All-Ireland League Thread

[Mr_Parker]

For reference:

https://cliftonvillefc.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/Screenshot_20200713-201516.jpg

[EatYerGreens]

OK, try this one:

Then try and tell me that Bangor is in Belfast.

Well done on finding Bangor.

But this is your problem. I never said Bangor was in Belfast. I said it was in Greater Belfast. Which it is. It's hands down in Belfast's orbit for work, transport, leisure etc etc. Because it is. You're just arguing the toss over this off the back of misreading my original post. And now doubling down on it. Talk about damaging credibility :cool:

Keep digging lad.

[Martinho II]

Well done on finding Bangor.

But this is your problem. I never said Bangor was in Belfast. I said it was in Greater Belfast. Which it is. It's hands down in Belfast's orbit for work, transport, leisure etc etc. Because it is. You're just arguing the toss over this off the back of misreading my original post. And now doubling down on it. Talk about damaging credibility :cool:

Keep digging lad.

Isnt Keith Gillespie from Bangor? How far is Bangor from Belfast city?

[Buller]

A bit off topic but 19 minute drive on google maps.

[EatYerGreens]

A bit off topic but 19 minute drive on google maps.

Bangor is to Belfast what Bray is to Dublin.

[NeverFeltBetter]

I would have said more like Drogheda to Dublin, there's a bit of countryside between them, while Bray is now connected to Dublin by urban sprawl.

[EalingGreen]

Well done on finding Bangor.

But this is your problem. I never said Bangor was in Belfast. I said it was in Greater Belfast. Which it is. It's hands down in Belfast's orbit for work, transport, leisure etc etc. Because it is. You're just arguing the toss over this off the back of misreading my original post. And now doubling down on it. Talk about damaging credibility :cool:

Keep digging lad.Oh ffs!

You observed that NI was unusual in that aside from Belfast and Derry, there were no medium sized towns, only small towns of 20k-30k.

I pointed out that the population of Bangor is just over 60k, causing you to try to claim that it isn't a separate town, it's really just part of "Greater Belfast".

Which for anyone who's ever actually been to the two, is total ******.

Bangor is a town in its own right, 15 miles from Belfast out the Dual Carriageway, with other towns, fields and coast in between, end of.

And I've no doubt if you were to ask the people of Lisburn (pop. 45k) whether they were McCooey's too, they'd tell you to sod off:
"Formerly a borough, Lisburn was granted city status in 2002 as part of Queen Elizabeth II's Golden jubilee celebrations. It is the third-largest city in Northern Ireland. Lisburn is one of the constituent cities that make up the Dublin-Belfast corridor region which has a population of just under 3 million."

[EalingGreen]

I would have said more like Drogheda to Dublin, there's a bit of countryside between them, while Bray is now connected to Dublin by urban sprawl.Does that mean Drogheda is no longer a town in its own right?

Or do we need to ask The Great Geographer, EYG?

[EatYerGreens]

Oh ffs!

You observed that NI was unusual in that aside from Belfast and Derry, there were no medium sized towns, only small towns of 20k-30k.

I pointed out that the population of Bangor is just over 60k, causing you to try to claim that it isn't a separate town, it's really just part of "Greater Belfast".

Which for anyone who's ever actually been to the two, is total ******.

Bangor is a town in its own right, 15 miles from Belfast out the Dual Carriageway, with other towns, fields and coast in between, end of.

And I've no doubt if you were to ask the people of Lisburn (pop. 45k) whether they were McCooey's too, they'd tell you to sod off:
"Formerly a borough, Lisburn was granted city status in 2002 as part of Queen Elizabeth II's Golden jubilee celebrations. It is the third-largest city in Northern Ireland. Lisburn is one of the constituent cities that make up the Dublin-Belfast corridor region which has a population of just under 3 million."

Jesus - you'd find a way to pick an argument in an empty room. And still manage to lose it.

The irony is that when I made the original post about Greater Belfast, I was going to put in brackets afterwards that I was including Bangor in that. But I didn't think that needed to be spelled out. An important lesson for me there on giving the idiot tendency on here too much credit..

I officially give up trying.

[RathfarnhamHoop]

If you count Hollywood as the edge of Belfast then Bangor is about 6.5 km from it, even if you don't it's only 10.5km. I say only because Drogheda is 30 km from the m50 which on the Northside anyway is the edge of Dublin.

There isn't really a comparable area in Dublin especially since the sprawl on the Southside is so big but Maynooth is 9 km from Lucan and Swords is 4km from the m50 (all edge to edge) and they'd both be considered Greater Dublin really, Swords more so than Maynooth.


