Covid 19 - LOI Ramifications

[sbgawa]

I wonder if dundalk had won in Tallaght how he would feel about it... embarrassing

[Ezeikial]

I wonder if dundalk had won in Tallaght how he would feel about it... embarrassing

His issue appears to be around the proposal to scrap relegation. As far as I am aware Vinny Perth has not raised any objections about continuing with the remaining 13/14 games if promotion/relegation is maintained.

[redobit]

How is it not a level playing field to continue from where the season left off until each team has played each other home and away, for a total of 18 games?

If the FAI turned around after 5 games in any season and said we have decided to cut the season in half no clubs would agree.
Clubs have planned for 36 games, not 18 games over two different stints with a 6 month gap in the middle.
Squads and management could look a lot different after the restart for some clubs.
4 clubs have been given a bit of a head start on training, which I do understand in fairness given their European games.

I doubt it will restart but when you add up all these different changes it seems like a fairly big change in my opinion. Starting again does allow all teams to know exactly where they are and what is required for the number of games set out, same as any proper season. It takes out any argument on promotion/ relegation, look at Scotland too where clubs and SPL could end up in courts over it.

[pineapple stu]

This isn't "any" season though.

This is fairly unprecedented stuff, and precedent has to go out the window. What's even the focus here? It seems to be to get a 2020 season played as quickly and cost-effectively as possible, however, that works out, and hope we can go back to normal in 2021.

On that basis, letting the 5 games already played stand makes sense. It's not an ideal solution of course - but there is no ideal solution here.

[oriel]

Personally speaking I think the results to date should stand, I was always of that opinion. Its only 5 games.

The problem is if there is no relegation, will make a mockery of the matches for half the division, and that can't be allowed to happen.

Also think 13 more is too few to decide a league, and relegation, if it was in scope.

[sbgawa]

Same for everyone though which makes it fair enough. Dundalk
3 points behind with 13 games to go in the season has the makings of an exciting next couple e of months.
Sligo have 13 games to make up 4 points.....

[Ezeikial]

Same for everyone though which makes it fair enough. Dundalk
3 points behind with 13 games to go in the season has the makings of an exciting next couple e of months.
Sligo have 13 games to make up 4 points.....


That sounds like you agree with Vinny Perth on relegation

[Yossarian]

While I personally think this season should be three rounds, if it’s decided that we come back to play only the first and second round then so be it. Everyone will have played each other home and away so there is a symmetry to it. My issue would be no relegation. If it’s decided that the remaining 13/14 games are enough to decide the title then this should also be enough to decide relegation.

[sbgawa]

What I meant was if Sligo can't make up 4 points in 13 games they deserve to go down.
Based on what I saw when we played them I think they have enough about them t o do it

[oriel]

13 more games is just not enough to decide league winners, euro spots and relegation.

Even though it would mean DFC having two away trips and only one home v Rovers, I think I would prefer 22 more games, make it up to 3 rounds of 9 and retain the first 5 results.

Another option is 13 more regular league games, make it up to two rounds (18), then have a split top 5, bottom 5, 4 games in each, draw lots for who is H + A like they do in SPL, so in this case, it would be 17 more games, 13 + 4, total of 22.

For our own case, making up 3 points on Rovers wouldn't worry me too much if only 13 more, but its not fair on those at the bottom, as often its the case teams at the lower end get into better form mid-season.

[oriel]

I wonder if dundalk had won in Tallaght how he would feel about it... embarrassing

You see its not, as I said earlier, its only 3 points, don't be flattering yourself that you are out of sight. This can be reeled in. Almost sure too at the time, that PP had priced both Rovers and DFC at 1/1 after this game.

The non relegation part is the bigger issue, would turn the rest of the games for 50% into almost keep fit matches.

[Martinho II]

To be honest if we do go to two rounds of games can we not have a split league like what we did in the mid 90s with top half competing for the top half and europe and bottom half competing to avoid relegation. Have this as a once off only.

[placid casual]

It's insulting peoples intelligence to suggest that Perth is approaching this from a position that doesn't concern his team, namely relegation. He obviously has little or no faith in his teams ability to overtake Rovers in the league. Cant think Kenny would have been the same way when he was dalk manager.
What it does give Rovers is even more belief that they can take the league this season, irrespective of whether the league is over 18, 36,whatever, fixtures it ends up being.

