Who is going to win the 2021 League

[oriel]

But what are we looking for here, in terms of tv coverage (separate to WatchLOI)

1/ For either RTE / VM to offer to show games lives?

2/ For a deal for either, and for the first time have an actual contract in place that directly benefits the clubs?

I know option 1 prob most realistic, as clubs regardless of any previous deal with FAI/RTE effectively got zero for live games, the only benefit was promotion of the game / and existing ground sponsors to get more profile.

[Neish]

Yeah Im surprised VM wasnt never approached. If they dont get it I would like to see them host goals roundup on Monday nights like they did with Trevor Welch all these yrs ago. They always did a way better job than RTE imo but suppose its FAIs call?

Lads if RTE/ Virgin etc saw a market for LOI they would snap it up in a flash, its just not there.

Whether we like it or not LOI is way don't the list for most Irish sports fans. RTE, Virgin etc are not in the promoting LOI business they are in the profit making business

[pineapple stu]

Harsh but fair.

Club streaming worked well for the FD last year in fairness. OK, the standard was a bit variable (but generally very watchable, all things considered) and it's more effort (and cost) to throw it back onto the clubs. The flip side is they have control and can charge themselves. Did clubs make anything off WatchLoI last year?

It's not ideal of course - nothing in covid is - but as a fall back, I think clubs taking over their own streaming is fine.

[sbgawa]

The only money the clubs "made" was in terms of season ticket holders not looking for refunds as they were able to be compensated with a watchloi pass.
Also to a certain extent keeping sponsors happy as they still got limited coverage.

I think id be happier with the clubs doing it themselves , i guarantee the clubs will get better deals locally than the FAI were able to and it will provide a possible source of revenue and allow fans to buy season tickets to support their teams.

[Neish]

The only money the clubs "made" was in terms of season ticket holders not looking for refunds as they were able to be compensated with a watchloi pass.
Also to a certain extent keeping sponsors happy as they still got limited coverage.

I think id be happier with the clubs doing it themselves , i guarantee the clubs will get better deals locally than the FAI were able to and it will provide a possible source of revenue and allow fans to buy season tickets to support their teams.

The thing about each club doing it themselves is possibly 10 different sites/apps etc need, 20 if you want to watch both division games. Needing to setup accounts register etc to each one & probably different prices and video format systems required That what I liked most about Watch LOI on site for all 10 premier clubs same price for each club

[pineapple stu]

The FD games were generally streamed on YouTube with a link to a donate site for an optional donation. I think Longford's stream was the only one that required registration

[sbgawa]

The thing about each club doing it themselves is possibly 10 different sites/apps etc need, 20 if you want to watch both division games. Needing to setup accounts register etc to each one & probably different prices and video format systems required That what I liked most about Watch LOI on site for all 10 premier clubs same price for each club

Fair point but i think most of the hardcore will buy the home streams and then dip in and out of away matches

[ToberonaTornado]

Premier:
Shams 5/6
Dundalk 23/10
Bohs 13/2
Pats 11/1
Sligo 18/1
33/1 and better bar those.
https://www.paddypower.com/football/irish-premier-division?tab=outrights

First:
Shels 5/4
Galway 5/2
Bray 8/1
Cork & UCD 9/1
Athlone 16/1
33/1 and better bar those.
https://www.paddypower.com/football/irish-division-1

Leading Goalscorer Prem div: -
Hoban 5/1
McMillan 17/2
Greene,Parkhouse,Burke 11/1
Gaffney,Coughlan,Kelly 12/1
OTHERS - https://www.paddypower.com/football/irish-premier-division?tab=outrights

[placid casual]

Lump on the students in Division 1 anyway. They have a knack of finding their way ouuta that division.
Think Kelly at boez would be an outside bet for top goalscorer.
Ian Morris to be the first manager sacked seems a decent bet, although super mario may beat him to it, if dundalks United Nations team doesn't start well.

