Next Season's Top Flight [Archive]

derrymac

12/11/2006, 2:18 PM

I would think at this stage looking at the table it would be very hard to justify relegating UCD over Bray. At the minute they are 6th and even if St Pats overtake them, 7th is a respectable finish. Bray should be fighting for a play off place in a normal year. UCD might play boring football at times but the players they bring through mean they should be in the top flight as no one should be able to use lack of fans as a basis for going down and they will have a new ground next year so keep UCD up.. even though they ground out two 0-0 draws with us this year.

DmanDmythDledge

12/11/2006, 2:40 PM

If the criteria is applied correctly I can't see how UCD would be relegated. The only category we fall down on is attendences, and that only makes up less than 10% of the overall marks.

Louth4sam

12/11/2006, 2:43 PM

Dec 8th I believe.
with the exception of dundalk i agree with the above. id assume waterford and bray are safe and a straight battle between ucd and galway.

I know you have a dislike for us but apart from that what are the reasons Dundalk shouldnt go up?

Rovers on the field have been good but they have no ground and therefore no catchment area. I thought these were big parts of the new look league?

pineapple stu

12/11/2006, 3:41 PM

In response to the actual question, I think the 8th (or the 18th) of December have been mentioned as the announcement date.

Louth4sam

12/11/2006, 4:43 PM

your 5 year record is not top 12, you have been in the first the whole time.

you never finished in the top 2 since you have been relegated

Yes true, our five year record is very poor. We may struggle on this one

you are heavily in debt

No we are not. We are not in dept never mind heavily in dept. We are under new ownership and being run like a business. We are living well within our means.

your stadium is not up to standard.

Why what is the standard? We have a 1500 seater stand and terracing along the far side of the ground which will be turned into a stand in the future. We have two bars both of which have recently been done up. We have knocked down the old toilets for the terraces and are currently building new ones. We are building new dressing rooms in the close season.

you dont appear to have any strategy to increase your support base.

We have one of the best support bases in the whole league. Games are being advertised better and we have become more of a community based club. Schools and a number of clubs are now playing football up in oriel park. The Dundalk FC trust have also raised a lot of money for local charities thus improving Dundalk FC's name in greater Dundalk.

you are the second side in Louth which may be a factor

Not a chance Louth is one of the most populated counties in Ireland. Most people north of Drogheda would support Dundalk. Drogheda fans come from the town itself and Meath

we play in tolka park which is an all seater stadium. derry, shels, cork, waterford and galway dont own their own stadia either.

All those clubs apart from rovers have long term leases on their grounds. If no Eircom league team wanted to let Rovers ground share next season you would be rightly fúcked

we have a training ground and underage pitches in tallaght where we have dozens if youth sides, a lwinster senior league, womens side and a basketball team. the only rovers side not playing in tallaght at the moment is the el one.

We also have a number of underage clubs and a womans club. All clubs in the league have to its part of the licence laws.

Mental Man

12/11/2006, 4:43 PM

Blues are guarenteed top flight footie next year, heard it on friday night at our end of season get together down town;) .

Looks like its Bray or UCD to take the drop. Rovers to come up!

harps1954

12/11/2006, 6:33 PM

Frankfurt Hoop

12/11/2006, 6:46 PM

greater Dundalk.

Wow! What happened in the six weeks since I was last up there?

John83

12/11/2006, 7:02 PM

I have said it plenty of times before, but I think the 11 teams in the Premier at present will still be there next year and will be joined by Shamrock Rovers. Can't see any of the other First Division teams getting in.
I think you're right.