[dundalkfc10]

It's insulting peoples intelligence to suggest that Perth is approaching this from a position that doesn't concern his team, namely relegation. He obviously has little or no faith in his teams ability to overtake Rovers in the league. Cant think Kenny would have been the same way when he was dalk manager.
What it does give Rovers is even more belief that they can take the league this season, irrespective of whether the league is over 18, 36,whatever, fixtures it ends up being.

Yes I'm sure he thinks 3 points in beyond his ability to pull back. The 13 points last season on the other hand.

Fact of the matter if it is 18 games with 5 played, Dundalk win their 13 games they will win the league

[The Lilywhites]

Cant think Kenny would have been the same way when he was dalk manager.

Wouldn't ever mention Perth in the same line as Kenny. He fell into the job on the back of Kenny. We've gone backwards since he left.

Anyway, if the league resumes it will have to have relegation otherwise it's pretty pointless even bothering restarting this year.

[vinnie]

Yes I'm sure he thinks 3 points in beyond his ability to pull back. The 13 points last season on the other hand.

Fact of the matter if it is 18 games with 5 played, Dundalk win their 13 games they will win the league

And what about Goal difference if Rovers win 12 of 13, I think you've overlooked this part

[Nesta99]

Wouldn't ever mention Perth in the same line as Kenny. He fell into the job on the back of Kenny. We've gone backwards since he left.

Anyway, if the league resumes it will have to have relegation otherwise it's pretty pointless even bothering restarting this year.

It's not blind faith in all the club does but a penalty shootout from a domestic clean sweep? We have had ropy moments in Europe under Kenny and it was a 1st season with going through a round in Europe for VP. I think we added to the squad appropriately to balance domestic comp with the sort of player that will stand to us in Europe. I felt that the coaches dealt remarkably well with a ridiculous injury list first round of the league and for some key players beyond. I dont think we'd be as thin on the ground if by some very bad luck a similar injury crisis hits. Obviously its all up in the air this season on whether there have been improvements made, hopefully we get the chance to see but its a tad harsh an assessment of VP if not at all a tongue in cheek post!?

[The Lilywhites]

There is certainly a lot of seeing only good in what the club/manager does as long as we're winning, with our supporters.

My issues are with the negative style of play and, mainly, player recruitment which is gradually going to see us regress under Perth.

I'm not going to be blind to it because he won a 2-team league and the League Cup. Would the Chris Shields suspension have happened under Kenny? Not a chance! We didn't win a game in Europe and the 6 performances were painful to watch. He said he wanted to tighten us up defensively, fair enough if that's his philosophy, but some of it has been dreadful.

Look at who we've signed since Kenny left, and what players have departed. Kenny's team are getting older now, most in their 30s or hitting their 30s, and I'd have major concerns over Perth's eye for a player. It was basically Kenny's team that won the league last year.

Dummigan (who there seemed to be a specific PR campaign for to lead us to believe he's the best right back who's never played ffs) and McKee (!) were a total waste of time and money.

Murray and Flores both very good players, we can see that when they're fit but the problem is they're hardly ever fit (that's the only reason they're with us so why bother with them). More money wasted given what they're going to contribute over a season.

He's also signed Will Patching, a "moneyball" signing (Perth's words). He isn't even related to a footballer. Nathan Oduwa who's on his 9th club at 24. There's enough in that to avoid him. Why, when spending millions a year, are we risking signing these types of players? Hard to tell on Cammy Smith (loan) and looks like he might be gone already anyway.

Perth has taken credit for signing Daniel Kelly but he was on his way to us anyway. I'll give him Leahy (although if he stood up to the owners maybe we'd still have Jarvis) and Sloggett (still need to see more of him but at least he's LOI proven and generally fit).

I just think in another year or two (if we're still splashing out on a squad like this) it's going to come back and bite us.

It's already evident Rovers have passed us, in my view, but I suppose Perth's future depends on whether the owners are happy as long as we remain in the top 2 and don't fall below that.

I'd have issues with some of the stuff he comes out with in the media too, continually saying "if I can give myself a pat on the back for a minute" etc. Constantly looking for praise and, at other times, trying to come across as some sort of prophet. It's cringe and presents someone who has a chip on his shoulder. Seems he doesn't think he got enough credit for Kenny's success.

To me it says something that Kenny never offered him a role with the Irish setup (considering he wanted Higgins and the kitman(!) with him).