It's also worth pointing out that technically Dublin City is just area covered by DCC and not SDCC, Fingal CC or DLR so the actual comparable area to Bangor for people of a certain era would be Cabinteely sort of area. Just ask any bohs fan, they're experts in the subject sure ;)

[EatYerGreens]

Does that mean Drogheda is no longer a town in its own right?

Or do we need to ask The Great Geographer, EYG?

Still he keeps digging...

The irony of you critiquing anyone else's geography when you couldn't even tell where Bangor is :D. Epic Mastercard stuff.

[RathfarnhamHoop]

Important to note that continue Linfield to roll out Pat Fenlon when the AIL is mentioned. Social distancing by Linfield at its best. ;)

The NIFL is and run a league. They can't have a position on the AIL. :confused:

The IFA don't control the NIFL, therefore they can't lose control it.

I think it's fairly obvious that I meant the NIFL as in the clubs in it. The IFA absolutely do control the NIFL, same way the SFA control the SPFL and the FAI control the LOI. They don't directly run it but they have an enormous amount of control over it that would be seriously diluted in an AIL.

[EalingGreen]

Still he keeps digging...

The irony of you critiquing anyone else's geography when you couldn't even tell where Bangor is :D. Epic Mastercard stuff.Have you ever been to Bangor?

Nobody, but nobody in the town considers it to be in Belfast or "Greater Belfast" [sic].

It is a separate town in its own right, end of and for you to insist otherwise marks you for an idiot.

[nigel-harps1954]

This is taking the All-Ireland League thread to new levels of ridiculous..

[Nesta99]

Note to Mr Lucid, add a new section to the AIL proposal - agreement on geography! We are kind of screwed on the whole AIL thing when fans are 'discussing' where the location of places are and how they are classified.

[Buller]

Note to Mr Lucid, add a new section to the AIL proposal - agreement on geography! We are kind of screwed on the whole AIL thing when fans are 'discussing' where the location of places are and how they are classified.

I can understand now why the clubs couldn't agree on almost anything in the restart talks...

[Mr_Parker]

I think it's fairly obvious that I meant the NIFL as in the clubs in it. The IFA absolutely do control the NIFL, same way the SFA control the SPFL and the FAI control the LOI. They don't directly run it but they have an enormous amount of control over it that would be seriously diluted in an AIL.

You actually make my point for me in your reply. They don't control the NIFL, they only control some aspects as they do with all members of the IFA. They certainly don't have "enormous control". I suggest you read the IFA Articles and NIFL Constitution.

Can you give examples of this "serious" dilution of powers that would come from Lucid's proposal?

[samhaydenjr]

Oh ffs!

You observed that NI was unusual in that aside from Belfast and Derry, there were no medium sized towns, only small towns of 20k-30k.

I pointed out that the population of Bangor is just over 60k, causing you to try to claim that it isn't a separate town, it's really just part of "Greater Belfast".

Which for anyone who's ever actually been to the two, is total ******.

Bangor is a town in its own right, 15 miles from Belfast out the Dual Carriageway, with other towns, fields and coast in between, end of.

And I've no doubt if you were to ask the people of Lisburn (pop. 45k) whether they were McCooey's too, they'd tell you to sod off:
"Formerly a borough, Lisburn was granted city status in 2002 as part of Queen Elizabeth II's Golden jubilee celebrations. It is the third-largest city in Northern Ireland. Lisburn is one of the constituent cities that make up the Dublin-Belfast corridor region which has a population of just under 3 million."

Crikey, in Alternative Ulster, Stiff Little Fingers sang "OK, so there's the Trident in Bangor/And then you walk back to the city.” - that's a heck of a hike after a night out at a punk nightclub

[nigel-harps1954]

Crikey, in Alternative Ulster, Stiff Little Fingers sang "OK, so there's the Trident in Bangor/And then you walk back to the city.” - that's a heck of a hike after a night out at a punk nightclub

I wish I could thank this post twice, just for the reference.

[Hitman]

Crikey, in Alternative Ulster, Stiff Little Fingers sang "OK, so there's the Trident in Bangor/And then you walk back to the city.” - that's a heck of a hike after a night out at a punk nightclub

Maybe they planned to have a couple of naps on the way back.

[pateen]

I'm bored now Ted

[EatYerGreens]

Maybe they planned to have a couple of naps on the way back.

Only if they were getting their music from Napster.

I'll get my coat.

