Shamrock Rovers entering a team in Div 1 next season

[nigel-harps1954]

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

Who are the minority you speak of?

[sbgawa]

From what i hear, and see in terms of media comments by people from the club's, Cabo are the biggest objector with longford and drogs. Seen nothing from UCD and rovers are playing Galway next weekend.

[gufct]

From what i hear, and see in terms of media comments by people from the club's, Cabo are the biggest objector with longford and drogs. Seen nothing from UCD and rovers are playing Galway next weekend.

Just because we’re playing rovers in a friendly doesn’t mean gufc are in favour of this farce we are 100% against it . The media is totally Dublin centric and don’t want to upset the shams.

[Nesta99]

The simple compromise, if it hasnt been agreed already, is to just not allow senior squad players drop to the B team. I can see why clubs are objecting to a situation where one side could face Rovers II with a Jack Byrne or Ronan Finn one week and maybe a title rival not facing that additional quality a week later. If it is only about prividing a development pathway for academy players to senior football and the squad is set once transfer windows close then I cant see a big problem. If there are other issues for 1st Division clubs i'd be interested in hearing them.

[sbgawa]

There are rules in place and if rovers have gone through the right channels and are prepared to incur the costs they should be allowed the flexibility in the rules , same as any other team. In practise based on the last time I don't see it being an issue.

[Ezeikial]

There are rules in place and if rovers have gone through the right channels and are prepared to incur the costs they should be allowed the flexibility in the rules , same as any other team. In practise based on the last time I don't see it being an issue.

These "rules" are what many are objecting to.

There really is little difference here with say St Pats loaning a player or three to Cabinteely for a match or Georgie Kelly, Brian Gartland and Darragh Leahy lining out for Drogheda ocassionally to keep their fitness up

[SeanDMRooney]

I think ultimately on a very unspoken level what most people feel is that it’s very sad that we can’t muster as few as 20 senior clubs in the country and that the national league fails to represent a good swath of the country currently. I look at the way that the NIFL have grabbed their league by the scruff of the neck in recent years and put a structure in place that seems to work and is a pyramid and is determined to increase standards and make me envious. Their intermediate football project to rationalise the leagues, put a promotion structure in place and have a rational number of intermediate clubs at 68 (?) is an impressive attempt to make necessary changes despite how they might anger some people. I don’t really have a strong feeling about a b team a second team one way or the other but I do think it sends the message that the national league isn’t healthy which it isn’t.

my feeling was that given what a lost year this already likely is for the FAI/the League, it might have better to just get through the First Division season with a blank page view to a long term solution to the struggles of the graveyard division. I look the way they are doing promotion in Pro D2 in Rugby in France currently as a means of achieving genuine regional representation in a pyramid system. I don’t know what the answers to any of the questions around the first division are, I just know that this doesn’t feel like it

[Nesta99]

Licencing is a bit of a contradiction here, as system to increase standards but serves to be prohibitive to new regional clubs stepping up. Participation fees also when a club is already taking on the financial burden of running a senior team. The abortive efforts of Kildare County, efforts in Mullingar to make the step up but were blocked. Applications from Tralee that were rejected maybe legitimately but it gives the impression of a closed shop. The folding of established teams like Limerick, Monaghan, Kilkenny, a moneybag club like Fingal with European income and folding also, emphasises the risk involved. Throw in the determination in some quarters not to align league seasons etc etc. We all know the issues and have spoken about the ad nauseum but its clear why we struggle to attract clubs to step up. There is a silver bullet that doesnt look likely to happen any time soon and that is to make league membership a financial positive for prospective clubs via 'prizemoney'. Until it happens all the will in the world, effective administration, restructuring to create a pyrimad wont make the LoI any more attractive. In saying all that it should be possible to lay some groundwork by (re)creating a system whereby intermediate clubs play beneath the senior leagues but opt out of promotion until such time as support for a transition to the senior league is there. Have we moved past the old intermediate club attitude that there is little difference between the standard of their leagues and LoI? All old hat I know.

