Shamrock Rovers entering a team in Div 1 next season

[Mr A]

Note that it isn't just the first division clubs opposed to this. I know of a number of premier clubs also. If we can't trust the NLEC to represent what the clubs want, and have made known to them, then we have yet another major problem in the LOI.

[dundalkfc10]

Because the People who run Dundalk are not small minded begrudge-rs
Every club can apply to enter a B team if they like
Max 3 players allowed drop down.
Yes thats right everyone knows Dundalks squad is way weaker than Rovers and everyone else.
This is not about the squad , it is about giving the Academy players a further development path.

When did I say that, I said Rovers have more players in their squad than Dundalk, after your dig saying "Poor Dundalk with their wafer thin squad"

This is why you cannot have a debate with you, same with every thread your in.

[sbgawa]

Bloody phone !
When u said rovers had more players then dundalk I took that to mean u were saying you were at a disadvantage with a smaller squad.
I was being facetious by saying yes dundalks squad is weaker as no one could believe that,.
Dundalk have two proper senior pros in every position and no need to worry about rovers.
I am actually complimenting the people who run your club as they are way above the petty crap coming out from Cabo etc.
Daniel McDonnell writes a pretty balanced article in the indo this evening on this.

[DCWA]

It is quite simple for the first division clubs if they are united against rovers b being in the league then make it clear they won’t fulfill fixtures against them and that’s the end of it.

[sbgawa]

We will see i guess.
I haven't seen one logical argument against it.
The fairness argument isn't an argument as is it fair that Derry have a bigger budget then Finn harps? No but that's life.
If the objective of the league is to be fair to cabo we are all in trouble.

[dundalkfc10]

We will see i guess.
I haven't seen one logical argument against it.
The fairness argument isn't an argument as is it fair that Derry have a bigger budget then Finn harps? No but that's life.
If the objective of the league is to be fair to cabo we are all in trouble.

Sure why dont Dundalk play in it too and what ever of or 2nd 11 dont make the match day squad can play with B team the next day to make sure they are match sharp for the next A teams game

[sbgawa]

If they go through the legitimate channels I wouldn't have a problem. How could I?
I don't think that is the way to do it though better to have a development squad from your academy. But that would be up to dundalk or any other club

[Ezeikial]

Because the People who run Dundalk are not small minded begrudge-rs
Every club can apply to enter a B team if they like
Max 3 players allowed drop down.
Yes thats right everyone knows Dundalks squad is way weaker than Rovers and everyone else.
This is not about the squad , it is about giving the Academy players a further development path.

If this was only about Academy players, there would be no facility for 3 / 4 players to interchange between the premier and first division squads

[sbgawa]

I should have said primarily academy. Same rules as the last time and again open to every club to apply.

[dundalkfc10]

I should have said primarily academy. Same rules as the last time and again open to every club to apply.

Dont think it will happen anyway, Drogheda especially are not having it at all

[sbgawa]

They can play in the leinster senior league if they arent happy with the LOI rules

[Asterix]

The league/FAI should do whats best for players. Having 20 or so young lads playing LOI football is the right call to make. Id prefer an u21 league with all clubs putting a team into it but I imagine clubs are against that idea more than they're against Rovers B team.

[Mr A]

I haven't seen one logical argument against it.


The first division clubs have experience of this exact scenario before and are against its return. Surely the league should actually listen to the clubs involved?

I remember the games against the B side. They were horrible. I am in no way surprised clubs don't want them back.

[MKMK]

rovers B did ok when they were in the league and had certainly improved throughout the season. Mainly made up of U19's.Pity they did not keep the team going. The league has to be fair and the fact that the first division clubs cannot vote on structures is wrong. If the LOI is to imporove it has cover all clubs and not just the top 2/3 who by the way should be congratulated on their performances and success. The new structures at underage level have to have and end goal and it cannot just be to get across the water. We need a successful league over 2 divisions to allow these young players to progress their their careers.
I would certainly hope that a revamped FAI would take an active and suppotive role in improving the league of Irelans as it is the pinnacle of soccer in this country

[sbgawa]

I actually think it would be different this time, the last time it was poorly thought out and executed.
This time around (if what is being said is to be believed) it will be the cream of the academy (+ a couple of pros needing a game) and might draw a decent crowd (at home anyway).
respect your view but i think because it did'nt work once isn't a convincing argument not to try again.