[NeverFeltBetter]

Whatever about where this goes, it's encouraging to see so many clubs expressing interest in exploring the idea in greater detail: https://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2020/0720/1154518-premier-division-clubs-call-for-all-island-league/

[Nesta99]

The clubs say that should UEFA support the move, and once commercial discussions have taken place and full financial figures are made available, they can then make final decisions about format.

So no when the IFA.FAI back the proposal, clubs are currently and so in advance of backing want 'full financial figures made available'. Prudent and sensible to know what the financial implications are in advance of any decision or committment. I cant see UEFA saying anything other than we wont get in the way, maybe with a few guidelines.

[Buller]

Whatever about where this goes, it's encouraging to see so many clubs expressing interest in exploring the idea in greater detail: https://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2020/0720/1154518-premier-division-clubs-call-for-all-island-league/

Yeah very encouraging to see 10 of 12 NI premiership teams send a letter to explore the idea.

An absolute no brainer to see to see if the Hypercube suggestions are correct regarding commercial value.
If they're not, we reject and nothing is lost.
If they are correct, the money would revolutionise football on the island.
I dont see what there is to be scared of?

[EatYerGreens]

Yeah very encouraging to see 10 of 12 NI premiership teams send a letter to explore the idea.

An absolute no brainer to see to see if the Hypercube suggestions are correct regarding commercial value.
If they're not, we reject and nothing is lost.
If they are correct, the money would revolutionise football on the island.
I dont see what there is to be scared of?

Agree.

Plus the idea will hang around endlessly like a bad smell until it's either proven or disproved, and so would be a constant distraction. Makes sense to try to resolve it one way or the other for the foreseeable future, and then all move on as appropriate.

[Mr_Parker]

The need for financials is nothing more than a red herring. Lucid and co have already confirmed on numerous occasions that they have already discussed with broadcasters, potential sponsors and others. They do not need UEFA's blessing to detail those to clubs. However they remain under wraps I clouding the terms of the tv deals they said would be available.

A Trojan horse to keep a dying process alive imo.

[Martinho II]

Imo this corona virus could be the making of this nation both north and south. I am delighted to hear this is gaining more and more support. Look at how successful the all island league is with rugby(I am not into rugby so I might phrase it wrong).
My only concern is the lower leagues north and south would we be marginalised?

[pineapple stu]

First Division is pretty marginalised as it is tbh. Not sure how much worse it could get.

[EatYerGreens]

The need for financials is nothing more than a red herring. Lucid and co have already confirmed on numerous occasions that they have already discussed with broadcasters, potential sponsors and others. They do not need UEFA's blessing to detail those to clubs. However they remain under wraps I clouding the terms of the tv deals they said would be available.

A Trojan horse to keep a dying process alive imo.

We get that you don't support an AIL.

The overwhelming majority of top level clubs on the island want to hear UEFA's opinion on it all.

Let's just hear what Geneva has to say. If you're so confident the whole idea is a non-runner, you should have nothing to fear from it being investigated further.

[EatYerGreens]

First Division is pretty marginalised as it is tbh. Not sure how much worse it could get.

Probably even more so in the north too.

[Nesta99]

The need for financials is nothing more than a red herring. Lucid and co have already confirmed on numerous occasions that they have already discussed with broadcasters, potential sponsors and others. They do not need UEFA's blessing to detail those to clubs. However they remain under wraps I clouding the terms of the tv deals they said would be available.

A Trojan horse to keep a dying process alive imo.

If clubs have sought more financial details and Lucid is keeping things under wraps, it isnt a red herring for the clubs surely!? I dont see how its a Trojan horse either unless people within clubs are part of Lucid's group and are using their position to push Lucid's plan. Bit different than clubs that like the proposals wanting to keep things on the agenda. UEFA have now been mentioned in both letters, they may not need to sanction the competition but its obviously felt that they have some role to play.

[Charlie Darwin]

First Division is pretty marginalised as it is tbh. Not sure how much worse it could get.
Shamrock Rovers could enter a third team in it.

[Buller]

Shamrock Rovers could enter a third team in it.

Might not be a bad idea actually, could give the U17's a good opportunity to test themselves early at senior level.

[Nesta99]

At that rate the u10s will be getting an opportunity to test themselves early at senior level

[EatYerGreens]

At that rate the u10s will be getting an opportunity to test themselves early at senior level

"They think it's all Rovers ! It is now..."