[Charlie Darwin]

Have we moved past the old intermediate club attitude that there is little difference between the standard of their leagues and LoI? All old hat I know.
There are very few intermediate clubs that would argue that, to be fair. The standard of the LOI has gone up and amateur football is haemorrhaging players over the age of 23.

[outspoken]

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

Was definitely the Sunday because it was the only game I missed that season with work. We lost. First team to lose to them

[Mr A]

Good piece from Neil O Riordan on this. https://www.thesun.ie/sport/football/4985097/fai-shamrock-rovers-b-league-of-ireland-first-division/

[disgruntled]

Good piece from Neil O Riordan on this. https://www.thesun.ie/sport/football/4985097/fai-shamrock-rovers-b-league-of-ireland-first-division/

Since then, all First Division clubs came together, voiced their strong opposition and expressed their preference to have only nine of them in the league this year."They say they are not there to help top-flight clubs ‘develop their players at First Division clubs’ expense’."

LOI clubs talking to each other ?
That'll be a first.

Not there to help top flight clubs ?
No but they'll happily take their players when the top flight clubs release them because they have no where to play them :)

Most LOI clubs aren't in any position to help anyone & the 1st Div is as bad as it gets. They can't even help themselves.

I do however agree that the rules that apply to the 1st Div clubs should apply to all 1st Div clubs whether they are B teams or not. You can't have one team operating to a different set of rules compared to the rest of the clubs in that division.You just can't have B teams bringing in players from their Premier Div squads whenever they want if that is to be the situation ?

[Mr A]

Clubs talking to each other is a good thing that should be welcomed. A majority of league clubs, never mind just first division clubs are against this. The fact that clubs are struggling makes it more important that ill thought out changes are not imposed on them, not less.

[disgruntled]

Clubs talking to each other is a good thing that should be welcomed. A majority of league clubs, never mind just first division clubs are against this. The fact that clubs are struggling makes it more important that ill thought out changes are not imposed on them, not less.

Absolutely agree.
For a hundred years LOI clubs have pis**d on each other & the results are clear to see today.
I had high hopes for the PCA but it seems to have gone nowhere.
I also think that any club organisation like the PCA should represent all clubs in LOI competition & not just the Premier Div.

The problem with football in Ireland is that its all Me Me Me.
Clubs are so concerned with their own little corner that they can't see the big picture.
What results is the disorganised & chaotic state that we see today.

[Bunny Kelly]

I think long term we will have more B teams given the underage structure & clubs having to release players at the end of the player pathway. And to be honest I don't mind it if gives an avenue for these players to go on playing.

While it didn't work at the time as the B teams for all clubs was a bit forced, but bring back the A Championship as 3rd tier, you can have your B teams & an avenue for all 'new clubs' in the underage set up to ease into the LOI with proper promotion/relegation to the First Division.

I actually think there might an attraction to an all amateur 3rd tier, basically a junior club operating at a national level but not having to overextend, a more suitable home for Wexford & Athlone than their current situation but a chance to grow & get promoted to the first when they get their house in order

[NeverFeltBetter]

If Pat O'Sullivan has his way tomorrow the FD clubs might get their wish. I wonder if the legal process could delay the start of the season?

[Martinho II]

If Pat O'Sullivan has his way tomorrow the FD clubs might get their wish. I wonder if the legal process could delay the start of the season?

Wouldnt be surprised to say the least. I think POS has a very strong case tbh.

[SeanDMRooney]

:eek: https://twitter.com/lewi_shaw18/status/1217882387473948672?s=21

[sbgawa]

:eek: https://twitter.com/lewi_shaw18/status/1217882387473948672?s=21

LOL LOL not a chance

[Martinho II]

LOL LOL not a chance

link to tweet doenst work any more. What was said?

[NeverFeltBetter]

That Sham's were preparing to pull the B team out of the First Division at some point in the next week and a half.

