What's right with the league?

[legendz]

Dundalk and Cork City are the league's finest silver anyways and fantastic ambassadors for the league.

Is there any club diligently going about their business in the First Division away from the limelight?

[Poor Student]

Biased of course, but UCD are in good shape. Continuing to produce talent for the league, play good football and on the verge of returning to the Premier Divison. All with minimal fuss.

[Martinho II]

Biased of course, but UCD are in good shape. Continuing to produce talent for the league, play good football and on the verge of returning to the Premier Divison. All with minimal fuss.

yeah I think it was Stephen McGuinness when interviewed that sang UCDs praises..

[White Horse]

In the premier division, I like the way Bohs are putting together sides that play good football on a shoestring budget.

In the first division, I have been impressed by Drogheda. They have a nice squad of players , and on a sustainable budget. They always seem struggle when promoted though. That step up is beyond them as they end up competing for the same players as a number of other clubs and their wage bill goes up dramatically.

UCD, of course, are a beacon of light. Saving young kids from the slave trade by giving them an education, both academic and football.

[Poor Student]

UCD, of course, are a beacon of light. Saving young kids from the slave trade by giving them an education, both academic and football.

Indeed. We're a core component of Dundalk's infrastructure. :wink:

[EatYerGreens]

Biased of course, but UCD are in good shape. Continuing to produce talent for the league, play good football and on the verge of returning to the Premier Divison. All with minimal fuss.

A genuine question.

UCD seem to have most things set up well - apart from a lack of support.

Do you think this will ever change ? Is there hope that more students at the university can be attracted to support the club ? Or locals ? Or is UCD condemned to remaining one of the worst supported clubs in the land ?

[TonyD]

A genuine question.

UCD seem to have most things set up well - apart from a lack of support.

Do you think this will ever change ? Is there hope that more students at the university can be attracted to support the club ? Or locals ? Or is UCD condemned to remaining one of the worst supported clubs in the land ?

UCD are fine for what they do, but I can't see ththe m ever progressing any further. They will continue to be a feeder club who will develop players for the bigger clubs to swoop for. It probably sounds mean , but I'm happier when they aren't in the Premier Division. (Not to say they won't deserve credit if they do go up. If so called bigger clubs can't outperform them on the field then that's their issue, not UCDs. )

[legendz]

In the premier division, I like the way Bohs are putting together sides that play good football on a shoestring budget.

In the first division, I have been impressed by Drogheda. They have a nice squad of players , and on a sustainable budget. They always seem struggle when promoted though. That step up is beyond them as they end up competing for the same players as a number of other clubs and their wage bill goes up dramatically.

UCD, of course, are a beacon of light. Saving young kids from the slave trade by giving them an education, both academic and football.

Agree about, they are setting a great example for others on a shoestring budget.

Should Drogheda be going after those players that are driving up their wage bill dramatically? Are Bohemians targeting the same players?

If UCD are destined to be a feeder club, if they are good enough to earn their place back in the Premier, they naturally will be fully deserving of being there regardless of their support.

[Poor Student]

UCD are fine for what they do, but I can't see ththe m ever progressing any further. They will continue to be a feeder club who will develop players for the bigger clubs to swoop for. It probably sounds mean , but I'm happier when they aren't in the Premier Division. (Not to say they won't deserve credit if they do go up. If so called bigger clubs can't outperform them on the field then that's their issue, not UCDs. )

The small support isn't great optics but we'll never draw bad publicity for the league whilst in the Premier in the way Bray have done 2 years running or Limerick have done this season.

[sparky12345678]

The small support isn't great optics but we'll never draw bad publicity for the league whilst in the Premier in the way Bray have done 2 years running or Limerick have done this season.


is there not a way for Bray and UCD to somehow amalgamate?

[sparky12345678]

although in fairness Cabinteely is closer to Bray...so maybe all 3? How successful is the Cabo project going? they have a 5 year strategic plan for a new stadium so they are hoping to stay in LOI.

