20 Teams, 2 Divisions, 1 National League

[EatYerGreens]

I didn't realise you were a mod actually! When did that happen?

Presumably it was punishment for running the attendances list.

[EatYerGreens]

Crikey - if you have magic then I guess I'd better!

It's probably more witchcraft/voodoo than magic in Donegal.

[nr637]

Thrust in the FAI, it will announce the successful teams on a list in due time! :confused:

[CraftyToePoke]

Thrust in the FAI

Missionary ? Doggy ?
What are we talking here ?

As long as they don't thrust three Donegal and six Dublin clubs in, there'll be enough space for a few more to thrust into it, broadly speaking, would you not agree ?

[nr637]

https://www.irishexaminer.com/business/economy/arid-41723958.html

I wonder are UCC hoping to be part of the New FAI Third Tier Format with its plans to develop the UCC Sports Park! :confused:

[Buckett]

We need another list of potential clubs!

[nr637]

We need another list of potential clubs!

another list of potential clubs

1. UCC

[EatYerGreens]

I didn't realise you were a mod actually! When did that happen?

Since he watched Quadrophenia and bought himself a green parka jacket?

[Roones26]

Read that an announcement is at the end of this month

[nr637]

Your sources please?

[drelihan]

Anyone playing for the top LSL teams is committed to football its just politics amd BS

The top teams in LSL are getting closer to LOI First Division as far as I can see.

[Roones26]

Your sources please?


https://www.mayonews.ie/news/soccer/1929506/were-building-something-special-says-mayo-fcs-anthony-oneill.html

[nr637]

https://www.mayonews.ie/news/soccer/1929506/were-building-something-special-says-mayo-fcs-anthony-oneill.html

Obviously Mayo FC know something about their application for the new Third Tier! :confused:

Maybe there is an NDA agreement involved here for clubs with the FAI!

[culloty82]

Apparently, a number of the original applicants have pulled out of the process, so the FAI are "focused on quality over quantity", with others "on the radar for future expansion", and a fourth tier potentially built around the MSL and LSL - translated, it looks like only between 12-18 clubs are up to the mark the FAI have been looking for:

https://loitalk.com/league-of-ireland-third-tier/

[Roones26]

I mean maybe but I’ll wait til it’s in a mainstream paper even a local paper over the report of a first year journalism student I hadn’t seen elsewhere

[pineapple stu]

it looks like only between 12-18 clubs are up to the mark the FAI have been looking for:

Is that including B teams? That's close to zero additional interest if so

[legendz]

The youth leagues are where any aspiring LoI clubs should start. CK, Kildare and Mayo are the only clubs showing that commitment. (Limerick FC probably should be mentioned as well.)

[nr637]

Apparently, a number of the original applicants have pulled out of the process, so the FAI are "focused on quality over quantity", with others "on the radar for future expansion", and a fourth tier potentially built around the MSL and LSL - translated, it looks like only between 12-18 clubs are up to the mark the FAI have been looking for:

https://loitalk.com/league-of-ireland-third-tier/

I reckon there are plenty of clubs both Senior & Junior that have the necessary facilities, some that would embarrasse current LOI clubs.
The main focus to re-assure clubs involved in this new third tier format will be the financial support that will be available to allow clubs take part.

I reckon the FAI will have no problem getting the required 20 clubs in time.

[Buckett]

I reckon there are plenty of clubs both Senior & Junior that have the necessary facilities, some that would embarrasse current LOI clubs.


I can't think of any club that would already have the necessary facilities, except for Mayo FC probably. Lot's of clubs have nice club houses and training pitches.

[pineapple stu]

The youth leagues are where any aspiring LoI clubs should start. CK, Kildare and Mayo are the only clubs showing that commitment. (Limerick FC probably should be mentioned as well.)
If you're mentioning Limerick FC as something an aspiring LoI club should look to, then your argument is already dead in the water.

