc2000]

Great about the Connacht Senior League. Even just 8 teams would be good, Mervue, Salthill, Castlebar, Westport, Galway FC Reserves?, Sligo Rovers Reserves? Tuam Celtic/St. Bernards ? Balina? Ballinasloe? Loughrea? NUIG? Gawlay Hibs? Ballyheane?, Iorras Aontaithe FC?. Too many Galway city clubs would not be good but it should be the best teams in the provence.
I don't think Galway FC will be able to enter a team in this league, some other people from Galway on the forum might be able to clarify but to the best of my knowledge this may have been stated already.

During the summer when it was mooted Athlone & Longford Reserves were also mentioned. Also a St. John's from Sligo.

If it's a Connacht Senior League then it should be as much representatives from the different associations, and not just Galway/Mayo. Roscommon & Sligo/Leitrim should have participants too.

[Charlie Darwin]

My understanding was that the agreement that led to Salthill and Mervue taking part in Galway FC excluded the club from fielding any junior sides for something like 5 years. Maybe it's different for men's but I doubt it.

[gufc2000]

My understanding was that the agreement that led to Salthill and Mervue taking part in Galway FC excluded the club from fielding any junior sides for something like 5 years. Maybe it's different for men's but I doubt it.
There's definitely no Galway FC U19 team for five years, I'd imagine the same rule would apply to a reserve selection. Anyways, at this moment in time a reserve team wouldn't be the priority for Galway I'd imagine, even in a non-league regional tier

[atfconline]

Last time it was brought up, we weren't interested in it if it was a winter league.

[Terry]

John Delaney has stated that the CSL would be starting in March, in line with the LOI season.

[citybone]

John Delaney has stated that the CSL would be starting in March, in line with the LOI season.

Most sense that has ever come out of his mouth.

[bluewhitearmy]

We were interested in joining the CSL at one stage as far as i know.

[Terry]

same as clubs in Co. Clare, Longford Town, Athlone Town (as stated above) and other regions outside of the province. I wonder why that is?

[Charlie Darwin]

We were interested in joining the CSL at one stage as far as i know.
Are yous that mad about the Market's Fields plans that you'd move the club to Connacht?

[bluewhitearmy]

We weren't allowed to put a team into local junior leagues, i dunno why it wasn't the MSL.

[atfconline]

same as clubs in Co. Clare, Longford Town, Athlone Town (as stated above) and other regions outside of the province. I wonder why that is?

We played on the Connacht side of town for our first 40 years or so.

[legendz]

John Delaney was interviewed on Radio Kerry during the week. He seemed more interested in a Rovers B team than Dynamos joining the league. It was put to him if Dynamos met the criteria would they be entered as a 9th team, he was saying that there preference is for 8 for the even number of teams/games.

[cobhlad]

Seems like sh*ts going down at the moment with Ramblers. Senior players unhappy that they received nothing last year while the u19s are even staying in Sligo overnight. Players took days of work for games and you can't blame them for this. Hope its resolved soon

[bluewhitearmy]

Seems like sh*ts going down at the moment with Ramblers. Senior players unhappy that they received nothing last year while the u19s are even staying in Sligo overnight. Players took days of work for games and you can't blame them for this. Hope its resolved soon

Was it not just one player having a moan on Twitter?

Worrying part is when he says "no player has heard a thing about next year so I suppose we take it there's no team. Once they mind the u19s anyway"

[Terry]

Poor fella feeling left out ! he won't be getting any phonecalls soon from the club, and rightly so.

[NeverFeltBetter]

Seems a little mean to take a swipe at the U-19s like that though.

[Ezeikial]

The FAI latest press release / Garry Doyle's fearless investigative journalism (delete as appropriate) tells us that some or all of the three fudge points are about to happen (assuming that there is no club backlash or legal problem) to facilitate Shamrock Swifts




THE FAI are due to hold further talks with Shamrock Rovers (http://searchtopics.independent.ie/topic/Shamrock_Rovers) within the next two weeks to finalise the terms which would allow the club to enter a 'B' team into next season's League of Ireland First Division.

Three significant issues need to be ironed out before the project receives the green light.
Firstly, there is the question of whether an affiliation fee will be required by the FAI for a second Rovers side to enter the league.
Secondly, the thorny issue of how many players will be allowed to transfer from the first team to the second 11 on any given weekend will have to be resolved.
And thirdly comes the question of whether Rovers will still be required to field an U-19 team, which is a requirement to obtain a League license.
While these issues remain unresolved, a certain amount of doubt remains about the viability of the project. Still, both parties remain committed to the concept.
http://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/hoops-inching-closer-to-b-team-plan-green-light-29817670.html

[orielabu]

http://backpagefootball.com/shamrock-rovers-b-and-the-footballing-map-of-ireland/66483/

[Hulsey]

The FAI latest press release / Garry Doyle's fearless investigative journalism (delete as appropriate) tells us that some or all of the three fudge points are about to happen (assuming that there is no club backlash or legal problem) to facilitate Shamrock Swifts


http://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/hoops-inching-closer-to-b-team-plan-green-light-29817670.html


The answer to questions 1 and 3 should be yes. No point in even guessing whats going to happen re player movement.
If there is no registration fee and the 19s are allowed to be scrapped I'd say a few other clubs may be interested in a B team, sure you could just enter the 19s as a B side and have them playing at a higher level every week

[A face]

http://backpagefootball.com/shamrock-rovers-b-and-the-footballing-map-of-ireland/66483/

Love it, great article and seems to be well researched.