[dundalkfc10]

There is certainly a lot of seeing only good in what the club/manager does as long as we're winning, with our supporters.

My issues are with the negative style of play and, mainly, player recruitment which is gradually going to see us regress under Perth.

I'm not going to be blind to it because he won a 2-team league and the League Cup. Would the Chris Shields suspension have happened under Kenny? Not a chance! We didn't win a game in Europe and the 6 performances were painful to watch. He said he wanted to tighten us up defensively, fair enough if that's his philosophy, but some of it has been dreadful.

Look at who we've signed since Kenny left, and what players have departed. Kenny's team are getting older now, most in their 30s or hitting their 30s, and I'd have major concerns over Perth's eye for a player. It was basically Kenny's team that won the league last year.

Dummigan (who there seemed to be a specific PR campaign for to lead us to believe he's the best right back who's never played ffs) and McKee (!) were a total waste of time and money.

Murray and Flores both very good players, we can see that when they're fit but the problem is they're hardly ever fit (that's the only reason they're with us so why bother with them). More money wasted given what they're going to contribute over a season.

He's also signed Will Patching, a "moneyball" signing (Perth's words). He isn't even related to a footballer. Nathan Oduwa who's on his 9th club at 24. There's enough in that to avoid him. Why, when spending millions a year, are we risking signing these types of players? Hard to tell on Cammy Smith (loan) and looks like he might be gone already anyway.

Perth has taken credit for signing Daniel Kelly but he was on his way to us anyway. I'll give him Leahy (although if he stood up to the owners maybe we'd still have Jarvis) and Sloggett (still need to see more of him but at least he's LOI proven and generally fit).

I just think in another year or two (if we're still splashing out on a squad like this) it's going to come back and bite us.

It's already evident Rovers have passed us, in my view, but I suppose Perth's future depends on whether the owners are happy as long as we remain in the top 2 and don't fall below that.

I'd have issues with some of the stuff he comes out with in the media too, continually saying "if I can give myself a pat on the back for a minute" etc. Constantly looking for praise and, at other times, trying to come across as some sort of prophet. It's cringe and presents someone who has a chip on his shoulder. Seems he doesn't think he got enough credit for Kenny's success.

To me it says something that Kenny never offered him a role with the Irish setup (considering he wanted Higgins and the kitman(!) with him).

Are you on drugs? In Kennys 6 years only twice has his teams scored more league goals than we scored in 2019. (Not comparing Perth to Stephen at all) but to say hes too defensive is nonsense.

Your not blind to it because he won a 2 team league, Ever year Kenny was here it was a 2 team league Dundalk and Cork.

Dummigan never got a look in cause Gannon is too good (Dummigan was also excellent any gaems he played)

Regarding Patching, Oduwa etc Kenny signed Kinsella, McDermott etc who were next to useless.

Jarvis was never staying at the club after what he done. Thats just stupid. He's playing with Larne now, which shows no LOI wants touch him now.

100% you sit in the stand, and moan about everything. Plenty of them about Oriel

[DCWA]

Jarvis was never staying at the club after what he done. Thats just stupid. He's playing with Larne now, which shows no LOI wants touch him now.


That is incorrect. He could’ve stayed in LOI had he wanted.

[oriel]

Kenny was excellent at Dundalk, 4 titles speak for itself. He wasn't faultness though, and his record in europe after 2016 was just ok, beat an avg Talinn side home and away, but lost heavily to Larnaca after this, prob unlucky overall v Rosenberg the year before, got it to ET in the second leg. Also Cork were clearly the best team in 2017, but losing the final that year for a second year in a row was a lost opportunity to gain something from the year, after a good league recovery that season.

Perth won the league in his first season and was a penalty shoot out away from the treble, yes not great in europe, but overall this was a more than good enough in his first year.

Back to the LOI for this season, should be some news early this week on what is going to be agreed I think?

[Bucket]

Is there a meeting today between the clubs and FAI?

[redobit]

This isn't "any" season though.

This is fairly unprecedented stuff, and precedent has to go out the window. What's even the focus here? It seems to be to get a 2020 season played as quickly and cost-effectively as possible, however, that works out, and hope we can go back to normal in 2021.

On that basis, letting the 5 games already played stand makes sense. It's not an ideal solution of course - but there is no ideal solution here.

Not sure about that. May as well finish the season after 5 games if speed and money is the overriding factors.