[Dalymountrower]

Lump on the students in Division 1 anyway. They have a knack of finding their way ouuta that division.
Think Kelly at boez would be an outside bet for top goalscorer.
Ian Morris to be the first manager sacked seems a decent bet, although super mario may beat him to it, if dundalks United Nations team doesn't start well.

If Kelly is top scorer, Bohs will win the league, both outcomes unlikely, but slightly more likely than last season.Rovers being odds on with their two best players gone probably reflects PP not being arsed to look too closely at squads before setting odds. Sligo by far the best outside bet for me.

Agree that a toss up between Super Mario and Ian Morris for the earliest sacking. Both Bray and UCD know how to win promotion, so between them for the title, with both going up.

[pineapple stu]

I think given we took one point off the entire top half of the league last season, and have lost both our captain and our top scorer since then, it's premature to look at us going up. If Galway are still going fully-pro, they should have a big advantage over others.

I do like being the same odds as Cork for the title though!

[Longfordian]

UCD always come up with new young players to replace those that have moved on. I don't know if they'll win the league, Shels should, but I expect they'll be in the mix.

[pineapple stu]

Yeah, we should be top half; the new recruits look good and only losing two players is quite good for us.

But much and all as we improved as the season went on last year, one point from the games against the top half is a long way off title form. And we conceded way too many too.

Shels should be up there too, albeit that they underachieved last year and could easily do so again this year. I'd expect us to be behind certainly one of Galway/Shels, and probably both.

Edit - actually, we got two points off the top half, not one. Huzzah! Also dropped two points against the bottom half.

[sbgawa]

If Kelly is top scorer, Bohs will win the league, both outcomes unlikely, but slightly more likely than last season.Rovers being odds on with their two best players gone probably reflects PP not being arsed to look too closely at squads before setting odds. Sligo by far the best outside bet for me.

Agree that a toss up between Super Mario and Ian Morris for the earliest sacking. Both Bray and UCD know how to win promotion, so between them for the title, with both going up.

I agree with this, they dont bother looking in any depth. simply put a low limit on how much you can bet solves the problem for them.

[blueblood]

Strange that have PP have Cabinteely, Cobh & Wexford behind Treaty in the betting, Treaty don't even have a team yet and I've no idea what kind of team they'll slap together in a few weeks

[NeverFeltBetter]

I suppose if all are basically operating on an amateur basis there's room to not be an automatic wooden spoon. They'll (we'll? Feels weird saying that) be doing well to get anywhere near mid-table really.

[Sonny]

If Kelly is top scorer, Bohs will win the league, both outcomes unlikely, but slightly more likely than last season.Rovers being odds on with their two best players gone probably reflects PP not being arsed to look too closely at squads before setting odds. Sligo by far the best outside bet for me.

Agree that a toss up between Super Mario and Ian Morris for the earliest sacking. Both Bray and UCD know how to win promotion, so between them for the title, with both going up.

How would you price it up out of curiosity? I'm not massively confident that Rovers will win it or anything, but looking at the state of play I think that pricing looks pretty reasonable.

Byrne and McEneff are big losses, and Mandroui and McCann could go either way (although both have the potential to be good signings.) But outside of that Rovers have basically retained the squad and added Gannon and Hoare.

A lot of turnover at Bohs including losing their best player. Definitely some interesting signings with good potential but I don't see how you could really argue for them ahead of Rovers or Dundalk at this point. Very weak looking at centre half to me also.

Dundalk have also had big turnover including Rodgers, Hoare, Gannon, Massey, Flores, Oduwa and Colovic leaving. Seeing a lot of people saying 9 starters or something from the cup final are still there. That's fair enough, but they were played off the park in that game, and finished 22 points behind Rovers after 18 games. That's a lot of ground to make up. Their goalkeeper situation looks very suspect, and pretty much all the signings are major unknown quantities. Some of them will no doubt work out, but none of them are very obvious upgrades.

I understand there are so many unknowns that seeing Rovers odds on might be a bit jarring, and I certainly wouldn't be backing them at that price, but I can't really see the argument against it on paper.