[disgruntled]

I'd much prefer an under 21 / 23 League with maybe 2 or 3 over age players allowed in any one game but I can't see that happening any time soon 😏

[nigel-harps1954]

I'd prefer to see some sort of third tier north/south reserve league alongside junior/intermediate teams who aren't quite ready for the step up to the First Division. Would largely consist of under-23 players, allowing 2 or 3 first team squad players in each match day squad.

They could call it the A Championship or something.

[disgruntled]

They can play in the leinster senior league if they arent happy with the LOI rules

What if another LOI club not from the Leinster area decide to run a B team ?
Where would that team play ?

[disgruntled]

I'd prefer to see some sort of third tier north/south reserve league alongside junior/intermediate teams who aren't quite ready for the step up to the First Division. Would largely consist of under-23 players, allowing 2 or 3 first team squad players in each match day squad.

They could call it the A Championship or something.

Wasn't something like that tried out already but the clubs didn't want it ?
Personally I'd like to see a pyramid system running in this country from the very top right down to the local leagues.

[sbgawa]

What if another LOI club not from the Leinster area decide to run a B team ?
Where would that team play ?

Well Galway play in the Leinster Championship in the Hurling so if its good enough for them :)
Come to think of it maybe we should ask London and New York to enter teams

[disgruntled]

Well Galway play in the Leinster Championship in the Hurling so if its good enough for them :)
Come to think of it maybe we should ask London and New York to enter teams

None of them foreign games on here if you don't mind.
The LOI says No No No :p

[Longfordian]

I'd prefer to see some sort of third tier north/south reserve league alongside junior/intermediate teams who aren't quite ready for the step up to the First Division. Would largely consist of under-23 players, allowing 2 or 3 first team squad players in each match day squad.

They could call it the A Championship or something.

Perhaps a League of Ireland 'B' Division

[Brusher]

Speaking of League of Ireland B..anybody remember Gentex ? They played in the B Division was it the '90's ? Perennial whipping boys, if I recall correctly.

[sbgawa]

Limerick to be in the league with underage squads for next year according to Daniel McDonnell , excellent news !

[nigel-harps1954]

Wasn't something like that tried out already but the clubs didn't want it ?

That's sort of the point I was getting at.

Clubs want rid of reserve division that acts as a third tier, but they also want to put a reserve team in the second tier.

I think, if anything, this whole debacle should reopen the A Championship debate.

[nigel-harps1954]

Shamrock Rovers B officially in the First Division now. Discussion over, close the thread.

[EatYerGreens]

Let's call this what it is - a symbol of the failure of senior football in Ireland to attract anyone else to join it.

Up until about 10 years ago there were regularly clubs with their eye on joining the LOI. The vacancies that arose frequently in the league didn't stay open for long before replacements were found. Mullingar even had 2 clubs (Athletic and United) in an arms race between themselves to try to join the league about 15yrs ago, and both still lost out to Kildare (from memory) at the time.

Fast forward to the last few years and now NO-ONE wants to join the LOI. The First Division is already 2 clubs short of where it should be, and Limierick dropping out has left it 3 short and in the oirganisationally awkward position of containing an odd number of teams. And all because the FAI has made it financial suicide to step up to the senior game.

So thanks to our friends at Abbotstown the line to join the League of Ireland has been turned from a bunfight into a desert in less than a decade. Bravo Delaney and Co. Bravo (* insert ironic slow hand clap meme *).

[Martinho II]

Maybe the time has come to merge the top flight and bottom flight cut the dead wood from it. Put the dead wood in the LOI B along with the teams that are looking to make the stepup along with the different LOI B sides. Thats how we got into the loi in the first place as we were in the LOI B for four seasons before making the stepup. That worked well for years maybe we should revert back to this format.

[EatYerGreens]

Maybe the time has come to merge the top flight and bottom flight cut the dead wood from it. Put the dead wood in the LOI B along with the teams that are looking to make the stepup along with the different LOI B sides. Thats how we got into the loi in the first place as we were in the LOI B for four seasons before making the stepup. That worked well for years maybe we should revert back to this format.

None of that would address the fundamental problem though. Which is that the FAI have made stepping up to the senior game too great a risk for intermediate clubs.

Until prize money is increased and/or, participation costs reduced (including fines) then why would any club risk their current set up to enter the League of Ireland ?

The Irish League pays a lot less in prize money - but it also charges clubs a lot less to participate. I think I saw a graphic recently which suggests that the net prize fund for the IL is therefore greater than it is in the LOI. Which is absurd on so many levels.

[dundalkfc10]

I can imagine a few statements from 1st Division Clubs to be released soon.

