20 Teams, 2 Divisions, 1 National League

[EalingGreen]

Surely it's just a sensible approach?

The alternative is that any club with even a chance of relegation from the 2nd to 3rd tier will have to have professional player contracts with a relegation clause. Which would hamper their recruitment abilitiy. This would be particularly so for the new club(s) promoted, so would likely increase their chances of instant relegation again.Sensible - or at least unavoidable - if they insist on the third tier being Amateur, I suppose.

But it is that insistence which I think very wrong.

For it cements the gap between the 3rd and 2nd tiers. It "encourages" clubs to make under-the-counter payments. It would take a lot of time and resources to police, with any automatic relegation liable to be challenged in court if the evidence isn't watertight ("Payment" or "Legitimate Expenses"?). It will deter benefactors from putting money into their local clubs, even for facilities etc, if they feel that they cannot also recruit the players to get them promoted to a level where they want/need the facilities etc.

Of course there is always the danger of clubs spending money on players which they don't have, or which might be better spent elsewhere (stadium, academy, womens teams etc), with the ultimate risk of going bust. But such a situation needs to be policed, just the same as it is for the top two tiers. And it might be better policed when it is openly permitted.

All of which I think a shame, since there is a whole lot more about this IFA reorganisation which is commendable. I don't have details, but here is what one meeting attendee has posted on another forum:

The new Conference Leagues [will consist of] 3 x Divisions of 12 teams.

Conference National to replace the PIL
Conference 1 to create a new Tier 4
Conference 2 to create a new Tier 5

Points Scoring based around Sporting Merit (League position in 22/23, 23/24 & 24/25) Facilities and Club Sustainability.

Assuming the 14 PIL teams get a place it leaves 22 spots open for Intermediate and Junior teams to apply for. Timeline looks quite quick:

June 25 - Ground Criteria & Points Scoring Matrix revealed along with application form.

July 25 - Club Evaluations

August 25 - Offers sent out to join Conference League

Funding pot will then be open to the 36 clubs with offers. This currently sits at around £830k so about £23k per Club if they all go for it and distributed equally.

When Ground Criteria is announced it only gives clubs a matter of weeks to get structures in place to Points score and meet the criteria. Also Points Scoring for clubs with youth teams and more favourable for those who hold a long term lease agreement or own their own grounds.

[culloty82]

Mayo FC stated as having applied by the Connacht Telegraph, which explains a possible reluctance by junior clubs in that county:

https://www.con-telegraph.ie/2025/02/25/mayo-senator-renews-calls-for-all-island-league-in-oireachtas-address/

[legendz]

Any word on if Klub Kildare and CK United have expressed an interest?
Any club with academy structures are already on some form of LoI pathway. If Shamrock Rovers are the only LoI club to express an interest in fielding a second team - Shamrock Rovers II, Mayo FC, CK United and Klub Kildare are potentially the only 4 clubs that might join the National League and have LoI academies.
Presumably any club seeking promotion to the First Division will have to have academy structures in place to gain promotion. Does Dublin need more LoI academies if say St Francis were pushing for promotion and that is one of the requirements?

[Nesta99]

Do many LoI clubs still have link ups with schoolboy clubs? It seems to have gone very quiet in that regard eg Dundalk and Malahide. St Kevins wanted their own pathway didnt they but linked up (Bohs?) but again not particularly shouing about it. Rovers would have stolen their thunder for sure and showed up their exploitative model. Have Bray taken on the Cabinteely connection and so on? These were clubs that would have tried to go it alone in underage LoI but needed a senior pathway and now have the possibility. Cavan Monaghan it would be a real surprise if they havent applied considering Monaghan would have the facility and experience. They had teams in Dundalk Schoolboys League which caused significant annoyance locally as they had access to a much bigger catchement and dominated the local traditional stronger clubs for a while.

[nr637]

I would guess teams from Mayo might not have really applied because there might be a focus on Mayo FC, and there are not many other urban centers / established teams in the midlands part of Connacht.

Same really in Cavan and Monaghan. I could imagine though that both a Cavan Town and a Monaghan United applied.