[Dalymountrower]

How would you price it up out of curiosity? I'm not massively confident that Rovers will win it or anything, but looking at the state of play I think that pricing looks pretty reasonable.

Byrne and McEneff are big losses, and Mandroui and McCann could go either way (although both have the potential to be good signings.) But outside of that Rovers have basically retained the squad and added Gannon and Hoare.

A lot of turnover at Bohs including losing their best player. Definitely some interesting signings with good potential but I don't see how you could really argue for them ahead of Rovers or Dundalk at this point. Very weak looking at centre half to me also.

Dundalk have also had big turnover including Rodgers, Hoare, Gannon, Massey, Flores, Oduwa and Colovic leaving. Seeing a lot of people saying 9 starters or something from the cup final are still there. That's fair enough, but they were played off the park in that game, and finished 22 points behind Rovers after 18 games. That's a lot of ground to make up. Their goalkeeper situation looks very suspect, and pretty much all the signings are major unknown quantities. Some of them will no doubt work out, but none of them are very obvious upgrades.

I understand there are so many unknowns that seeing Rovers odds on might be a bit jarring, and I certainly wouldn't be backing them at that price, but I can't really see the argument against it on paper.

Evens /2/1 would seem reasonable for Rovers with Byrne and Mc Eneff gone. Who knows with Mandriou , we saw the best and worst of him at Bohs, dont think he is a patch on the departed two.
Losing Danny Grant is certainly a blow to Bohs , but otherwise a very much a strengthened squad with Hery, Georgie Kelly, Feely, Tyreke, Coot, and particularly Mallon who Long seems to be raving about.
I think it will be Rovers again, but closer than last season and a scrap between Bohs Dundalk and Sligo for second place. Hopefully we will get to to see our respective teams in the flesh by early Autumn.

[sbgawa]

Pats look to be building a decent squad and look like winning the preseason again :) the goalie from Liverpool and the kid from west ham as well as a few others look like they could be competitive

I cant see past Byrne and McEneff they probably scored or assisted 50% of our goals last season between them, Gannon and Hoare are decent signings but we already had the best defence in the league.
Mandriou would need to be named PFA player of the season next year to replace Jack ....is that likely?? McCann at 33 better than the best box to box midfielder in the league last year ....hmmmm
Dundalk have lost one first choice player Gannon who didn't have a great season for them last year and a very average keeper.
Although after our goalkeeping nightmares before Manus came back DFC fans might look back on Rodgers fondly next season

I really really hope i'm over worrying about Byrne and McEneff but
6/4 each Rovers DFC

[Martinho II]

Very good piece in irish sun on treaty utd they only got confirmation at the last minute so they can only get cracking at short notice on their squad. What I found particularly interesting is that they have trouble getting the local limerick league any players they are interested in to sign a contract. They have paid employment.
Also with Dublin County reason they couldnt get Morton was cos Athletics ground was so booked out. If they had got in Aaron Callaghan would have being manager. A person I never rated as manager but a solid no 2 considering his poor spell with us as manager!

[D24Saint]

Very good piece in irish sun on treaty utd they only got confirmation at the last minute so they can only get cracking at short notice on their squad. What I found particularly interesting is that they have trouble getting the local limerick league any players they are interested in to sign a contract. They have paid employment.
Also with Dublin County reason they couldnt get Morton was cos Athletics ground was so booked out. If they had got in Aaron Callaghan would have being manager. A person I never rated as manager but a solid no 2 considering his poor spell with us as manager!

They had a whole page on LOI even at this early stage. Its the only reason I buy the paper is for their excellent LOI coverage. The rest of the paper is awful tripe.

[TonyD]

Is it acceptable to Pats fans and the club to keep SO'D in the hotseat?


Considering the transfer fee ye got for Luke McNally I expect ye to progress further under SOD with that extra dosh in his budget unless Pats board have other ideas.