[EatYerGreens]

I can't think of any club that would already have the necessary facilities, except for Mayo FC probably. Lot's of clubs have nice club houses and training pitches.

There's definitly a few clubs around that have played in the FAI Cup in recent years and have facilities which would work at a third tier level. Cockhill Celtic in Donegal and Fairview Rangers in Limerick for example (though not sure if either have definitely applied).

[sbgawa]

Wayside Celtic in Dublin could easily become a 3rd tier club as could TEK but does the league need another two Dublin clubs with little or no suppport.

[Buckett]

I forgot about Fairview actually, very tidy ground.
It shouldn't really matter where a club is from sbgawa, if there were enough tiers, promotion and relegation over a few years would put everyone where they should be

[legendz]

If you're mentioning Limerick FC as something an aspiring LoI club should look to, then your argument is already dead in the water.
Aspiring - definitely not. Showing some commitment to the youth leagues - yes.

[culloty82]

Commitment and masochism seemingly related, judging by their results in recent seasons!

[nr637]

I can't think of any club that would already have the necessary facilities, except for Mayo FC probably. Lot's of clubs have nice club houses and training pitches.

Plenty of previous emails have listed clubs that would already have the necessary facilities. :confused:

[pineapple stu]

Aspiring - definitely not. Showing some commitment to the youth leagues - yes.
From which we can conclude that your theory that "The youth leagues are where any aspiring LoI clubs should start" isn't necessarily true.

[Buckett]

Plenty of previous emails have listed clubs that would already have the necessary facilities. :confused:
I don't think I got those emails. There aren't many non league clubs that have 500 covered seats or a segregated away section

[nr637]

I don't think I got those emails. There aren't many non league clubs that have 500 covered seats or a segregated away section

Not even Kerry FC!

[EatYerGreens]

I don't think I got those emails. There aren't many non league clubs that have 500 covered seats or a segregated away section

Is that a stated requirement for the new Third tier though?

I can think of First Division clubs without segregated away ends (e.g. Kerry, Harps). If we're honest, most LOI clubs just declare a corner of their ground as the away end, and there is little or no real segregation of it from the rest of the stadium.

[Buckett]

Is that a stated requirement for the new Third tier though?


I haven't seen requirements for the third tier but was basing it on First Division

[legendz]

From which we can conclude that your theory that "The youth leagues are where any aspiring LoI clubs should start" isn't necessarily true.
It can include aspiring and uninspiring!

If Mayo are entering a side in the U20 league, senior level seems the next logical step.

[nr637]

I thought I would just post some of the conversations online for updates on the new Third Tier through 2025.
Take from it what you want and add any further detail if you have any connections to any clubs named!.



Northern Sound's article from early May (https://www.northernsound.ie/sport/monaghan-united-out-of-national-league-running-258552) explained that the 67 number has been cut down with two criteria given:


"a number of the registered expressions of interest were not fully backed by the clubs"
"a number of the clubs... were believed to be playing below the standard expected of the new league" (I find this criterion highly suspect as aside from the Leinster Senior League standing above all others, there is not much of a gulf between the top flights of any of the remaining leagues in the country)

This article gives the only confirmed club of the 67 to fail this first stage - Monaghan United FC who recently defected from the top flight of the Monaghan Cavan League to the third tier of the North East Football League pyramid (which they are currently leading (https://nefl.ie/table/superior-racking-shelving-division-3a/))


This Shannonside article from late February (https://www.shannonside.ie/sport/no-roscommon-interest-in-new-fai-league-259613) confirms that there will be no side representing the Roscommon & District League in its entirety in the National League. It is believed that no Roscommon side has applied.

This article confirms applications from Mayo FC and Salthill Devon, and the writer "understands clubs and entities from Monaghan [likely just the aforementioned failed Monaghan United FC bid] Meath, Tipperary and Offaly have expressed an interest".