I agree, and I suppose that would be the format that the FAI would prefer.
If Peake Villa and St. Michaels, two Tipperary teams based in and around Thurles have applied, it might mean creating one club that could represent all interests.

[nr637]

It may seem messy, but for observers of GAA it is the best paid amateur game in the world. There are also no shortage of non-league football teams that have paid players and managers over the years and even out bidding LoI clubs. The cynic in me feels that if clubs were canvassed about being given the leeway to pay players if they wish they say no, do it anyway but if they must be amateur by the rules, they avoid scrutiny and a blind eye is turned as it is for GAA.

I agree on the relegated senior club bit, in the early 2000s Dundalk could well have been relegated to a 3rd tier if it existed and to be made turn amateur well I dont know how it would have worked if the club had the resources and wanted to recruit and pay players to climb the leagues again but forced to sign amateur players that could mean staying in a division longer than planned for or resourced for.

We all known that the GAA is the best paid & sponsored amateur game in Ireland! :confused:

[pineapple stu]

I agree, and I suppose that would be the format that the FAI would prefer.
If Peake Villa and St. Michaels, two Tipperary teams based in and around Thurles have applied, it might mean creating one club that could represent all interests.

St Michael's are Tipp Town, not Thurles

[legendz]

With 67 expressions of interest, it'll be interesting to hear what are the long term plans for a Fourth Tier as part of the pathway. Possibly two regional divisions of 10 each as well?
First Division to National League could be a big drop. Clubs have invested in facilities, academies etc.
If there is a saturation of clubs from one area then, does that erode the attainability of one professional club for an area! Currently someone can support their LoI club on a Friday and their local district league on the weekend. Maybe it isn't such a concern?

[nr637]

St Michael's are Tipp Town, not Thurles

Fair enough m8, I stand corrected as I don't know the area. But as referenced in my previous post, I still think that if you have teams applying from the same area such as the two Tipperary based teams, it might be more practical to follow the Mayo or Kerry FC model.

[nr637]

With the new plan for a third tier National League, how many here would support a local team if it was successful with its application?

[nr637]

Here are some of the teams that have been mentioned through various social media outlets. Some have confirmed their interest while talk and rumours have been connected to these clubs.



Leinster
Shamrock Rovers B
St. Francis
CK United
Lucan United
St. Mochtas
Gorey Rangers
Ballymun United
Meath DL
Mullingar Town
Newbridge Town
Maynooth University
Glebe North
Wayside Celtic
Kildare DL
Kilkenny DL
Carlow DL
Swords Celtic
St. Kevins Boys
Dublin University
Tullamore Town

Munster
Limerick City
Peake Villa
St. Michaels
Clonmel Town
Carrick United
UCC
Killarney Celtic
Fairview Rangers
Pike Rovers
Newmarket Celtic
College Corinthians

Connaught/Ulster
Mayo FC
Salthill Devon
Letterkenny Rangers
Cockhill Celtic
Bonagee United

Please add any further clubs that may have the potential to show interest.

[Larry 'da' Wyse]

Fair enough m8, I stand corrected as I don't know the area. But as referenced in my previous post, I still think that if you have teams applying from the same area such as the two Tipperary based teams, it might be more practical to follow the Mayo or Kerry FC model.

Looking at the potential list there is now 4 Tipp teams in the running. Will be interesting to see how the FAI select teams. Also on the standard I would have presumed the MSL (Cork+) league would have been a stronger league than the junior teams. Would there be a massive divide in standard? Could be a case of too much of a gap between the junior clubs selected for the new league and current teams in the LOI Div 1? Of the Tipp teams I think only St. Michaels and Clonmel have won the FAI junior cup in the past. Could be wrong on that.

No big interest in Waterford. Villa FC perhaps?

[Kiki Balboa]

As it seems so popular, I wonder if you reopened the application window now, would you get even far more applications since it seemed to be such an unknown entity before.

I am sure there are some clubs waking up today kicking themselves that they did not apply.

