Third Tier Talk - A Championship Mk II

[Nesta99]

Its an argument that always just bugged me for being BS. There was always the odd player missing 'cause they were away on holidays when I played Summer League and schoolboy ball before that, and at every other time of the year people were missing for one reason or another and no big deal. There was never a mass exodus, could always field full teams. More likely to have people missing for half-term breaks with people trying to get bargain breaks away outside peak summer months. As mentioned, how do other sports manage like GAA? Kids need stuff to do during the summer months off like having schoolboy leagues playing, and adult leagues what are they afraid of? Missing their goal top scorer in Division 4D AUL B team? They'd have more hassle getting players up for a Sunday 11am KO still half cut than the disruption of summer holidays:rolleyes:

At the figures spoofed above there is about 3.5million Irish people on holiday over 2 months, top season for house burglers with 3/4 of the country vacated. Now if you take the stats that something like 3 million people depart Ireland June to August on average its generally a good idea to include the stat that about 3 million have entered the country in the same period as tourists. Talk about abusing stats or being completely stupid about them...

[legendz]

The third tier will be an amateur league and won't have LOI standards. The way it was explained to the clubs, you can throw a fence around the pitch and play away, like currently at intermediate level
Thanks for that detail. Seems the focus is only on getting a third tier in place to start with. A pathway up and down seems to be on the long finger. They have to start somewhere.

[Buller]

I for one, am very happy to continue the current broken system. May the LOI boom continue!

[yurt]

Does anyone know what time we should have confirmation on if this summer football move passes?

[culloty82]

Think the meeting begins at 7.30, so shouldn't be any later than 10, you'd imagine?

[outspoken]

Passed with 57%

[Buckett]

How will the other 43% react? Will they just go along with it?

[yurt]

What a relief. If that didn't pass if have pretty much given up hope of Irish football being competitive in the next 20 years.

Between this and the expressions of interest being taken for a third tier it finally seems like things are being done instead of just being talked about.

[pineapple stu]

How will the other 43% react? Will they just go along with it?
It's a big minority, isn't it?

Seems good news on the face of it, but can imagine it's not going to be plain sailing ahead

[legendz]

Any clubs like Mayo, Klub Kildare and CK United with LoI academies, and LoI second teams after a year or two of the so called "FAI National League" might want to operate at a more professional/elite level. If the intention of the "FAI National League" is to be amateur, possibly a Second Division might be inevitable.

[DonegalHoop]

So where do LOI B teams fit in to an amateur 3rd tier?

[legendz]

So where do LOI B teams fit in to an amateur 3rd tier?
If they see value in fielding a second team at the only level where there will be minimal complaints about it, that's where they'll fit in.

[culloty82]

Officially launched today - FAI aiming for 20 teams between the two National League sections, and First Division clubs may face relegation - not sure whether that implies a playoff, or merely that the NL clubs would have to be compliant with FD licensing requirements:

1867240976638775605

1867237748538552399

[Buckett]

Hard to be optimistic when it comes to the FAI but this would be a great development. It would probably mean an expanded FAI Cup and possibly the return of the League Cup too.

[BoyInGreen]

Hard to be optimistic when it comes to the FAI but this would be a great development. It would probably mean an expanded FAI Cup and possibly the return of the League Cup too.

The video that went along with it suggests that teams that take part will automatically qualify for the FAI Cup.

[Buckett]

Thanks, I didn't see the video, just the article in the Indo. That's good to hear.

[exiled_gufc_fan]

Video is here: https://youtu.be/ykXgHECrhCE?si=karM3fzPOk90ZLZs

[legendz]

The detail on promotion and relegation isn't clear yet. Also the detail on what is required for a First Division licence is not clear either. Must all clubs have academy structures in place etc. as part of the licencing?
It is an important level to get established anyways. From there it will be a matter of establishing links from district leagues to regional leagues and then to the new Third Tier.

[nr637]

Ideally the FAI will want new teams outside of the existing league teams areas. Most league teams now have associations & connections with the underage leagues in their area. The Kerry FC model is the template for new clubs I would expect. The likes of Mayo FC, CK United and I suppose teams from areas especially that the league has no representation, Kildare for example, but other areas like Monaghan, Kilkenny or Thurles could be revived too! There are a lot of bigger junior clubs around the country that could be looking at this as well, as some have better facilities and structure in place that would rival existing clubs!