SeanDrog

13/11/2006, 7:50 AM

Not a chance Louth is one of the most populated counties in Ireland. Most people north of Drogheda would support Dundalk. Drogheda fans come from the town itself and Meath

Sorry to burst your bubble but all of Louth from Annagsson down is Drog territory - I live in Dunleer and its Drogs all the way there with flags hanging out of houses, jerseys worn every where, poster sin shops and pubs - everyone talks about the Drogs (ther eis one scumbag who wears a Duns jersey but I think he is just lost). In Castlebellingham I see Drog jerseys everyday - not one Dundalk jersey. Dundalk supoport IMO is north of Castlebellingham and North of Dundalk. South of that is 100% ours. Add into the equation the town itself, Balbriggan and Navan and you will see that we are indeed the Pride of the North East.

Dodge

13/11/2006, 8:07 AM

From the figures I was given. Dundalk were no higher than 15th on the pitch. They won't make that up elsewhere. Bray were 12th, Harps 13th and Galway 14th

Mr_T

13/11/2006, 9:01 AM

I know you have a dislike for us but apart from that what are the reasons Dundalk shouldnt go up?

Dundalk fans (and Galway) should realise this is nothing personal, however when you READ THE CRITERIA for scoring for the new Premier, you can see that already decided positions from the 4 year record leave Dundalk trailing the likes of Bray (by 80 points), UCD (by 90pts) Waterford (by 100pts). Add the fact htat even if Dundalk win the First Division there there is very little scope for making up that many points on Bray for example in the other categories.

This is the reason many people believe Dundalk have no chance of competing in the new Premier and that if they do get up it will highlight that the scoring system actually WAS a farce and that the UCD fans were not being the paranoid conspiracy theorists we thought they were. :)

The same argument applies to Galway although the margins are slightly lower.

So its nothing to do with people opinions, or all the fine things about your club which you list, if down to people looking at the cold hard facts and figures. So no need for any fan of any club to take it so personally when people point this out.

Conor H

13/11/2006, 9:56 AM

Well if the FAI follow it to the absoloutle specifications in the Criteria Shels won't get a license.We all know that won't happen.
There's too many people on the board with different opinions.For example i found out the last day the playoff is worth up to 20 points.......not the 1-15 that was mentioned.Some Harps lads especially think they have it all sussed out.Yee're not far off but yee certainly don't know what the FAI will do.

holidaysong

13/11/2006, 10:03 AM

In Castlebellingham I see Drog jerseys everyday - not one Dundalk jersey. Dundalk supoport IMO is north of Castlebellingham and North of Dundalk. South of that is 100% ours.

Pure rubbish. There is no way Castlebellingham has more Drawda fans than Dundalk fans. Ardee is also a Dundalk supporting town though it is south of Castlebellingham. I know quite a few Dundalk fans from Ardee and I have never heard of anyone from the place supporting Drawda. Dunleer and south of it is your territory. We have two very different fanbases. Any overlap on them is quite minimal. I can't see the fact that you (currently) play in Louth being a factor in how our fanbase potential is judged for next season.

Mr A

13/11/2006, 11:02 AM

Yee're not far off but yee certainly don't know what the FAI will do.

I think you could very well be right Conor. I think there's a very real chance that when it comes to it the FAI may ignore their own criteria.

I've said all along that the process needs to be transparent and open but with Delaney in charge does anyone expect that?

floatinghoop

13/11/2006, 11:17 AM

I think that what this debate proves more than anything else is that the sooner the league goes back to deciding who plays where based on results on the pitch, and nothing else, the better

Mr A

13/11/2006, 11:29 AM

I think that what this debate proves more than anything else is that the sooner the league goes back to deciding who plays where based on results on the pitch, and nothing else, the better

I agree with that to a large extent, but there should also be a line in the sand regarding standards to play in the premier division or indeed the league.

i.e. if licensing was done right we'd be grand.

Peadar

13/11/2006, 11:39 AM

The ideal scenario is that UCD get demoted and Waterford stay up. Then the UCD lads go ape and take the FAI to court. Delaney gets found out and is sacked. :D

Sonic

13/11/2006, 11:41 AM

Another thing that occurred to me is that should the fai drop a club to the first division i can envisage some clubs going through the courts and yet again our league will be in the newspapers for all the wrong reasons. Also lets put it this way outside Pats, Shels, Derry, Cork, Bohs, Drogs and (possibly) Longford(nothing Would Surprise me with the FAI involved) noone should think they are guaranteed admission to the top flight.