[nigel-harps1954]

Because Lee Bolger told Lewis Shaw.

And so it was written.

[Olander]

Because Lee Bolger told Lewis Shaw.

And so it was written.
I don't get the weird fascination with this lad in LOI circles, like he's some sort of celebrity. He runs a LOI facebook page, so what?

I was told he is a Shamrock Rovers fan, but he does the media for Drogheda United??? That's an extremely odd situation. Then you see him posting nonsense like that and proceeding to name the source. Didn't he say a striker was signing for Shamrock Rovers recently and then posted a picture of his brother instead? :D

[Nesta99]

I don't get the weird fascination with this lad in LOI circles, like he's some sort of celebrity. He runs a LOI facebook page, so what?

I was told he is a Shamrock Rovers fan, but he does the media for Drogheda United??? That's an extremely odd situation. Then you see him posting nonsense like that and proceeding to name the source. Didn't he say a striker was signing for Shamrock Rovers recently and then posted a picture of his brother instead? :D

Is it? Certainly one of the main media contributors at Dundalk is a (former) Monaghan United fan and a Dundalk fan was media officer at Limerick for a few years. I'd have though it was common enough for people to park club allegiences and work for another club. Everyone would want to be at their own club!

[Olander]

Is it? Certainly one of the main media contributors at Dundalk is a (former) Monaghan United fan and a Dundalk fan was media officer at Limerick for a few years. I'd have though it was common enough for people to park club allegiences and work for another club. Everyone would want to be at their own club!
If it's a voluntary role, then yes it is weird. If you were being paid to do it professionally, then I think that's probably something a bit different and I think that applies to some of the examples you made.

[nigel-harps1954]

I don't get the weird fascination with this lad in LOI circles, like he's some sort of celebrity. He runs a LOI facebook page, so what?

I was told he is a Shamrock Rovers fan, but he does the media for Drogheda United??? That's an extremely odd situation. Then you see him posting nonsense like that and proceeding to name the source. Didn't he say a striker was signing for Shamrock Rovers recently and then posted a picture of his brother instead? :D

There's a weird fascination with him alright. He's a young fella that copies and pastes news into his group page and people reckon he should be in a role within the league for it..hardly groundbreaking stuff.

Although, in fairness to him, he's a good lad. He's only 17 or 18, and has done well out of that group.

[EatYerGreens]

If it's a voluntary role, then yes it is weird. If you were being paid to do it professionally, then I think that's probably something a bit different and I think that applies to some of the examples you made.

He's an 18 year old trying to get some experience on his CV in an industry he's obviously passionate about.

If only more young people had the same drive and enthusiasm tbh.

I'm sure he'd have jumped at a similar role had Rovers been willing to offer one. Drogs saw a chance to get someone with a record of action to help them out for free. And Lewis gets some experience on his CV whilst still being at school. A win-win for all involved - and not at all weird.

[Nesta99]

The more the merrier! There are a few young lads doing their own league analysis vlogs and its great to see the interest they have in the league. Some of them are pretty good too, different times but I couldnt have seen myself at 14 or so getting stuck in to analysis especially of the wider league. Dan McDonnell certainly carved out a great career with cutting his teeth with Orielweb among others.

[Ezeikial]

Shamrock Rovers considering request to only field Under-21s and younger in 'B' team


It’s just one potential solution to the First Division crisis on the table ahead of the new season

https://www.irishmirror.ie/sport/soccer/soccer-news/shamrock-rovers-considering-request-only-21437934

Changing the arrangement where Rovers first team players can move freely between the divisions and play in both teams is an obvious solution to the impasse.

[outspoken]

https://www.irishmirror.ie/sport/soccer/soccer-news/shamrock-rovers-considering-request-only-21437934

Changing the arrangement where Rovers first team players can move freely between the divisions and play in both teams is an obvious solution to the impasse.

It's not really the FD clubs who care about rovers getting an advantage that's more of a PD club issue. FD clubs are clear they see the involvement of a reserve team as an insult to the league and while I'd much rather 10 teams than 9 I fully agree with them and they shouldn't back down on this, the entire process has been wrong.