Of course its not 'any' season but things do seem to be going in the right direction.
Off the pitch ... the money side of things seems good, crowds at games is looking like it will happen, 4 or 5 months to complete the season within this calendar year.
On the pitch ... all teams are looking for is a sporting chance. 13 games is not enough of a sporting chance to decide clubs future. Push it out to 3 series or re-start over 2 series give teams more of a sporting chance, in my opinion.

[RathfarnhamHoop]

Not sure about that. May as well finish the season after 5 games if speed and money is the overriding factors.

Of course its not 'any' season but things do seem to be going in the right direction.
Off the pitch ... the money side of things seems good, crowds at games is looking like it will happen, 4 or 5 months to complete the season within this calendar year.
On the pitch ... all teams are looking for is a sporting chance. 13 games is not enough of a sporting chance to decide clubs future. Push it out to 3 series or re-start over 2 series give teams more of a sporting chance, in my opinion.

It's not 13 games. It's 18. Restart or not it's 18 games. A big gap in the middle makes **** all difference because it's the same for everyone. It's fair to count the first 5 games now get on with it.

Can't do 3 rounds because teams cant/won't extend contracts which would be needed to do that.

[The Lilywhites]

Are you on drugs? In Kennys 6 years only twice has his teams scored more league goals than we scored in 2019. (Not comparing Perth to Stephen at all) but to say hes too defensive is nonsense.

If you're going to throw out stuff at least try to be factual. 2019 was our lowest scoring average league season since 2013 (can't compare Kenny's first season to Perth's first season).

Hoban scored 7 goals from play last season compared to 24 in 2018!

Kenny and Perth are chalk and cheese. In my opinion we'll only regress further under Perth.


Your not blind to it because he won a 2 team league, Ever year Kenny was here it was a 2 team league Dundalk and Cork.

Cork were far more of a challenge in every year than Rovers were last season. The points totals of other teams from 2014-2017 show it was far more competitive all round too.


Dummigan never got a look in cause Gannon is too good (Dummigan was also excellent any gaems he played)

We had the best right back in the league so let's sign another right back and pretend he's brilliant too. Clever. It was embarrassing how Perth mentioned him in every post match interview even when he hadn't been involved, saying how good he was. Wonder had that anything to do with Andy Burton in the background trying to promote his players? Sure Dummigan is ripping it up in the Irish League now.


Regarding Patching, Oduwa etc Kenny signed Kinsella, McDermott etc who were next to useless.

Every manager signs a few duds. Perth is well past his quota already.


Jarvis was never staying at the club after what he done. Thats just stupid. He's playing with Larne now, which shows no LOI wants touch him now.

If it was that serious why didn't the club sack him at the time? Stop blowing it up into something it wasn't. And he could have stayed in the LOI. Larne are paying out crazy wages and it's close 90 minutes from his home.


100% you sit in the stand, and moan about everything. Plenty of them about Oriel

No, I'm just not a fanboy who's happy clappy as long as we're winning. We've gone backwards under Perth in my opinion. It was pretty clear in Tallaght that Rovers have passed us out. Compare who they've signed since the end of 2018 to who we've signed in that time ffs.

[dundalkfc10]

If you're going to throw out stuff at least try to be factual. 2019 was our lowest scoring average league season since 2013 (can't compare Kenny's first season to Perth's first season).

Hoban scored 7 goals from play last season compared to 24 in 2018!

Kenny and Perth are chalk and cheese. In my opinion we'll only regress further under Perth.



Cork were far more of a challenge in every year than Rovers were last season. The points totals of other teams from 2014-2017 show it was far more competitive all round too.



We had the best right back in the league so let's sign another right back and pretend he's brilliant too. Clever. It was embarrassing how Perth mentioned him in every post match interview even when he hadn't been involved, saying how good he was. Wonder had that anything to do with Andy Burton in the background trying to promote his players? Sure Dummigan is ripping it up in the Irish League now.



Every manager signs a few duds. Perth is well past his quota already.



If it was that serious why didn't the club sack him at the time? Stop blowing it up into something it wasn't. And he could have stayed in the LOI. Larne are paying out crazy wages and it's close 90 minutes from his home.



No, I'm just not a fanboy who's happy clappy as long as we're winning. We've gone backwards under Perth in my opinion. It was pretty clear in Tallaght that Rovers have passed us out. Compare who they've signed since the end of 2018 to who we've signed in that time ffs.