[sbgawa]

Im dissapointed to be honest, i feel like the FAI have fudged the whole thing and are just creating a stoger varsion of the various Country leagues while weakening the Leinster senior league rather than actually creating a third tier or a pyramid.
Maybe in time it could become this but it seems a stretch.
From Rovers perspective i see zero point in it tbh, retaining players to play in a jumped up LSL wont be very attractive if they are good enough that we want to retain them they will be good enough to go and sign an play for Bray/UCD or Shels /BOhs/PAts .

As regards it beiong amateur that wont stop clubs who are already paying players in cash continuing to do it, its been happening for years and wont stop, i even got a few bob myslef about 100 years a go from an LSL team

[Buckett]

I don't think 67 clubs applied. Only a few clubs have announced that they applied. The FAI are still not to be trusted.

[culloty82]

Or else they're refraining from raising local expectations until they learn the licensing requirements/stages of the process that need to be negotiated between now and the next 12-15 months?

[Buckett]

Clubs could just look at First Division licence requirements for a rough idea of what will be required

[EatYerGreens]

Here are some of the teams that have been mentioned through various social media outlets. Some have confirmed their interest while talk and rumours have been connected to these clubs.



Leinster
Shamrock Rovers B
St. Francis
CK United
Lucan United
St. Mochtas
Gorey Rangers
Ballymun United
Meath DL
Mullingar Town
Newbridge Town
Maynooth University
Glebe North
Wayside Celtic
Kildare DL
Kilkenny DL
Carlow DL
Swords Celtic
St. Kevins Boys
Dublin University
Tullamore Town

Munster
Limerick City
Peake Villa
St. Michaels
Clonmel Town
Carrick United
UCC
Killarney Celtic
Fairview Rangers
Pike Rovers
Newmarket Celtic
College Corinthians

Connaught/Ulster
Mayo FC
Salthill Devon
Letterkenny Rangers
Cockhill Celtic
Bonagee United

Please add any further clubs that may have the potential to show interest.

Mad that that extensive list still only contains 36 clubs = barely half of the number we're told have applied.

You really do have to wonder.

[Burnsie]

you can add St Patrick's CY to that list - they confirmed on Twitter that they had applied

I've nothing to back it up but if there were 67 applicants including most of the LSL top flight, I'd be amazed if Tolka Rovers and Malahide weren't among them

And don't forget that these are just expressions of interest. It doesn't amount to longlist of candidates and there's nothing to stop the FAI shaking a few trees to see if they can persuade others to take part. That's one very good reason not to publish the list

[nr637]

Leinster

Shamrock Rovers B
St. Francis
CK United
Lucan United
St. Mochtas
Gorey Rangers
Ballymun United
Meath DL
Mullingar Town
Newbridge Town
Maynooth University
Glebe North
Wayside Celtic
Kildare DL
Kilkenny DL
Carlow DL
Swords Celtic
St. Kevins Boys
Dublin University
Tullamore Town
St Patrick's CY
Tolka Rovers
Malahide


Anymore suggestions, as that's our best form of information!

[Kiki Balboa]

I don't think 67 clubs applied. Only a few clubs have announced that they applied. The FAI are still not to be trusted.

I really dont understand why you would be surprised to be honest. The biggest issue right now is there is no path for a lot of these clubs to join the LOI, and if there was, its a massive jump. A brand new tier fixes that issue. They would be jumping in with 19 other teams.

A lot of them dont exactly trust their own local leagues either, especially the LSL.

Couple that with the current bounce of the LOI (and most importantly the current stability), I would not understand why any club from any urban center wouldn't at least explore the option to be honest.

[Glen Of Aherlow]

Leinster

Shamrock Rovers B
St. Francis
CK United
Lucan United
St. Mochtas
Gorey Rangers
Ballymun United
Meath DL
Mullingar Town
Newbridge Town
Maynooth University
Glebe North
Wayside Celtic
Kildare DL
Kilkenny DL
Carlow DL
Swords Celtic
St. Kevins Boys
Dublin University
Tullamore Town
St Patrick's CY
Tolka Rovers
Malahide


Anymore suggestions, as that's our best form of information!

If there's a team from Mullingar i'm surprised it's not Mullingar Athletic , always seemed far better run and better facilities . Only disadvantage being based about 4 miles out of town .