[dundalkfc10]

It's not really the FD clubs who care about rovers getting an advantage that's more of a PD club issue. FD clubs are clear they see the involvement of a reserve team as an insult to the league and while I'd much rather 10 teams than 9 I fully agree with them and they shouldn't back down on this, the entire process has been wrong.

Its not just an issue to PD clubs, its a clear unfair sporting advantage which cannot be allowed happen.

[Bunny Kelly]

I think you should have your squad until transfer window & can then rotate players in & out. One week you have the 3 best players in the division in the team, next week it is just kids, that doesn't seem fair.

If they were allowed to move between squads should Rovers II have to announce their squad the day before? I'm guessing oppo game planning would be quite different if the knew some top players were dropping down

[Ezeikial]

It's not really the FD clubs who care about rovers getting an advantage that's more of a PD club issue. FD clubs are clear they see the involvement of a reserve team as an insult to the league and while I'd much rather 10 teams than 9 I fully agree with them and they shouldn't back down on this, the entire process has been wrong.

I’m far from convinced about this insult hokum.

If the integrity issues surrounding the free movement of players between the squads can be resolved, the main issue is resolved.

[Mr A]

I’m far from convinced about this insult hokum.

If the integrity issues surrounding the free movement of players between the squads can be resolved, the main issue is resolved.

So you reckon the first division clubs are wrong about the impact of a reserve team returning to their division?

[placid casual]

As ever with LOI football, the tail wags the dog.

If the issue with non 1st team players is put forward as a solution, then that's what should be accepted. It is a fair play move that should suit all
As for the 1st division trying desperately to be taken seriously, give me a break. It's the right place for those clubs who don't have their $hit together, for one reason or another. Rovers, dundalk & Shels have all been there in the not too distant past and managed to escape it's clutches. If you don't like your club being there, get off your hole, get people into your club, into your ground and generate some income for them to try and help them GTF out of the division.. until then clubs like Rovers will refuse to bypass an opportunity like this to help the FAI out of a mess the FAI created ( with pi$$poor licensing restrictions) whilst also getting some playing time for their up and coming players. job done.

[Mr A]

I'd argue that in LOI football, whoever the top clubs happen to be at a given time tend to do the wagging.. and this is no exception.

I'd also argue that a healthy second tier should be a priority for the league.. your thinking appears to be that anyone who finds themselves there basically deserves anything they get and they don't get to have a say.

[nigel-harps1954]

As ever with LOI football, the tail wags the dog.

If the issue with non 1st team players is put forward as a solution, then that's what should be accepted. It is a fair play move that should suit all
As for the 1st division trying desperately to be taken seriously, give me a break. It's the right place for those clubs who don't have their $hit together, for one reason or another. Rovers, dundalk & Shels have all been there in the not too distant past and managed to escape it's clutches. If you don't like your club being there, get off your hole, get people into your club, into your ground and generate some income for them to try and help them GTF out of the division.. until then clubs like Rovers will refuse to bypass an opportunity like this to help the FAI out of a mess the FAI created ( with pi$$poor licensing restrictions) whilst also getting some playing time for their up and coming players. job done.

That's an incredibly horrible take on the First Division.

[ArFella]

As ever with LOI football, the tail wags the dog.

If the issue with non 1st team players is put forward as a solution, then that's what should be accepted. It is a fair play move that should suit all
As for the 1st division trying desperately to be taken seriously, give me a break. It's the right place for those clubs who don't have their $hit together, for one reason or another. Rovers, dundalk & Shels have all been there in the not too distant past and managed to escape it's clutches. If you don't like your club being there, get off your hole, get people into your club, into your ground and generate some income for them to try and help them GTF out of the division.. until then clubs like Rovers will refuse to bypass an opportunity like this to help the FAI out of a mess the FAI created ( with pi$$poor licensing restrictions) whilst also getting some playing time for their up and coming players. job done.