Dundalks goals
2014 73
2015 78
2016 73
2017 72
2018 85
2019 73

Thats league goals so tell me again Vinny is Super Defensive.

Hoban was poor last season in front of goal but his all round play was far better. Started this year with 5 in 5 games so he's not doing too bad under this defensive manager.

I can see for my own eyes how good Dummigan is/was. He was excellent when he played. He won't get on so he's hardly a dud.

We played half of last year without Benson and McEleney, and still won league easy.

Rovers played better than us and beat us before when Kenny was manager. Did you think they overtook us then?

[The Lilywhites]

Dundalks goals
2014 73
2015 78
2016 73
2017 72
2018 85
2019 73

Thats league goals so tell me again Vinny is Super Defensive.

Hoban was poor last season in front of goal but his all round play was far better. Started this year with 5 in 5 games so he's not doing too bad under this defensive manager.

I can see for my own eyes how good Dummigan is/was. He was excellent when he played. He won't get on so he's hardly a dud.

We played half of last year without Benson and McEleney, and still won league easy.

Rovers played better than us and beat us before when Kenny was manager. Did you think they overtook us then?

73 2019 36 games - 2.03 per game
85 2018 36 games - 2.36 pg
72 2017 33 games - 2.18 pg
73 2016 33 games - 2.21 pg
78 2015 33 games - 2.36 pg
73 2014 33 games - 2.21 pg

Perth himself has said it was his aim to make the team more defensively sound so I don't know why you're getting hung up on that (he did great by the way, we went from conceding 20 goals in 2018 to 18 goals in 2019).

Rattling in 3/4/5-0 wins against the bottom half teams might paint Perth's goals for stats in a better light.

Regardless of goals scored, you could see how our style of play has changed. Some of it is brutal to watch. It was more evident in Europe where he clearly went out not to lose. He got away with it against Riga through a shootout.

In my view we're a much poorer team to watch under Perth. If you think different, that's your opinion.

Dummigan hardly played last season and when he did a lot of the time it wasn't even at right back. Why bother signing him? He signed McKee as midfield cover and then played Hoare in that position and left McKee on the bench! Pointless signings, but good to see you fell for the Dummigan PR campaign.

Kenny always had Rovers measure, let's not get silly now, but fair enough Rovers have improved since. Tallaght last year where we robbed them, the cup final and in particular this year in Tallaght is evidence they're going past us now.

I said above my main issue with Perth's management so far is his player recruitment.

[Martinho II]

As a neutral (sort of )to SK v VP debate from VPs tenure with us at end of 08 season when he took over as caretaker mgr after Aaron Callaghan resigned at the time I thought that VP was hard done by in not getting perm job with us but its only now in hindsight hes not as effective as mgr as he was a coach. Its not personal with VP as he was a legend with us from his superb spell with us.

But SK when he was mgr with us was superb he made a huge effort in getting to know the supporters after matches. He was very much a people person and to this day even 19 years since he left us he would still remember your first name to this day! The only reason our gates increased spectacularly was he was so well known for his great football and made huge effort to support ie openings of local businesses. He was also a superb motivator and a great tactician I would rate him as my no 1 Longford Town manager ahead of Alan Mathews. There was an arrogance about Mathews which I didnt like and he didnt make the same effort that Kenny did with the public. If Kenny had stayed with us I would have being confident we would have went from strength to strength and had progressed past the first round of UEFA cup.

I agree that Dundalk will go backwards under VP. I think Alan Reynolds would be a far better candidate to be dundalk mgr than him being asst mgr now. I didnt rate Alan Reynolds from his season with us in 01/02 as he was notorious for being sent off 4 times that season.But I am delighted to see him do well as mgr. You know from his interviews from var podcasts I listen to hes a fan of Stephen Kenny and was very unlucky with Waterford in both spells with them.

I hate saying it but I can see Dundalk slipping back as the momentum is completely with Shamrock Rovers. I know there will be disagreements with my opinion but thats the beauty of a football forum!

[Ezeikial]

73 2019 36 games - 2.03 per game
85 2018 36 games - 2.36 pg
72 2017 33 games - 2.18 pg
73 2016 33 games - 2.21 pg
78 2015 33 games - 2.36 pg
73 2014 33 games - 2.21 pg



It's not far off bizarre trying to make a fair comparison of Vinny Perth after 1 season succeeding Stephen Kenny.