[Buckett]

With the talk of clubs merging in a post further up, this might interest some of you

https://www.theguardian.com/football/2025/feb/27/crypto-mogul-bitter-battle-bedford-town-real-bedford

[Nesta99]

2 from Louth rumoured not listed but both would be mad for different reasons. Dont see Athboy with a former FAI suit cheerleading things in Meath and a Dublin based club that was suggested to be 1 of a couple with questionable funding, maybe the noose is tightening on the Dubai connection.

[Elfman]

Two more confirmed: Monaghan United and, apparently, Salthill Devon.

https://www.northernsound.ie/sport/monaghan-united-set-for-new-fai-national-league-254245

[Elfman]

Presumably any club seeking promotion to the First Division will have to have academy structures in place to gain promotion. Does Dublin need more LoI academies if say St Francis were pushing for promotion and that is one of the requirements?

What kind of structures are you thinking? I guess the only real criteria currently are that clubs can field teams at U13s, U15s, M&WU17s and U20s as well as afford to pay for each teams travel. I agree with you on having this in place but it'll probably be a prerequisite for promotion to the First Division rather than for this level.

[Elfman]

Do many LoI clubs still have link ups with schoolboy clubs? It seems to have gone very quiet in that regard eg Dundalk and Malahide. Have Bray taken on the Cabinteely connection and so on?

I know that Bohs ended their exclusive agreement with St Kevin's back in July 2023 but the last I heard they still had partnerships with Belvedere, St Kevin's, Castleknock Celtic and Swords Celtic. Not sure what teams get out of it besides possible sell-on fees though.

Haven't seen or heard anything about Cabo or Malahide. Heard rumours about Shelbourne offering free tickets in exchange for facility use but nothing concrete. Certainly seems like there's opportunities for both pro clubs and underage clubs to develop stronger relationships that could be mutually beneficial.

[EalingGreen]

I still think that if you have teams applying from the same area such as the two Tipperary based teams, it might be more practical to follow the Mayo or Kerry FC model.Bearing in mind that the existence of a County team makes it that much harder for another club(s) within that county to aspire to Senior football, how many other counties are there which have a similar Youth set-up to Kerry and Mayo; also have a suitable stadium/facilities; but don't already have a Senior (PD or FD) club?

A handful? Certainly nowhere nearly enough to get anywhere near filling a 2 Division/20 club NL. While there is no certainty that new county model teams will work i.e. Kerry were always the standout candidate and a decent bet, Mayo possibly too, but Leitrim? Clare? Roscommon?

[culloty82]

Interesting to read from that Shannonside article that there was no interest from Roscommon - had been under the impression that Castlerea Celtic had a decent history in junior soccer competitions, even if not actually winning any honours?

[EalingGreen]

Anyhow, I chanced upon an article on the RTE site covering the roblems the GAA are facing with the seemingly inexorable movement of population from rural to urban areas. With GAA being predominantly rural, their country clubs (the majority) are struggling to retain numbers etc; while clubs in urban areas (the minority) are struggling to accommodate increasing numbers:
https://www.rte.ie/sport/football/2025/0225/1498834-stark-figures-illustrate-gaas-rural-urban-dilemma/

The article also included a map showing just how concentrated the population of Ireland is, both ROI and NI, with nearly half living in a narrow strip along the Eastern seaboard:

https://img.rasset.ie/0021f96b-614.jpg?ratio=1.78
(Ireland's east coast has almost half the population of the island - 43.5% - but less than a fifth of its GAA clubs - 18.6%)

The point being that with Football clearly being an urban sport, might you not expect to expand and grow the league set-up from where the people actually live, rather than in rural areas where far fewer people live and which don't have a particularly strong footballing tradition?

[BigEars]

Im dissapointed to be honest, i feel like the FAI have fudged the whole thing and are just creating a stoger varsion of the various Country leagues while weakening the Leinster senior league rather than actually creating a third tier or a pyramid.
Maybe in time it could become this but it seems a stretch.
From Rovers perspective i see zero point in it tbh, retaining players to play in a jumped up LSL wont be very attractive if they are good enough that we want to retain them they will be good enough to go and sign an play for Bray/UCD or Shels /BOhs/PAts .

