PCA League Proposal

[jinxy lilywhite]

In fairness though should there not be a playoff between 10th place in the premier and 1st in the first division.

[pineapple stu]

No.

If you win the First, you should get promoted

[jinxy lilywhite]

I agree but is it not unfair that teams ranked 10,11 &12 lose and team no 13 goes ahead of them.
The divisions are being re-aligned somewhat

[gufcfan]

It's almost as if the FAI wanted to make it look like they were doing something, while doing as much damage as possible.

Relegate three with very little warning and make the First Division almost completely pointless for nearly all teams in 2017.

[Longfordian]

The FAI need to start Waterford off with a handicap in the interests of keeping the First Division alive. -10 points maybe.

[SFC16]

The Premier Division clubs won't agree to potentially a fourth team going down.

They didn't even ask the first division clubs for their opinions on anything, don't see why the premier clubs would have to formally agree to anything.


I agree but is it not unfair that teams ranked 10,11 &12 lose and team no 13 goes ahead of them.
The divisions are being re-aligned somewhat

Realistically, would there be any competition? You'd assume third last would have a much bigger budget, far superior squad and better levels of fitness. It would just be to give the 1st division a bit of interest towards the end and one potential money spinner to cap it off.

[pineapple stu]

I agree but is it not unfair that teams ranked 10,11 &12 lose and team no 13 goes ahead of them.
The divisions are being re-aligned somewhat
No. That's how promotion and relegation works.

Obviously the ten-team league is daft, but that's a different point.

[nigel-harps1954]

Adding a play-off to 3 teams already relegated would be all sorts of ridiculous.

[Macy]

Adding a play-off to 3 teams already relegated would be all sorts of ridiculous.
It's what happened in 2002. And Harps were the 1st division team in it. You may remember it - went to penalties, but the 9th place team ultimately came through!

[SFC16]

It's what happened in 2002. And Harps were the 1st division team in it. You may remember it - went to penalties, but the 9th place team ultimately came through!

It was ok then though. :p


Adding a play-off to 3 teams already relegated would be all sorts of ridiculous.

I think nearly everyone agrees this whole setup is all sorts of ridiculous.

[nigel-harps1954]

It's what happened in 2002. And Harps were the 1st division team in it. You may remember it - went to penalties, but the 9th place team ultimately came through!

Unfortunately, I do remember it too well. It doesn't make it any less ridiculous though.

[patrickccfc]

It's just a shame that for 7 out of 8 teams, it will be all for nothing come the end of the season.

[outspoken]

It's just a shame that for 7 out of 8 teams, it will be all for nothing come the end of the season.

Yeah I must admit I feel sympathy for everyone outside of Longford but sure look.

[EatYerGreens]

I agree but is it not unfair that teams ranked 10,11 &12 lose and team no 13 goes ahead of them.
The divisions are being re-aligned somewhat

Isn't that how promotion and relegation works everywhere, every year ?

The winners of the First Division won't be team No.13. They'll be Team No.1 in a different division.

[Longfordian]

No play offs (or to be totally accurate no proposal for play offs will be put to the FAI) as two teams opposed the idea. Us and Waterford? Athlone?! I doubt the FAI would have gone for it anyway.

https://www.thesun.ie/sport/football/546312/no-first-division-promotion-play-off-next-year-as-clubs-fail-to-unanimously-agree-on-its-return/

[patrickccfc]

Would've been great to somehow find a way to make a play off work, but not in a way where the team that tops the division could be denied promotion

[El-Pietro]

Everyone votes for their own interest right throughout Irish football. Can't blame a team who think they can win the division for wanting to avoid a playoff, but I'm surprised that two teams voted against it. Everyone is assuming Waterford will walk the division, but maybe its not as clear cut as we think.

[Longfordian]

I expect us to be right up there with them to be honest. I don't think they're an awful lot stronger than us at the moment so I'll be disappointed if we're not.

[gormacha]

I expect us to be right up there with them to be honest. I don't think they're an awful lot stronger than us at the moment so I'll be disappointed if we're not.

Sadly, I have to agree with this.

I don't think there'll be much between us and Longford, and neither are anywhere near as strong as, say, Limerick were last season. I also think that Cobh, Shels and UCD will be decent too, and whilst us and Longford are probably favourites, I expect a much tighter division than most think.

[sadloserkid]

The FAI need to start Waterford off with a handicap in the interests of keeping the First Division alive. -10 points maybe.

There's every chance they'll be deducted points over the course of the season.

Note: This is not a specific jab at Waterford. Just a reflection on the regular visits or our dear friend Asterisk over the years.

[oriel]

I'm sure its in the document (or maybe not) but does anyone know from 2018 onwards with the two ten team leagues in operation, what is the plan for the FD in terms of promotion, and for the PD?

Will this be one auto relegation and one auto promotion only ?

Or will there also be a play off involving 9th in the PD and the winners of 2nd v 3rd in the FD?

Apologies if this has been covered already.

[pineapple stu]

In which document?

The PCA document doesn't put forward a 10-team league at all.

Conroy is one-up-one-down plus a play-off for one more spot.

But then seeing as the top-half-bottom-half split Conroy recommended has been quietly dropped, it's by no means certain anything else in the report will be gone with.

[Mr A]

Fran Gavin on the format change: http://www.98fm.com/podcasts/98FM_Sport/98FM_Sport/57054/

A revealing interview in terms of the governance of this league.