Of the latter 3 counties, the only confirmed applicant from any of them is Peake Villa from Thurles which did so rather amateurishly via an X reply

(https://x.com/PeakeVillaFC/status/1893631858455278033?t=JHpu-9eji49hgL-yiZN1vQ&s=19)

IFB Media seemingly confirmed (https://x.com/IFBMedia/status/1893652350360830082?t=EOA5ELBB8Izx_QyOb_l_uw&s=19) there to be one B-Team applicant, we would have to imagine that belongs to Shamrock Rovers.


IFB Media also confirmed (https://x.com/IFBMedia/status/1897996718538396043?t=-W8zc5OkJxlcOi64O9uSjw&s=19) four applications from University sides:


TUS Midlands (formerly Athlone IT)
UCC
SETU Carlow (formerly Carlow IT)
DCU in partnership with Home Farm FC

Other confirmed sides (please feel free to link evidence for more in replies):


Newbridge FC & Klub Kildare (https://www.leinsterleader.ie/news/local-news/1813513/newbridge-town-fc-welcoming-all-in-bid-for-league-of-ireland-in-kildare.html)
CK United (https://www.carlow-nationalist.ie/sport/soccer/ck-utd-confirm-application-for-third-tier_arid-50553.html)
Cockhill Celtic confirmed to have applied (https://www.donegallive.ie/news/soccer/1717094/donegal-clubs-considering-national-league-applications.html) while Bonagee United and Letterkenny Rovers were seriously considering it
St. Francis

(https://dublingazette.com/sport/st-francis-look-to-join-league-of-ireland-at-third-tier-level-527671/)

There are more clubs that I have seen rumoured to have applied but no official confirmation found in media or online:



Midleton FC
Kilbarrack United
Arklow Town
Trim Celtic

[culloty82]

Trim Celtic and St Pats CY have both released statements that their applications have been rejected.

[Buckett]

I thought I would just post some of the conversations online for updates on the new Third Tier through 2025.
Take from it what you want and add any further detail if you have any connections to any clubs named!.



Northern Sound's article from early May (https://www.northernsound.ie/sport/monaghan-united-out-of-national-league-running-258552) explained that the 67 number has been cut down with two criteria given:


"a number of the registered expressions of interest were not fully backed by the clubs"
"a number of the clubs... were believed to be playing below the standard expected of the new league" (I find this criterion highly suspect as aside from the Leinster Senior League standing above all others, there is not much of a gulf between the top flights of any of the remaining leagues in the country)

This article gives the only confirmed club of the 67 to fail this first stage - Monaghan United FC who recently defected from the top flight of the Monaghan Cavan League to the third tier of the North East Football League pyramid (which they are currently leading (https://nefl.ie/table/superior-racking-shelving-division-3a/))


This Shannonside article from late February (https://www.shannonside.ie/sport/no-roscommon-interest-in-new-fai-league-259613) confirms that there will be no side representing the Roscommon & District League in its entirety in the National League. It is believed that no Roscommon side has applied.

This article confirms applications from Mayo FC and Salthill Devon, and the writer "understands clubs and entities from Monaghan [likely just the aforementioned failed Monaghan United FC bid] Meath, Tipperary and Offaly have expressed an interest".

Of the latter 3 counties, the only confirmed applicant from any of them is Peake Villa from Thurles which did so rather amateurishly via an X reply

(https://x.com/PeakeVillaFC/status/1893631858455278033?t=JHpu-9eji49hgL-yiZN1vQ&s=19)

IFB Media seemingly confirmed (https://x.com/IFBMedia/status/1893652350360830082?t=EOA5ELBB8Izx_QyOb_l_uw&s=19) there to be one B-Team applicant, we would have to imagine that belongs to Shamrock Rovers.