As regards it beiong amateur that wont stop clubs who are already paying players in cash continuing to do it, its been happening for years and wont stop, i even got a few bob myslef about 100 years a go from an LSL team

Out of interest, what would you have liked to see from this 3rd tier starting out ?

[WeAreRovers]

Do many LoI clubs still have link ups with schoolboy clubs? It seems to have gone very quiet in that regard eg Dundalk and Malahide. St Kevins wanted their own pathway didnt they but linked up (Bohs?) but again not particularly shouing about it. Rovers would have stolen their thunder for sure and showed up their exploitative model. Have Bray taken on the Cabinteely connection and so on? These were clubs that would have tried to go it alone in underage LoI but needed a senior pathway and now have the possibility. Cavan Monaghan it would be a real surprise if they havent applied considering Monaghan would have the facility and experience. They had teams in Dundalk Schoolboys League which caused significant annoyance locally as they had access to a much bigger catchement and dominated the local traditional stronger clubs for a while.

Three different levels of partner clubs at Rovers but lots of schoolboys clubs affiliated in one way or another - Crumlin United, Templogue United, Corduff and Lucan United are the main partners.

Kilnamanagh, Firhouse Carmel, Jobstown Celtic, Sacred Heart, Athy Town, Ballyoulster United, Cambridge, Granada, Kilcullen, Lakelands, Leicester Celtic, Leixlip United, Newlands/Castle Park and Sallins Celtic are affiliated in one way or another.

https://www.shamrockrovers.ie/rovers-in-clubs/

[Kiki Balboa]

2 from Louth rumoured not listed but both would be mad for different reasons. Dont see Athboy with a former FAI suit cheerleading things in Meath and a Dublin based club that was suggested to be 1 of a couple with questionable funding, maybe the noose is tightening on the Dubai connection.

Who are the rumours ? Dying to know... Didn't hear anything myself

[Elfman]

Having a quick look in FAI Connect, they don't appear to have played in the underage leagues since 2022?
A good spot Culloty! I sourced the exact article below; it suggests that there was interest from a club in Offaly. Tullamore perhaps?

https://www.shannonside.ie/sport/no-roscommon-interest-in-new-fai-league-259613

[EatYerGreens]

I don't think the lack of an application/club from Roscommon is either a surprise or a big deal. The north of the county has always contained a decent supoort for Sligo Rovers. The south of the county has Athlone Town right on its doorstep - with a growing part of the town actually in Roscommon. And the middle of the county is close to Longford Town (Strokestown 20km, Roscommon Town about 25km). So the county is suprisingly well-served already by existing LOI clubs anyway.

On top of that Roscommon is very rural, with no large towns. Someone mentioned Castlerea Celtic - in a town with a population of only 2,000 people. Roscommon Town is the biggest, and it's about the size of Ballybofey/Stranorlar. It's also primariyl a GAA county, and always has been.

So I'm not at all surprised if it's had no applications, and see no issue in that either.

[legendz]

The point being that with Football...
Briefly, you see to be a big fan of the Irish League pyramid. Are a lot of small clubs competing against each other helping for a vibrant professional league with big crowds?

[Eminence Grise]

I don't think the lack of an application/club from Roscommon is either a surprise or a big deal. The north of the county has always contained a decent supoort for Sligo Rovers. The south of the county has Athlone Town right on its doorstep - with a growing part of the town actually in Roscommon. And the middle of the county is close to Longford Town (Strokestown 20km, Roscommon Town about 25km). So the county is suprisingly well-served already by existing LOI clubs anyway.

On top of that Roscommon is very rural, with no large towns. Someone mentioned Castlerea Celtic - in a town with a population of only 2,000 people. Roscommon Town is the biggest, and it's about the size of Ballybofey/Stranorlar. It's also primariyl a GAA county, and always has been.

So I'm not at all surprised if it's had no applications, and see no issue in that either.