[EatYerGreens]

although in fairness Cabinteely is closer to Bray...so maybe all 3? How successful is the Cabo project going? they have a 5 year strategic plan for a new stadium so they are hoping to stay in LOI.

Ahhh yes. League of Ireland clubs and stadium plans...

[pineapple stu]

is there not a way for Bray and UCD to somehow amalgamate?
None at all. Bray are in Bray, and UCD are in UCD.

What do Bray have that UCD would want anyway? (No offence to Bray fans - but they appear to have no money, low support, no committee and even few enough volunteers at this stage)

[Philosophizer]

although in fairness Cabinteely is closer to Bray...so maybe all 3?

I don't see why UCD would wanna join either of them?

What would UCD gain? UCD already have far superior facilities to both and a thriving underage system by all accounts. Bray and Cabo have no money, very little fanbase, and in the case of Bray a very tarnished reputation.

You could argue that since UCD joined the league they've been the most stable club in it. Almost everyone else has been a basket case at one stage. It's probably in UCDs best interest to stay well away from any other LOI club.

It's a terrible shame that UCD don't garner greater support actually. Last year I visited Murcia in the south of Spain and went to see a 3rd/4th division match between UCAM (Murcia university) and Cartagena. There was about 4k at it, in a lovely little ground in the city centre. The fact that they're a Uni didn't seem to detract anyone at all. And the standard wasn't great. I'd say any of the top Irish teams would have beaten both teams.

[Martinho II]

where is Cabinteelys new ground going to be by the way? Is it more local?

[sbgawa]

Talk was of a development in kilbogget park in cabinteely "ish" with a running track around it in astro that the local rugger team plus astletics team could use.

[EatYerGreens]

None at all. Bray are in Bray, and UCD are in UCD.

"They'll be dancing in the streets of U-C-D tonight..."

[outspoken]

I think Longford deserve huge credit this season. In terms of their social media and online game they are the most improved club in the country (still need an online shop though) and the players and management have engaged with the fans and local community a lot more. Still so much more to do but it’s been a great building block this season.

[Park_Lane]

Interesting conversation with Ray Wilson on the irish football business.... https://soundcloud.com/irishtimes-business/business-of-sport-shamrock-roverss-ray-wilson

[Straightstory]

UCD are fine for what they do, but I can't see ththe m ever progressing any further. They will continue to be a feeder club who will develop players for the bigger clubs to swoop for. It probably sounds mean , but I'm happier when they aren't in the Premier Division. (Not to say they won't deserve credit if they do go up. If so called bigger clubs can't outperform them on the field then that's their issue, not UCDs. )

Yes - I much prefer to see them in the First Division. Maybe if they bothered to get their programmes printed (rather than photocopied) I'd feel a little different about it...

[peadar1987]

UCD have 25,000-ish students at any given time. If they were a town, they'd be bigger than Tralee, Sligo, Wexford and Mullingar. It's always mystified my slightly why they haven't attracted bigger crowds.

[nigel-harps1954]

UCD have 25,000-ish students at any given time. If they were a town, they'd be bigger than Tralee, Sligo, Wexford and Mullingar. It's always mystified my slightly why they haven't attracted bigger crowds.

Mostly because the majority of students would head home for the weekend. If UCD had their matches on a Sunday evening with free attendance for UCD students there'd be more of a chance of attracting students along.

[marinobohs]

Mostly because the majority of students would head home for the weekend. If UCD had their matches on a Sunday evening with free attendance for UCD students there'd be more of a chance of attracting students along.
To be fair they have tried initiatives in the past but never really got much traction. Also most students long left campus before LOI kick off time and those still there are there for some other reason.

[pineapple stu]

When students arrive on campus, they're either Bohs/Rovers/Galway fans, or United/Liverpool/Chelsea fans, or rugby fans.

Hard to convert people at that age. Especially when they have no money (except for drink)

[nigel-harps1954]

Also...what's right with the League of Ireland?