Our friends in Drogheda are not happy at all

[Trainee]

What happens next season as a new limerick fc are aiming to rejoin? If new limerick get a license will rovers be kicked out or 11 team 1st??

[Trainee]

https://m.independent.ie/sport/soccer/league-of-ireland/limerick-united-group-to-field-teams-at-underage-level-with-view-to-senior-league-of-ireland-return-in-2021-38847860.html

[Ezeikial]

What happens next season as a new limerick fc are aiming to rejoin? If new limerick get a license will rovers be kicked out or 11 team 1st??

Rovers B are fickle when it comes to long term commitment stuff

[NeverFeltBetter]

If Limerick United get a license you presume it will be at the expense of Rovers B.

That is if the club's don't kill it off quicker by refusing to play them.

[pineapple stu]

Could it be Limerick and Dundalk B to join the league for 2021?

[Nesta99]

Could it be Limerick and Dundalk B to join the league for 2021?

I cant really see Dundalk adding the expense of a B team. It would be good in terms of getting game time for squad players or those returning from injury of course. But without an extensive academy i dont see much real attraction - I'd rather see 100k spent on some tidy up of the ground!

It makes sense to the Rovers business model of developing academy players for sell on so could justify cost.

[sbgawa]

It's not just sell on to be fair we have trained kids for years and have to let the majority of them go at 18. A pathway is needed .

[Nesta99]

Reading that back it sounded like a bit of a sly dig, wasnt my intention (this time lol).

[sbgawa]

Didnt take it as a dig its the normal honestly held view within the league.
For anyone up around roadstone who sees the kids from 8's up it is really clear that we don't want to have to kick them out at 18 just because they arent ready for the first team.
An extra year or two playing in the first division will help them finish their development to the point they should be ready.

[Nesta99]

Didnt take it as a dig its the normal honestly held view within the league.
For anyone up around roadstone who sees the kids from 8's up it is really clear that we don't want to have to kick them out at 18 just because they arent ready for the first team.
An extra year or two playing in the first division will help them finish their development to the point they should be ready.

I hadnt actually considered that very valid angle. The big difference between Rovers and large schoolboy clubs is the direct route in to the senior game.

[Poor Student]

As a fan of another First Division club I really couldn't care less about Rovers' entering a team in the First. If they have the resources and feel it's of value and it'll aid in the development of talent for Irish football then more power to them. My only concern would be the limitations on first teamers dropping down. This should be limited to window. Even if it weren't I wouldn't lose sleep over it. Is it their intent to play their home games in Tallaght?

[nigel-harps1954]

3pm Saturday kick-offs in Tallaght stadium is a great shout in fairness. Interesting to see how it works for them, but it's certainly very family friendly.

[Martinho II]

3pm Saturday kick-offs in Tallaght stadium is a great shout in fairness. Interesting to see how it works for them, but it's certainly very family friendly.

Compared to 14 season when there was Friday night kickoffs. Great idea this!

[nigel-harps1954]

Compared to 14 season when there was Friday night kickoffs. Great idea this!

B team played Sunday afternoons last time.

[Longfordian]

B team played Sunday afternoons last time.

Definitely played us there on the Friday night, I remember it well.

[Kingswood Rover]

But where will this end up, IF the clubs unanimously decide not to play Rovers B then really thats it

[sbgawa]

Won't happen. Proper procedures have been followed if the club's decide to boycott we might as well give up as the next time the fai try to impose a rule that teams aren't happy with there will be another boycott. Someone has to actually make decisions and run the league even if a minority aren't happy.
Pretty quickly the 2 or 3 clubs who are really against this will be isolated

[disgruntled]

But where will this end up, IF the clubs unanimously decide not to play Rovers B then really thats it

9 LOI clubs to all agree.
That'll be the day 😏

[sidewayspasser]

As soon as walkovers and fines are dished out for not fulfilling fixtures, some clubs will give in and play. Either to avoid the fines or they think they get an advantage over their competitors who haven't played.

The whole handling of this however still smacks of the old regime. Is Fran Gavin still in office? I haven't seen anything about him being replaced.

[Nesta99]

I agree the clubs would cave before the FAI (is even in administration), and tbh for the leaue to function it kinda needs the FAI to stand firm to prevent chaos with such a precedent. That said there needs to be a building of trust where clubs majority decisions get a fair hearing and not be railroaded in to something they dont collectively want.

I was wondering where Gavin fitted in to the whole 'new' FAI as I'd see him very much as part of the old regime yet there is little mention of him. I presumed it was because he was an employee rather than a voting member of the board so escaped the purge!?