All very true. Once you go down through Roscommon town (6.5k), Boyle, Castlerea and Ballaghaderreen (2k-ish), every other town in the county is really no more than a large village. For a county its size and population it somehow manages to compete in all three GAA codes: around 30 clubs with hurling strong in the southern part of the county, and nine handball clubs, three only 15 minutes from where I grew up. Round that neck of the woods, there'd never be talk of LoI or rugby. Even cross-channel football tends to take a back seat, apart from the usuals like Man Utd, Liverpool, Celtic.

[nr637]

I don't think 67 clubs applied. Only a few clubs have announced that they applied. The FAI are still not to be trusted.

I do think 67 clubs applied or have shown interest.

You could pick over 20+ clubs from the LSL Premier & Second Divisions and another 10+ well established Junior clubs from the Dublin area alone who are showing interest, approximately 30.
Then there are more top Junior clubs from Wexford & Kildare, along with many County district leagues showing interest, Meath DL, Carlow DL, Kildare DL & Kilkenny DL, approximately 10.
I reckon all the clubs in the MSL Premier Division have applied while several more from the Second Division can be added, approximately 15+.
Additional established Junior clubs from Limerick, Waterford, Kerry & Clare, approximately 10.
The Mayo DL and several Galway, Donegal & Monaghan/Cavan clubs have shown their interest, approximately 10.
There are also several Universities, such as UCD, UCC & Dublin University showing interest.

So you can see how a figure of 67 and more can be created.

[2 Year Contract]

I do think 67 clubs applied or have shown interest.

You could pick over 20+ clubs from the LSL Premier & Second Divisions and another 10+ well established Junior clubs from the Dublin area alone who are showing interest, approximately 30.
Then there are more top Junior clubs from Wexford & Kildare, along with many County district leagues showing interest, Meath DL, Carlow DL, Kildare DL & Kilkenny DL, approximately 10.
I reckon all the clubs in the MSL Premier Division have applied while several more from the Second Division can be added, approximately 15+.
Additional established Junior clubs from Limerick, Waterford, Kerry & Clare, approximately 10.
The Mayo DL and several Galway, Donegal & Monaghan/Cavan clubs have shown their interest, approximately 10.
There are also several Universities, such as UCD, UCC & Dublin University showing interest.

So you can see how a figure of 67 and more can be created.

This entire post is just based on assumptions and guesses. The vast majority of teams you mentioned have not officially confirmed that they’ve applied. Also, UCD interested? They have a League of Ireland team already and it’s been confirmed that shamrock rovers were the only LOI club to have applied to enter a B team into the third tier

[BigEars]

Does anyone know what the application process involved ?

If it was merely expressions of interest till more info is unveiled, then 67 is very plausible.

[DonegalHoop]

There was no application process. Its basically an email sent to the FAI expressing interest.

[nr637]

This entire post is just based on assumptions and guesses. The vast majority of teams you mentioned have not officially confirmed that they’ve applied. Also, UCD interested? They have a League of Ireland team already and it’s been confirmed that shamrock rovers were the only LOI club to have applied to enter a B team into the third tier

Just like a lot of entire posts on here are just based on assumptions and guesses. The post was just a look at where 67 areas of interest could come from. We all know there are some real progressive and established non-clubs around the country who would be interested in using this new structure to further their ambitions. The fact that it is based on assumptions and guesses is not relevant. You seem to be very negative towards the idea. I think the third tier option is a great opportunity. As for UCD, they may be exploring the idea just like several other institutions, such as Dublin University & UCC, so we will have to wait and see.

The best thing about this option, is that it has created another reason to consider and keep soccer in Ireland as a further topic of conversation.

[EalingGreen]

Briefly, you see to be a big fan of the Irish League pyramid. Are a lot of small clubs competing against each other helping for a vibrant professional league with big crowds?Absolutely!

ROI has x2.5 the population of NI, and a wealthier one at that (i.e. more disposable income). Yet we somehow manage to sustain 24 Senior clubs, 4 or 5 f-t of them professional, with the rest p-t, and that without Derry City, from our second city. Over the last 3 or 4 decades the IL has spread from its heartlands in Belfast/Antrim and Mid-Ulster to all parts of NI, incl Fermanagh (Ballinamallard U), and Tyrone (Dungannon S), and further into otherwise outlying areas such as South Down (Warrenpoint T) and Derry again (Institute).