Is cool.

https://www.thesun.ie/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2016/12/1252200-1-e1481842216732.jpg?w=960&strip=all

[Martinho II]

Yes - I much prefer to see them in the First Division. Maybe if they bothered to get their programmes printed (rather than photocopied) I'd feel a little different about it...
at least they sell them unlike Cabinteelys!

[pineapple stu]

Much and all as I agree with the comment about the programme, it's a bit of a silly reason not to want a team in Premier

[RathfarnhamHoop]

My opinions on what's right with the league:
Dundalk's style of football and innovation streaming games,
Corks support and ground,
Waterford's ,albeit slightly artificial, resurgence,
Rovers academy and glimpses of the style of play,
Bohs & Cobh stretching their budget to the max superbly,
UCD great football and setting their players up for life after football too,
Sligo having community behind them so much,
Drogs and Longford playing good ball.

Think thats it off top of my head

[nigel-harps1954]

http://www.finnharps.com/fhfc/?p=6135

There's this too. Harps now have, in their academy base in Killygordon, under-12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 19 and reserve squads. A player pathway developed that includes late developers who would otherwise not make the squads at 13, 15, 17 and 19 level.

The club has a 5 year lease on grounds in Crossroads, Killygordon, where there's three pitches down there for academy sides to train on. It's less than ten minutes drive from Finn Park. Academy also has separate offices in Stranorlar, beside the new ground.

Full pathway and announcement of new coaches was done the other night before the Shelbourne game.


Harps have quietly gone about things the right way and are putting a lot of focus on the youth structures at the club to develop players for the first team. This season we've had six players who played underage at Harps coming through and playing in the first team with a further six featuring in match day squads after coming through our youth structures.

Shamrock Rovers get a lot of praise for their youth academy, and rightly so, but they're not the only ones putting in the effort.

[RathfarnhamHoop]

I hadn't actually heard abou the stuff from harps but it sounds like a good start

[EatYerGreens]

UCD have 25,000-ish students at any given time. If they were a town, they'd be bigger than Tralee, Sligo, Wexford and Mullingar. It's always mystified my slightly why they haven't attracted bigger crowds.

It's a uniquely Irish thing.

You spend 17years living with your parents in a sh!t-arse country village with nothing to do in the middle of nowhere, and then get the chance to study in a cosmopolitan and exciting major European city. So what do you do ?

You spend every weekend and free moment you have from college travelling back to the aforementioned country village, to do nothing hanging around with the same set of lads/girls you've been hanging around with all your life. Sure if nothing else your mammy will feed you and do your washing too.

It leaves the international students at Universities in Dublin utterly perplexed how campuses like UCD empty out every Friday afternoon. Feckin' culchies :D

[EatYerGreens]

Much and all as I agree with the comment about the programme, it's a bit of a silly reason not to want a team in Premier

Well it worked with the FAI and DVDs.

[EatYerGreens]

When students arrive on campus, they're either Bohs/Rovers/Galway fans, or United/Liverpool/Chelsea fans, or rugby fans.

Hard to convert people at that age. Especially when they have no money (except for drink)

It wouldn't be easy, but it shouldn't be impossible either to create a sense of affinity amongst Irish people with their college, and then try to extend that over to its high profile sports reps.

Do you know if it has been properly tried before in the past (and not half-arsedly) ? If nothing else, it might help the college shift a bit more generic UCD merchandise.

Has the club ever drawn a crowd (apart form the 1984 cup run) ?

[pineapple stu]

There's been promotional campaigns (posters on campus; free admittance for Superleague players; Superleague teams having half-time challenges), although I don't know to what extent that constitutes trying to build a sense of affinity as such.

The club itself of course runs other teams - LSL, Freshers, etc. 99% of those players don't stick around for games once they leave college either. It'd be a different club if even 10% of people who played for UCD in the last 40 years went to games.