Squad is certainly looking better now. Barrett should be a good replacement for McNally. Still think we need an experienced goalie though, unless this kid from Liverpool turns out to be exceptional. As for SO’D, I’d say the jury is still out on him for most Pats fans. 5th or 6th again and he’ll probably come under pressure. On the other hand, we can’t keep changing our manager every season and hope to make progress. We looked alright at times last year, awful at others, so who knows ?

[blueblood]

I suppose if all are basically operating on an amateur basis there's room to not be an automatic wooden spoon. They'll (we'll? Feels weird saying that) be doing well to get anywhere near mid-table really.
I'll be trying not to call them "we" for a while afraid to get attacked 😀. I agree I'd be amazed if they finish mid table, it'll be a very difficult start because of of all the uncertainty, no players and the players we get probably wouldn't have trained in ages

[blueblood]

Very good piece in irish sun on treaty utd they only got confirmation at the last minute so they can only get cracking at short notice on their squad. What I found particularly interesting is that they have trouble getting the local limerick league any players they are interested in to sign a contract. They have paid employment.
Also with Dublin County reason they couldnt get Morton was cos Athletics ground was so booked out. If they had got in Aaron Callaghan would have being manager. A person I never rated as manager but a solid no 2 considering his poor spell with us as manager!

Paid employment AND paid for playing junior football so probably not worth the hassle of loi

[Longfordian]

I'll be trying not to call them "we" for a while afraid to get attacked ��. I agree I'd be amazed if they finish mid table, it'll be a very difficult start because of of all the uncertainty, no players and the players we get probably wouldn't have trained in ages

That attempt at not using we didn't last very long.

[Bucket]

What kind of cash would junior's be getting in Limerick?
Will all Limerick fans get behind Treaty or is there some mixed feelings?

[blueblood]

That attempt at not using we didn't last very long.
Ah dam it I've fallen into it already ha , but this drama is just like being a Limerick FC fan every off season.

[NeverFeltBetter]

You'd have to expect some mixed feelings. The name annoys a lot of people from what I've seen and read (not me personally), so the sooner they feel they can change it the better.

[blueblood]

You'd have to expect some mixed feelings. The name annoys a lot of people from what I've seen and read (not me personally), so the sooner they feel they can change it the better.

No really so much the name being annoying (and it is a bit annoying) but rather sounding like a completely new completely unattached club which of course it is, also Limerick FC hasn't gone away but I wouldn't support them I a million years with POS involved, that would be my feelings anyway. This new thing will take a bit of getting used to.

[Kiki Balboa]

No really so much the name being annoying (and it is a bit annoying) but rather sounding like a completely new completely unattached club which of course it is, also Limerick FC hasn't gone away but I wouldn't support them I a million years with POS involved, that would be my feelings anyway. This new thing will take a bit of getting used to.

It might sound silly, but would 'Limerick Treaty' be any better? Also, where did the red and white strips come from? They seem random colours. Im sure the club will evolve, and maybe reclaim the 'spirit' of the other Limerick teams. With Limerick F.C still around, im sure there were possible legal troubles if the club identity got too close to POS team.

[sadloserkid]

It might sound silly, but would 'Limerick Treaty' be any better? Also, where did the red and white strips come from? They seem random colours. Im sure the club will evolve, and maybe reclaim the 'spirit' of the other Limerick teams. With Limerick F.C still around, im sure there were possible legal troubles if the club identity got too close to POS team.

They're the original colours of senior football in Limerick.

[blueblood]

It might sound silly, but would 'Limerick Treaty' be any better? Also, where did the red and white strips come from? They seem random colours. Im sure the club will evolve, and maybe reclaim the 'spirit' of the other Limerick teams. With Limerick F.C still around, im sure there were possible legal troubles if the club identity got too close to POS team.