[pineapple stu]

It'll be very interesting to see how much bite there is for this. I hope the sales pitch to clubs is better than in that tweet. No indication as to whether B teams will be involved. Clubs will need more than a confirmed FAI Cup spot and a marketing-speak explanation of what promotion and relegation is to jump I would have thought.

I can't see it going ahead - 20 new teams in the next two months?

[timothydec77]

Ideally the FAI will want new teams outside of the existing league teams areas. Most league teams now have associations & connections with the underage leagues in their area. The Kerry FC model is the template for new clubs I would expect. The likes of Mayo FC, CK United and I suppose teams from areas especially that the league has no representation, Kildare for example, but other areas like Monaghan, Kilkenny or Thurles could be revived too! There are a lot of bigger junior clubs around the country that could be looking at this as well, as some have better facilities and structure in place that would rival existing clubs!

In your situation stronger Intermediate clubs would be left out.

Monaghan always drew on players from outside county. Kilkenny likewise.

Thurles refused to enter the Munster Senior League.

UCC for example in far better shape than mentioned to be sustainable.

[legendz]

The A Championship only had 8 first team clubs over 4 years but all did not participate in each of the 4 years.
Great things were expected from the A Championship as well in terms of attracting new clubs. The FAI National League seems to be looking for dependability that has not been proven, except for a handful of clubs who have joined the academy leagues.

[Martinho II]

Seen a very good article online yesterday Monaghan Utd are playing in USL and still playing in Gortakeegan. Would love to see them back in or an algamation with the Cavan League too?

[nigel-harps1954]

Seen a very good article online yesterday Monaghan Utd are playing in USL and still playing in Gortakeegan. Would love to see them back in or an algamation with the Cavan League too?

There is no USL and Monaghan didn't play the final year of it either. They scraped through one season in USL and went back to Monaghan/Cavan league.

[EatYerGreens]

It'll be very interesting to see how much bite there is for this. I hope the sales pitch to clubs is better than in that tweet. No indication as to whether B teams will be involved. Clubs will need more than a confirmed FAI Cup spot and a marketing-speak explanation of what promotion and relegation is to jump I would have thought.

I can't see it going ahead - 20 new teams in the next two months?

Very strange language from the FAI in that video - asking for expressions of interest "from clubs and entities". Presumably that means they're hoping the Qatari and Saudi Sovereign Wealth Funds will take an interest in having a harse in the evolving Irish footbaling pyramid :D

[EatYerGreens]

The A Championship only had 8 first team clubs over 4 years but all did not participate in each of the 4 years.
Great things were expected from the A Championship as well in terms of attracting new clubs. The FAI National League seems to be looking for dependability that has not been proven, except for a handful of clubs who have joined the academy leagues.

The league is in a much different and stronger position now than it was even back in the 'A Chamoionship' days. There is significantly more support and money around Irish football, and Rovers form in Europe will have done a huge amount to boost the domestic game as well (especially as they weren't even our best team last season!). A lot of the previous reticence to joining the LOI that used to exist around the country will start to dissolve as a result of all of this, as we're becoming a much more credible and attractive entity. It just needs the FAI tp up the prize money significantly to crack the old problem that it could actually cost clubs to step up to the senior levels - and therefore not worth risking the rest of their structures for.

[Larry 'da' Wyse]

Ideally the FAI will want new teams outside of the existing league teams areas. Most league teams now have associations & connections with the underage leagues in their area. The Kerry FC model is the template for new clubs I would expect. The likes of Mayo FC, CK United and I suppose teams from areas especially that the league has no representation, Kildare for example, but other areas like Monaghan, Kilkenny or Thurles could be revived too! There are a lot of bigger junior clubs around the country that could be looking at this as well, as some have better facilities and structure in place that would rival existing clubs!

Can't see an appetite for this in Thurles. Could be wrong. Reckon Clonmel (bigger population) or Tipp Town with St. Michaels would be a better option. Cahir Park seem to have a really decent set-up too. I wonder if any of these clubs would be interested in the new venture. Will be interesting to see ...

[Crgalway]

I’d imagine Limerick Fc will apply based on the fact they still have underage sides playing.