Best I remember crowd-wise was with one of the early CPOs; it felt like there was a bit of an uptick for a season. Remember 800-900 for a game against Cork for example. But there's just no money for any of that now - and even the extra underage structures just take time away from promoting the club (not just for UCD of course)

[Philosophizer]

I suppose it's a combination of many things that has kept UCD from gaining a substantial fan base.

They only joined the league in '89, so the other big Dublin clubs like Rovers/Shels/Bohs/Pats have had a massive head start in terms of gaining fan base.
They're based right beside Milltown, so any LOI fans in the area were likely Rovers fans.
They've never had any LOI success compared to their neighbours
Their ground is on the Uni campus so their immediate population are students on campus - and as stu said, probably already support Rovers/Bohs/L'pool/Man Utd/Leinster by the time they come to live in UCD.

Comparing them to Murcia University in Spain, who play in a 7k ground in the city centre, and in typically Spanish style the city is very compact and high rise, so there's probably 150k-200k living within 10 minute walk in all directions. There's also only 2 clubs in the city, and the other club (Real Murcia) play in a stadium outside the city and have had a heavy fall from grace in recent decades.

Even though UCD are always well-run and have a lovely little ground, the other clubs had a 70-80 year head-start.

[nigel-harps1954]

As I said already, the only hope for UCD to increase their attendances would be to play on a Sunday in my opinion.

A chance to catch students arriving for the week, a chance to increase away crowds, and a chance to catch neutral fans of the other Dublin teams to take in a second weekend game.

[Dalymountrower]

As I said already, the only hope for UCD to increase their attendances would be to play on a Sunday in my opinion.

A chance to catch students arriving for the week, a chance to increase away crowds, and a chance to catch neutral fans of the other Dublin teams to take in a second weekend game.

The locals wash their cars ( or have their cars washed )on a Sunday.

Having been there many years ago I often thought that a Thursday night with an associated social gig afterwards was the way to go .

Anyway... good things about the league...the best things about the league IS when fans from opposing teams can have a few pints together, slag each other without menace in the stands etc.
Other than the Jodi in Dalymount and to a limited extent in the stand in Oriel, and the stand in Drogs, UCD , I don`t see that happening any more. Some extreme bulls h 1 t segregation going on other than in grounds where its essential ( well just Tallaght really) including the Des Kelly in Dalymount, Pats, Turners Cross, etc.

What is good about the league is that most LOI fans you meet on international trips or in any walk of life , are usually sound enough, as obsessive compulsives go.
Mixed fans areas in stadia would be an interesting initiative.

[RathfarnhamHoop]

The locals wash their cars ( or have their cars washed )on a Sunday.

Having been there many years ago I often thought that a Thursday night with an associated social gig afterwards was the way to go .

Anyway... good things about the league...the best things about the league IS when fans from opposing teams can have a few pints together, slag each other without menace in the stands etc.
Other than the Jodi in Dalymount and to a limited extent in the stand in Oriel, and the stand in Drogs, UCD , I don`t see that happening any more. Some extreme bulls h 1 t segregation going on other than in grounds where its essential ( well just Tallaght really) including the Des Kelly in Dalymount, Pats, Turners Cross, etc.

What is good about the league is that most LOI fans you meet on international trips or in any walk of life , are usually sound enough, as obsessive compulsives go.
Mixed fans areas in stadia would be an interesting initiative.

There's no real segregation in Tallaght for teams outside Bohs, Dundalk, Pats and to an extent cork. Other fans are asked to sit in the normal away end but you can regularly see them walking around the ground. Its only strict for those 3/4.

[vinnie]

There's no real segregation in Tallaght for teams outside Bohs, Dundalk, Pats and to an extent cork. Other fans are asked to sit in the normal away end but you can regularly see them walking around the ground. Its only strict for those 3/4.

And to be honest, you don't need to segregate the Pats lads either, they are generally good craic and no hassle

[RathfarnhamHoop]

And to be honest, you don't need to segregate the Pats lads either, they are generally good craic and no hassle

Yeah you can normally see pats fans wandering round too but the odd time the guards seem to keep them segregated for whatever reason.