Vinny has made a strong start in terms of trophies won, but it will take a prolonged period of success before he will challenge the records of Stephen Kenny or Jim McLaughlin.

If stats are being thrown out as a means of comparison, VP's record in 2019 stacks up well in lots of areas

Based on league results, 2019 season compared with the previous 6 season is in the top 2 or 3 for
* Average points per match
* Win %
* Average goal difference per match



Mgr
Year
Points
Win %
GD




Per match
Per match


SK
2013
2.06
63.6%
0.76


SK
2014
2.24
66.7%
1.48


SK
2015
2.36
69.7%
1.67


SK
2016
2.33
75.8%
1.36


SK
2017
2.09
66.7%
1.45


SK
2018
2.42
75.0%
1.81


VP
2019
2.39
75.0%
1.53



2019 Rank
2
2
3



I agree that there are some question marks over some of his signings - hopefully we will get to see if Murray, Flores, Oduwa or Colovic can deliver.

On the Rovers challenge, there is little doubt that they are improving and cutting the league deficit from 25 points to 11 points shows that. Cork were consistently stronger challengers. Again time will tell

[The Lilywhites]

It was dundalkfc10 that brought goals scored/stats into it. I was just pointing out that last year we scored the least average league goals that we have since 2013.

Our style of play is far poorer under Perth than Kenny, that was my point, and again player recruitment is my main issue above all. Let's see where we are in another 18 months with similar signings as Kenny's team creeps over the hill. That's the problem.

[dahamsta]

Please move this conversation back to C19, or to another thread.

[redobit]

It's not 13 games. It's 18. Restart or not it's 18 games. A big gap in the middle makes **** all difference because it's the same for everyone. It's fair to count the first 5 games now get on with it.

Can't do 3 rounds because teams cant/won't extend contracts which would be needed to do that.

In fairness ... is it the same though???
Obviously the amount of games to be played will be the same, but there is a lot more to it than that. 6 teams are back training. The other teams aren't back training cause I can only assume they can't afford to. Also there are foreign players that will need to self isolate for 2 weeks (we have 5 first team foreigners). There is a real possibility that we could re-start having no training and with half a team Vs a full squad who has been training for 8 weeks. How is that the same for everybody.

[RathfarnhamHoop]

In fairness ... is it the same though???
Obviously the amount of games to be played will be the same, but there is a lot more to it than that. 6 teams are back training. The other teams aren't back training cause I can only assume they can't afford to. Also there are foreign players that will need to self isolate for 2 weeks (we have 5 first team foreigners). There is a real possibility that we could re-start having no training and with half a team Vs a full squad who has been training for 8 weeks. How is that the same for everybody.

You could make the exact same argument re being back training for every season. The likes of Rovers and Dundalk were back training in December this year when other teams were late January.
Its by choice, that's how its the same. Every team can be back training now, there's no rules stopping them that's how it's the same, if other clubs choose to hand others an advantage that's their choice.

[D24Saint]

Cork back training according to the mirror.

[D24Saint]

https://www.irishmirror.ie/sport/soccer/pfai-seek-clarity-quarantine-rules-22235934

Never thought about this issue.

[D24Saint]

https://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/league-of-ireland/loi-clubs-seeking-clarity-on-state-support-in-advance-of-resumption-39311057.html

[redobit]

Thanks D24. Those two articles back up exactly what I was saying.
We have no money to pay players so we'cant go back training, or bring players back into the county.
5 of our first team players need to go into two week quarantine.
People can say its the same for all clubs, well its not.

[RathfarnhamHoop]

It is the same in that Sligo weren't forced to sign players from abroad they chose to and they're choosing not to return to training for financial reasons.
Having money has its benefits in football, that is nothing new, these "issues" are just new ones

[nigel-harps1954]

Thanks D24. Those two articles back up exactly what I was saying.
We have no money to pay players so we'cant go back training, or bring players back into the county.
5 of our first team players need to go into two week quarantine.
People can say its the same for all clubs, well its not.

Harps have 6 players come in from abroad.

[John83]

It is the same in that Sligo weren't forced to sign players from abroad they chose to and they're choosing not to return to training for financial reasons.
Having money has its benefits in football, that is nothing new, these "issues" are just new ones
Issues of sporting integrity only seem to matter to people when it suits them. We can't have a shortened league because that'd be a ridiculous way to declare a champion, but a team whose playing staff are decimated by quarantine during a pandemic is just tough ****. This is not an injury crisis. It is not normal.