[Buller]

At that rate the u10s will be getting an opportunity to test themselves early at senior level

Yeah thatd be great exposure for our young players, but a fourth Rovers team might be pushing it though! Let's not go crazy Nesta... :D

[Nesta99]

Yeah thatd be great exposure for our young players, but a fourth Rovers team might be pushing it though! Let's not go crazy Nesta... :D

Too late as that genie is well out of the bottle! (just in case I wasnt being serious about the u10 or having a go at Rovers).

[Mr_Parker]

We get that you don't support an AIL.

The overwhelming majority of top level clubs on the island want to hear UEFA's opinion on it all.

Let's just hear what Geneva has to say. If you're so confident the whole idea is a non-runner, you should have nothing to fear from it being investigated further.

I have previously stated that I favour an AIL. Just by tagging an idea with AIL, doesn't mean that I should jump at such an idea.

Btw, if you are waiting on an answer from Geneva, then you might be waiting a long time. ;)

[Source]

It looks like the IFA may be having a change of heart. It looks like regional leagues will be the way to go in future for smaller countries. https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sunday-life/sport/all-ireland-league-plan-now-backed-by-ifa-and-fai-in-dramatic-change-of-heart-by-governing-bodies-40272822.html

[Nesta99]

It looks like the IFA may be having a change of heart. It looks like regional leagues will be the way to go in future for smaller countries. https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sunday-life/sport/all-ireland-league-plan-now-backed-by-ifa-and-fai-in-dramatic-change-of-heart-by-governing-bodies-40272822.html

A lot boils down to this turning heads 'Sunday Life Sport has been told that a new All-Ireland League backed by UEFA, the IFA and the FAI will bring in significantly more finance than the Lucid proposal' and actually showing clubs evidence of funding.

[Bucket]

I'd rather a third party was involved. Anything the FAI do will be a shambles.

[sadloserkid]

Lucid seemed nothing but a bluffer at best though. The extent of his research seemed to be "we'll make X amount of money because of course we will and it would be nice to," whatever about the merits of an All-Ireland league he's no loss. I always thought it was telling too that he was unwilling to get involved with the current setup and try to build from there.

[Bucket]

Or invest any of his own money to get it off the ground

[Kiki Balboa]

Does anybody know any place to read the Norn Irish perspective on the All Ireland league? From reading about it , I thought the football fans in the North would welcome it, but plenty of the hanger on's (the lads who support Rangers over Irish football and were rioting last night) would be hard against it..... but I have no clue really.

[MU1889]

Does anybody know any place to read the Norn Irish perspective on the All Ireland league? From reading about it , I thought the football fans in the North would welcome it, but plenty of the hanger on's (the lads who support Rangers over Irish football and were rioting last night) would be hard against it..... but I have no clue really.

The Irish League Supporters Forum is a good place to start, there is a lengthy thread about the prospect of an AIL in the general section, and there's also a few threads within some clubs' sections for more club-specific reaction.

There are a couple of groups on Facebook as well - occasionally there's a sudden outbreak of reasoned debate amidst the 'Irish League Fans' Facebook group, so it might be worth a look. The other main group 'Irish League Banter' is best avoided unless you like incessant posts about the Old Firm.

As for my own take on it - I'm not against the idea of having an All-Ireland League, but I just don't think it would be the best thing to do by my club (Glenavon). In my opinion, clubs like ourselves, Ballymena, Coleraine, Cliftonville etc. don't really have a great deal to gain from an AIL - in all likelihood, they will take turns at being 'yo-yo' clubs between the top two divisions, with maybe an occasional excursion into mid-table if things are going well.

Those clubs might put themselves under significant financial strain to stay in an AIL Premier Division, or else they'll play in a regionalised second tier that may be of a standard that is no better than what currently exists.

If I was a Linfield or Glentoran supporter, I'd probably support an AIL, because those clubs do have the potential to become 'superclubs' in an Irish context, along with Rovers, Dundalk etc. For what it's worth, I would happily support the creation of a proper All-Ireland cup competition - if nothing else, the away days would be mighty.

[Mr_Parker]

It looks like the IFA may be having a change of heart. It looks like regional leagues will be the way to go in future for smaller countries. https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sunday-life/sport/all-ireland-league-plan-now-backed-by-ifa-and-fai-in-dramatic-change-of-heart-by-governing-bodies-40272822.html

Before anyone gets carried away, you should go back and read the headline and contrast it with the actual content.

[Buller]

Or invest any of his own money to get it off the ground

Was the feasibility study he funded Hypercube to conduct was free of charge?

[Bucket]

I can't say. I didn't see the invoice.

[sadloserkid]

If the findings of the report were anything to go by he'd probably have gotten change back on a tenner.