All this against the background of 30 years of horrendous civil strife, and having still to cope with the sectarian legacy that left.

Meanwhile, crowds have almost exactly mirrored those of the LOI in terms of increases over the last few years, and in relative terms, match them too. For example, this season we are averaging just under 1,600 per game in the Premiership. Multiplied by 2.5 this would work out at c.4k, which is, I think, what the LOI PD is achieving? Indeed drop the two bottom teams, Carrick and Loughgall (also the two lowest attendances) and our average for 10 clubs is 1,768, which multiplied by 2.5 equals just under 4.5k.

Similarly, to mirror your splendid Bohs v Shams season opener (35K?), Glens are playing Cliftonville in the final of the League Cup at Windsor in a couple of weeks and with good promotion, fair ticket prices and a Sunday afternoon slot, the match is already a 15k sell-out.

Now don't get me wrong, we still have many problems to sort out, and are behind the LOI in a number of ways. But to even get as far as we have, the pyramid has been vital, esp for anyone old enough like me (just about!) who remembers what things were like with the old IL/'B' Division/Reserves League, all with the same, tired old teams, moribund and lacking any energy or vitality.

In particular, the pyramid offers an opportunity for ambitious clubs, esp those who manage to attract a benefactor who puts money into the club. For example, Ballinamallard were only founded in 1975, in a village of fewer than 2k, in a county which had never before hosted Senior football. They were playing in the Fermanagh & Western League (Junior, amateur). But they had a wealthy local businessman who put money into infrastructure (their ground and facilities are better than a few LOI FD clubs), plus a band of local volunteers who harnessed the village's community spirit, soon working their way right up through Intermediate football to Senior level, where they're now established in the 2nd tier, having had quite a few seasons in the top tier. Ditto Loughgall (founded 1967, pop. 300) and Warrenpoint (1987, pop.9k). And at the other end of the scale, we see what Kenny Bruce has done for Larne, after decades of never going anywhere, even enduring a recent spell outside Senior level before "crowds" of two men and a dog. None of all that could ever have happened without the pyramid.

Plus there is a further advantage. Despite everything else, the IL has never suffered anything like the numbers of clubs going into examinership, or even folding entirely, that we've seen in the LOI, eg Derry City. Twice!

That primarily is because of a lack of Moral Hazard. That is, LOI clubs know that if they should go bust, usually after spending money they don't have to keep up with the rest, the FAI will find a way of keeping them in the league. Further, there is no lower level to sustain them should they need to regroup. For example, Bangor FC got into financial difficulties around 2016 which threatened their very existence. But rather than pushing it, they voluntarily dropped out of the IL, though only after fulfilling all their league fixtures for the season. This being the first time outside Senior football since being founded in 1918, they managed to survive at Intermediate level and work their way back up to the Championship, were this season they look certs to get promoted back to the Premiership. At the same time as this, they're finally getting round to upgrading their stadium, which has been (embarrassingly) decrepit for a long time.

But having said all that, and before anyone thinks I'm coming over all Polyanna, I repeat, we are behind the LOI in a number of respects, with many other problems still to overcome. However without a tolerably functioning pyramid, I shudder to think where we'd be.

Cymru League anyone? :)

[pineapple stu]

As for UCD, they may be exploring the idea just like several other institutions, such as Dublin University & UCC, so we will have to wait and see.
What would UCD be exploring?

We're in the second tier and Rovers are (apparently) the only side to enter a B team. What's left?

[Shearer]

I can see how there'd be 67, but I'd imagine some applications were written in crayon and won't take long to whittle down.

[2 Year Contract]

Just like a lot of entire posts on here are just based on assumptions and guesses. The post was just a look at where 67 areas of interest could come from. We all know there are some real progressive and established non-clubs around the country who would be interested in using this new structure to further their ambitions. The fact that it is based on assumptions and guesses is not relevant. You seem to be very negative towards the idea. I think the third tier option is a great opportunity. As for UCD, they may be exploring the idea just like several other institutions, such as Dublin University & UCC, so we will have to wait and see.

