2018 League to kick off early

[Mr A]

There used to be an invitation to submit expressions of interest each year. Haven't seen that this year. Don't remember it last year either now that I think of it.

[gufc2000]

36 games in the First Division is probably not possible due to there being little to no midweek fixtures, but 27 is very much on the low side. That means some teams will only have 13 home fixtures. 14 was already low enough as it was.

[Mr A]

We'll just have to wait until a few weeks before the season when the D1 fixtures are released.

[nigel-harps1954]

Hear a whisper that Monaghan/Cavan are making the jump back to senior football.

[bluewhitearmy]

Hear a whisper that Monaghan/Cavan are making the jump back to senior football.

In place of Athlone maybe?

[legendz]

There used to be an invitation to submit expressions of interest each year. Haven't seen that this year. Don't remember it last year either now that I think of it.
The youth league should be the stepping stone for future expressions of interest.

[nigel-harps1954]

In place of Athlone maybe?

Athlone Supporters to take over there?

[GUFCghost]

Monaghan/Cavan u19s finished rock bottom of their group, not a good omen.
http://www.the42.ie/john-delaney-mayo-league-of-ireland-team-2569845-Jan2016/ any updates on this?

[legendz]

http://www.the42.ie/john-delaney-mayo-league-of-ireland-team-2569845-Jan2016/ any updates on this?Kerry League should be in a similar position by 2020. While the Intermediate Provincial leagues remain as they are, an Intermediate League of Ireland level after U19s might be the direction for the FAI-PCA to take in a few years.

There were some comments of a number of clubs wanting a reserve team to bridge the gap between youth and senior level. Premier League 2 in England is for U23s. Something similar as an Intermediate League could be the next step here along with inviting the likes of Kerry, Mayo and Monaghan-Cavan to plot a course to First Division football via a play-off for the best placed of the first teams at that level.

[Mr A]

Athlone Supporters to take over there?

There has been no indication I'm aware of that there is a credible alternative to the current regime. Not that they are all that credible either of course! A few lads on social media but if they want to run a club they'd need to get organised. Attacking the current incumbents is the easy part.

[bluewhitearmy]

Can't see any truth to the Monaghan thing unless one club is going bang anyway can't see em just throwing an 11th team in there.

[legendz]

Can't see any truth to the Monaghan thing unless one club is going bang anyway can't see em just throwing an 11th team in there.Has there been any indication that expressions of interest are still being sought?

It's probably beyond them but I would like to see the FAI outline a roadmap for the next few years. It's ridiculous that there has been no confirmation of next year's setup yet.

I hope some of the journalists can get answers on further expressions of interest and/or if an intermediary league could be in the pipeline for the next few years.

[total hoofball]

36 games in the First Division is probably not possible due to there being little to no midweek fixtures, but 27 is very much on the low side. That means some teams will only have 13 home fixtures. 14 was already low enough as it was.

The only practical way you can have 36 games for the Premier and 27 games for the First is if you have 4 blank weekends for the First Division or start the First Division season at week 5 on March 16th - that's on the basis of 5 mid-week rounds of Premier Division games outlined in The Sun article so both divisions 27 weekend games schedules after that date sync to the end of the season (2 weeks mid-season break and 4 FAI Cup weekends taken into account)

I believe some first division clubs telling players to prepare for a 36 game season but there was a push from some clubs for a shorter 27 game season for cost reasons

[nigel-harps1954]

I believe some first division clubs telling players to prepare for a 36 game season but there was a push from some clubs for a shorter 27 game season for cost reasons

Some clubs have no players signed because they've no idea what length the season will be so can't negotiate any contract...

[outspoken]

Some clubs have no players signed because they've no idea what length the season will be so can't negotiate any contract...

I’d be shocked if it wasn’t 36 games

[nigel-harps1954]

I’d be shocked if it wasn’t 36 games

Harps have no idea how long it's going to be anyway. Been no indication from FAI whatsoever.

[Lim till i die]

They just shouldn't play the first division next year.

Financial headache sorted for all the first division clubs.

And would anyone outside them really care??

[Charlie Darwin]

They just shouldn't play the first division next year.

Financial headache sorted for all the first division clubs.

And would anyone outside them really care??
Probably more people than if Limerick disappeared, to be honest.

[Lim till i die]

Probably more people than if Limerick disappeared, to be honest.

If you want to talk about Limerick (and let's face it who doesn't) I'd suggest starting a thread about Limerick.

This thread is about the upcoming 2018 season. :good:

[legendz]

I’d be shocked if it wasn’t 36 gamesThe promotion-relegation play-off will have to be fitted in somewhere as well. If the First Division has the same number of games, which is ok, the playoff will either be 9th v 2nd or 9th v 4th and 2nd v 3rd I'd imagine.

[redobit]

Some clubs have no players signed because they've no idea what length the season will be so can't negotiate any contract...

I don't think anybody has players signed. Players cant be officially signed up until the 1st of December. Dosent mean you cant negotiate different scenarios.

[legendz]

Is a play-off for the final Europa League spot likely or is that a non-runner? I think the clubs have suggested a Europa playoff. The Conroy report suggested a Europa playoff as well.

[sbgawa]

Derry finished 4th this year after 33 games they deserve the spot.

[bluewhitearmy]

I really hate this play off nonsense you get what you earn for league position of you aren't in the European spots or you don't win the cup you don't deserve European football.

[David BOHie]

Am I on my own in thinking that the season should be extended at the end as opposed to the start? Weather is a bit better than in February and would suit teams in Europe more

[legendz]

I really hate this play off nonsense you get what you earn for league position of you aren't in the European spots or you don't win the cup you don't deserve European football.The play off idea is like Marmite. I'd be for it. The league champions and league runners-up will be guaranteed European spots. Teams will know at the start of the season that if they finish in certain positions below the top 2, depending on cup finalists, they will be entered into an end of season play off competition to determine the final place. We would only know in practice, a play off for the final play off spot would give it more attention than it does at present.


Am I on my own in thinking that the season should be extended at the end as opposed to the start? Weather is a bit better than in February and would suit teams in Europe more I think it is finishing up at a good time. If they opt for expended playoffs, you'd imagine they'll stretch no further than to the second weekend after the end of the league. Finishing up about 6 weeks before Christmas and allowing about 6 weeks at the start of the new year for pre-season is about right.

[total hoofball]

Am I on my own in thinking that the season should be extended at the end as opposed to the start? Weather is a bit better than in February and would suit teams in Europe more

Kicking-off the season earlier rather than ending it later is playing the better percentages for any weather postponed fixtures. Games getting called-off in February can be rescheduled easily unlike November you have limited rescheduling time and may have title/european/relegation implications for any postponed games

[TonyD]

Kicking-off the season earlier rather than ending it later is playing the better percentages for any weather postponed fixtures. Games getting called-off in February can be rescheduled easily unlike November you have limited rescheduling time and may have title/european/relegation implications for any postponed games

Yes, but probably much less chance of any postponements in October/November (freak occcurances like the recent hurricane aside.)

[Charlie Darwin]

Also the Aviva is booked out for the rest of November so we'd have to leave the Cup final where it is, so it wouldn't be the curtain-closer anymore.

[legendz]

Also the Aviva is booked out for the rest of November so we'd have to leave the Cup final where it is, so it wouldn't be the curtain-closer anymore.Will the cup final have to be played before the end of the league if the FAI-PCA want to introduce a Europa playoff?