[Mr A]

According to Fran here, the 2018 format has not been decided. http://www.newstalk.com/podcasts/Off_The_Ball/Newstalks_Airtricity_League_Podcast/179701/2017_Preview_Week_One

Clubs will get to decide again and have various meetings with league in coming weeks (although it's not clear when they will make that call).

[Longfordian]

No rush. Sure see how 2017 goes and we'll take it from there.

[gufcfan]

Clubs will get to decide again

They will in their f***.

[Trainee]

From 2018 I would love to see 2 down from premier.Winners of first division promoted with 2nd,3rd,4th & 5th in playoffs.

Something like: 2nd v 5th & 3rd v 4th in a once off game with team with higher league finish at home. Winners play each other over 2 legs.

[sbgawa]

From 2018 I would love to see 2 down from premier.Winners of first division promoted with 2nd,3rd,4th & 5th in playoffs.

Something like: 2nd v 5th & 3rd v 4th in a once off game with team with higher league finish at home. Winners play each other over 2 legs.


I agree with that completely , makes the first division competitive and not the graveyard it has been up to now.
One down going forward will mean a lack of excitement in both divisons

Also the "new" first division in 2018 will have some good teams in it.

[Mr A]

18 team premier in 2018, 2 team first. Bottom team in first has to kick Bishop Brennan up the arse.

[gufcfan]

From 2018 I would love to see 2 down from premier.Winners of first division promoted with 2nd,3rd,4th & 5th in playoffs.

Having half the division involved in playoffs turns it into a long, drawn out preliminary competition.

[nigel-harps1954]

From 2018 I would love to see 2 down from premier.Winners of first division promoted with 2nd,3rd,4th & 5th in playoffs.

Something like: 2nd v 5th & 3rd v 4th in a once off game with team with higher league finish at home. Winners play each other over 2 legs.

Also think this is a good shout. Should be no Premier teams involved in the playoff imo.

[legendz]

From 2018 I would love to see 2 down from premier.Winners of first division promoted with 2nd,3rd,4th & 5th in playoffs.

Something like: 2nd v 5th & 3rd v 4th in a once off game with team with higher league finish at home. Winners play each other over 2 legs.

My preference is 9th PD v 4th FD and 2nd FD v 3rd FD.

[outspoken]

Having half the division involved in playoffs turns it into a long, drawn out preliminary competition.

Agree, ridiculous suggestion. Fans would say no point going out wel finish top 5 no bother and wait for the play-offs. There's no quick fix here I'm afraid lads.

[thomas72]

I feel sorry for everyone in that first division with no 2nd place playoff it's a pointless season Waterford should do what limerick did last season and walk that division with plenty to spare there assembling a very very good side down there.

[NeverFeltBetter]

Sunday Sport had a piece on the restructuring today, focusing on plight of the First Division clubs left without play-off hopes, and the FD experience generally. They were at City Calling the other night, they interviewed Longford and Cobh officials/managers/fans. Here from 2.52.30: http://www.rte.ie/radio1/sunday-sport/

[Longfordian]

I was thinking I saw somebody with an RTÉ microphone wandering around in front of the stand during the game all right.

[outspoken]

That was an excellent listen

[Martinho II]

That was an excellent listen

any link to it outspoken?

[pineapple stu]

Two posts above yours!

[Martinho II]

Sunday Sport had a piece on the restructuring today, focusing on plight of the First Division clubs left without play-off hopes, and the FD experience generally. They were at City Calling the other night, they interviewed Longford and Cobh officials/managers/fans. Here from 2.52.30: http://www.rte.ie/radio1/sunday-sport/

That rte website is shocking bad. It took me ages to go to the particular segment that I wanted to listen to.why could rte not group the different segments of their show? I had to listen to it all as I didn't trust the fast forward button as I went way too far.very frustrating when you want to listen on your mobile and you don't have the time to listen to stuff that doesn't interest you at all. Shame on rte.

[sbgawa]

So if cabo draw with Shels this weekend Waterford and cobh draw and (probably least likely) athlone beat ucd the top 6 in the first devision will be covered by 3 points aft er er the first complete round of fixtures....not something anyone would have predicted. ..

[sbgawa]

Starting to dream of walking from my local to see cabo v rovers next year (in the premier before one if you guys say it ) :)

[legendz]

Will both divisions of 10 be played over 36 games next season?

[sbgawa]

That's my understanding.

[Yossarian]

With the extra 3 games next season will the season be lengthened to accommodate these games or will there be an increase in midweek games?

[Paulgufc]

You don't actually think somebody has thought that far ahead do you?

[brendy_éire]

What's this nonsense?

https://www.thesun.ie/sport/football/1008259/league-of-ireland-may-introduce-play-off-for-final-european-place-next-season/

Everyone playing each other four times is expected, but have an EL play-off? Or a league split? The best teams should the ones put forward for Europe, and the league system does that. If we have a play-off for the EL spot(s), why not have one for the league winner spot as well?
The league split idea, everyone playing each other five times, would be pretty horrible as well.

Oh, and there's mention of changes to the FD. Not that FD clubs need concern themselves with the details, the big boys will sort it for them.

[Briuk]

I hope we have a normal league, all this play offs things are bull ****.

[bluewhitearmy]

With the standard of our refs too someone deserving of a European place based on league position will definitely end up being screwed out of it by a Buttimer.

[osarusan]

Not a big plan of playoffs but they are commonplace these days.

The split was, is, and ever shall be a total f**king disaster.