The red and white stripes were Limerick Utds original colours back in 1937 when they first entered the loi. Recently the Treaty chairman seemed to claim POS has some sort of ownership of a predominantly blue kit!!!! For me the name isn't the big issue as Limerick FC still hasn't gone away and Treaty is a completely new club which seems to be more Midwest than Limerick when you hear to Treaty chairman interviews, it'll take a bit of getting used to supporting a new team but you can't just forget the last 30 odd years supporting Limerick City/ AFC/ FC/ 37 which always just felt like a continuation of a club rather than a completely new club like now. In the end I think it ended up being a conscious decision by Treaty to make the new club appear completely separate to anything we had in the past.

[NeverFeltBetter]

The hope is certainly that POS will eventually give up, and let the new club subsume the old one and be "Limerick" again.

The fact that we can't actually go to matches also a factor in making a connection as well. I'd love to be able to head out to Bray for the first match, but I can't even leave north Dublin.

[blueblood]

The hope is certainly that POS will eventually give up, and let the new club subsume the old one and be "Limerick" again.

The fact that we can't actually go to matches also a factor in making a connection as well. I'd love to be able to head out to Bray for the first match, but I can't even leave north Dublin.

Don't hold your breath re Pat giving up and good point about not attending games being a factor in making a connection, I'm just not feeling it yet.

[Lim till i die]

On the name the board of Treaty went with Limerick United at the start.

A quick look on Solocheck would have told them Paud owns the name Limerick United.

Paud started making legal noises and in a blind panic they went with Treaty United. Which is awful.

So it wasn't so much a conscious decision more a balls up by someone

They then sent easily led people out into the wild to make stupid claims on their behalf.

The amount of actual adults I have had to explain the fact that, no, Pat O'Sullivan doesn't in fact own the word Limerick or the colour Blue to is unreal.

But ya, make a mistake, deflect, spoof, feed info to gullible people.

Plus ca change.





I can't see Paud going anywhere until he gets what he feels he's owed (Irony is something he struggled with from day one.) I don't think the FAI are in a position to give him any bobs though.

Will be interesting to see the Academy Licenses. If, as the rumour was last night, both Limerick teams are given underage licenses, it will show the FAI still can't/won't/don't want to deal with him. If just Treaty are given the underage it will show the FAI are confident their ducks are in a row.






On the playing side, the squad that was training for Treaty last night is basically players that played under Tommy and haven't been able to get another League Of Ireland club and the Galway United players from Alan Murphys tenure that Caulfield didn't want.

So, in answer to who's going to win the 2021 league, probably not Treaty.

[Mr A]

There was a club owner in Limerick
Who proved to be something of a maverick
For his perceived impiety
He got gazzumped by Treaty
And the whole process has left him feeling quite sick

[Lim till i die]

There was a club owner in Limerick
Who proved to be something of a maverick
For his perceived impiety
He got gazzumped by Treaty
And the whole process has left him feeling quite sick

There once was a mod on the net
Who thought poetry a safe bet
Then committed a rhyme
Which resembled a crime
Put your Limerick back it's not done yet

[Mr A]

There once was a mod on the net
Who thought poetry a safe bet
Then committed a rhyme
Which resembled a crime
Put your Limerick back it's not done yet

No longer a mod :)

[Burnsie]

you don't hear much these days from that tactics truck guy who used go to bat for O'Sullivan

[Longfordian]

Should have gone with Limerick Celtic. Or even Limerick Rangers and play in blue.

[blueblood]

The amount of actual adults I have had to explain the fact that, no, Pat O'Sullivan doesn't in fact own the word Limerick or the colour Blue to is unreal.


Ya I've had to do the same plenty of times myself, its actually mad.

[Charlie Darwin]

I like the Treaty name. It's different.

[Eminence Grise]

I'd prefer Limerick Soviet myself. But given that it lasted about a fortnight, it might be a smidge too aspirational.

[Kiki Balboa]

From the outside at least... Waterford have recruited really well on the pitch over the last couple of seasons. If they had a bit more stability, Im sure they could have been contenders. Their team this year looks again very unknown. Kevin Sheedy is an intriguing appointment.

For predictions if we are still doing this.