NY Hoop

13/11/2006, 11:48 AM

Peadar

13/11/2006, 11:51 AM

I think Galway have done enough to be included.
There are too many clubs around the Dublin area so Bray could be demoted.

Schumi

13/11/2006, 12:04 PM

The ideal scenario is that UCD get demoted and Waterford stay up. Then the UCD lads go ape and take the FAI to court. Delaney gets found out and is sacked. :DBit optimistic there Peadar, I don't think Delaney would be sacked if he went on an axe murdering spree.

Lim till i die

13/11/2006, 12:07 PM

Bit optimistic there Peadar, I don't think Delaney would be sacked if he went on an axe murdering spree.

And how exactly would the fact that he enjoys the occasional axe-murder in any way hinder the continuance of the fine work he's been doing in the FAI

Really, some of you people on here will come up with ANY excuse to twist the knife into poor John :(

John83

13/11/2006, 12:10 PM

And how exactly would the fact that he enjoys the occasional axe-murder in any way hinder the continuance of the fine work he's been doing in the FAI

Really, some of you people on here will come up with ANY excuse to twist the knife into poor John :(
I think all this axe murdering is bringing the game into disrepute, and would like to take this oppertunity to criticise Clinton Morrisson for no reason. Also, you're an idiot for disagreeing with me.

Lim till i die

13/11/2006, 12:15 PM

I think all this axe murdering is bringing the game into disrepute, and would like to take this oppertunity to criticise Clinton Morrisson for no reason. Also, you're an idiot for disagreeing with me.

I feel that the axe-murdering is a private matter for Mr.Delaney and his long suffering wife Lizzie and as such should not be brought into the public domain and in anyway connected with the FAI

In a totally unrelated developement Clinton Morrissons carcass has been found in several plastic bags in bins off Merrion Square. Gardai are following a definite line of enquiry with rumours from inside the FAI suggesting a suicide due to loss of form

SeanDrog

13/11/2006, 12:24 PM

Pure rubbish. There is no way Castlebellingham has more Drawda fans than Dundalk fans. Ardee is also a Dundalk supporting town though it is south of Castlebellingham. I know quite a few Dundalk fans from Ardee and I have never heard of anyone from the place supporting Drawda. Dunleer and south of it is your territory. We have two very different fanbases. Any overlap on them is quite minimal. I can't see the fact that you (currently) play in Louth being a factor in how our fanbase potential is judged for next season.

Hey its nothing personal just plain facts, the Drogs are the team most supported by the Louth areas outside of the two town boundaries. Ardee is clearly a Drog base - how you dispute this is beyond me - maybe a few of your mates moved there to have a sprinkling of Duns fans but its Claret and Blue all the way when it comes to Ardee. Give your friends a few more years living there and they will soon convert to the one true football club in Louth and the Norht East - Drogheda United FC.

Listen you can have Carlingford - nice village - lovely area - they would relish some 1st div. football next season.

Peadar

13/11/2006, 12:29 PM

drogs and de dalk should merge to form Louth United. At least then you might get decent numbers at your games and end all this bickering.

SeanDrog

13/11/2006, 12:36 PM

ah Peadar - the old masterDrogbaitor.

sorry no catch today, :p

So hows your clubs campaign going - whats it called again

"please can someone come in and be our chairman as our other one couldn't be arsed wasting cash in this black hole anymore"?

pineapple stu

13/11/2006, 12:40 PM

I think you could very well be right Conor. I think there's a very real chance that when it comes to it the FAI may ignore their own criteria.

I've said all along that the process needs to be transparent and open but with Delaney in charge does anyone expect that?
The criteria are perfectly clear. Everything you need to know is contained in the part where it says that the AIG's findings are subject to FAI approval.