[sbgawa]

http://www.finnharps.com/fhfc/?p=6135

There's this too. Harps now have, in their academy base in Killygordon, under-12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 19 and reserve squads. A player pathway developed that includes late developers who would otherwise not make the squads at 13, 15, 17 and 19 level.

The club has a 5 year lease on grounds in Crossroads, Killygordon, where there's three pitches down there for academy sides to train on. It's less than ten minutes drive from Finn Park. Academy also has separate offices in Stranorlar, beside the new ground.

Full pathway and announcement of new coaches was done the other night before the Shelbourne game.


Harps have quietly gone about things the right way and are putting a lot of focus on the youth structures at the club to develop players for the first team. This season we've had six players who played underage at Harps coming through and playing in the first team with a further six featuring in match day squads after coming through our youth structures.

Shamrock Rovers get a lot of praise for their youth academy, and rightly so, but they're not the only ones putting in the effort.

Had no idea you had all that going on. Fair play it will pay off but will take a while.

[pineapple stu]

The locals wash their cars ( or have their cars washed )on a Sunday.

Having been there many years ago I often thought that a Thursday night with an associated social gig afterwards was the way to go .
Not to turn this into a UCD thread, but both Sundays and Thursdays have been tried before with similar success.

[Martinho II]

UCD joined the league of ireland in 1979 I believe. I think the only reason they got to the cup final in 1984 was they had a professional side out that day but for financial reasons they had to cut back. I dont remember that era at all so I imagine that the support base around that time was minimal.

[pineapple stu]

True on all three counts alright.

[legendz]

Harps have quietly gone about things the right way and are putting a lot of focus on the youth structures at the club to develop players for the first team. This season we've had six players who played underage at Harps coming through and playing in the first team with a further six featuring in match day squads after coming through our youth structures.

Shamrock Rovers get a lot of praise for their youth academy, and rightly so, but they're not the only ones putting in the effort.
Thanks for that! It's great to hear.

I hadn't actually heard abou the stuff from harps but it sounds like a good start
If soccer in Kerry ever progresses to LoI level and they can develop youth structures as outlined by Finn Harps that aid player progression and operate within a sensible financial budget, I'd be happy with that.

As I said already, the only hope for UCD to increase their attendances would be to play on a Sunday in my opinion.
Would Monday Nights be a better option when students are on campus?

Students tend to arrive back late on a Sunday evening and Thursdays were a traditional heading out night before going home for the weekend.

[nigel-harps1954]

Students tend to arrive back late on a Sunday evening and Thursdays were a traditional heading out night before going home for the weekend.

Nightmare for traveling teams and their part-time players.

[EatYerGreens]

Would Monday Nights be a better option when students are on campus?

Students tend to arrive back late on a Sunday evening and Thursdays were a traditional heading out night before going home for the weekend.

I think he more fundamental lack of interest in, and affinity with, their LOI team would need tackling before they went dicking around with the days they played on tbh. Plus - the away teams would also have a say too.

[wonder88]

Maybe I am wrong on this, but did UCD offer a free pint of Budweiser to get students to their games for a while? The company was their shirt sponsor at the time.
What numbers are we talking about in relation to the fanbase college have these days?

[pineapple stu]

They did. I don't think beer promotions are allowed on campus any more.

[colonelwest]

I'm not too sure how much UCD are integrated with the clubs/ societies and the courses these days as my college days are a fair ways behind me but has anything been tried outside of the football scholarships to get SU clubs/ societies or courses involved and integrated with the club outside of the scholarships/ LSL/ Collingwood etc teams?

Plenty of crossover there from the myriad of courses on offer, stuff like get credits towards your course, practical/ project experience on the business side, marketing, digital media, multimedia, physiotherapy, even the agri school etc. Plenty of aspects of running the club that are well suited to practical course work across the board.