League Winners= Rovers (they were so strong last year, the gap was hug... Bohs lost Grant and Wright so they have to find replacements... Dundalk is in a state of flux but it will be a much closer league)

Europe= Dundalk, Bohs

Last Europe place should be really close. Anybody can get it really. If someone can find an anyways consistant goalscorer, tha should be alright.

Relegation Playoff= Derry (controversial maybe, just dont think they have recruited well and finished last year very poorly).
Relegation= Longford


Biggest worry for Dundalk= league form of last year continues and we struggle mid table. Foreign players dont hit, multiple managers.
Realistic(ish) big hope for Dundalk= New keeper is solid, at least 2 foreign players improve the side.

[Shearer]

On the name the board of Treaty went with Limerick United at the start.

A quick look on Solocheck would have told them Paud owns the name Limerick United.

Paud started making legal noises and in a blind panic they went with Treaty United. Which is awful.

So it wasn't so much a conscious decision more a balls up by someone

They then sent easily led people out into the wild to make stupid claims on their behalf.

The amount of actual adults I have had to explain the fact that, no, Pat O'Sullivan doesn't in fact own the word Limerick or the colour Blue to is unreal.

But ya, make a mistake, deflect, spoof, feed info to gullible people.

Plus ca change.





I can't see Paud going anywhere until he gets what he feels he's owed (Irony is something he struggled with from day one.) I don't think the FAI are in a position to give him any bobs though.

Will be interesting to see the Academy Licenses. If, as the rumour was last night, both Limerick teams are given underage licenses, it will show the FAI still can't/won't/don't want to deal with him. If just Treaty are given the underage it will show the FAI are confident their ducks are in a row.






On the playing side, the squad that was training for Treaty last night is basically players that played under Tommy and haven't been able to get another League Of Ireland club and the Galway United players from Alan Murphys tenure that Caulfield didn't want.

So, in answer to who's going to win the 2021 league, probably not Treaty.
Overwhelming positivity :rolleyes:

[Lim till i die]

Overwhelming positivity :rolleyes:

How do you see it?

Genuinely curious.

There's nothing I said there wrong from what I've been able to glean.

But it's just an opinion on an obscure internet forum.

If there's good news I'm all ears! :ball:

[NeverFeltBetter]

you don't hear much these days from that tactics truck guy who used go to bat for O'Sullivan

Think Alan gave up on LOI before Limerick FC died its death. I recall one of his last posts on the topic is literally called "An Ode To Pat O'Sullivan" and around the same time he was comparing critics of the man to Trump supporters. Perhaps for the best he moved on from the topic.

[sbgawa]

So some of Dundalks new lads looked pretty decent against Bohs add them to the cup final team(minus Gannon + Hooban) and dfc look strong.
I hope the confidence on the predictions thread with so far 100% voting for Rovers as Champions, i cant muster that myself but heres hoping.
The presidents cup will be interesting.
Hard to make much of pre season matches when you dont know where the players are in terms of fitness or even what the teams are sometimes with trialists etc and teams playing two games in a day (Rovers and Bohs).
Roll on the 19th March.

[oriel]

Back to back titles are very hard to achieve, apart from DFC in 2015, 2016 and 2019, the last other club to do it was Rovers in 2011, to be fair Bohs did it too in 09, plenty have before this but these are just recent seasons.

During this period, Sligo, Pats, and Cork all failed to defend the title.

Actually, up to 2015 DFC had never done it before either, and that obviously included the double winning teams of 79 and 88.

For this season, and for now, I'd still see Rovers as slight favourites.

[Niallymac]

Here we go, this is going to be controversial I know !

Premier Division
1. St Pats
2. Rovers
3. Bohs
4. Dundalk
5. Sligo
6. Waterford
7. Derry
8. Harps
9. Drogs
10. Longford

First Division
1. Shels
2. Bray
3. UCD
4. Galway
5. Athlone
6. Cork
7. Cobh
8. Wexford
9. Treaty
10. Cabo

Play Off Final Drogs v UCD
Winners : UCD