IFB Media also confirmed (https://x.com/IFBMedia/status/1897996718538396043?t=-W8zc5OkJxlcOi64O9uSjw&s=19) four applications from University sides:


TUS Midlands (formerly Athlone IT)
UCC
SETU Carlow (formerly Carlow IT)
DCU in partnership with Home Farm FC

Other confirmed sides (please feel free to link evidence for more in replies):


Newbridge FC & Klub Kildare (https://www.leinsterleader.ie/news/local-news/1813513/newbridge-town-fc-welcoming-all-in-bid-for-league-of-ireland-in-kildare.html)
CK United (https://www.carlow-nationalist.ie/sport/soccer/ck-utd-confirm-application-for-third-tier_arid-50553.html)
Cockhill Celtic confirmed to have applied (https://www.donegallive.ie/news/soccer/1717094/donegal-clubs-considering-national-league-applications.html) while Bonagee United and Letterkenny Rovers were seriously considering it
St. Francis

(https://dublingazette.com/sport/st-francis-look-to-join-league-of-ireland-at-third-tier-level-527671/)

There are more clubs that I have seen rumoured to have applied but no official confirmation found in media or online:



Midleton FC
Kilbarrack United
Arklow Town
Trim Celtic




Great post. It seems to me that we'll just have one extra division of ten teams

[EatYerGreens]

I haven't seen requirements for the third tier but was basing it on First Division

I don't think that's a credible assumption to make re this division though.

I suspect we'll be in very minimalist territory re ground requirements for the new third tier.

[Roones26]

news must be coming shortly if clubs are saying they gave been rejected

[nr637]

I do hope the new League of Ireland third division wiil see teams from counties like Carlow-Kilkenny, Kildare, Mayo, Monaghan, and Tipperary, which have either applied or expressed interest. Other potential areas with strong junior leagues, like Clare could also be possible, as there are some larger counties that could facilitate more clubs, such as Waterford, Galway, Cork and Limerick.
Potential candidates are established junior clubs, new football entities, or university teams, such as SETU. The new league is also expected to include some reserve/U23 sides from existing Premier and First Division clubs.
What would be great to see is something along the following, St Francis, Newbridge Town, Klub Kildare, Salthill Devon, CK United, Limerick FC, DCU/Home Farm, Buncrana FC, Kilkenny City, Peake Villa, St. Michaels, Fairview Rangers, Newmarket Celtic, UCC, Cockhill Celtic maybe a Shamrock Rovers u23 and hopefully clubs based in Navan, Fingal and Swords.

[culloty82]

I don't think Kilkenny City even exist in local leagues nowadays?

[EatYerGreens]

I do hope the new League of Ireland third division wiil see teams from counties like Carlow-Kilkenny, Kildare, Mayo, Monaghan, and Tipperary, which have either applied or expressed interest. Other potential areas with strong junior leagues, like Clare could also be possible, as there are some larger counties that could facilitate more clubs, such as Waterford, Galway, Cork and Limerick.
Potential candidates are established junior clubs, new football entities, or university teams, such as SETU. The new league is also expected to include some reserve/U23 sides from existing Premier and First Division clubs.
What would be great to see is something along the following, St Francis, Newbridge Town, Klub Kildare, Salthill Devon, CK United, Limerick FC, DCU/Home Farm, Buncrana FC, Kilkenny City, Peake Villa, St. Michaels, Fairview Rangers, Newmarket Celtic, UCC, Cockhill Celtic maybe a Shamrock Rovers u23 and hopefully clubs based in Navan, Fingal and Swords.

Did we not all agree on here some time ago to move on from fantasy wishlists re prospective future clubs - to focus instead on realistic/confirmed options? :)

[nigel-harps1954]

We've only had about 750 posts expressing what clubs people would like to see involved and I've already said I don't want to see any more of those lists.

So, please. Don't.

I'll just delete them if they appear again.

There's suggestions that we'll see something towards the end of this month, so we'll wait until then to see what happens before speculating any further, unless there's any more concrete news on the subject.

Thanks.