The best thing about this option, is that it has created another reason to consider and keep soccer in Ireland as a further topic of conversation.

I'd be interested to see where you got the idea that I'm negative to the idea of the third tier, quite the opposite really, I’m happy to see what I hope is just a starting point in fully joining the various league structures.

Yes posts in this thread have speculated on potential clubs to join, but since it’s been revealed that 67 clubs have applied, you continue to post speculation as fact. Examples of this are below:


You could pick over 20+ clubs from the LSL Premier & Second Divisions and another 10+ well established Junior clubs from the Dublin area alone who are showing interest, approximately 30.
Who are these 30 clubs that have officially confirmed that they’re interested in joining the third tier please (proof of this please where possible)


Then there are more top Junior clubs from Wexford & Kildare, along with many County district leagues showing interest, Meath DL, Carlow DL, Kildare DL & Kilkenny DL, approximately 10.

Again, what 10 clubs in these leagues have officially confirmed their interest in joining the league or are you just stating your assumption as fact?


The Mayo DL and several Galway, Donegal & Monaghan/Cavan clubs have shown their interest, approximately 10.

Which 10 clubs are those that have officially shown interest?


There are also several Universities, such as UCD, UCC & Dublin University showing interest.


Any links for public confirmation from any of these universities or is this also assumption that has been stated as fact? Apart from the fact that as has been mentioned, Dan McDonnell has stated rovers are the only LOI club to want a reserve side in the third tier so you can rule UCD out unless of course you want to wait and see as you said.

[dundalkfc10]

Who are the rumours ? Dying to know... Didn't hear anything myself

Never heard myself but if I was to guess I'd say Ardee Celtic may be one. Can't see any of the clubs around Dundalk touching it, none of them even play LSL in years since Quay Celtic did maybe 20 years ago

[Nesta99]

Drogheda Town have made informal enquiries about use of the Lourdes Stadium read in to that what you will, there is enough emnity still with some with their local senior club to spite and think they could do better - bad timing though. There is still a surprise with some more ambitious higher education soccer people, though it could well be a way to annoy the GAA dominated sports department, or kite flying on the development of a scholarship programme within existing academic programmes. Ardee cant get on the same hymn sheet, dont want to miss out dont want to over commit -i dont see any harm in any names submitted and can then pull or stick in due course.

[nr637]

I'd be interested to see where you got the idea that I'm negative to the idea of the third tier, quite the opposite really, I’m happy to see what I hope is just a starting point in fully joining the various league structures.

Yes posts in this thread have speculated on potential clubs to join, but since it’s been revealed that 67 clubs have applied, you continue to post speculation as fact. Examples of this are below:

Who are these 30 clubs that have officially confirmed that they’re interested in joining the third tier please (proof of this please where possible)

Again, what 10 clubs in these leagues have officially confirmed their interest in joining the league or are you just stating your assumption as fact?

Which 10 clubs are those that have officially shown interest?

Any links for public confirmation from any of these universities or is this also assumption that has been stated as fact? Apart from the fact that as has been mentioned, Dan McDonnell has stated rovers are the only LOI club to want a reserve side in the third tier so you can rule UCD out unless of course you want to wait and see as you said.


As I have stated on previous posts I know I am basing my information on speculation for fact through various social media claims. I have not really claimed that clubs have confirmed their intentions from any of the various leagues, I have just tried to show the potential that exist for that figure of 67 to be possible. From my perspective I feel as if you have a negative view for the basis of this input.

Hope you can accept my view, if not we will just have to agree to disagree m8 and move on. :confused:

Let's hope we see an official list of clubs soon as we are all anxious to know.

[legendz]

Yet we somehow manage to sustain 24 Senior clubs, 4 or 5 f-t of them professional, with the rest p-t...

How many full time professional clubs are realistically attainable?

You're clearly supportive of the pyramid structure. While there are advantages, can it hinder there being more full time professional clubs with a bigger support base?