Peadar

13/11/2006, 12:46 PM

So hows your clubs campaign going - whats it called again

"please can someone come in and be our chairman as our other one couldn't be arsed wasting cash in this black hole anymore"?

Don't think I'll have to wait too long for this post to come back and bite you in the arse. Boy will I enjoy that. You newcomers, who jumped on the drogs bandwagon, are so naive!

SeanDrog

13/11/2006, 12:54 PM

thats it old pal - throw in more bait - but the fish aren't biting :cool:

So how was it to watch more of your championship winning side walk off the pitch on Friday never to return - getting to be a bit of routine thing now isn't it. Maybe Cobh can loan you some players for next season.

Players leaving, even the chairman jumping ship and manager saying he will walk if people want him to - the water level must be neck high now - time to jump maybe?

Macy

13/11/2006, 1:43 PM

I think that what this debate proves more than anything else is that the sooner the league goes back to deciding who plays where based on results on the pitch, and nothing else, the better
There should be fixed critea that you need to meet off the field for the different divisions. After that, decide on the pitch. They could even issue licences for clubs to show that they reach that set critea. Surprised it hasn't been done before tbh.

John83

13/11/2006, 1:51 PM

There should be fixed critea that you need to meet off the field for the different divisions. After that, decide on the pitch. They could even issue licences for clubs to show that they reach that set critea. Surprised it hasn't been done before tbh.
Ach, it'd never work. Clubs would submit in the wrong coloured pen, others to the wrong address. They'd spend so long looking after details like that that noone would spot that a club was on the verge of bankruptcy or something.

Louth4sam

13/11/2006, 2:02 PM

Hey its nothing personal just plain facts, the Drogs are the team most supported by the Louth areas outside of the two town boundaries. Ardee is clearly a Drog base - how you dispute this is beyond me - maybe a few of your mates moved there to have a sprinkling of Duns fans but its Claret and Blue all the way when it comes to Ardee. Give your friends a few more years living there and they will soon convert to the one true football club in Louth and the Norht East - Drogheda United FC.

Listen you can have Carlingford - nice village - lovely area - they would relish some 1st div. football next season.

Are you having a laugh?? Ardee is 100% Dundalk supporters. We also have fans in south armagh, monaghan castlebellingham and parts of dunleer you have everything south of dunleer. Dont try and tell me that there is no Dundalk fans in Dunleer as the Travel club picks fans up there for away matches.

Peadar

13/11/2006, 2:17 PM

So how was it to watch more of your championship winning side walk off the pitch on Friday never to return - getting to be a bit of routine thing now isn't it.

You're too funny! We had one man carry the burdon of running a club for the last 5 years or so. Under him, we've become the biggest club in the country. You've had multiple investors pour money into your club but you've only managed to emulate Longford. I'd like to know how long it will take them to get bored.

We're still in a strong position, with one of the best U21 squads in the country and, as was visible on Friday night, the best ability of any side to draw a crowd. If the new deal goes ahead, the burdon will be spread across multiple people. We'll have a decent manager next season and a decent squad. I have no fear of that. You, on the other hand, have to fear for how long your false sense of security can last.

Kingdom

13/11/2006, 2:58 PM

Peadar who is the new Cork manager?
As another poster alluded to in another thread it makes for interesting speculation during the close season.

So thats Bohs, Cork, Shels and Derry that are all in the hunt for new managers, with the likes of Fenlon Connor Kerr Dolan Rico and Shawaddy all actively looking for jobs as well as Aldo (possibly). Will the new manager be one of the ones above?

Peadar

13/11/2006, 3:23 PM

Will the new manager be one of the ones above?

Kingdom, I don't discuss private matters about Cork City FC on this forum. I hope you'll appreciate why. All will become clearer in the next few days.