[legendz]

A Championship clubs had the rug pulled from beneath their feet. The youth leagues then became something of a pathway to build from the ground up.
There are still some regions not entirely represented in the youth leagues. Widening the national spread of player pathway at youth level should be something of a strategic plan. Possibly third tier can be a help for that.
Kerry going straight to the First Division was a big jump. If Mayo, CK and Kildare are part of the third tier - progressing through the youth leagues to the third tier, it is more of an achievable route for the few remaining regions to follow.

[Martinho II]

I don't think Kilkenny City even exist in local leagues nowadays?

did a google on them now there was a campaign a while back but FC Carlow were competing for support so never happened. so looks like they are gone altogether. Last time I was in Kilkenny was when Kilkenny City knocked out Longford /town in the FAI Cup 20 years ago!

[Shearer]

I don't think Kilkenny City even exist in local leagues nowadays?
Last outright Kilkenny representation was Kilkenny United who were in the WNL and propped up the table each and every year, until the FAI kicked them out to get in Carlow Kilkenny - two cheeks of the same arse really.

[nr637]

We've only had about 750 posts expressing what clubs people would like to see involved and I've already said I don't want to see any more of those lists.

So, please. Don't.

I'll just delete them if they appear again.

There's suggestions that we'll see something towards the end of this month, so we'll wait until then to see what happens before speculating any further, unless there's any more concrete news on the subject.

Thanks.

Maybe the fact that other non-league clubs such as Letterkenny Rovers, Bonagee United, and Cockhill Celtic from the Donegal area are seriously considering the new thiird tier league. Maybe it is time some new ideas for soccer in the area. I think the whole Finn Harps stadium build saga has frustrated soccer people in the area and many may want a new club to follow with a different agenda!

[2 Year Contract]

Maybe the fact that other non-league clubs such as Letterkenny Rovers, Bonagee United, and Cockhill Celtic from the Donegal area are seriously considering the new thiird tier league. Maybe it is time some new ideas for soccer in the area. I think the whole Finn Harps stadium build saga has frustrated soccer people in the area and many may want a new club to follow with a different agenda!

Possibly the most bizarre post I’ve read on here in a good while :D Where exactly have you heard of these people who would rather support one of the mentioned non league clubs in the Third tier rather than Finn Harps in the First Division because they want to build a new stadium? What ‘different agenda’ do those clubs have? To get to the level that Finn Harps are at now? :)

[joey B]

Maybe the fact that other non-league clubs such as Letterkenny Rovers, Bonagee United, and Cockhill Celtic from the Donegal area are seriously considering the new thiird tier league. Maybe it is time some new ideas for soccer in the area. I think the whole Finn Harps stadium build saga has frustrated soccer people in the area and many may want a new club to follow with a different agenda!

Sorry what???? What agenda?

[Mr A]

Oh no! Nigel's role in a wider Harps plot in blocking the progression of other clubs in the Northwest by *checks notes* saying that the interminable posting of speculative lists without any real basis or sourcing should stop has been exposed.

Rumbled.

I guess we'll finally have to build this bloody stadium then.

[EatYerGreens]

Maybe the fact that other non-league clubs such as Letterkenny Rovers, Bonagee United, and Cockhill Celtic from the Donegal area are seriously considering the new thiird tier league. Maybe it is time some new ideas for soccer in the area. I think the whole Finn Harps stadium build saga has frustrated soccer people in the area and many may want a new club to follow with a different agenda!

TANTRUM Definition & Meaning | Dictionary.com (https://www.dictionary.com/browse/tantrum)

[EatYerGreens]

Oh no! Nigel's role in a wider Harps plot in blocking the progression of other clubs in the Northwest by *checks notes* saying that the interminable posting of speculative lists without any real basis or sourcing should stop has been exposed.

Rumbled.

I guess we'll finally have to build this bloody stadium then.

I always had my supicions about that Nigel fella...