Wow I know Rovers fans can be cocky at times but this is incredible... Serious bang of Fine Gael off this, just replace 'first division clubs' with 'homeless people' and you'd have an election manifesto Eoghan Murphy would be proud of.

[Bunny Kelly]

In fairness the first div has a mix of progressive clubs & glorified junior clubs that would be better suited in a third tier.

I actually have no problem with Athlone, Wexford, (Cobh/Cabo, depending on a given season) keeping a national presence but they would be better suited for an amateur third tier (which I think you might have more interest in from other clubs looking to step up).

There shouldn't be any problem with Rovers II as long as no players dropping down. Giving young Dublin players an opportunity & bringing no away support, is it any different to what Kilkenny, Wexford, Athlone, Kildare did/do?

[ToberonaTornado]

Amazing clap trap crap.
Some troll.your best work by a mile,and that takes some doing!

[Briuk]

https://www.irishmirror.ie/sport/soccer/soccer-news/shamrock-rovers-considering-request-only-21437934

Changing the arrangement where Rovers first team players can move freely between the divisions and play in both teams is an obvious solution to the impasse.
U21 looks too strict, the team wont be competitive

Why just not copying what works in Spain... U23 teams with a maximum 6 players who can be under 25 (this players can't play for first team)
No possibility to use "A" team players for the "B" team

[Nesta99]

As ever with LOI football, the tail wags the dog.

If the issue with non 1st team players is put forward as a solution, then that's what should be accepted. It is a fair play move that should suit all
As for the 1st division trying desperately to be taken seriously, give me a break. It's the right place for those clubs who don't have their $hit together, for one reason or another. Rovers, dundalk & Shels have all been there in the not too distant past and managed to escape it's clutches. If you don't like your club being there, get off your hole, get people into your club, into your ground and generate some income for them to try and help them GTF out of the division.. until then clubs like Rovers will refuse to bypass an opportunity like this to help the FAI out of a mess the FAI created ( with pi$$poor licensing restrictions) whilst also getting some playing time for their up and coming players. job done.

I get where you're coming from albeit harshly put. Relevant to some clubs more than others, a lot easier said than done and really is an issue for clubs at the top end of the PD also, no?

[placid casual]

I've no wish to offend anyone, but I'm getting a bit sick of hearing from whingein 1st Division clubs declaring "won't someone please notice us". God helps those who help themselves.

As for the guy mentioning comparisons to the blueshirts ambivalence to Ireland's homeless epidemic, you should be ashamed.

[El-Pietro]

I've no wish to offend anyone, but I'm getting a bit sick of hearing from whingein 1st Division clubs declaring "won't someone please notice us". God helps those who help themselves.

As for the guy mentioning comparisons to the blueshirts ambivalence to Ireland's homeless epidemic, you should be ashamed.
This is right out of the Republican Party of Americas playbook. Its worse than Fine Gael.

[Nesta99]

Ouch!!

[Kingswood Rover]

God and blueshirts references ffs its football sometimes i despair.

[disgruntled]

U21 looks too strict, the team wont be competitive

Why just not copying what works in Spain... U23 teams with a maximum 6 players who can be under 25 (this players can't play for first team)
No possibility to use "A" team players for the "B" team

Something like this would work or just have a 1st Div panel of players. No switch of players between the two divisions.
What ever system is chosen must be the same for every team in the division.

[outspoken]

I don't see how rovers B having a youth squad only will solve this problem. FD clubs have been clear they see the entry of a reserve team as cheapening the division and don't want to be in a league in a few times which could be 50% made up of reserve sides (dundalk & Pats have made sounds about it in the past). Speaking to a lot of fans of late and many don't see the league starting on time

[Bunny Kelly]

9 days to go until the supposed start of the First, any update on what is happening? Seems stupidly quiet given how close the league start is

[Zenith]

I think the 6 clubs that weren't awarded licenses last week had until today to rectify any areas they were failing in.