[RathfarnhamHoop]

Issues of sporting integrity only seem to matter to people when it suits them. We can't have a shortened league because that'd be a ridiculous way to declare a champion, but a team whose playing staff are decimated by quarantine during a pandemic is just tough ****. This is not an injury crisis. It is not normal.

I think you'll find I'm actually of the opinion that an 18 game season is completely fine because any longer and you're asking clubs to extend contracts which would be unfair on them.
Unless of course crowds are allowed back soon in which case the season should be as long as possible to allow for as accurate a set of results as possible

[Olander]

Sligo are absolutely shítting a brick and I would be too if I was playing Darragh Noone every week. They're a very poor side this year and they could easily go down, it's not hard to see why they're so against relegation.

Waterford are in absolute dissaray, their manager has walked, several players that were in on loan are leaving and their contracted players are disillusioned with the club after how they were treated.

Waterford will campaign for no relegation along with Sligo so that they can cut costs and play their under-19s until the end of the season without any ramifications. No way should that be allowed. There has to be promotion and relegation.

It's good to see some First Division and Premier Division teams returning to training this week, one way to help clubs out that are forced to isolate their players due to them being overseas is to organise testing for non-nationals. I'm sure that would be a realistic request. We have 2-3 players from outside ourselves but that won't be used an excuse for not having promotion/relegation.

[Longfordian]

Dan McDonnell saying on Twitter that clubs have been told that any Premier Division club that refuses to return will be relegated. Some tough decisions to be made now for those not keen to return.

[WeAreRovers]

About time too. Every club in every league had been negatively impacted by C19 to various different degrees but a handful in the LOI think they are uniquely affected.

https://twitter.com/McDonnellDan/status/1276133560274083841


Daniel McDonnell
@McDonnellDan
Understand that clubs in LOI Premier Division will be told that they face relegation if they decide against returning to play this year - that's a change in tone from previous discussions. Should be an interesting 24 hours or so.

[Ezeikial]

Dan McDonnell saying on Twitter that clubs have been told that any Premier Division club that refuses to return will be relegated. Some tough decisions to be made now for those not keen to return.

I wonder does that imply that they are dispensing with the no relegation / promotion idea for teams continuing with the league restart?

[dundalkfc10]

Dan McDonnell saying on Twitter that clubs have been told that any Premier Division club that refuses to return will be relegated. Some tough decisions to be made now for those not keen to return.

Sligo chairman replied on twitter saying "I must clean my ears" so Dan could be wrong.

[RathfarnhamHoop]

Sligo chairman replied on twitter saying "I must clean my ears" so Dan could be wrong.

In fairness Dan is saying they will be told, not they have been told, even the cleanest ears in the world can't help you hear something that hasn't been said to you yet

[Martinho II]

In fairness Dan is saying they will be told, not they have been told, even the cleanest ears in the world can't help you hear something that hasn't been said to you yet

that sligo chairman is uttering some sarcasm humour I think!

[Martinho II]

Sligo are absolutely shítting a brick and I would be too if I was playing Darragh Noone every week. They're a very poor side this year and they could easily go down, it's not hard to see why they're so against relegation.

Waterford are in absolute dissaray, their manager has walked, several players that were in on loan are leaving and their contracted players are disillusioned with the club after how they were treated.

Waterford will campaign for no relegation along with Sligo so that they can cut costs and play their under-19s until the end of the season without any ramifications. No way should that be allowed. There has to be promotion and relegation.

It's good to see some First Division and Premier Division teams returning to training this week, one way to help clubs out that are forced to isolate their players due to them being overseas is to organise testing for non-nationals. I'm sure that would be a realistic request. We have 2-3 players from outside ourselves but that won't be used an excuse for not having promotion/relegation.

Brilliant posting Olander! With your line of thinking you should replace Niall Quinn and his comrades! totally agree with you what you are saying.

[placid casual]

In my own opinion, I welcome it as a positive that the FAI are prepared to make some hard nosed decisions when it comes to the LOI. We have endured decades of nudge nudge wink wink, brown envelope, shyster politics ( in keeping with general Irish society?) when decisions have been made. Caulfield make some decent points in a recent article when he said its time to leave the amateur nature of football in this country behind, and embrace a clear sighted, professional, vibrant league for the future. What this looks like I can't say, but it would seem inevitable to my ageing eyes that an All Ireland League would be the best way to achieve that.