Lim till i die

13/11/2006, 4:14 PM

Drogheda people, Dundalk people this is one of the most ludicrous arguments I've ever seen

We have this area, you have that area Blah, Blah, Blah. Fact is neither of ye have much support anywhere in Louth if your attendances are anything to go by so this arguing about townlands, villages, parishes etc is pathetic

Before anybody comes in with Limericks attendances are crap, I acknowledge that, but you won't here me arguing with a Cork City fan about Charleville or a Galway fan about Ennis. Sheesh

Btw I'd like to think all the more civilised people in Louth follow Drogs :p

OneRedArmy

13/11/2006, 4:51 PM

Kingdom, I don't discuss private matters about Cork City FC on this forum. I hope you'll appreciate why. All will become clearer in the next few days.Is it you?

Louth4sam

13/11/2006, 9:49 PM

Btw I'd like to think all the more civilised people in Louth follow Drogs :p

And the more civilised people in limerick follow rugby

pineapple stu

13/11/2006, 9:54 PM

Ardee is clearly a Drog base - how you dispute this is beyond me - maybe a few of your mates moved there to have a sprinkling of Duns fans but its Claret and Blue all the way when it comes to Ardee.
Jayz, even I know Ardee's a Dundalk stronghold!

depor

14/11/2006, 1:02 AM

You're too funny! We had one man carry the burdon of running a club for the last 5 years or so. Under him, we've become the biggest club in the country. You've had multiple investors pour money into your club but you've only managed to emulate Longford. I'd like to know how long it will take them to get bored.

We're still in a strong position, with one of the best U21 squads in the country and, as was visible on Friday night, the best ability of any side to draw a crowd. If the new deal goes ahead, the burdon will be spread across multiple people. We'll have a decent manager next season and a decent squad. I have no fear of that. You, on the other hand, have to fear for how long your false sense of security can last.

im a cobhman but im a fan of cork and eircom league football foremost but im always hearing how lennox did this and that, and all the rest. if you look at it city were sold for less than 500k, u wouldnt get our clubhouse/bar for that. they dont have a ground or a training ground even though they r the 'best' supported, its typical of cork clubs down the years.wonder where all the moneys gone????
i can never understand why city supporters cant chip in and buy the club or at least buy a bit of land which can be developed. take a leaf from rovers book,it would only take 500 quid from 1000 people to make 500k, and the gates will surely support the club no matter whats been said in the last few weeks. theres no way in hell city lost money over the last few years. as long as the club is out of the fans hands it will have no assets.

Snoop Drog

14/11/2006, 1:06 AM

Fact is neither of ye have much support anywhere in Louth if your attendances are anything to go by

unfortuantly, apart from our day out at lansdowne last year, this is too true...

Snoop Drog

14/11/2006, 1:07 AM

Jayz, even I know Ardee's a Dundalk stronghold!

Dundalk isn't even a Dundalk stronghold. But i would have considered Ardee more Lilywhite than Maroon n Blue.

Celdrog

14/11/2006, 1:12 AM

You've had multiple investors pour money into your club but you've only managed to emulate Longford. I'd like to know how long it will take them to get bored.

Well seeing as Vincent Hoey has been with the Drogs since 1963 and Chris Byrne has been there since 1995 it will probably take them a fair while to get bored.
Didn't take Lennox too long to get bored then .....

Lim till i die

14/11/2006, 12:40 PM

And the more civilised people in limerick follow rugby

Touche :p

Are you SURE your from Dundalk :eek:

oriel

14/11/2006, 1:12 PM

The hugely dissapointing factor for Drogheda Utd Football Club since their investors came on board 3 years ago is their support is still nowhere near what they would expect for a team finishing in the top 4. This was realised by the club 3 years ago when they tried make up the missing numbers by increasing admission to eur 20.00 for all league games.

Avg attendances from this site two weeks ago.

Drogheda - 1678 (1682; 1554) (2005 and 2004 in brackets)

This shows clearly they will never achieve the ambition of a big club as the people of the town and various surrounding areas are simply not interested in what they have to offer (2 trophies in 44 years)